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10 Best Payroll Tools for Solopreneurs (2026)

Data compiled by Toolradar Updated How we rate

The 10 highest-ranked payroll tools for solopreneurs, filtered for a free plan or free plus paid plans.

Key Takeaways
  • efile4Biz is our overall pick for payroll tools for solopreneurs in 2026, and our free pick. Overall and free pick: Free plan; no paid plan. Rated 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (9,609 ratings, Aug 2026).
  • We evaluated 78 payroll tools, then kept the 10 that rank highest for solopreneurs.
  • All 10 tools listed here have a free plan.
payroll tools tracked
78
of 10 have a free plan
10
median cheapest paid plan per month
$24

Ranked by editorial score plus external signals (G2/Capterra review volume and rating, and media mentions). Pricing checked October 2026. Methodology Editorial policy

At a glance: 10 Payroll Tools for Solopreneurs

All 10 picks compared, prices as of October 2026. Scroll sideways on small screens.

10 Payroll Tools for Solopreneurs compared, prices as of October 2026
# Tool Pricing Starting price Rating
1
efile4Biz logo
efile4Biz
Free plan No paid plan 4.8 (9,609) Trustpilot, Aug 2026
2
Findmyshift logo
Findmyshift
Free plan Starter, $24/mo 4.6 (1,234) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026
3
7shifts logo
7shifts
Free plan Basic, $10/mo 4.0 (1,612) Trustpilot/G2/Capterra, Sep 2026
4
Homebase logo
Homebase
Free plan Essentials, $30/mo 4.0 (907) G2/Trustpilot, Sep 2026
5
TMetric logo
TMetric
Free plan Not published 4.5 (372) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026
6
RemoFirst logo
RemoFirst
Free plan Premium Contractors, $25/mo 4.4 (410) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026
7
ZayZoon logo
ZayZoon
Free plan No paid plan 4.7 (232) G2/Capterra, Sep 2026
8
Kenjo logo
Kenjo
Free plan Not published 4.4 (75) SourceForge/G2, Sep 2026
9
Playground logo
Playground
100% free No paid plan 4.8 (39) G2, Sep 2026
10
Apron logo
Apron
Free plan Capture, £6.30/mo n/a

Detailed picks: Payroll Tools for Solopreneurs

1
efile4Biz logo

efile4Biz

Free plan

IRS-approved online platform for filing 1099, W-2, and 1098 forms.

4.8 /5 on Trustpilot · 9,609 ratings, Aug 2026

Key features

  • E-file with IRS and SSA using established credentials (no TCC or ID.me needed).
  • Print and mail forms to recipients via first-class mail from a SOC-2 certified facility.
  • Import data from Excel templates, QuickBooks, and Xero.

Pros

  • Full-service option includes e-filing, printing, and mailing, reducing manual work.
  • No need to set up IRS transmitter control codes or test with IRS systems.

Cons

  • Primarily focused on year-end information returns, not a general tax preparation tool.
  • Pricing per form may add up for large volumes compared to some DIY software.
View details
2
Findmyshift logo

Findmyshift

Free plan

Simplify employee scheduling, time tracking, and payroll with an intuitive, cloud-based solution.

4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 1,234 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Drag & drop scheduling
  • Timesheets & time clocking
  • Vacation management

Pros

  • Free tier available for small teams (up to 5 staff) forever.
  • Comprehensive features for scheduling, time tracking, and payroll.

Cons

  • SMS notifications incur additional costs.
  • Limited historical data and forward planning on lower-tier plans.
View details
3
7shifts logo

7shifts

Free plan

Streamline restaurant operations with integrated scheduling, payroll, and team management tools.

4.0 /5 across Trustpilot, G2 and Capterra · 1,612 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Employee Scheduling
  • Payroll Integration
  • Labor Cost Management

Pros

  • Simplifies complex restaurant scheduling.
  • Helps reduce overall labor costs.

Cons

  • No free option available.
View details
4
Homebase logo

Homebase

Free plan

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

4.0 /5 across G2 and Trustpilot · 907 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Employee Scheduling (basic and advanced)
  • AI-powered Scheduling Assistant
  • Time Clocks (track hours, breaks, overtime)

Pros

  • Comprehensive suite of tools for hourly teams in one platform.
  • Free plan available for small teams (up to 10 employees, 1 location).

Cons

  • Payroll is an add-on, increasing overall cost.
  • Some advanced features are locked behind higher-priced tiers.
View details
5
TMetric logo

TMetric

Free plan

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

4.5 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 372 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • One-click time tracking (desktop, mobile, browser)
  • Automatic time capture from integrated tools (Jira, Asana, Trello, etc.)
  • Offline time tracking with automatic syncing

Pros

  • Significantly increases captured billable hours and reduces lost revenue.
  • Saves hours per week on manual timesheet and invoice administration.

Cons

  • Both the desktop and mobile apps have reliability complaints on G2 and Capterra, with users reporting crashes, failed sync, and time entries occasionally disappearing.
  • The mobile app lacks offline time tracking and makes editing or correcting logged entries awkward, so field and on-the-go users often lose data or have to fix it later at their desk.
View details
6
RemoFirst logo

RemoFirst

Free plan

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

4.4 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 410 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Global Employer of Record (EOR) services
  • International contractor management
  • Fast and compliant employee onboarding

Pros

  • Eliminates the need for companies to set up local entities in foreign countries.
  • Simplifies complex international HR, payroll, and compliance.

Cons

  • Specific pricing details beyond the starting EOR cost are not publicly listed.
  • Requires booking a demo for a full understanding of the platform and personalized quote.
View details
7
ZayZoon logo

ZayZoon

Free plan

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

4.7 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 232 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Earned Wage Access (EWA)
  • Employee Perks program
  • Financial Wellness platform with educational courses and insights

Pros

  • Attracts more applicants (up to 2x) and reduces employee turnover (up to 29%)
  • Zero cost for employers, eliminating payroll advances and associated administrative burden

Cons

  • Primarily targets deskless workforces, which might not be suitable for all business types
  • Specific benefits like '8 hours per month reduction in absenteeism' are based on internal data
View details
8
Kenjo logo

Kenjo

Free plan

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

4.4 /5 across SourceForge and G2 · 75 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Shift Planning (digital scheduling, multi-location support, public holiday view)
  • Time Tracking (real-time, mobile app, kiosk, overtime tracking)
  • Absence Management (time off, remote work, sickness, GDPR compliant)

Pros

  • Consolidates multiple HR tools into one platform.
  • Reduces administrative burden and saves time on manual tasks.

Cons

  • Specific pricing details are not readily available on the website.
  • May require an initial setup and training period for new users.
View details
9
Playground logo

Playground

100% free

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

4.8 /5 on G2 · 39 ratings, Sep 2026

Key features

  • Predictive Enrollment
  • Automated Billing & Invoicing
  • Full-service Payroll with Time Tracking

Pros

  • Consolidates multiple tools into a single platform, reducing complexity.
  • Predictive enrollment feature helps maximize capacity and prevent enrollment gaps.

Cons

  • Specific pricing details are not publicly available, requiring a demo for information.
  • Requires integration with existing systems, which may have a learning curve.
View details
10
Apron logo

Apron

Free plan

Automate payments, earn rewards, and get paid faster

Key features

  • AI-powered invoice and receipt capture
  • Automatic expense categorization
  • Integration with QuickBooks and Xero

Pros

  • Significantly reduces finance administration time through automation.
  • Offers a unique rewards program for business spending, converting payments into valuable points.

Cons

  • Extra fees apply for exceeding included payment limits on some plans.
  • ATM withdrawal fees are present across all paid plans.
View details

How we ranked these Payroll Tools for Solopreneurs

Step 1

Filter the catalog

We start from our ranked list of 78 payroll tools and drop tools rated below 3.5/5 on 10 or more reviews, then keep only those matching solopreneurs criteria: a free plan or free plus paid plans.

Step 2

Score each tool

Editorial scoring on utility, UX, value, support, and innovation, then layered with external signals: G2/Capterra review volume and rating, and media mentions.

Step 3

Keep the top 10

We rank by combined score and surface the top 10 so the list stays scannable. Pricing is re-checked on rotation and the page refreshes hourly so picks stay current.

Challenges Solopreneurs face

  • Revenue scales linearly with hours worked unless you productize
  • Tax: estimated quarterly payments + multi-state nexus rules get complex
  • Burnout from being marketing + sales + delivery + ops + finance
  • Health insurance + retirement (SEP-IRA, Solo 401k) require setup most don't do
  • Tool spend is personal cash flow, every subscription compounds

What to prioritize when picking a tool

  • Accounting + invoicing (QuickBooks Solopreneur, FreshBooks)
  • Email + CRM (ConvertKit, Beehiiv, Substack, Folk, Streak)
  • Payment + booking (Stripe + Calendly + HoneyBook/Bonsai)
  • Productized offering platform (Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy, Podia, Kajabi)
  • Automation (Zapier, Make) for repetitive tasks

Frequently asked questions

Which payroll tools are best for solopreneurs in 2026?

efile4Biz ranks first in our payroll tools list for solopreneurs, rated 4.8/5 across 9,609 ratings aggregated from Trustpilot. Strong runners-up are Findmyshift, 7shifts, Homebase.

Are there free payroll tools for solopreneurs?

Yes. efile4Biz, Findmyshift, 7shifts offer a free plan. 10 of the 10 tools on this page have a free plan in our data.

How did we pick these payroll tools?

We started from our ranked list of payroll tools (78 tracked), dropped tools rated below 3.5/5 on 10 or more reviews, and kept only those that match solopreneurs: a free plan or free plus paid plans. The top 10 are shown in the same order as our main payroll tools ranking (editorial score plus G2/Capterra review volume and rating, and media mentions).

How often is this list updated?

We refresh editorial scores and pricing weekly. Tool pricing is re-checked on a rotation that touches every tool roughly monthly. The prices on this page are as of October 2026.

Cite this page: Toolradar, "10 Best Payroll Tools for Solopreneurs (2026)", updated October 2026, https://toolradar.com/best/payroll/for/solopreneurs

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