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Best Free Payroll Tools in 2026

Updated: April 2026

Discover the best free payroll software. No credit card required. 3 completely free tools and 10 with generous free tiers.

Free= 100% free, no payment ever
Freemium= Free tier + paid upgrades
Key Takeaways
  • Hubstaff is our #1 pick for free payroll in 2026.
  • We analyzed 13 free payroll tools to create this ranking.
  • 13 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
1
Hubstaff logo

Hubstaff

Time tracking and workforce management

78/100
Free Tier Available4.5/53,712 ratings

Hubstaff is a workforce management platform that helps teams track time, manage projects, and process payroll. It's designed for remote teams and field service companies who need to track work across locations.

2
Paycor logo

Paycor

Empowering leaders with comprehensive HR, payroll, and HCM solutions to drive business results.

Free Tier Available4.2/54,097 ratings

Paycor offers a comprehensive suite of Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions designed to empower leaders and streamline HR, payroll, and talent management processes. The platform provides a single source of truth for all employee data, simplifying administrative tasks and improving efficiency across an organization. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, and is scalable to accommodate growth. The product encompasses core HR and payroll functionalities, including automated payroll processing, tax filing, compliance management, and expense tracking. Beyond these essentials, Paycor provides robust talent management tools covering recruiting, automated talent sourcing, onboarding, talent development, career management, learning management, and compensation planning. Additionally, it offers workforce management features like time and attendance tracking and employee scheduling, alongside benefits administration solutions including benefits software, ACA compliance, and workers' compensation management. The platform is designed to modernize people management, from recruitment and onboarding to development, compensation, and retention, fostering a positive company culture.

3
Paycom logo

Paycom

One powerful HR and payroll software that puts employee data at your command.

100% Free4.3/52,710 ratings

Paycom offers a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) platform built on a single database, designed to streamline HR and payroll processes for businesses. It aims to automate tasks, reduce manual errors, and empower employees through self-service functionalities. The platform integrates various HR functions, from payroll and time management to talent acquisition and benefits administration, all within a unified system. The core value proposition of Paycom lies in its "truly single database" architecture, which eliminates data reentry, app hopping, and potential security weak points often associated with patchwork HR solutions. It leverages AI-driven features like IWant for instant data retrieval and Beti for automated, employee-driven payroll, significantly reducing the administrative burden on HR teams and improving data accuracy. Paycom is suitable for organizations looking to modernize their HR operations, enhance efficiency, and ensure compliance with robust security standards.

4
Homebase logo

Homebase

The all-in-one app for hourly teams: scheduling, time clocks, payroll, and HR.

Free Tier Available4.5/51,363 ratings

Homebase is a comprehensive software solution designed specifically for small businesses with hourly employees. It streamlines essential operations like employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll processing, helping managers save time and reduce administrative burden. The platform also includes tools for team communication, hiring, onboarding, and HR management, aiming to create a more organized and efficient workplace. The product helps businesses manage labor costs, ensure compliance with labor laws, and improve employee satisfaction. By integrating various functions into a single platform, Homebase allows businesses to automate tedious tasks, from generating schedules and tracking hours to calculating wages and taxes. It's built to support the unique needs of hourly teams across various industries, from restaurants to retail, by providing tools that enhance productivity and communication.

5
TMetric logo

TMetric

Effortless time tracking software to capture billable hours, evaluate project efficiency, and send accurate invoices.

Free Tier Available4.5/5356 ratings

TMetric is a comprehensive time tracking and billing software designed for professional teams of any size. It helps businesses accurately capture work hours, monitor team activity, and gain insights into project efficiency and productivity. The platform offers robust features for tracking time across various tasks, projects, and clients, ensuring every billable minute is accounted for. Beyond basic time tracking, TMetric streamlines critical business operations like payroll and invoicing. It automates the generation of professional invoices directly from tracked time, supports multiple billing rates and currencies, and integrates with popular accounting software. For payroll, it simplifies calculations based on recorded work hours and manages time off requests, making it an all-in-one solution for managing workforce time and related financial processes. It's ideal for software developers, marketers, designers, accountants, consultants, and agencies looking to optimize their workflows, reduce administrative overhead, and make data-driven decisions.

6
RemoFirst logo

RemoFirst

Build and manage global teams compliantly with integrated HR, payroll, and Employer of Record services.

Free Tier Available4.6/5302 ratings

RemoFirst is a comprehensive global HR, payroll, and Employer of Record (EOR) solution designed to simplify international hiring and workforce management. It allows companies to hire full-time employees and contractors in over 185 countries without needing to establish local entities, handling all legal, tax, and compliance complexities on their behalf. The platform streamlines onboarding, payroll processing, benefits administration, and HR management for a globally dispersed workforce. This solution is ideal for startups, small to medium-sized businesses, and even Fortune 500 companies looking to expand their talent pool internationally, reduce hiring costs, and ensure local compliance. It caters to HR and hiring managers who need to manage global teams efficiently, as well as finance teams requiring streamlined international payroll and tax management. By centralizing global employment processes, RemoFirst helps businesses save time, mitigate risks, and focus on growth.

7
Kenjo logo

Kenjo

Simplify workforce management for SMEs with deskless teams, from shift plans to payroll prep.

Free Tier Available4.4/5129 ratings

Kenjo is an all-in-one HR software designed to streamline workforce management for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), particularly those with deskless teams. It consolidates various HR functions into a single platform, eliminating the need for multiple tools and clunky workflows. Kenjo helps people managers efficiently handle tasks such as shift planning, time tracking, absence management, payroll preparation, and recruitment. The platform aims to reduce administrative burdens, allowing HR professionals to focus on employee development and strategic initiatives. Key functionalities include digital shift scheduling, real-time time tracking with a mobile app and kiosk options, comprehensive employee file management, and people analytics. Kenjo also supports compliance with labor regulations, offers tools for employee satisfaction surveys, and provides a whistleblower reporting channel, making it a comprehensive solution for modern workforce management.

8
Kashoo logo

Kashoo

The world's simplest accounting solution for small business owners.

Free Tier Available4.5/5160 ratings

Kashoo provides intuitive accounting and finance tools specifically designed for small business owners. It aims to simplify tasks ranging from sending invoices and filing tax returns to managing detailed financial reporting. The platform offers both traditional accounting software with customizable features and an automated bookkeeping tool called TrulySmall Accounting. Kashoo caters to various needs, whether users require maximum control over their accounting with customization and payroll integration, or prefer automated income and expense tracking with visual dashboards. Its cloud-based nature ensures accessibility from anywhere, and it includes features like multi-currency support and direct invoicing to customers. The TrulySmall Accounting tool further streamlines workflows by automating accounting processes and incorporating safeguards for accuracy, making it ideal for busy business owners who need to track invoices and expenses efficiently.

9
Razorpay logo

Razorpay

The best payment solution for online payments in India, offering advanced financial operations.

Free Tier Available4.0/5250 ratings

Razorpay is a comprehensive financial technology platform designed to empower businesses in India with advanced payment solutions. It offers a wide array of services including payment gateways, automated payroll, effortless banking (current accounts), and in-store payment solutions. The platform supports over 100 payment methods, easy integration, and provides a powerful dashboard for managing all financial operations. Specifically for e-commerce, Razorpay enables businesses to manage payments, refunds, transfers, subscriptions, and invoices from a consolidated dashboard. It provides real-time data and insights for informed business decisions, customizable reports, and tools to run promotional offers. Razorpay also offers solutions for reducing RTO losses with fraud tracking, quick working capital, and features like Payment Links, Payment Pages, and Payment Buttons for simplified payment collection.

10
GreytHR logo

GreytHR

The most trusted full-suite HRMS for your people operations, simplifying HR and payroll.

Free Tier Available4.4/51,540 ratings

greytHR is a cloud-based HRMS and payroll software designed for businesses of all sizes, particularly in India and GCC countries. It aims to solve common HR and payroll issues that can slow down business operations by providing a single platform for workforce management, employee relations, leave and attendance tracking, and accurate payroll processing. The software automates manual HR tasks, ensures compliance, and offers a mobile-first Employee Self-Service (ESS) portal for employees and managers. The platform is built to provide value from day one for various stakeholders including CIOs, CHROs, Payroll Admins, Managers, and Employees. It emphasizes seamless implementation, data security, and scalability. Beyond core HR and payroll functionalities, greytHR offers a comprehensive ecosystem including an HR & Payroll Academy, a community, resource library, compliance wiki, podcasts, and webinars to support HR professionals.

11
Finch logo

Finch

Unlock HR and payroll data connectivity to streamline operations and scale your business.

Free Tier Available4.7/559 ratings

Finch provides a unified API to integrate with hundreds of HRIS and payroll systems, enabling businesses to access and manage critical employment data. It transforms disparate data sources into a single, standardized format, simplifying data management and reducing the complexity of HR and payroll integrations. This platform is designed for startups, Fortune 500s, and any business looking to enhance their HR and payroll processes through automation and data connectivity. Finch offers three core API products: Organization, Payroll, and Deductions. The Organization API provides evergreen access to company and employee data, including directory, individual demographics, and employment details. The Payroll API offers complete visibility into each payroll run, including reports, paystubs, and pay groups. The Deductions API allows for the creation and management of employer contributions and employee deductions directly within payroll systems, streamlining benefits administration. By abstracting away the complexities of individual HRIS and payroll systems, Finch helps businesses build stronger workforces, automate workflows, and gain valuable insights.

12
Playground logo

Playground

All-in-one child care management software to streamline operations and boost enrollment.

100% Free

Playground is a comprehensive child care management software designed to simplify administrative tasks and enhance operational efficiency for child care programs. It serves owners, directors, teachers, and families by replacing disparate tools with a unified platform. The software focuses on automating key areas such as attendance tracking, billing, communication, registration, paperwork, and payroll, allowing staff to dedicate more time to children and program development. The platform is built to support growth, offering features like marketing automation, high-converting website builders, and a unique predictive enrollment system. This system helps centers forecast future openings, optimize capacity, and manage transitions effectively. Playground caters to various child care settings, including in-home, centers, multi-site operations, shared services, before & after care programs, and camps, aiming to improve teacher retention, facilitate expansion, and maximize enrollment.

13
ZayZoon logo

ZayZoon

Empower your deskless workforce with on-demand pay, perks, and financial wellness tools.

100% Free

ZayZoon is a financial wellness platform specifically designed for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with deskless workforces. It provides Earned Wage Access (EWA), allowing employees to access a percentage of their earned wages before their scheduled payday. This feature helps employees manage unexpected expenses and reduces reliance on high-interest financial products like payday loans. Beyond on-demand pay, ZayZoon offers a suite of tools including Perks, which provides discounts and savings on everyday essentials, and Financial Wellness resources with educational courses and personalized alerts to improve financial literacy. The platform also includes Rewards and Recognition features to boost employee engagement. ZayZoon aims to help businesses attract and retain talent by improving employee financial stability and overall well-being, all while being free for employers and integrating seamlessly with over 130 payroll providers.

Related

Why choose free payroll software?

Free payroll tools are an excellent way to get started without financial commitment. Whether you're a startup, freelancer, or small business, these tools offer essential features at no cost.

What to look for in free payroll tools

  • Feature limitations: Understand what's included in the free tier vs paid plans
  • Usage limits: Check for restrictions on users, storage, or API calls
  • Data ownership: Ensure you own your data and can export it
  • Support: Free tiers often have community-only support
  • Upgrade path: Consider future needs if you outgrow the free tier

Free vs Freemium: what's the difference?

Free100% free, no payment ever

Completely free with no paid upgrades available. Best for simple, focused workflows that don't require advanced features.

FreemiumFree tier + paid upgrades

Generous free tier with optional paid plans that unlock advanced features, higher limits, or team collaboration.

Last updated: April 25, 2026