Last update: July 10
Patriot Software has been serving American small businesses since 2012, trusted by 65,000+ companies and having processed over $19 billion in payroll. Where most payroll platforms bundle features into expensive tiers, Patriot keeps things simple: two clear payroll plans, honest per-employee pricing, and no hidden fees. The Basic Payroll plan starts at $17/mo plus $4 per worker, while Full Service Payroll adds complete federal, state, and local tax filings for $37/mo plus $5 per worker. Capterra recognized Patriot for Best Ease of Use, Best Customer Support, and Best Value in 2026, reflecting its core promise of accuracy and simplicity without enterprise complexity.
Unlimited payroll runs with free direct deposit, auto payroll, and contractor payments
Federal, state, and local tax filings and deposits handled on the Full Service plan
Employee onboarding, new hire reporting, compliance audits, org charts, and PTO management
Built-in reports covering W-2s, 1099s, garnishments, time-off tracking, and payroll history
Native integration with Patriot's own accounting software and add-ons
Optional health benefits, 401(k), workers comp, and HR software available
Capterra Best Ease of Use, Best Support, and Best Value for 2026
Trusted by 65,000+ U.S. businesses with $19B+ in payroll processed
Two payroll plans with transparent per-worker pricing and no hidden fees
Free direct deposit and employee portal on every plan
Optional accounting software under the same login for a unified experience
Among the lowest starting prices in full-service U.S. payroll
Unlimited payroll runs with free direct deposit on all plans
Capterra-recognized for ease of use, support quality, and value
Modular add-ons let businesses pay only for what they need
Integrated accounting software available under the same account
HR and workforce management features are limited
U.S. only, with no support for international payroll
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Capterra Best Ease of Use, Best Support, and Best Value 2026; 65,000+ businesses served
Clean, intuitive interface designed for business owners with no payroll background required
Native Patriot Accounting sync, plus Time and Attendance and HR add-ons
U.S.-based team available by phone and chat
Getting started with Patriot is straightforward and takes just a few minutes.
1. Create Your Account: Sign up at patriotsoftware.com and choose between Basic Payroll or Full Service Payroll.
2. Enter Company Details: Add your business information, EIN, bank account, and preferred pay schedule.
3. Add Your Employees: Input employee details, pay rates, and direct deposit information.
4. Configure Add-Ons (Optional): Enable Time and Attendance, HR software, health benefits, 401(k), or workers comp as needed.
5. Run Your First Payroll: Enter hours or confirm salary amounts, review the summary, and submit.
6. With Full Service, Patriot handles all tax filings and deposits automatically.
Patriot Payroll is built for U.S. small and midsized businesses that want reliable payroll at the lowest reasonable price. It is a particularly strong fit for cost-conscious business owners who want full tax filing support without paying for HR features they do not need. Freelancers, sole proprietors, and businesses with straightforward, recurring payroll will find the Basic plan more than sufficient, while companies wanting hands-off compliance can step up to Full Service. Businesses already using Patriot Accounting benefit from a native integration that keeps payroll and financial data in sync. Companies with complex HR needs, a global workforce, or requirements for advanced workforce management tools will likely need a more feature-rich platform.
Patriot Payroll is one of the most affordable full-service payroll options available for U.S. small businesses. Starting at $17/mo plus $4 per worker on Basic, or $37/mo plus $5 per worker for Full Service with complete tax filing, it delivers reliable payroll without the pricing complexity or feature bloat of larger platforms. Capterra recognition for ease of use, customer support, and value underscores what 65,000+ businesses already know: Patriot keeps payroll simple, accurate, and cost-effective. For U.S. businesses with straightforward payroll needs and a tight budget, it is a hard offer to beat.
See what some customers are saying about OnPay Patriot
OnPay is a simple and straightforward payroll system but it is not so simple that it can't handle various needs. It has easily handled our W-2 employees, our 1099 contractors, and tax payments across multiple states. We are a non-profit and it has been effective in handling the nuances of that.
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Great customer service and quick responses. We have yet to encounter an issue that they haven't been able to resolve. We appreciate being able to speak directly with a representative who is always willing to answer our questions and provide support when needed.
We have had a highly positive experience utilizing OnPay as our payroll and HR management platform. The software has consistently provided a reliable, user-friendly, and efficient system for managing payroll processes, employee records, tax filings, and compliance requirements.