15 Cheap Payroll Software For Small Businesses (2025)

What Is A Payroll Service?

Running a small business is already challenging. Between managing clients, handling cash flow, and keeping your team happy, payroll often feels like just another complicated task on your to-do list. Hiring an accountant or paying for expensive payroll software might not be an option when you're trying to save every dollar. That's why many small businesses and startups choose cheap payroll software.

First, let's clarify what payroll software is. Simply put, it's a digital tool that automates employee payments. Instead of manually calculating salaries, deductions, and taxes, payroll software simplifies the process. Therefore, it has become an essential tool, especially for small businesses. If you have only one or two employees, you might manage payroll by hand. But as your team grows, this process becomes more complicated and time-consuming. Not to mention that common problems like tax miscalculations, mismatched time tracking, and data entry errors can cost small businesses both time and money. Thankfully, payroll software reduces these risks by keeping everything organized and up to date. It also provides employees easy access to their payslips and personal information, which improves trust and transparency.

However, small businesses usually can't afford an expensive tool. This is why they seek cheaper options; but cheap doesn't always mean good value. Some low-cost tools offer only basic features, while others may have hidden fees or lack important functions, making the process of finding reliable and affordable software challenging. This guide will show you what to look for in affordable payroll software and the best ways to find a tool that works for you in 2025, without compromising quality.

Table Of Contents

• Overview Of The Best Cheap Payroll Software For Small Businesses (2025)
  • 1. Deel
  • 2. HivePayroll
  • 3. Patriot Payroll
  • 4. SurePayroll
  • 5. RemoFirst
  • 6. OnPay
  • 7. RUN Powered By ADP
  • 8. Square Payroll
  • 9. Zoho Payroll
  • 10. Zenefits
  • 11. Payroll4Free
  • 12. Gusto
  • 13. Rippling
  • 14. HR.my
  • 15. 1st Money
• Benefits Of Cheap Payroll Software
• How To Choose The Best Cheap Payroll Software

Overview Of The Best Cheap Payroll Software For Small Businesses (2025)

The term "cheap" can mean different things for different people. Some consider it "budget-friendly," while others worry it means "low-quality." But cheap doesn't always mean bad. Many affordable payroll tools are designed for small businesses that need essential features like accuracy, compliance, and time savings without a high cost. It's important to understand what you're getting for your money. There's a difference between low-cost, efficient software and free or very cheap tools that are limited.

Overall, when looking for cheap payroll software, focus on transparency and scalability. Transparent pricing means no hidden setup fees or surprise charges. Scalable software means you won't need to switch systems every time you hire someone new. You want to find a solution that is not just the cheapest option today but also stays affordable and reliable as your business grows.

1. Deel

Deel is a global platform that simplifies paying contractors and full-time employees worldwide. It manages contracts, payroll, and compliance across multiple countries, saving businesses from having to deal with local regulations directly.

Features

• Global Payroll
  Supports payroll in over 150 countries, paying in various currencies via multiple methods (bank transfer, PayPal, Wise, crypto).
• Employer Of Record (EOR)
  Deel acts as the legal employer in countries without a local entity, handling local labor laws and taxes.
• Contractor Management
  Helps create compliant contracts, manage tax documents, and automate payments for contractors.
• Compliance Automation
  Monitors labor law changes and ensures contracts comply with local requirements.
• HR Workflows
  Offers onboarding, offboarding, and automated tasks through tools like Slack and Jira.
• Integrations
  Connects with popular accounting and HR systems like QuickBooks and BambooHR.
• Security
  Implements data encryption and two-factor authentication to protect sensitive information.

Pricing

• Contractor Management
  ~$49 per contractor/month
• Contractor Of Record (COR)
  Starting at $325 per contractor/month
• Global Payroll
  From $29 per employee/month
• US Payroll
  From $19 per employee/month
• EOR (Full Employment)
  ~$599 per employee/month

Add-ons are available for an extra cost.

Pros

• Supports global payroll and compliance.
• Flexible payment options.
• Built-in compliance tools.
• Seamless integrations with existing tools.
• 24/7 customer support.

Cons

• It can be costly as the team grows.
• Limited built-in time tracking.
• No full mobile app available.
• Mixed customer support experiences.
• Complex pricing structure.

2. HivePayroll

HivePayroll is a cloud-based payroll software designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses in India. It acts as a modern assistant for HR teams, managing tasks like calculating salaries, taxes, attendance, leave, and employee advances. HivePayroll aims to make payroll more accurate, easy, and fast.

Features

• Payroll Processing
  It automatically calculates pay, taxes, overtime, and deductions and creates payslips.
• Attendance And Timesheet Tracking
  It tracks employee hours, works with devices (like biometric scanners), and captures attendance in real time.
• Leave Management
  Employees can request, cancel, or edit leave, and the system includes this in payroll calculations.
• Statutory Compliance
  It meets Indian legal requirements, including TDS, PF, and ESI, ensuring compliance with local laws.
• Reporting And Analytics
  It provides customizable reports, allowing you to view data by department, location, or overall payroll. You can analyze cost trends and workforce metrics.
• Employee Self-Service Portal
  Employees can log in to view payslips, request leave, and check attendance without needing to contact HR.
• Security
  HivePayroll is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring strong protection for payroll and personal data.
• Accessibility And Flexibility
  Being cloud-based means you can access it anytime and from anywhere, making payroll management easier.

Pricing

HivePayroll offers three subscription plans to fit different team sizes and needs:

• Standard
  ₹1,499/month for up to 25 employees, with ₹35/month for each extra employee.
• Premium
  ₹2,499/month for up to 25 employees, with ₹55/month per additional employee.
• Ultimate
  ₹3,999/month for up to 25 employees, with ₹95/month for each extra employee.

They also offer a 15-day free trial, allowing you to try it before making a commitment.

Pros

• Automates many tasks, reducing manual work.
• You can start with a small team and grow easily, as hiring additional employees costs relatively little.
• Built to meet Indian laws (TDS, PF, ESI), lowering the risk of legal issues.
• ISO 27001 certification keeps your payroll data safe.
• Cloud-based access means you can approve payroll on the go.
• Custom reports help you understand costs and payroll trends.
• The self-service portal lets employees access payslips and request leave.

Cons

• It's designed for Indian payroll rules, which may not work for companies outside India.
• While the base price is fair, costs for larger teams can add up, especially on the Ultimate plan.
• You may need a Premium or Ultimate plan for access to additional features.
• Being cloud-based requires a stable internet connection, which could be challenging in some locations.
• Switching from a manual payroll system to HivePayroll may require time and training.

3. Patriot Payroll

Patriot Payroll is online payroll software made for small and medium-sized businesses. It helps you pay your team easily, quickly, and at a low cost. You can run payroll in just a few minutes using a simple three-step process: enter hours, approve payroll, and pay with direct deposit or printed checks. Patriot Payroll supports both employees (W-2) and contractors (1099). You can choose different pay schedules, like weekly, biweekly, or monthly. Plus, you can run as many payrolls as you need each month.

Features

• Payroll Processing
  It includes automatic paycheck calculation, free direct deposit (two-day or four-day, depending on the account) or paper checks, multiple pay rates per employee, and employee self-onboarding, along with a self-service portal.
• Unlimited Payroll Runs
  You can have as many payroll runs as you want per month.
• Tax Filing
  If you choose the Full-Service plan, Patriot handles federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and deposits and even includes year-end filings (such as W-2s). They even guarantee that if they make a mistake, they'll cover penalties.
• Customer Support
  Their support team is based in the US, and many users vouch for how responsive and helpful they are.

Pricing

They have two main plans.

• Basic Payroll
  $17/month base + $4 per person (employee or contractor).
• Full-Service Payroll
  $37/month base + $4 (or $5 depending on source) per person, and that includes full tax filings.

Add-ons cost extra. They also offer a 30-day free trial and sometimes discounts.

Pros

• Very affordable, especially for small teams, as the per-employee cost is lower than many similar software solutions.
• There are no hidden fees.
• Its interface is clean and intuitive.
• Its US-based customer service, including live chat, phone, and email, has generally received good reviews.
• It's scalable for small to mid-sized businesses, as it supports up to 500 employees.

Cons

• The HR features are limited.
• 1099 e-filing costs extra on the Basic plan.
• There's limited report customization.
• It doesn't offer a mobile app, only a mobile‑friendly website.
• If you operate in multiple states, you need to pay extra per state for tax filing in the Full-Service plan.
• Patriot supports US payroll only, so if you ever expand internationally, you'd need a different system.

4. SurePayroll

SurePayroll makes calculating pay, managing deductions, and handling taxes easier. You can use it for both W-2 employees and 1099 contractors.

Features

• Unlimited Payroll Runs
  You can run payroll as many times as you need in a month without extra cost.
• Auto-Payroll
  You can set up recurring payroll.
• Tax Handling
  On the full-service plan, SurePayroll takes care of federal, state, and local payroll tax filing and deposit. They also prepare year-end forms like W‑2s and 1099s.
• Direct Deposit
  Employees can get paid via two-day direct deposit (in the Full Service plan).
• Employee Self‑Service
  Your team can log in (from desktop or mobile) to view pay stubs, tax documents, etc.
• New Hire Reporting
  Automatically reports new hires to the relevant agencies.
• Integrations
  Works with popular accounting software and time‑tracking tools.
• HR Add-Ons
  You can add HR services like 401(k) plans, workers' compensation, and health insurance, but these come with extra costs.
• Support
  They offer customer support via phone, email, and live chat on business days and Saturdays.

Pricing

There are two main plans for small businesses, plus a special plan for household employers:

• No Tax Filing ("Self-Service")
  $20 per month base fee + $4 per employee per month. You manage payroll, but you must file and pay taxes yourself.
• Full Service
  $29 per month base fee + $7 per employee per month. In this plan, SurePayroll takes care of your payroll taxes, filings, and deposits. It includes unlimited payroll runs and free two-day direct deposit.

There is also a household-employer plan (for paying nannies, caregivers, etc.), which costs approximately $39 per month, plus $10 for each additional household employee. There may be extra costs for add-ons or integrations.

Pros

• It is affordable and predictable.
• You get unlimited payroll runs.
• Automatic tax filing is a lifesaver, especially for small business owners who don't want to manage all the tax paperwork.
• Users find the customer service knowledgeable and responsive.
• With its mobile and online access, you can manage payroll from anywhere, and your team can access pay stubs easily.
• You can purchase HR‑related extras.

Cons

• The built-in HR tools are rather basic.
• There are extra costs for add-ons.
• It's really made for US companies, so it's not ideal if you have international employees.
• Some users find that setting up their accounts can be tricky, depending on the representative they work with.
• If you want SurePayroll to manage your year-end tax forms, be aware that there may be extra fees.

5. RemoFirst

If you want to grow your team in different countries, consider using RemoFirst. This tool is a full Employer of Record (EOR) platform that helps you hire, pay, and manage employees and contractors around the world. You can do this in over 180 countries without needing to set up a legal business in each one.

Features

• Global Payroll And Invoice Management
  RemoFirst lets you manage payroll for workers and contractors around the world from a single dashboard. It tracks hours worked, time off, bonuses, and commissions. It also calculates local taxes and social contributions. When it's time to pay your team, RemoFirst sends you an invoice in a major currency of your choice, and they then pay your workers in their local currency.
• Compliance And Risk Management
  RemoFirst ensures that employment contracts, tax filings, and mandatory benefits follow local labor rules so you don't run into legal trouble. They also offer support for visas, work permits, and local statutory benefits in many countries.
• Onboarding And HR
  It enables smooth onboarding of new team members, managing contract generation, document verification, and digital onboarding according to local legal requirements. Additionally, it features a centralized HR dashboard to monitor employee classification and track leave or time off per country.
• Benefits And Extras
  You can offer local benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and bonuses based on the country. RemoFirst helps with benefit sourcing and administration, as well as equipment offerings, by handling the shipping of laptops and gear for new hires during onboarding.
• Contractor Management
  You can onboard contractors, generate compliant contracts, pay them in local currencies, and store invoices.
• Support
  You get a dedicated account manager and 24/5 customer support.

Pricing

• For full-time employees (EOR service), RemoFirst charges a starting rate of $199 per employee per month.
• For contractors, they have a "Pay Contractor" plan starting around $25 per person/month.

There are no setup, onboarding, or termination fees.

Pros

• You can use RemoFirst in over 180 countries, which is great if your team is spread across multiple locations.
• It offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees, which makes budgeting easier.
• They help you stay on the right side of local laws, which reduces risk.
• The platform is user-friendly.
• Paying for contractors is cheaper than many competitors.

Cons

• The price may be higher than that of some competitors.
• According to some reviews, the number of third‑party integrations is limited.
• The analytics tools are basic, so you may find the reporting limited.
• While setup is often fast, in some countries or more complex cases, onboarding can take a bit longer.

6. OnPay

If you own a small business and need a reliable and easy-to-use payroll tool, OnPay is a great option. It's a cloud-based payroll system designed for small to medium teams. You don't need to be a payroll expert to use it, as it simplifies tasks like pay runs, tax filings, and benefits management.

Features

• Easy Payroll
  OnPay allows unlimited pay runs each month. You can pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors from the same dashboard, and choose from different pay schedules, such as weekly, biweekly, monthly, or whatever works for your team.
• Payment Options
  You can pay employees using direct deposit, paper checks, or prepaid debit cards.
• Tax Filing
  OnPay automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes. They take care of the payments for you and guarantee their accuracy.
• Multi-State Payroll
  You can easily pay employees in different states without extra hassle.
• HR Features
  OnPay also offers basic HR tools, including employee self-service, e-signature for hiring documents, and employee form storage.
• Benefits Management
  OnPay helps manage health insurance, retirement plans, and more.
• Support
  Phone and chat support are available Monday through Friday from 9 am to 8 pm ET. It also offers email support.

Pricing

OnPay requires a base fee of $49 per month, plus $6 for each employee or contractor each month. There are no hidden fees for year-end W-2/1099 filings, unlimited pay runs, or multi-state payroll. You also receive free onboarding upon signing up.

Pros

• There are no hidden costs.
• It combines payroll and HR tools efficiently.
• You can easily manage remote or multi-state teams.
• Its customer support is highly praised.
• They guarantee accuracy for tax-related issues.

Cons

• You may need another tool for time tracking, as there isn't one included.
• There's no dedicated app for employers to run payroll on mobile.
• There are fewer integration options compared to larger providers.
• You only get basic HR features.
• It is mainly designed for US businesses, with limited international options.

7. RUN Powered By ADP

RUN is ADP's payroll and HR platform designed for small businesses. It helps over 900,000 small companies with payroll, tax filings, and basic HR needs.

Features

• Payroll Processing And Automation
  You can run payroll quickly on the web or mobile app.
• Taxes And Compliance 
  RUN automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes. It also generates, delivers, and e-files W-2 and 1099 forms for you.
• HR And Hiring Tools  
  RUN has built-in tools for recruiting, onboarding, and compliance training. You can track time, overtime, and project labor costs, too.
• Integrations
  RUN integrates with various tools, including accounting software and HR apps. You can also add extras like retirement plans, benefits, workers' comp, and time tracking.
• Support And Expertise
  RUN offers 24/7 customer support for payroll issues. Higher-tier plans provide phone support for advanced HR help and compliance advice.

Pricing

The Essential plan costs around $79 per month plus $4 for each employee. There are higher-tier plans as well (Enhanced, Complete, HR Pro) that include more features. You can also get a three-month free trial for new users. However, some add-ons come with extra fees, like a 401(k) integration, which costs $40 per month for small teams.

Pros

• Many users find RUN simple and user-friendly.
• Payroll tax filing is automatically handled.
• Both you and your employees can manage payroll on the mobile app.
• It's scalable, as you can add more HR features and tools as your business grows.
• 24/7 payroll assistance is a big plus, with dedicated HR help available on higher plans.

Cons

• ADP does not share detailed pricing for all plans; you may need to speak to a salesperson for a quote.
• Some features that seem standard, like time tracking, may cost extra.
• Users find that the reporting tools are limited.
• While basic payroll is simple, more advanced HR features can be complex for new users.
• Some reviews mention technical issues.

8. Square Payroll

Square Payroll is a straightforward payroll solution created by Square, the company that makes Square POS systems. It is designed for small businesses and supports both employees (W-2) and contractors (1099).

Features

• Full-Service Payroll
  For a monthly fee, Square takes care of paying employees, calculating payroll, and filing taxes. It automatically calculates and files federal, state, and local payroll taxes.
• Unlimited Pay Runs
  You can run payroll as often as you need without extra charges, whether it's weekly, biweekly, or on demand.
• Multiple Pay Options
  You can pay employees by direct deposit, check, or Cash App, based on what they prefer.
• Tax Compliance And Filings
  Square calculates, withholds, and files payroll taxes. It also manages year-end forms, such as W-2s and 1099s, and can mail them for a small additional fee.
• Multi-State Support
  Square can handle payroll for all 50 states in the US.

Pricing

• Full-Service Payroll
  $35/month base fee plus $6/month per person (employee or contractor).
• Contractor-Only Payroll
  $6/month per contractor, with no base fee.

You can cancel at any time with no long-term commitment.

Pros

• Very easy to use, especially if you already use Square for payments or POS.
• Clear and affordable pricing with no hidden fees.
• No contract, so you're free to leave if you want.
• Unlimited payroll runs help if your pay schedule varies.
• There is strong tax support with automatic calculations and filings, plus year-end forms.
• Employees can manage their information via the app or web.

Cons

• Customization and reporting are not as advanced as larger payroll systems.
• Some users report issues or delays with direct deposits, particularly early on.
• There are not many third-party integrations.

9. Zoho Payroll

Zoho Payroll is a cloud-based payroll service designed for small to mid-sized businesses, aimed at making payroll tasks simple and efficient, especially for existing Zoho users.

Features

• Payroll Calculations
  Automatically calculates wages, bonuses, and adjustments.
• Tax Compliance
  Manages federal, state, and local tax filings in the US.
• Flexible Pay Schedules
  Options for weekly, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly payroll.
• Employee Self-Service
  Employees can access payslips and tax forms online.
• Reporting
  Generates payroll reports for tracking costs and trends.

Pricing

• Standard Plan
  $29/month plus $5/employee (annual billing).
• Professional Plan
  $49/month plus $7/employee with advanced features.

Pros

• It seamlessly integrates with other Zoho apps.
• Payroll automation reduces manual work with automated payroll processes.
• There is an employee portal that enhances transparency for employees.
• Its fees are transparent and affordable.

Cons

• Mainly supports users in the US, UAE, and India.
• It requires using other Zoho tools for full functionality.
• There is less flexibility for detailed reports or workflows.

10. Zenefits

Zenefits Payroll is part of the Zenefits platform (now called TriNet Zenefits). This platform combines HR, benefits, time tracking, and more in one place. Instead of being a separate payroll tool, it is included in your HR system. This means that when you update someone's information in HR, it automatically updates in payroll without any extra work.

Features

• Automatic Pay Runs
  Once you set your payroll schedule, Zenefits can run payroll automatically.
• Automatic Tax Filing
  It handles federal, state, and local tax filings, and even year‑end W-2s.
• Onboarding And Offboarding Integration
  New hires are automatically added to payroll, and deductions are applied correctly. If someone leaves, their final paycheck is calculated (pro-rated) for you.
• Payroll Timeline
  You get a visual history of payroll events, like changes in salary, life events, or adjustments.
• Support For Different Worker Types
  It supports full-time employees, contractors, and seasonal workers, too.

Pricing

• Essentials Plan
  $8 per employee per month (or around $10/month if you pay month-to-month).
• Growth Plan
  $16–18 per employee per month (depending on billing).
• Zen Plan
  $27 per employee per month (or $33/month for month-to-month).
• Payroll Add-On
  If you're on Essentials or Growth and want payroll, it's an extra ~$6 per employee/month.

Pros

• Since payroll is part of the broader HR system, you don't need separate tools.
• Automation takes a lot of manual work off your plate.
• The dashboard is user-friendly, both for admins and for regular employees.
• Employees can see pay stubs, time off, and more from the mobile app.

Cons

• You can't really buy just payroll; you need to be on a Zenefits plan first.
• If your business has very complicated payroll rules, Zenefits might feel limited.

11. Payroll4Free

Payroll4Free.com is budget-friendly payroll software designed for small businesses. It is mostly free and works well for teams of up to 10 to 25 people.

Features

• Payroll Processing
  You can run unlimited payrolls, paying W-2 employees or 1099 contractors.
• Payment Methods
  Supports both direct deposit and paper checks.
• Tax Calculations
  The platform can calculate federal, state, and local payroll taxes for you.
• Employee Portal
  Your employees can log in to see their pay stubs, tax forms (like W‑2 or 1099), and their time off.
• Reporting
  Offers a number of built-in payroll reports, and you can even customize some.
• Security
  Uses encryption to protect your data.

Pricing

The core payroll software is free for businesses with up to a certain number of employees. However, if you want Payroll4Free to handle payroll tax payments and filings or use its bank for direct deposit, there's a monthly fee. If you want both, there's a bundle price.

Pros

• The free tier is a huge plus. If your team is small and payroll needs are simple, you can run payroll without paying for expensive software.
• It supports flexible pay types.
• Calculates taxes for you and helps with the correct forms, so you don't have to do everything manually.
• There's a variety of reports, including earnings summaries and payroll journals, which are very useful for tracking and record-keeping.

Cons

• Many users report that the user interface feels outdated and lacks a sleek appearance.
• It works best on Windows and is less ideal for Mac users.
• There are advertisements in the software interface.
• There's no dedicated mobile app for Payroll4Free, so you can't manage payroll easily from your phone.
• It doesn't have more advanced HR tools like onboarding, benefits management, or built-in time tracking.

12. Gusto

Gusto is a simple payroll and HR platform made for small and growing businesses. It acts like a helpful partner that takes care of your payroll, assists with benefits, and provides easy HR tools, so you don't have to manage multiple systems at once.

Features

• Full‑Service Payroll
  Gusto calculates pay, deducts taxes, and helps you file payroll taxes automatically.
• Unlimited Payroll Runs
  You can run payroll as many times as you like.
• Employee Self-Service
  Your team can check pay stubs and tax forms (like W-2s or 1099s) and manage some of their own info.
• Onboarding Tools
  It makes onboarding easier.
• Performance Management
  On some plans, you can conduct performance reviews, provide feedback, track goals, and administer surveys.
• Global Contractor Payments
  Pay contractors in 120+ countries if you work with remote people.

Pricing

• Simple
  $49/month plus $6 per person. Covers full-service payroll, tax filing, unlimited runs, and basic support.
• Plus
  $80/month plus $12 per person. Adds multi-state payroll, next-day direct deposit, time tracking, PTO, and hiring tools.
• Premium
  $180/month plus $22 per person. Offers premium HR support, access to HR experts, advanced reporting, and performance tools.
• Contractor‑Only
  $35/month plus $6 per contractor.

Pros

• The UI is user-friendly.
• It is an all-in-one platform where you can manage payroll, benefits, and HR in a single place.
• It is scalable; you can start with "Simple" and move up to Plus or Premium as your team and needs grow.

Cons

• As your team grows, costs can rise, especially on Plus and Premium.
• Useful extras like next-day pay or priority support aren't in the cheapest plan.
• Gusto is built primarily for US payroll/tax systems. If you're outside the US, it may not work the same way.
• While basic payroll is simple, using all the HR and time tools might take time to learn.

13. Rippling

Rippling Payroll is part of a larger system that combines HR, payroll, benefits, IT, and more. Instead of using different tools for tasks like onboarding, paying employees, tracking time, and managing devices, Rippling allows you to do everything from one place. For small businesses, this means less manual work, fewer separate datasets, and more automation.

Features

• Automated Payroll Processing
  It automatically calculates wages, deductions, and taxes (federal, state, and local) with very little manual input.
• Tax Filing And Compliance
  Rippling handles tax calculations and filings—including W‑2s, 1099s, and new hire reports.
• Global Payroll
  If you have international team members, Rippling supports payroll in 185+ countries and 50+ currencies.
• Time Tracking And Labor Costing
  Rippling's integrated time and attendance system syncs hours worked directly into payroll.
• Reporting And Analytics
  There are pre-built reports on payroll, taxes, labor costs, bonuses, and more.
• Security And Compliance
  Rippling uses strong security: multi-factor authentication, role-based access, encryption, and compliance certifications.

Pricing

• Their base HRIS (core platform) starts at around $8 per employee per month.
• Payroll is an additional $35 per month per user.

Because pricing is quote-based, the total cost depends a lot on how many modules you adopt (e.g., global payroll, benefits, IT) and how many people are on your team.

Pros

• Rippling's workflow engine streamlines repetitive admin tasks.
• Since HR, payroll, time tracking, and IT are all integrated into one system, data flows seamlessly, reducing errors.
• Paying people around the world is simple and centralized.
• It helps you stay compliant with tax and labor laws.
• There's strong reporting with deep analytics, custom reporting, and automatic export to accounting.

Cons

• Because pricing is custom and modular, it's hard to know in advance exactly what you'll pay.
• There's no free trial.
• Learning how to use certain features can take time.
• According to some users, only administrators can reach support directly; employees don't always have the same access.
• If you need many modules (benefits, IT, global payroll), the monthly cost may increase considerably.

14. HR.my

HR.my is cloud-based HR and payroll software that is free for everyone. There are no fees for each employee, no hidden costs, and no trial periods that expire. It includes payroll and offers other HR tools like leave management, expense claims, and attendance tracking. This makes it a strong system for small businesses or teams with tight budgets.

Features

• Flexible Payroll Processing
  It supports various pay periods, including monthly, semi-monthly, weekly, and biweekly.
• Salary Adjustment And History
  HR.my lets you track every change in salary, like when someone gets a raise, allowances are added, or other tweaks are made.
• Self-Service Portal
  Employees can log in to see their payslips, check their attendance, apply for leave, submit expense claims, and more.
• Leave And Attendance Management
  Employees can apply for PTO, and managers can approve or reject it. You get monthly attendance reports, and you can track overtime, undertime, and more.
• Security And Data Control
  HR.my uses strong encryption, and you can enforce two-factor authentication (2FA) for login, which adds an extra layer of security.

Pricing

HR.my's core plan is totally free for unlimited employees. But you can support the project via crowdfunding if you wish. For about $5 per month, you unlock certain perks, such as an ad‑free experience, early access to new features, extra file storage, and more. Plus, there are no hidden license fees or employee-based pricing.

Pros

• It's completely free, so it's super affordable.
• Although it's free, it includes payroll, attendance, leave, expense claims, and more.
• You can add as many employees as you like, without worrying about your costs skyrocketing.
• Cloud-based means you can use it from anywhere (web, tablets, mobile). No installation needed.
• Because HR.my is community-driven, they often add features based on user requests.

Cons

• It doesn't file your payroll taxes for you.
• Some users find the interface somewhat dated.
• If you're new to HR or payroll software, figuring out all the features might take time.
• As a largely free tool, support is limited.

15. 1st Money

1st Money is a payroll and HR platform based in the UK, created for micro-businesses with small teams, usually under ten people. It is one of the most affordable and user-friendly tools available.

Features

• Flexible Payroll Settings
  You can pay people in monthly, four-weekly cycles, and more. It supports different pay periods, overtime pay, night pay, prorated salary, and future pay raises.
• Tax Support And HMRC Integration
  It supports a wide variety of tax scenarios, including more than 20 types of National Insurance categories, veteran tax relief, EEA or expat employees, benefits-in-kind payrolling, and more.
• Employee Self-Service
  Employees can access a visual breakdown of their pay, download payslips, and view tax forms.
• HR And Other Tools
  Beyond payroll, 1st Money includes free modules for onboarding, time-off (such as PTO), timesheets, expense claims, HR documents, and offboarding.
• Audit And Permissions
  You get full audit history, role-based permissions, and secure data handling.

Pricing

• Free Plan
  Truly free for unlimited users, including HR features such as time off, expenses, documents, and timesheets.
• Free+ Plan
  For up to nine payrolled people. This includes full payroll, HMRC filing, pension preview, and more.
• Pro Plan
  Once you have ten or more payrolled people, or if you need more advanced payroll features (such as weekly pay, hourly rates, CIS, or pension filing), you move to Pro. This costs £1.49 per payrolled person per month, with a £14.90 minimum per month.

Pros

• For very small businesses, you could literally use full payroll for free.
• The platform gives you HR tools (time off, onboarding, timesheets) in the same software, so you don't need to juggle many apps.
• Their design is user-friendly.
• You can cancel any time; there's no long commitment.
• They offer human customer support, no AI chatbots or automated messages.

Cons

• If your business grows beyond nine or ten payrolled employees, you'll have to pay per person, which could add up.
• Advanced features cost extra.
• VAT isn't included in their pricing.
• This is built for businesses in the UK (HMRC, National Insurance, etc.), so if you're outside the UK, this may not apply.
• While 1st Money is powerful for its size, very large businesses or those with complex payroll setups may require more advanced automation.

Benefits Of Cheap Payroll Software

Budget-Friendly

When you run a small business, every cent matters. You are likely on a budget, and hiring an accountant or using an expensive payroll service is not an option. Most cheap payroll systems are designed for small businesses that need dependable payroll without spending too much. They often offer different pricing plans, sometimes even a pay-per-employee option, allowing you to start small and expand later.

Time-Saving

If you've spent hours managing or calculating payroll by hand, you know how much time it takes. That's time you could spend on other parts of your business. Cheap payroll software can automatically take care of repetitive and error-prone tasks, so once you enter all the necessary details, the software handles the rest. This can be done with automatic calculations, compliance, integrated tracking, and simple reporting.

Full-Service Payroll

Many people believe that cheap payroll software only offers basic features. While this may have been true in the past, today's affordable payroll tools have advanced significantly. Many now provide full-service payroll features, which means your software takes care of the entire payroll process. This includes calculating wages, filing taxes, paying employees, and ensuring compliance with local laws.

How To Choose The Best Cheap Payroll Software

Price

When looking for cheap payroll software, it's easy to focus on price first. However, "cheap" doesn't always mean "best value." Sometimes, the lowest cost can come with unexpected fees or missing features that you'll need to pay for later. Start by checking each provider's pricing. Most payroll software charges a subscription fee that includes a base amount and a small fee for each employee. For example, you might see a plan that costs $20 per month plus $5 for each employee.

Features

Next, think about what you want your payroll software to do. Affordable tools can have different features, so it's important to know what you really need for your business. At a minimum, good payroll software should calculate employee wages automatically, handle tax deductions and create pay slips, process direct deposits or other payment methods, and keep records for compliance and reporting. If you find these in a low-cost plan, you're heading in the right direction.

Ease Of Use

The main reason to use payroll software is to save time and reduce stress, so ease of use is very important. When you look at different tools, focus on interface design, as you want it to be clean and easy to use; a fast setup process; and automation so the software can handle most tasks for you. Many providers offer free trials or demos, so use them to see how comfortable you feel with the tool.

Customer Service

Even the best software can have problems. That's why good customer support is important. With cheaper payroll software, the quality of support can differ widely. Some low-cost tools only provide chatbots or slow email responses, while others offer live chat or phone support. Before you subscribe, check the kind of support that is included in the basic plan, the response time, and resources like articles, tutorials, or forums.

Reviews

Reading reviews is one of the best ways to get honest insights about how well a product works. When comparing cheap payroll software, check sites like G2, Capterra, or Trustpilot and look for comments about reliability, ease of use, customer support, and pricing. Be cautious of reviews that seem to be too perfect, though. Also, read reviews from businesses like yours. Software that works well for a company with 200 employees might not be right for a five-person startup.

Conclusion

Choosing cheap payroll software can be a smart move when you know what to look for. Affordable does not have to mean low-quality, and many budget-friendly tools offer great value and reliability for small businesses. The key is to find software that covers your needs, saves you time, and keeps your team running smoothly without costing a fortune. As your business grows, you can always upgrade or expand features. Remember, the best cheap payroll software is the one that fits your needs today but also grows with you tomorrow.

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