HR and Payroll Software Pricing and Cost Guide
Entry prices are easy to misread. Here is what HR and payroll software actually costs, with a verified pricing table and a clear map of where the bill grows.
What HR and payroll software really costs
HR and payroll pricing comes in three shapes. Small business payroll tools publish a base fee plus a per employee charge. Per employee HR platforms charge a flat amount per person, with modules added on top. And global employer of record services charge a platform fee per employee that sits on top of salary, employer taxes and statutory benefits. Knowing which shape you are buying is half the battle.
Two of the largest providers, ADP and Paychex, do not publish prices at all and quote per situation. We mark those clearly below rather than invent a number.
Entry prices and what drives the bill
Entry prices are easy to find and easy to misread. The number that matters is what you pay once you add the right worker types, modules and headcount. The table below lists verified entry prices and what tends to drive the real bill. Pricing as of June 2026; check the vendor for current pricing.
Pricing as of June 2026. Figures are entry prices verified against vendor and reseller sources; modules, headcount and contracts change the total. Check the vendor for current pricing.
Where the bill grows
Most plans are base plus a per employee fee, so the bill scales with headcount, not features. Re estimate your cost at the headcount you expect in 12 months, not today's.
Payroll, benefits administration, time tracking and performance are often separate line items on per employee platforms. Total the modules you will actually switch on.
Employer of record platform fees sit on top of salary, employer taxes and statutory benefits, which vary widely by country and can add a large percentage to the headline fee.
Setup, data migration and year end filings can carry one time fees, especially on midmarket and enterprise plans. Ask whether implementation is included or billed separately.
Annual commitments usually cut the per person price, while monthly flexibility costs more. Weigh the discount against how confident you are in the tool.
For a small US team, full service payroll runs roughly $40 to $80 base plus about $6 to $12 per employee per month, as with Gusto. Per employee HR platforms start near $8 to $10. Global employer of record is far higher, from about $599 per employee per month with Deel. Verified June 2026; check vendors for current pricing.
Both quote based on headcount, pay frequency, modules and region, so they ask for a conversation rather than listing a number. Expect a per employee fee plus a per pay run charge and possible setup and year end fees. Get the quote in writing before you commit.
For a few US W2 employees, a published base plus per person plan is usually cheapest and simplest. For contractors only, a per contractor tool like Deel at about $49 per contractor can beat a full payroll platform. The cheapest real total depends on your worker types and headcount.
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