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Budget-friendly payroll starting at $17/month with free direct deposit, unlimited pay runs, and optional full-service tax filing. We tested Patriot's pricing, features, and who it's best for.
Bottom line
What is Patriot Software?
Patriot Software is a payroll and accounting platform built specifically for American small businesses. Founded in Ohio and serving over 60,000 customers, Patriot has carved out a niche as the budget-friendly alternative to bigger names like Gusto and ADP—without sacrificing the features that matter.
As a tax accountant and Enrolled Agent who works with small businesses daily, I appreciate Patriot's straightforward approach. They offer two clear options: Basic Payroll (you handle tax filings) or Full Service Payroll (they handle everything). No confusing tier structures, no surprise fees, and pricing that actually makes sense for businesses watching every dollar. If you're evaluating payroll software options, Patriot deserves a serious look.
The Bottom Line
Patriot Software delivers reliable payroll at prices that undercut most competitors. Starting at just $17/month plus $4/employee for Basic Payroll, it's one of the most affordable options available. The Full Service plan at $37/month handles all tax filings automatically. Both include free direct deposit and unlimited pay runs.
Patriot Software Pricing
Patriot keeps pricing simple with two payroll tiers and transparent per-employee costs. They're currently offering 30 days free plus 50% off your first 3 months.
Basic Payroll
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Free direct deposit
- Employee self-service portal
- Auto payroll scheduling
- Contractor (1099) payments
- You file your own taxes
Full Service Payroll
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Federal tax filing & deposits
- State tax filing & deposits
- Local tax filing & deposits
- Year-end W-2s included free
- Tax filing guarantee
Sample Monthly Costs (Full Service)
| Employees | Regular Price | Promo Price (3 mo) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 employees | $62/month | $31/month |
| 10 employees | $87/month | $43.50/month |
| 25 employees | $162/month | $81/month |
| 50 employees | $287/month | $143.50/month |
No Charge for Inactive Months
If you don't run payroll in a given month, Patriot doesn't charge you. This is perfect for seasonal businesses or companies with irregular pay schedules.
Basic Payroll vs Full Service Payroll
The key difference is who handles tax filings. With Basic Payroll, Patriot calculates everything but you're responsible for filing and depositing taxes yourself. With Full Service, Patriot handles it all—federal, state, local, and year-end forms.
| Feature | Basic Payroll | Full Service |
|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $17/month | $37/month |
| Per Employee | $4/month | $5/month |
| Unlimited Pay Runs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free Direct Deposit | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tax Calculations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Federal Tax Filing | You file | ✓ Included |
| State Tax Filing | You file | ✓ Included |
| Local Tax Filing | You file | ✓ Included |
| W-2/1099 Filing | Extra fee | ✓ Free |
| Tax Guarantee | ✗ | ✓ |
| Best For | DIYers, accountant-assisted | Hands-off payroll |
My recommendation: Unless you have an accountant handling your tax filings anyway (or you enjoy the DIY approach), the $20/month difference for Full Service is worth it. The peace of mind alone—knowing your taxes are filed correctly and on time—pays for itself. The tax filing guarantee means Patriot covers any penalties if they make an error.
Payroll Features
Both Basic and Full Service plans include a robust feature set that rivals more expensive competitors. Here's what you get:
Payment Processing
- Unlimited payroll runs (any frequency)
- Free 2-day or 4-day direct deposit
- Check printing support
- Off-cycle and bonus payrolls
- Auto Payroll for recurring schedules
- Multiple pay rates per employee
Self-Service Portal
- Online pay stub access
- W-2 and 1099 retrieval
- Personal info updates
- Direct deposit setup
- iOS and Android mobile apps
- New hire self-onboarding
Contractor Payments
- 1099 contractor support included
- Separate contractor portal
- Year-end 1099 preparation
- Track contractor payments
Reports & Compliance
- Payroll details reports
- Tax liability reports
- New hire state reporting
- Export to CSV/PDF
Optional Add-Ons
Patriot offers additional modules you can add to your payroll subscription:
- Time & Attendance: $6/month + $2/employee – Track hours, manage schedules, sync to payroll
- HR Software: $6/month + $2/employee – PTO tracking, document storage, compliance
- Additional State Filing: $12/month per state (Full Service only)
For businesses needing HR features, compare this to OnPay which includes HR tools in its base price. Patriot's add-on approach lets you pay only for what you need, but can add up if you need multiple modules.
Integrations
Patriot integrates with essential business tools, though the integration library is smaller than competitors like Gusto. The good news: the integrations that exist are free and work well.
Accounting
- QuickBooks Online (free sync)
- Patriot Accounting (native)
- Export to other platforms
Benefits & Retirement
- Vestwell (401k plans)
- SimplyInsured (health benefits)
- NEXT Insurance (workers' comp)
The QuickBooks integration automatically syncs payroll data to your accounting software, eliminating manual journal entries. If you use Patriot's own accounting software ($20-30/month), the integration is seamless.
Patriot Software Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very affordable pricing ($17-37/month base)
- Free direct deposit (2 or 4 day)
- Unlimited payroll runs included
- 30-day free trial + 50% off 3 months
- USA-based customer support
- No charge for inactive months
- Basic plan option for DIYers
- Simple, easy-to-use interface
- SOC2 Type II certified security
- Tax filing guarantee (Full Service)
Cons
- HR features cost extra ($6/mo + $2/employee)
- Multi-state costs $12/month per additional state
- Fewer integrations than competitors
- No international payroll
- Time tracking is a paid add-on
- Mobile app is employee-only (no admin app)
- Doesn't support agricultural businesses (Form 943)
How Patriot Compares
| Feature | Patriot | OnPay | Gusto |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base Price | $37/mo | $49/mo | $49/mo |
| Per Employee | $5/mo | $6/mo | $6-12/mo |
| 10-Employee Cost | $87/mo | $109/mo | $109-169/mo |
| HR Included | Add-on | Yes | Plus plan+ |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 30 days | No |
| Best For | Budget-conscious | Value + HR | Modern UX |
Patriot wins on price, especially for businesses that don't need built-in HR tools. For a 10-employee company, you'll save $22-82/month compared to competitors. Over a year, that's $264-984 in savings. See our full payroll software comparison for more options.
Final Verdict
Patriot Software is the best budget payroll option for small businesses in 2026. If you're price-sensitive but still want reliable, full-featured payroll with tax filing, Patriot delivers. The Full Service plan at $37/month plus $5/employee undercuts nearly every competitor while including everything most small businesses need.
Patriot is ideal if you:
- Want the lowest price for full-service payroll
- Have a single-state workforce (multi-state adds $12/state)
- Don't need extensive HR features built-in
- Appreciate USA-based customer support
- Run a seasonal business (no inactive month charges)
- Use QuickBooks for accounting
Consider alternatives if you:
- Need HR tools included – look at OnPay
- Have employees in many states (costs add up)
- Want a more modern interface – check Gusto
- Need extensive integrations
The 30-day free trial plus 50% off for 3 months makes it risk-free to try. For budget-conscious small businesses, Patriot hits the sweet spot of affordability and functionality.
Special Offer
Get 30 days free plus 50% off your first 3 months. No credit card required to start your trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Patriot Software really free for 30 days?
Yes. Patriot offers a genuine 30-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card is required to start. After the trial, you also get 50% off your first 3 months.
What's the difference between Basic and Full Service?
Basic Payroll ($17/mo + $4/employee) calculates taxes but you file them yourself. Full Service ($37/mo + $5/employee) handles all federal, state, and local tax filings automatically, including year-end W-2s. Full Service also includes a tax filing guarantee.
Does Patriot handle multi-state payroll?
Yes, but with Full Service Payroll, additional states beyond your first cost $12/month each. If you have employees in multiple states, this can add up. Compare to OnPay which includes all states at no extra cost.
Does Patriot integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes. Patriot offers free integration with QuickBooks Online that automatically syncs payroll data to your accounting software. They also have their own accounting software that integrates natively.
Is direct deposit really free?
Yes. Patriot includes free direct deposit with all plans. Standard processing is 4 business days. Qualifying customers can get 2-day expedited direct deposit at no additional cost.
Can I pay contractors with Patriot?
Yes. Both Basic and Full Service plans support 1099 contractor payments. Contractors get their own self-service portal to access payment history and tax documents.
Does Patriot have HR features?
Yes, but HR is a paid add-on at $6/month plus $2/employee. It includes PTO tracking, document storage, and compliance tools. If you need HR included in the base price, consider OnPay instead.
What if I don't run payroll every month?
Patriot doesn't charge you for months when you don't run payroll. This makes it ideal for seasonal businesses or companies with irregular pay schedules.
Related Articles:
- Best Payroll Software for Small Business 2026
- OnPay Review 2026 – Best value with HR included
- Gusto Review 2026 – Modern interface, higher price
- ADP Payroll Review 2026 – Enterprise option
- Gusto vs ADP Comparison
- QuickBooks vs FreshBooks – Accounting software comparison
- Best Accounting Software for Small Business
Affiliate Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you sign up for Patriot Software through our links. This comes at no extra cost to you and helps support our independent research and reviews.
Patriot Software and the Patriot logo are trademarks of Patriot Software, Inc. Pricing and features accurate as of January 2026. Promotional pricing subject to change.
Thomas Camp Jr., EA
Thomas is an Enrolled Agent and tax accountant with over 14 years of experience helping small businesses choose the right payroll, accounting, and operational tools. His recommendations come from hands-on implementation—not just feature lists. Verify EA credentials →
