Payroll Software Cost: What G2 Data Shows In 2025

Payroll software helps you automate payroll in a company while ensuring compliance and various other factors. But when you start shopping around, you will likely be puzzled by the pricing. 

Some platforms offer payroll as a part of more comprehensive HR software, while others sell it as a standalone payroll product. There’s a difference in pricing based on how the products are packaged. 

Depending on your use case, the size of the implementation, and the type of customizations you need in the product, you might encounter a few additional costs. 

This article takes a deep dive into payroll software cost and weighs the best payroll solutions on the market on a pricing scale. The intent is to create a guide for buyers to help them confidently navigate vendor discussions and negotiations. Let’s brush up on the basics first!  

Payroll software pricing models

Depending on the options you’re considering, you’ll find payroll software in different pricing models, for example: 

• Per-employee pricing
• Tiered pricing
• Flat rate pricing
• Usage-based pricing
• Modular or add-on pricing
• Freemium

In this article, we have analyzed the pricing of the best payroll software on the market, according to the G2 Winter 2025 Grid® Report. These software mainly fall in the fixed plus per-employee pricing model. 

Payroll software pricing model and costs

How transparent is payroll software cost, and what are their implementation costs?

The transparency of payroll software cost depends on the vendor. Some convey it on their website (high transparency level), while others give a quote after understanding different feature requirements (low transparency level). Depending on the complexity of implementation, a vendor might charge different additional charges while onboarding you. 

Here’s a quick breakdown of what to expect while considering the software product. 

*Implementation costs are expenses incurred when introducing a new system, policy, or process into the business. The estimates have been sourced from OutSail, a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) comparison platform.

Payroll software cost insights: factors, unexpected costs, and discounts 

The average cost of HR software with payroll is between $15 and $25/employee/month. The fees depend on features, seasonality or volume discounts, and other factors. Let’s check them out! 

1. Gusto

• G2 rating: 4.5/5 based on 2,299 reviews.
• Pricing plan: The cost is $49 per month fixed plus $6/person/month.  
• Top features include payroll and benefits administration, multi-state payroll and advanced HR tools, comprehensive payroll, and dedicated support.
• Factors influencing pricing: Add-ons like workers' compensation, health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs), life and disability insurance, international contractor payments, and state tax registration cost extra. 
• Unexpected costs: There can be a cost associated with data migration.
• Benefits: It organizes employees in an organizational structure that can be used throughout the application for reporting, permissions, etc. It tracks time, attendance, paid time off (PTO), sick time, schedules, and other workforce-related information.

Insights on Gusto based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 86 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for Gusto between December 2, 2024, and March 16, 2025.

• Pricing: When it comes to pricing, Gusto doesn’t spark strong reactions — only 3.49% of users praise its affordability, while 1.16% find it expensive or not entirely justified. This suggests that most users see Gusto’s pricing as reasonable or secondary to its other features.
• Who uses it? Gusto is a small business favorite, with 89.41% of users coming from companies with 1-50 employees. Mid-sized businesses (51-500 employees) account for 10.59% of users, and there’s no representation from large companies (over 500 employees), reinforcing that Gusto thrives as a go-to solution for startups and small teams.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: 55.81% of users rave about its intuitive and user-friendly design. Performance gets a positive nod from 10.47% of users, highlighting speed and efficiency, while reliability is mentioned by 2.33%, suggesting it’s stable enough that users don’t often feel the need to call it out.

Gusto’s pricing is slightly above the average cost of HR software with payroll capabilities. However, its transparency and lack of implementation costs make it a preferred choice for buyers. 

2. RUN Powered by ADP

• G2 rating: 4.5/5 based on 1,668 reviews.
• Pricing plan: The base plan is $79 + $4 per month per employee. Other plan pricing is available on the quote. A limited-time 6-month trial is available. All plans have 3 months free.
• Top features: It adds powerful capabilities to payrolls, such as garnishment payment service, state unemployment insurance (SUI) management, background checks, and job posting through ZipRecruiter®1.
• Factors influencing pricing: Workers’ compensation and employee benefits plans are add-on features that increase the software’s cost. 
• Unexpected costs: To get advanced support, you might need to transition into an advanced plan, which will come at an additional cost. 
• Benefits: RUN automatically files your federal, state, and local payroll taxes while helping you stay organized with a personalized dashboard of key dates, tasks, and alerts. AI-powered error detection enables you to avoid costly mistakes. 

Insights on RUN Powered by ADP based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 154 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for RUN Powered by ADP between December 1, 2024, and March 18, 2025.

• Pricing: Pricing sentiment for RUN Powered by ADP is evenly split, with 2.60% of users praising its affordability while 2.60% express concerns about cost. The majority of users don’t emphasize pricing as a defining factor, suggesting it’s generally in line with expectations.
• Who uses it? RUN Powered by ADP is built for small businesses, with 96.75% of users coming from companies with 1-50 employees. Only 3.25% of users come from mid-sized businesses (51-200 employees), with no representation from larger companies — highlighting its sweet spot as a small-business payroll solution.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: Ease of use is RUN’s biggest strength, loved by 64.94% of users. Speed and efficiency get 7.79% of mentions, while reliability (0.65%) flies under the radar.

RUN Powered by ADP also costs more than the average payroll system. However, small businesses like its upfront pricing.  

3. Rippling

• G2 rating: 4.8/5 based on 6,741 reviews.
• Pricing plan: Depending on your plan and the features you want, you’ll pay between $21 and $29/person/month. The platform also offers IT management features as add-ons, which cost $5 to $20 per person per month.
• Top features: Application programming interface (APIs) to connect with the business ecosystem, internationalization, user role and access management, and time off accrual. 
• Factors influencing pricing: Access to Rippling API, Webhooks, unlimited formula fields, advanced reports, and workflows might have some influence on the software cost. 
• Unexpected costs: Some fines may be incurred due to non-compliance with tax agency regulations. Additionally, inaccurate license distribution can add extra costs. 
• Benefits: Supports paperless PAYE forms and new joiner filings, time tracking, job costing, and multiple pay rates. 

Insights on Rippling based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 2,627 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for Rippling between December 1, 2024, and March 18, 2025.

• Pricing: Pricing isn’t a major discussion point for Rippling, with only 0.38% praising affordability and 0.69% citing high costs. Most users focus on features over price, though some appreciate the value, while others feel it’s costly for smaller businesses.
• Who uses it? Rippling is a top choice for mid-sized businesses, with 57.46% of users coming from companies with 51-500 employees. Small businesses (1-50 employees) make up 28.71%, while large companies (501-1000 employees) account for 8.57%, and enterprises (over 1001 employees) make up 5.26%.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: Rippling makes usability a priority, with 69.98% of users praising its simplicity. Performance is praised by 6.63%, while reliability (1.10%) isn’t a major talking point, suggesting stability.

If you compare Rippling's pricing with the average payroll system's pricing, it’s nearer to the average cost, with a pricing of $21 to $29/employee/month. 

4. Deel

• G2 rating: 4.8/5 based on 6,881 reviews.
• Pricing plan: Deel offers five pricing editions, from $19 to $599, and a free trial plan.
• Top features: Payroll entry, time off accrual, direct deposit, and expense reimbursement.
• Factors influencing pricing: Add-on features include instant tax and wage calculations, registration support in all 50 states, and automated federal, state, and local tax filings. It lets businesses easily manage W-2, W-4, 1099, and new hire forms with expert payroll compliance support and 20+ accounting integrations. You get access to 24/7 support and a dedicated CSM. However, as you increase the requirements and the need for customization, the prices will rise accordingly.  
• Unexpected costs: Foreign exchange and conversion fees might apply. EOR plans can include country-specific expenses like social security and mandatory pension contributions. 
• Benefits: Access to compensation, OKRs, and equity reporting in one system. You get dedicated support with a single point of contact and fast response times.

Insights on Deel based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 1,780 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for Deel between December 2, 2024, and March 18, 2025.

• Pricing: Deel’s pricing gets mixed reviews. While 1.18% of users appreciate its affordability, 2.3% find it expensive. The cost isn’t a major point of discussion, but those who mention it tend to lean slightly toward dissatisfaction.
• Who uses it? Deel is widely used by freelancers and small businesses, with 24.8% of users being independent professionals and 37% from companies with 11-200 employees. Businesses with 201-1000 employees make up 17%, while large enterprises (over 1001 employees) account for 12%.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: Deel shines in usability, with 53.2% of users loving its intuitive and user-friendly interface. Performance is another strong suit, praised by 15.7% for speed and efficiency. However, reliability isn’t a standout topic, with only 2.9% mentioning stability, suggesting it’s not a major concern but also not a key selling point.

Deel’s low-tier plans are within the average cost range of payroll software. However, its top-tier plans are costly. 

5. UKG Ready

• G2 rating: 4.3/5 based on 1,832 reviews.
• Pricing plan: The platform offers multiple pricing tiers starting from $21, each with a comprehensive set of features, including HR, payroll, talent management, and service delivery solutions.
• Top features: Workforce analytics, employee development, and timekeeping.
• Factors influencing pricing: Pricing depends on the number of users, with costs increasing as the employee count grows. Additional modules, features, and custom solutions may add to the price. 
• Unexpected costs: These are costs for updates and maintenance to ensure the system runs smoothly. 

Insights on UKG Ready based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 323 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for UKG Ready between January 8, 2025, and February 10, 2025.

• Pricing: Users barely mention pricing. 0.62% of reviewers appreciate the cost, while an equal 0.62% find it expensive. This suggests that pricing is not a major factor in user discussions, neither a significant advantage nor a major concern.
• Who uses it? UKG Ready is especially popular among mid-sized businesses, with 28.2% of users from companies with 51-200 employees and 21.4% from 201-500 employees. Smaller companies (2-50 employees) make up 17.3%, while large enterprises (over 1001 employees) account for 19.5%.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: 57% of users highlighted its intuitive and user-friendly design. Performance gets moderate praise, as 7.7% of reviewers mention its speed and efficiency. Reliability, on the other hand, is rarely a topic of discussion — only 0.3% of users call it a standout feature, suggesting that while stability isn’t a frequent concern, it’s also not a major selling point.

The basic UKG Ready plan is offered at a rate close to the average cost of payroll software. However, it’s less clear how top-tier plans compare with the average software cost.

6. Paylocity

• G2 rating: 4.4/5 based on 2,791 reviews.
• Pricing plan: A Paylocity subscription can cost anywhere between $22-$32 per employee per month. 
• Top features: Customizable payroll with flexible check types, time-off accruals, and reporting. 
• Factors influencing pricing: Add-ons like Paylocity payroll expense management, tax services, or on-demand payments might add some additional cost. 
• Unexpected costs: The company charges a one-time implementation fee, which is 10% to 20% of the software’s annual cost. 
• Benefits: It improves compliance with state and federal laws and reduces the risk of costly errors. Employees can easily access pay stubs, W-2s, and other key documents through self-service portals, freeing time for more strategic work.

Insights on Paylocity based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 72 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for Paylocity between December 11, 2024, and March 12, 2025.

• Pricing: Pricing isn’t a major talking point, but 2.78% of users praise Paylocity for being cost-effective, while 1.39% mention it as a drawback, citing unexpected fees or affordability concerns. Overall, sentiment leans slightly positive, but most users don’t comment on pricing.
• Who uses it? Paylocity is used mainly by enterprises (over 1000 employees), making up 50% of users, and small businesses ( less than 50 employees), accounting for 25%. Mid-sized (50-500) or large (500-1000) companies make up a very small segment, suggesting lower adoption in those segments.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: Described as intuitive and user-friendly, ease of use is a highlight for 40.28% of users. No performance feedback is noted, but 1.39% share reliability concerns due to occasional system crashes or downtime.

Paylocity’s pricing compares well with the average cost of HR software with payroll capabilities. 

7. Remote

• G2 rating: 4.6/5 based on 2,546 reviews.
• Pricing plan: Multiple plans range from $29 to $599. It also offers a free plan. 
• Top features: Web portal, benefits manager, payroll entry, and time off accrual.
• Factors influencing pricing: Some features, like equity incentives with tax assistance, are available only on higher-tier plans. 
• Unexpected costs: Currency conversion and foreign exchange rates might move the price up or down. 
• Benefits: One centralized platform helps automate expenses and generate reports. 

Insights on Remote based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 470 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for Remote between December 2, 2024, and March 18, 2025.

• Pricing: Feedback on pricing is mixed. While 1.28% of users find Remote to be affordable or offer good value, 2.77% express concerns about high costs or unexpected fees. Overall, negative mentions slightly exceed positive ones, though pricing is not a primary focus in most reviews.
• Who uses it? Remote is mainly used by enterprises (over 1,000 employees), representing 65.5% of the user base, and small businesses (fewer than 50 employees), which account for 34.5%.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: 52.34% of users mention the platform’s intuitive and user-friendly design. Additionally, 10% highlight performance benefits such as speed and efficiency. 4.26% of users raise reliability issues, including occasional crashes or downtime.

Remote’s low-tier plan starts at $29, slightly above the average cost of payroll software.

8. Justworks

• G2 rating: 4.6/5 based on 1,002 reviews.
• Pricing plan: Justworks has four pricing editions, ranging from $8 to $599 per employee per month, including a $50 base fee.
• Top features: Payroll for all employees, simplified compliance, HR Consulting and tools, 24/7 Support, and 401(k).
• Factors influencing pricing: Add-ons like Justworks time tracking, international contractor payments, and health insurance can come at an additional cost.
• Unexpected costs: The pricing is mainly transparent.
• Benefits: Straightforward pricing, tax filing management, and 24/7 customer support.

Insights on Justworks based on G2 reviews:

These insights are based on 151 reviews submitted by the G2 user community for Justworks between December 11, 2024, and March 12, 2025.

• Pricing: 3.31% of users appreciate Justworks’ pricing, while 5.96% mention concerns about cost. While some users find the pricing fair for the value it provides, others feel it may not fit every budget.
• Who uses it? Justworks is predominantly used by small businesses (1-50 employees: 63.89%), followed by mid-sized businesses (50-500 employees: 34.26%), making it a strong choice for companies with fewer than 500 employees. Adoption among large companies (500-1000 employees: 0.93%) and enterprises (more than 1000 employees: 0.93%) is significantly lower, indicating that Justworks is primarily tailored to the needs of smaller teams and growing organizations.
• Ease of use, performance, and reliability: 59.60% of users praise Justworks for its ease of use, while 26.49% highlight strong performance for its speed and efficiency. Only 1.32% mention reliability, indicating that usability and performance are the platform’s standout strengths.

Justworks offers more affordable pricing plans with better transparency. It’s more cost-effective than the average price of payroll software. 

Payroll software cost: How do top solutions compare overall?

This comparison is beyond pricing and looks into how soon you get value from the software after implementing it in your business. These insights are from user reviews on G2 and are grouped to derive an overall user sentiment. 

Run payroll seamlessly and cost-effectively 

Compare the cost of the above software and understand how they package the deal for you to get the effective price. Take return on investment into consideration and see how easy it is to get onboarded. There will be crucial factors in determining which payroll software would suit your business the most. 

Make a choice that maximizes your ROI while being completely transparent about the costs you will encounter. Otherwise, you might pay significant implementation or training charges. 

Want an in-depth comparison of each software? Check out my colleague’s review of the best payroll software.