Cheapest payroll for 1 employee

For 1 employee in 1 state, needing tax filing done for you, the lowest published price is $29 a month (Deel Payroll: US (self-service) plan). 13 services fit, cheapest first.

1. 1 Deel Payroll: US (self-service) plan

   $348 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $29

   • 1 employee × $29: $29

   Self-service price; the Managed version (with a dedicated Deel Payroll Manager) has no published price. Product page: "Deel Payroll - US is built for companies with fewer than 200 US employees." Off-cycle runs are free: "we do not charge for off-cycle payments with US payroll." Accounting integration listed is NetSuite. HR tools: "digital I-9 verification to facilitate compliant new hire onboarding". The contractor add-on is Deel's global contractor product ("Starting at $49 per contractor per month"). US 1099 contractor handling under US Payroll isn't stated. This plan's contractor price isn't published, so we leave it out when you add contractors.

   Note: We use the price on Deel's pricing page: $29 per employee per month for Deel Payroll: US (self-service). Some of Deel's own blog posts give lower starting prices ($24 and $19 per employee per month), so check Deel's site for the price you're offered.

   Note: Deel's product page suggests its self-service option if you pay salaried or exempt employees "in one or a few states" and describes it as "a fast, automated way to handle calculations, taxes, and filings yourself". It suggests its managed option, which has no published price, if you're "hiring across multiple states". Deel's FAQ says it files payroll taxes on your behalf in all 50 states. Ask Deel what each option files for you.

   $29/month

   See Deel plansVisit Deel

2. 2 Square Payroll Full-service payroll plan

   $492 a year · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $41

   • Full-service payroll base fee: $35
   • 1 employee × $6: $6

   Per-person fee applies to every person paid (employees and contractors): 'We help employers pay any combination of W-2 employees and contractors with our full-service payroll.' Comparison table marks as Included: 'Unlimited pay runs per month', 'Multistate payroll', 'Next-day direct deposit', 'Automated federal tax payments and filings', 'Automated state tax payments and filings', 'Post-tax deductions and garnishments', 'Digital delivery of W2s/1099s', 'Square Team App for employees', 'QuickBooks Online integration'. Mailed paper W-2/1099 copies cost extra: 'Annual fee of $3/mailed form'. Health insurance, 401(k) and workers' compensation are listed as 'Add-on' (no price published). The product page ties next-day payroll to Square funds: 'Process next-day payroll with a Square balance or Square Checking account.' 'Instant Deposit' (Cash App) is included: 'Team members get their paycheck instantly if they use Cash App.' No local-tax or 50-state wording on the page.

   $41/month

   See Square Payroll plansVisit Square Payroll

3. 3 Patriot Full Service Payroll plan

   $504 a year · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $42

   • Full Service Payroll base fee: $37
   • 1 employee × $5: $5

   Files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes; year-end filings (940, 941, W-2, W-3) at no additional fee. Multi-state filing costs $12 per month for each additional state (first state included). Tax filing reliability guarantee: 'We’ll take care of any penalties and interest in the unlikely event of a glitch on our end.'

   Current offer (not included in this price): 30 days free + 50% off for 3 months (applies to base and per-worker fees: Basic $8.50/mo + $2 per worker, Full Service $18.50/mo + $2.50 per worker; add-ons $3/mo + $1 per employee)

   $42/month

   See Patriot plansVisit Patriot

4. 4 Paychex Flex Essentials plan

   $528 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $44

   • Paychex Flex Essentials base fee: $39
   • 1 employee × $5: $5

   Online self-signup plan built for businesses that 'Have fewer than 20 employees and/or contractors' (target audience, not a stated hard cap). Tax filing: 'Rest easy knowing your federal, state, and identified local payroll taxes will be calculated, paid, and filed on your behalf.' with footnote '* Additional fees may apply.' (amount not published). Year-end forms are NOT included: 'W-2s and 1099s** Get your required employee and independent contractor tax forms for tax season.' / '** Available at additional cost.' Payroll runs: 'Unlimited Payrolls Pay employees as often as you like with no restrictions or additional fees.' Includes direct deposit, new-hire reporting, mobile app and Employee Self-Service. Support: '24/7 support options available' (channel not specified). 'No cost or obligation until your first payroll'. Contractor pricing not stated (price is quoted 'per employee'). Other states: the sign-up FAQ says 'If employees work in other states, you can add that information too.' No extra-state fee is published (and the tax service footnote says '* Additional fees may apply.'), so we don't price this plan for teams in more than one state. This plan's contractor price isn't published, so we leave it out when you add contractors.

   Note: This price comes from Paychex's Flex Essentials page. Paychex's main pricing page lists its other packages as "Request Pricing" and doesn't link to it, so this plan may not be offered to every business. Confirm with Paychex.

   $44/month

   See Paychex Flex plansVisit Paychex Flex

5. 5 Roll by ADP Roll plan

   $528 a year · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $44

   • Roll base fee: $39
   • 1 employee × $5: $5

   Single plan. Terms: 'you will automatically be charged $39 per month (base fee for the whole company)' 'plus $5 per W-2 employee and/or 1099 contractor who is actively being paid by Roll in that month'; FAQ: 'you will not be charged the employee fee for employees who are not paid during a given month.' Taxes: Roll 'automatically calculates, withholds, and files federal, state, and local taxes as necessary'; 'Payroll in all 50 states'; 'Pay workers who live and work in different states'. 'Unlimited payroll (run payroll whenever you want)'. Deposits: 'Employees set up with direct deposit will see funds digitally deposited within 24 hours, provided payroll is processed by 7:00 p.m. EST of the deadline date.' Same-day costs extra: 'same-day direct deposit or instant transfer, for a per-transaction fee' (amount not published; cutoff 2:00 p.m. EST). Year-end: 'Roll files and remits payment for W-2s.' / 'Roll files and remits payment for 1099-NEC.' (no separate fee stated; page says 'No Hidden Fees, No Surprises'). Time tracking: 'Roll offers timekeeping options for all your W-2 and 1099 workers.' Garnishments: 'Roll ensures that garnishments for wages are automatically processed and disbursed!' Accounting: 'QuickBooks® Online integration'. Benefits/retirement: only 'Automatic deductions' for benefit and retirement plans (not benefits administration). Support: 'Unlimited live chat support' / 'available 24/7' in-app chat; a phone line (Mon.-Fri., 8am-5pm EST) is listed in the contact section. Terms: 'There may be fees, including during any free trial period, for added services or features you elect.'

   $44/month

   See Roll by ADP plansVisit Roll by ADP

6. 6 Wave (US) plan

   $552 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $46

   • Wave Payroll (US) base fee: $40
   • 1 employee × $6: $6

   Tax service states vs self-service states: Wave used to charge a higher base rate in 'tax service states' (where Wave pays and files payroll taxes) than in self-service states (where the business files itself). Wave's page now says this split ended: 'Prior to April 2, 2025, our tax service was not available in all US states.' and 'Now, Wave offers our tax service in all 50 US states, meaning the pricing is the same for all states.' So full-service-tax-filing applies in every US state for customers on current pricing ('Prices apply to new payroll customers who signed up after April 2, 2025.'). Tax service excludes 1099 filing: 'Wave will automatically transfer tax payments and file the paperwork with your state tax agency and the IRS (excluding 1099 filings)'. Wave pays contractors ('+ $6 per independent contractor paid') and generates 1099-NEC forms, but because it does not file 1099s, contractors-1099 is not listed. Year-end forms: 'Easily generate W-2 and W-3 and 1099-NEC' with 'No set-up fees or hidden charges.' Direct deposit: 'Unlimited free direct deposits' (no next-day/same-day wording). Leave: 'Track leave time and accruals required to process payroll.' Employee portal: 'Integrated employee portal for access to pay stubs, W-2s, and vacation leave'. Accounting integration is with Wave's own accounting ('Seamless integration with Wave's accounting software'), not QuickBooks/Xero. Footnote: '*In rare cases, tax payments may not be able to be automatically transferred.'

   Note: These prices apply to new payroll customers who signed up after April 2, 2025.

   $46/month

   See Wave plansVisit Wave

7. 7 Gusto Simple plan

   $660 a year · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $55

   • Simple base fee: $49
   • 1 employee × $6: $6

   Single-state payroll only ("Run basic payroll in one state."). U.S. contractors billed at the same per-person price, only in months they are paid. Same-day pay ($90 per payroll) and Instant pay ($100 per payroll) are available as per-payroll add-ons. Workers' comp is a pay-as-you-go add-on listed as "Starting at $14/mo". Health insurance administration has no Gusto fee (pay premiums only); keeping your own broker costs $6/mo per eligible employee.

   $55/month

   See Gusto plansVisit Gusto

8. 8 Homebase Payroll add-on + Basic (free) plan

   $660 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $55

   • Payroll add-on + Basic (free) plan base fee: $49
   • 1 employee × $6: $6

   Payroll is an add-on and works on the free Basic plan. Basic is limited to 1 location and up to 10 employees; Homebase defines a location as 'a physical address that is your place of business'. Basic has no live chat/phone support in the plan comparison. Price is per company per month. Only employees paid that month are billed ("Only pay for employees who get paid."). This plan's contractor price isn't published, so we leave it out when you add contractors.

   Current offer (not included in this price): "6 Months Free: Payroll & Plus Plan. Add Payroll, get 6 months of Payroll and Plus Plan on us. Limited time offer." For teams of 5 or fewer (including the account owner) who complete payroll setup by 12/15/2026 and run their first payroll between 9/15/2026 and 1/20/2027: "After the 6-month free period, Payroll is $29/month + $6 per employee paid, instead of the standard $49/month + $6 per employee paid." Source: https://www.joinhomebase.com/terms-eoy6-payroll-xs

   Note: Each price includes the Homebase scheduling plan it requires. Homebase plan fees are charged per location, so add one plan fee for each extra location. Homebase defines a location as "a physical address that is your place of business", but it doesn't say whether an employee who works in another state, away from your business addresses, needs a location of their own. If your team works in more than one state, ask Homebase before you rely on this price.

   $55/month

   See Homebase plansVisit Homebase

9. 9 OnPay Payroll Essentials plan

   $660 a year · prices checked 2026-10-22

   How we got $55

   • Payroll Essentials base fee: $49
   • 1 employee × $6: $6

   Single plan. 'Per worker' covers W-2 and 1099 workers ('Pay W-2 and 1099 workers'). Multi-state included at no extra cost ('No additional cost — pay in as many states as you need'). PTO accrual policies are in the base plan; PTO requests/approvals dashboard is in the HR add-on (+ $15 base and $2/worker per month). Other add-ons: Compliance Resources + $10 base per month; Live HR Support + $65 base per month. Benefits, workers' comp and 401(k): pay plan premiums only. Discounted bundles also exist (e.g. Payroll + HR + Time Tracking $70 base + $10/worker instead of $79 + $12).

   Current offer (not included in this price): Get one month free ("Your first month is free." on onpay.com/get-started/)

   $55/month

   See OnPay plansVisit OnPay

10. 10 QuickBooks Workforce Payroll (formerly Payroll Core) plan

    $684 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

    How we got $57

    • Workforce Payroll (formerly Payroll Core) base fee: $50
    • 1 employee × $7: $7

    Automated tax filing covers federal and state taxes; certain local taxes only on Premium and Elite. Next-day direct deposit for employees; for contractors 'Available for contractors for an additional fee'. Unlimited 1099-MISC/1099-NEC e-filing included ('Additional fees may apply to print and mail a copy'). Time tracking NOT included (Premium and Elite only). Mineral HR experts available as a paid add-on (price not shown). The page's internal product id is PR_CORE. States: 1 state is included, and the offer terms say 'If you file taxes in more than one state, each additional state is $12/month for only Workforce Payroll and Workforce Premium' (the 50%-off discount doesn't apply to it); Intuit's help article on paying employees in a new state covers QuickBooks Workforce with no plan restriction. Automatic payroll needs, among other conditions, that 'all employees are located in the same state and the company is not a multi-state company'. Contractors: '+$7/employee/contractor' (Workforce Payroll card on the Contractor Payments page).

    Current offer (not included in this price): Buy now & save 50% for 3 months* (new customers, monthly plan). Per the offer terms the discount 'is applied to the monthly base price' only: 'Discount does not apply to per-employee fees, per-contractor fees or state tax filing fees for QuickBooks Workforce, or to other add-on fees or services.'

    Note: QuickBooks now sells its payroll plans as "QuickBooks Workforce". Its fee of $12 a month for each state after the first (Workforce Payroll and Workforce Premium) and its contractor fees for Workforce Premium and Elite appear in its offer terms, not on its plan cards. Our prices include them.

    $57/month

    See QuickBooks plansVisit QuickBooks

11. 11 Justworks Payroll plan

    $696 a year · prices checked 2026-10-22

    How we got $58

    • Payroll base fee: $50
    • 1 employee × $8: $8

    Contractor payments are the 'US-Based Contractors' add-on at $8/month per paid contractor, billed only in months you pay them. They're priced into perUnit.contractor here. Part-time employees are also $8/month. 'Basic Timecards' are included. Advanced time tracking is the $8/employee add-on. The health-insurance add-on is billed per benefits-eligible employee. 'Access to Workers’ Comp' is checked for this plan (pay-as-you-go not stated). Any company size can use Payroll.

    $58/month

    See Justworks plansVisit Justworks

12. 12 Hourly Gold plan

    $1,104 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

    How we got $92

    • Gold base fee: $80
    • 1 employee × $12: $12

    Billed per active user: "anyone who records at least one shift or gets paid at least once per month." Direct deposit on Gold is the slowest tier (the 'All Features by Plan' table says 'Four-Day'; the top comparison table says 'Two-Day'). Includes Automated Tax Payments and Filing, W-2s Issued for Your Employees, Legal Garnishments, Child Support Payments, Workers' Comp Integration, Employee App, Time Tracking With GPS, Job Costing Reports, Unlimited Phone Support. Workers' comp insurance premiums are separate (Hourly sells pay-as-you-go workers' comp). This plan's contractor price isn't published, so we leave it out when you add contractors.

    Note: Hourly publishes these prices but also says to request a quote for exact pricing.

    Note: Hourly's payroll benefits page says it calculates, pays and files payroll taxes "in all 50 states", but the same page also offers sign-ups to "Get notified when we add new states", and Hourly's help center article on adding an employee (last updated October 17, 2023) says the employee's "home address which must be located in California". Confirm that Hourly serves your state before you rely on this price.

    $92/month

    See Hourly plansVisit Hourly

13. 13 Paycor Basic plan

    $1,248 a year · see note · prices checked 2026-10-22

    How we got $104

    • Basic base fee: $99
    • 1 employee × $5: $5

    For businesses with under 50 employees. Includes 'Payroll and Tax Service' (Federal & state tax filing, Direct deposit, Check stuffing, Employee self-service, New hire filing), Off-Cycle Payruns, AutoRun, OnDemand Pay. Wage garnishments on Basic are 'Client managed service w/Electronic Payment options' (not handled by Paycor). FAQ: "There is no limit to the number of payrolls you run each month." This plan's contractor price isn't published, so we leave it out when you add contractors.

    Current offer (not included in this price): "Limited Time Offer for New Customers: Get 50% OFF for 6 months*" ("*Some Restrictions Apply"); plan cards also show "3 Months FREE" badges

    Note: Paycor's pricing page also contains an older, hidden price table with different numbers. We use the prices the page visibly shows.

    $104/month

    See Paycor plansVisit Paycor