Payroll is one of those things most business owners don't get excited about.

I know I didn't.

When my accountant recommended that I elect S-corp status back in 2020, I suddenly needed a way to pay myself a regular salary. I expected payroll to become another monthly headache, right alongside bookkeeping and taxes.

Instead, it's become one of the easiest parts of running my business.

For the past six years, I've used Gusto to pay myself, handle payroll, and keep everything running behind the scenes. Most months, I barely think about it.

To me, that's exactly what great business software should do.

In fact, I have a simple philosophy when it comes to software. I call it the Sleep Test.

If a piece of software quietly does its job month after month without demanding my attention, it passes.

Gusto has passed that test for six years.

In this guide, I'll share the payroll software I recommend for small businesses, with a special focus on solopreneurs, one-person S-corps, and businesses with up to 10 employees. I'll explain why Gusto continues to be my favorite, where the other leading payroll providers stand out, and how to choose the one that's right for your business.

My Experience Running Payroll as a Solopreneur

📦 At a Glance

Using since: 2020

Current customer: Yes

Business type: One-person S-corp

Time using: 6 years

Recommended? Yes

I'm not writing this article as a CPA or payroll expert.

I'm writing it as someone who runs a one-person business and wants to spend as little time as possible thinking about payroll.

When I first became an S-corp owner, I wanted a payroll platform that was simple, reliable, and largely automatic. Six years later, I can honestly say that's exactly what I've found with Gusto.

Along the way, I've also researched the leading payroll providers to better understand who they're designed for and where they excel. Not every business owner has the same needs, and that's okay.

My goal isn't to convince you that there's only one good payroll platform.

It's to help you choose the one that best fits the way you run your business.

My Top Picks for Payroll Software

If you just want the short version, here are my recommendations based on my experience as a solopreneur and my research into the leading payroll providers.

If you want…	I Recommend…	Why
Best overall	🥇 Gusto	The platform I've trusted for six years. Simple, reliable, and largely hands-off.
Already use QuickBooks	🥈 QuickBooks Payroll	A natural fit if your accounting already lives in QuickBooks.
Best value	🥉 OnPay	Strong feature set at a competitive price.
Lowest monthly cost	Patriot Payroll	A solid option if keeping costs down is your top priority.
Growing a larger team	ADP	Built to support businesses with more employees and more complex needs.
All-in-one HR platform	Rippling	Combines payroll with HR, onboarding, IT, and employee management.

Disclosure: Gusto is an affiliate partner of Solopreneur Life and the payroll software I've personally used since 2020. If you purchase through one of my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I believe provide real value to small business owners.

Ready to simplify payroll?

If you're running a one-person S-corp or a small business like mine, Gusto is the payroll software I'd recommend starting with. It's been reliable, easy to use, and one less thing for me to worry about each month.

How I Chose the Best Payroll Software

There are dozens of payroll providers on the market.

Instead of comparing every feature imaginable, I focused on the things that actually matter to me as a solopreneur.

I asked a simple question:

Does this software make running my business easier?

Here's what I looked for.

Simplicity

I don't want software that requires a training course.

The easier it is to learn and navigate, the better.

Automation

Running payroll shouldn't become another recurring task on my calendar.

The best platforms automate as much as possible.

Reliability

Payroll is too important for glitches.

I want software I can trust to consistently do what it's supposed to do.

Flexibility

Businesses change.

Whether you're adjusting your salary or hiring your first employee, your payroll software should be able to grow with you.

Value

The cheapest option isn't always the best value.

I'd rather spend a few extra dollars each month if it saves me hours of work and gives me confidence that payroll is being handled correctly.

The Sleep Test

This is my favorite way to evaluate business software.

If I don't think about it anymore because it's quietly doing its job, it passes.

To me, that's the highest compliment I can give any software.

Best Payroll Software Reviews

Gusto: Best Overall for Solopreneurs

Best for: Solopreneurs, one-person S-corps, creators, consultants, coaches, and small businesses with up to 10 employees.

If I were starting my business again today and needed payroll software, I'd choose Gusto again.

That's easy for me to say because I've actually done it.

I've trusted Gusto to run payroll for my business every month since 2020, and it's become one of those tools I rarely think about anymore.

To me, that's the biggest compliment I can give any software.

Every month, Gusto automatically:

• Pays my salary through direct deposit into my business checking account.
• Handles payroll tax filings.
• Manages my health insurance deductions.
• Lets me make changes whenever I need to.
• Keeps payroll running without adding another task to my calendar.

One thing I've especially appreciated over the years is how reliable it's been.

I honestly can't remember a single month where payroll didn't go through or where I found myself scrambling to fix a problem.

That's worth a lot to me.

Running a business already comes with enough uncertainty.

Payroll shouldn't be one of them.

What I Like

• Payroll runs automatically.
• Easy to adjust my salary as my business changes.
• Clean, modern interface.
• Great desktop and mobile experience.
• Handles payroll taxes for me.
• Grows with my business if I decide to hire employees.
• Passes my Sleep Test with flying colors.

What Could Be Better

No software is perfect.

As a solopreneur, I think Gusto includes more HR features than I currently need.

If I hired several employees tomorrow, I'd probably use many of those tools.

Today, I'd love a “Solopreneur Mode” that simplified the dashboard and highlighted just the essentials.

It's also not the cheapest payroll software available.

Personally, though, I'd rather spend a little more each month for software that's consistently reliable than save a few dollars and create more work for myself.

My Bottom Line

If you're a one-person S-corp or a small business owner who values simplicity, automation, and peace of mind, I think Gusto is the best payroll software available today.

It's the platform I'd recommend to a friend, and it's still the platform I use myself.

QuickBooks Payroll: Best for Existing QuickBooks Users

Best for: Business owners who already use QuickBooks Online for their accounting.

If your accounting already lives inside QuickBooks, keeping payroll there can make a lot of sense.

Having everything in one ecosystem means fewer integrations and a more streamlined workflow.

Personally, I've never loved the QuickBooks user experience.

Whenever I log in, it feels like software designed for accountants rather than business owners.

That's just my opinion, and plenty of people love QuickBooks.

If you're already comfortable using it every day, QuickBooks Payroll is probably the first option I'd consider.

If you're starting from scratch, though, I think Gusto offers a friendlier experience.

OnPay: Best Value

Best for: Small businesses looking for strong features at a competitive price.

OnPay impressed me with its straightforward website and overall value.

I also like that they offer a free trial, something Gusto doesn't currently provide.

For my business, though, the biggest drawback is that payroll isn't quite as hands-off as I'd like.

Because I pay myself the same salary every pay period, I want payroll to happen automatically without requiring me to think about it.

Businesses with hourly employees or changing payroll amounts may feel differently.

If value is your top priority, OnPay deserves a close look.

Patriot Payroll: Best Budget Option

Best for: Solopreneurs who want an affordable payroll solution.

Patriot Payroll keeps things simple and affordable.

If you're looking for the lowest monthly cost, it's one of the better options available.

The trade-off is that you may not get the same polished experience or level of automation that I've enjoyed with Gusto.

If your budget is tight, Patriot is worth considering.

If convenience matters more than saving another $10 or $15 each month, I'd still lean toward Gusto.

ADP: Best for Growing Teams

Best for: Businesses planning to hire multiple employees.

ADP has earned its reputation over many years.

If you're building a company with a growing team, it offers the depth and flexibility you may eventually need.

For my business, though, it simply feels like more platform than I need.

As a solopreneur, I don't want to pay for features I'll never use.

Rippling: Best All-in-One Business Platform

Best for: Businesses that want payroll, HR, onboarding, and IT tools in one place.

Rippling is incredibly impressive.

It's also incredibly comprehensive.

When I visited their website, I immediately felt like I was looking at software designed for much larger organizations than mine.

That's not a criticism.

It's simply not who I am today.

If you're building a larger company and want one platform to manage everything, Rippling deserves serious consideration.

For a one-person business, I think it's probably more than you need.

My Recommendation

After researching the leading payroll providers and using Gusto for the past six years, my recommendation is pretty simple.

• Choose Gusto if you're a solopreneur or one-person S-corp who wants payroll to be easy.
• Choose QuickBooks Payroll if you're already deeply invested in the QuickBooks ecosystem.
• Choose OnPay if you're looking for a strong balance of features and price.
• Choose Patriot Payroll if keeping costs as low as possible is your highest priority.
• Choose ADP or Rippling if you're building a larger business with more complex HR needs.

For my business, Gusto continues to be the clear winner because it quietly does exactly what I need it to do every month.

And after six years, I can't ask for much more than that.

Why I've Stayed with Gusto for Six Years

Choosing payroll software is one thing.

Sticking with the same payroll software for six years is another.

I've never seriously considered switching because Gusto continues to do exactly what I need it to do.

Every month, my paycheck arrives on time.

My payroll runs automatically.

When I need to make a change to my salary or deductions, it's easy.

When I receive a notice from the state about a payroll filing, I usually log into Gusto only to find they've already taken care of it.

Most importantly, I don't spend time worrying about payroll anymore.

To me, that's the biggest value Gusto provides.

As business owners, we have a limited amount of mental energy every day.

I'd rather spend mine creating content, serving clients, and growing my business than thinking about payroll.

That's why I often talk about the Sleep Test here on Solopreneur Life.

The best software quietly does its job while you focus on yours.

For me, Gusto passes that test every month.

Want my recommendation?

If you're looking for payroll software that can grow with your business while staying easy to use, I think Gusto is an excellent place to start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best payroll software for a small business?

For most solopreneurs and small businesses with up to 10 employees, I recommend Gusto. I've personally used it for the past six years because it's reliable, easy to use, and automates much of the payroll process. If you're already using QuickBooks for your accounting, QuickBooks Payroll is also worth considering.

What is the best payroll software for a one-person S-corp?

Based on my experience, Gusto is an excellent choice for one-person S-corps. It automatically pays my salary through direct deposit, handles payroll tax filings, and lets me spend more time running my business instead of managing payroll.

Is Gusto worth it for a small business?

Yes, I think so.

Gusto isn't the cheapest payroll software available, but I've found it's well worth the monthly cost. After six years of using it, I can honestly say it's one of the few business tools I rarely have to think about. It quietly does its job, and that's exactly what I want.

Can payroll software file payroll taxes for me?

Many payroll providers, including Gusto, can calculate, file, and remit payroll taxes on your behalf. Features can vary by provider and plan, so be sure to review what's included before signing up.

What payroll software is the easiest to use?

Of the platforms I've researched and used, I think Gusto has the easiest overall user experience for solopreneurs. QuickBooks Payroll is a good option if you're already comfortable with the QuickBooks ecosystem, but I personally find Gusto more intuitive.

What is the cheapest payroll software?

If keeping costs as low as possible is your biggest priority, Patriot Payroll is one of the most affordable options. Just remember that the lowest monthly price isn't always the best value if another platform saves you time and reduces stress.

Can I switch payroll providers?

Yes. Most payroll providers offer tools and support to help you move from another payroll service. If you're considering a switch, it's often easiest to do it at the beginning of a new quarter or calendar year, but many businesses successfully switch at other times as well.

Which payroll software do you personally use?

I've used Gusto since 2020 after my accountant recommended it when I elected S-corp status. Six years later, it's still the payroll software I use for my business and the one I recommend most often to fellow solopreneurs.

Final Thoughts

When I first started my business, I never imagined payroll would become part of my monthly routine.

Now, I hardly think about it.

To me, that's the sign of great software.

It quietly takes care of an important job so I can focus on creating content, serving clients, and growing my business.

After six years of using Gusto, I still think it's the best payroll software for most solopreneurs and one-person S-corps. It's reliable, easy to use, and has saved me countless hours that I'd rather spend on work that actually grows my business.

That doesn't mean it's the right choice for everyone.

If you're already invested in QuickBooks, or you're building a larger company with more complex HR needs, one of the other options in this guide may be a better fit.

But if your business looks anything like mine, and you want payroll to become something you rarely have to think about, I'd start with Gusto.

The payroll software I use

I've trusted Gusto to run payroll for my business since 2020, and it's still the platform I recommend most often to fellow solopreneurs.

Try Gusto