10 Best Payroll Tools in 2026

Updated: February 2026

Payroll and payment processing

Key Takeaways

  • Rippling is our #1 pick for payroll in 2026, scoring 90/100.
  • We analyzed 43 payroll tools to create this ranking.
  • 2 tools offer free plans, perfect for getting started.
  • Average editorial score: 42/100 - high-quality category.
1
Rippling logo

Rippling

Workforce management platform

90/100
Paid

Rippling manages HR, IT, and finance in one platform. Employee systems unified—everything from payroll to device management. The integration is the strength. The management is unified. The automation connects systems. Companies wanting unified employee systems choose Rippling for connected HR and IT.

2
Remote logo

Remote

Global HR platform for distributed teams

88/100
Paid

Remote handles international employment legally. Global HR, payroll, and compliance—hiring worldwide without local entities. The global coverage is extensive. The compliance is handled. The process is managed. Companies hiring internationally choose Remote for legal global employment.

3
Gusto logo

Gusto

Modern HR, benefits, and payroll

86/100
Paid

Gusto is a modern payroll and HR platform for small businesses. Run payroll in minutes with automatic tax calculations and filings. Benefits administration for health insurance, 401(k), and more. Employee onboarding and document management. Time tracking integrates seamlessly with payroll. Compliance updates handle regulatory changes automatically. Payroll that actually makes running a business easier.

4
Papaya Global logo

Papaya Global

Global payroll platform

80/100
Paid

Papaya Global is a payroll and payments platform for global workforces. Pay employees and contractors in 160+ countries compliantly. Unified platform handles payroll, EOR, and contractor management. Real-time visibility into global workforce costs. Automated compliance with local labor laws and regulations. The platform that makes paying anyone, anywhere as simple as running local payroll.

5
Paylocity logo

Paylocity

Unify HR, Finance, & IT for simplified operations and empowered teams.

74/100
Paid

Paylocity is a unified platform designed to integrate Human Resources, Finance, and IT functions within an organization. It offers solutions for transforming spend management with real-time visibility, AI-powered automation, and seamless integration for finance teams. For HR, it provides flexible solutions to drive innovation, enable smarter decisions, and transform workforces, while also helping build employee relationships and culture. The platform aims to modernize the entire employee experience by centralizing essential functions. Paylocity caters to businesses of all sizes, from small businesses (1-99 employees) to midsize (100-499 employees) and enterprise (500+ employees) organizations. It focuses on automating manual tasks, saving time, and improving decision-making through data and reporting. The platform emphasizes long-term client partnerships, innovative product development, and award-winning customer service, positioning itself as a partner in shaping the future of work.

6
Arc.dev logo

Arc.dev

Hire remote developers

Paid

Arc.dev helps companies hire remote developers from a vetted community. Features matching, payroll, and management tools.

8
Dayforce logo

Dayforce

An AI-powered platform unifying HR, payroll, time, talent, and analytics for global workforce management.

Paid

Dayforce is a comprehensive, AI-powered human capital management (HCM) platform designed to simplify and streamline all aspects of people operations. It integrates HR, payroll, workforce management, talent management, and analytics into a single system, helping organizations manage their global workforce efficiently. The platform aims to automate tedious tasks, provide real-time insights from a singular data model, and empower employees with personalized experiences and self-service options. It's built to help businesses reduce errors and risk in payroll, optimize labor decisions, attract and retain top talent, and make data-driven HR decisions. Dayforce also offers global payroll capabilities across more than 200 countries and on-demand pay solutions like Dayforce Wallet, alongside flexible staffing options with Dayforce Flex Work. Dayforce is ideal for organizations looking to modernize their HR processes, minimize operational costs, ensure compliance with changing regulations, and drive sustained ROI through an integrated and intelligent HCM solution. It serves a wide range of businesses, from those needing to strengthen payroll and manage complex workforce schedules to those focused on talent development and global expansion.

10
Paycom logo

Paycom

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

Free

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.

Best Payroll For

What is Payroll Software?

Payroll and payment processing

According to our analysis of 10+ tools, the payroll software market offers solutions for teams of all sizes, from solo professionals to enterprise organizations. The best payroll tools in 2026 combine powerful features with intuitive interfaces.

Common Features of Payroll Software

Automation

Automate repetitive payroll tasks to save time

Collaboration

Work together with team members in real-time

Analytics & Reporting

Track progress and measure performance

Security

Protect sensitive data with enterprise-grade security

Who Uses Payroll Software?

Payroll software is used by a wide range of professionals and organizations:

  • Small businesses looking to streamline operations and compete with larger companies
  • Enterprise teams needing scalable solutions for complex payroll needs
  • Freelancers and consultants managing multiple clients and projects
  • Startups seeking cost-effective tools that can grow with them

How to Choose the Right Payroll Software

When evaluating payroll tools, consider these key factors:

  1. Identify your specific needs. What problems are you trying to solve? List your must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
  2. Consider your budget. 2 tools in our top 10 offer free plans, including Paycor and Paycom.
  3. Evaluate ease of use. A powerful tool is useless if your team won't adopt it. Look for intuitive interfaces and good onboarding.
  4. Check integrations. Ensure the tool works with your existing tech stack (CRM, communication tools, etc.).
  5. Read real user reviews. Our community reviews provide honest feedback from actual users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best payroll software in 2026?

Based on our analysis of features, user reviews, and overall value, Rippling ranks as the #1 payroll tool in 2026 with a score of 90/100. Other top-rated options include Remote and Gusto.

Are there free payroll tools available?

Yes! Paycor, Paycom offer free plans. In total, 2 of the top 10 payroll tools have free or freemium pricing options.

How do you rank payroll tools?

Our rankings are based on multiple factors: editorial analysis of features and usability (40%), community reviews and ratings (30%), pricing value (15%), and integration capabilities (15%). We regularly update rankings as tools evolve and new reviews come in.

What should I look for in payroll software?

Key factors to consider include: core features that match your workflow, ease of use and learning curve, pricing that fits your budget, quality of customer support, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability as your needs grow.

Our Ranking Methodology

At Toolradar, we combine editorial expertise with community insights to rank payroll tools:

40%
Editorial Analysis
Features, UX, innovation
30%
User Reviews
Real feedback from verified users
15%
Pricing Value
Cost vs. features offered
15%
Integrations
Ecosystem compatibility

Rankings are updated regularly as we receive new reviews and as tools release updates. Last updated: February 2026.

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