How this payroll cost calculator works
Set your employee count, tell the calculator whether you run payroll in more than one state, and pick your industry and top priority. It estimates the monthly cost of Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, ADP, Paychex, OnPay, and Square Payroll for a team your size, then recommends the best match for the inputs you chose.
What the estimate includes
- Base fee plus per-employee fee for each provider and plan tier, shown side by side in the comparison table.
- Hidden fees, if you turn that option on. Multi-state payroll charges, setup or implementation fees, W-2 mailing, and year-end tax form fees can add meaningfully to the advertised price.
- Published pricing versus quotes. Providers that only price by quote are estimated from customer feedback and are labeled as estimates in the tool.
Promotional discounts are left out on purpose, so the number you see is closer to what you pay after an introductory offer ends. Treat every figure as an estimate and confirm the final price with the provider before you sign.
Compare the providers in more detail
Once the calculator narrows your shortlist, these guides cover features, support, and tax filing for each option: