Patriot Payroll is low cost online payroll for small US businesses, with well rated US based support. Full Service, which files your payroll taxes for you, starts at $37 a month plus $5 per worker, less than Gusto's cheapest plan. It is worth it for small, single state teams that want reliable payroll at the lowest price; growing or multi state teams may get more from Gusto.
What Patriot Payroll is
Patriot Payroll is online payroll software from Patriot Software for small businesses Patriot payroll ↗. Patriot says more than 80,000 customers use it and that customers average less than three minutes to run a payroll Patriot payroll ↗.
There are two plans. Basic Payroll calculates pay and handles paychecks, while you file and deposit payroll taxes yourself Patriot pricing ↗. Full Service Payroll also files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes and handles year end filings such as W-2s at no extra fee Patriot pricing ↗.
It sits alongside Patriot's own accounting software, which shares one login with payroll Patriot payroll ↗. Patriot Payroll does not market itself as an AI product; it is here because it is one of the most common low cost payroll choices for small businesses.
What it does well
Price is the main advantage. Full Service at $37 a month plus $5 per worker costs less than Gusto's cheapest plan at $49 plus $6 per person Patriot pricing ↗ Gusto pricing ↗. For 10 employees, that is $87 a month with Patriot against $109 with Gusto Simple, at list prices Patriot pricing ↗ Gusto pricing ↗.
Support is highly rated. On G2, Patriot scores 9.7 for quality of support against 9.0 for Gusto, and has a 4.8 out of 5 rating from about 630 reviews G2 comparison ↗. Patriot says its support is US based and free by phone, email or chat Patriot payroll ↗.
You only pay for what you use. The per worker fee covers each worker paid that month, including 1099 contractors, and in a month with no payroll you pay only the base fee Patriot pricing ↗.
The essentials are covered. Patriot offers unlimited payrolls and all pay frequencies, free direct deposit, an employee portal with self onboarding for W-2 hires, Android and iOS apps, and a free contractor portal Patriot payroll ↗ Patriot pricing ↗.
There is a penalty guarantee. On Full Service, Patriot says it will cover penalties and interest caused by a glitch on its end Patriot pricing ↗.
Where it falls short
Direct deposit is slower. Patriot's standard direct deposit takes 4 days, with 2 day deposit for qualifying customers Patriot payroll ↗. Gusto Plus includes unlimited next day pay Gusto pricing ↗.
Multi state payroll costs extra. Full Service charges $12 a month for each additional state Patriot pricing ↗. Gusto Plus includes multi state payroll Gusto pricing ↗.
HR and time tracking are add ons, at $6 a month plus $2 per employee each Patriot pricing ↗. Gusto bundles more HR tools into its higher plans Gusto pricing ↗.
Fewer integrations. Patriot syncs payroll to QuickBooks Online, exports to QuickBooks Desktop and connects to its own accounting software Patriot payroll ↗. Gusto names Xero, Expensify, Clover and Trainual among its integrations, and G2 shows more integrations for Gusto G2 comparison ↗ Gusto payroll ↗.
Basic Payroll leaves tax filing to you Patriot pricing ↗. Most small businesses without a bookkeeper should budget for Full Service.
Pricing and plans
Basic Payroll costs $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid Patriot pricing ↗. Full Service Payroll costs $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid and adds tax filings and deposits plus year end filings Patriot pricing ↗. Patriot bills in arrears, and the per worker fee includes contractors Patriot pricing ↗.
When we checked, Patriot offered 30 days free followed by 50% off for three months, which brings Full Service to $18.50 a month plus $2.50 per worker during the promotion Patriot pricing ↗. Add ons are Time and Attendance and HR Software, each $6 a month plus $2 per employee at list price Patriot pricing ↗. Each additional state on Full Service is $12 a month Patriot pricing ↗. There is no setup fee listed, and Patriot offers free setup help Patriot pricing ↗. Basic customers pay small fees to e-file 1099s Patriot pricing ↗.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: small teams in one state that pay on a regular schedule and want the lowest bill Patriot pricing ↗ G2 comparison ↗.
- Good fit: owners who value easy access to US based support Patriot payroll ↗ G2 comparison ↗.
- Skip it if: your team needs next day pay or works across several states; Gusto Plus covers both Gusto pricing ↗.
- Skip it if: you want health benefits and HR built in rather than through partners Patriot payroll ↗ Gusto pricing ↗.
Alternatives worth a look
- Gusto: more built in, from $49 a month plus $6 per person, with next day pay and multi state payroll on Plus Gusto pricing ↗.
- QuickBooks Payroll: a natural option if you already keep your books in QuickBooks QuickBooks Payroll ↗.
- Patriot Basic Payroll: $17 a month plus $4 per worker if you are comfortable filing taxes yourself Patriot pricing ↗.
What’s good
- Lower list price than Gusto
- Highly rated, US based support
- 30 day free trial
What to know
- Basic plan does not file taxes for you
- Extra states, time tracking and HR cost extra
Key features
- Unlimited payrolls, all pay frequencies, off cycle runs
- Full Service files federal, state and local taxes and year end forms
- Free direct deposit, 4 day standard or 2 day if qualified
- Employee portal with self onboarding and mobile apps
- Time tracking and HR add ons
Works with
Questions people ask
How much does Patriot Payroll cost?
Basic is $17 a month plus $4 per worker, and Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker Patriot pricing ↗.
Does Patriot Payroll have a free trial?
Yes. When we checked, Patriot offered 30 days free followed by 50% off for three months Patriot pricing ↗.
Is Patriot Payroll cheaper than Gusto?
Yes. Patriot Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker, while Gusto's cheapest plan is $49 plus $6 per person Patriot pricing ↗ Gusto pricing ↗.
Does Patriot Payroll file payroll taxes?
Full Service does, including federal, state and local filings and year end forms. Basic Payroll leaves filing to you Patriot pricing ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Built from 6 sources: the makers' own pages plus independent reviews and user reports. We have not run our own hands on test yet; if we do, the results will appear here.
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