Patriot Payroll is low cost online payroll for small US businesses, with well rated US based support. Full Service, which files your payroll taxes for you, starts at $37 a month plus $5 per worker, less than Gusto's cheapest plan. It is worth it for small, single state teams that want reliable payroll at the lowest price; growing or multi state teams may get more from Gusto.
What Patriot Payroll is
Patriot Payroll is online payroll software from Patriot Software for small businesses Patriot payroll ↗. Patriot says more than 80,000 customers use it and that customers average less than three minutes to run a payroll Patriot payroll ↗.
There are two plans. Basic Payroll calculates pay and handles paychecks, while you file and deposit payroll taxes yourself Patriot pricing ↗. Full Service Payroll also files and deposits federal, state and local payroll taxes and handles year end filings such as W-2s at no extra fee Patriot pricing ↗.
It sits alongside Patriot's own accounting software, which shares one login with payroll Patriot payroll ↗. Patriot Payroll does not market itself as an AI product; it is here because it is one of the most common low cost payroll choices for small businesses.
Hands on testing is in progress, and we will update this review with our results.
What it does well
Price is the main advantage. Full Service at $37 a month plus $5 per worker costs less than Gusto's cheapest plan at $49 plus $6 per person Patriot pricing ↗ Gusto pricing ↗. For 10 employees, that is $87 a month with Patriot against $109 with Gusto Simple, at list prices Patriot pricing ↗ Gusto pricing ↗.
Support is highly rated. On G2, Patriot scores 9.7 for quality of support against 9.0 for Gusto, and has a 4.8 out of 5 rating from about 630 reviews G2 comparison ↗. Patriot says its support is US based and free by phone, email or chat Patriot payroll ↗.
You only pay for what you use. The per worker fee covers each worker paid that month, including 1099 contractors, and in a month with no payroll you pay only the base fee Patriot pricing ↗.
The essentials are covered. Patriot offers unlimited payrolls and all pay frequencies, free direct deposit, an employee portal with self onboarding for W-2 hires, Android and iOS apps, and a free contractor portal Patriot payroll ↗ Patriot pricing ↗.
There is a penalty guarantee. On Full Service, Patriot says it will cover penalties and interest caused by a glitch on its end Patriot pricing ↗.
Where it falls short
Direct deposit is slower. Patriot's standard direct deposit takes 4 days, with 2 day deposit for qualifying customers Patriot payroll ↗. Gusto Plus includes unlimited next day pay Gusto pricing ↗.
Multi state payroll costs extra. Full Service charges $12 a month for each additional state Patriot pricing ↗. Gusto Plus includes multi state payroll Gusto pricing ↗.
HR and time tracking are add ons, at $6 a month plus $2 per employee each Patriot pricing ↗. Gusto bundles more HR tools into its higher plans Gusto pricing ↗.
Fewer integrations. Patriot syncs payroll to QuickBooks Online, exports to QuickBooks Desktop and connects to its own accounting software Patriot payroll ↗. Gusto names Xero, Expensify, Clover and Trainual among its integrations, and G2 shows more integrations for Gusto G2 comparison ↗ Gusto payroll ↗.
Basic Payroll leaves tax filing to you Patriot pricing ↗. Most small businesses without a bookkeeper should budget for Full Service.
Pricing and plans
Basic Payroll costs $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid Patriot pricing ↗. Full Service Payroll costs $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid and adds tax filings and deposits plus year end filings Patriot pricing ↗. Patriot bills in arrears, and the per worker fee includes contractors Patriot pricing ↗.
When we checked, Patriot offered 30 days free followed by 50% off for three months, which brings Full Service to $18.50 a month plus $2.50 per worker during the promotion Patriot pricing ↗. Add ons are Time and Attendance and HR Software, each $6 a month plus $2 per employee at list price Patriot pricing ↗. Each additional state on Full Service is $12 a month Patriot pricing ↗. There is no setup fee listed, and Patriot offers free setup help Patriot pricing ↗. Basic customers pay small fees to e-file 1099s Patriot pricing ↗.
Who should (and shouldn't) use it
- Good fit: small teams in one state that pay on a regular schedule and want the lowest bill Patriot pricing ↗ G2 comparison ↗.
- Good fit: owners who value easy access to US based support Patriot payroll ↗ G2 comparison ↗.
- Skip it if: your team needs next day pay or works across several states; Gusto Plus covers both Gusto pricing ↗.
- Skip it if: you want health benefits and HR built in rather than through partners Patriot payroll ↗ Gusto pricing ↗.
Alternatives worth a look
- Gusto: more built in, from $49 a month plus $6 per person, with next day pay and multi state payroll on Plus Gusto pricing ↗.
- QuickBooks Payroll: a natural option if you already keep your books in QuickBooks QuickBooks Payroll ↗.
- Patriot Basic Payroll: $17 a month plus $4 per worker if you are comfortable filing taxes yourself Patriot pricing ↗.
What’s good
- Lower list price than Gusto
- Highly rated, US based support
- 30 day free trial
What to know
- Basic plan does not file taxes for you
- Extra states, time tracking and HR cost extra
Key features
- Unlimited payrolls, all pay frequencies, off cycle runs
- Full Service files federal, state and local taxes and year end forms
- Free direct deposit, 4 day standard or 2 day if qualified
- Employee portal with self onboarding and mobile apps
- Time tracking and HR add ons
Works with
Questions people ask
How much does Patriot Payroll cost?
Basic is $17 a month plus $4 per worker, and Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker Patriot pricing ↗.
Does Patriot Payroll have a free trial?
Yes. When we checked, Patriot offered 30 days free followed by 50% off for three months Patriot pricing ↗.
Is Patriot Payroll cheaper than Gusto?
Yes. Patriot Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker, while Gusto's cheapest plan is $49 plus $6 per person Patriot pricing ↗ Gusto pricing ↗.
Does Patriot Payroll file payroll taxes?
Full Service does, including federal, state and local filings and year end forms. Basic Payroll leaves filing to you Patriot pricing ↗.
Where this comes from
Checked Oct 9, 2026. Vendor pages describe their own products; independent sources add outside views. Hands on testing is in progress.
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