Payroll · Updated for 2026

Patriot Review

Patriot Software offers basic and full-service payroll at the lowest price in the SMB market — with US-based support.

Editorial score
4.4/5
Starting price
$17/mo + $4/employee
Best for
Cost-sensitive SMBs wanting full-service payroll
Category
Payroll
Quick answer

Is Patriot worth it?

Patriot is the price leader in US small-business payroll. Basic Payroll runs at $17/month + $4 per employee with self-filed taxes; Full Service adds tax filing for $37 + $4 per employee. The tradeoff is fewer benefits, integrations, and HR depth — but if you just need clean payroll done cheaply, it wins.

Pros

  • Lowest pricing in full-service payroll
  • US-based customer support included
  • Accounting product available bundled
  • Free setup and free direct deposit
  • Time-tracking and HR add-ons are optional and cheap

Cons

  • Bare-bones benefits administration
  • Limited third-party integrations
  • UX is functional, not delightful
  • No native HRIS depth
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What customers say

Aggregated from verified user reviews on G2, Capterra, Trustpilot, and GetApp. Refreshed quarterly.

Aggregate rating
4.8/5
across 5,030 verified reviews
"Half the cost of Gusto with the same full-service payroll. Tax filings have been flawless for three years."
Jeff B. · Owner
1–10 employees
Verified on Capterra
"US-based support that actually answers the phone. Rare and appreciated at this price point."
Linda W. · Office Manager
Verified on G2
"UI is utilitarian — don't expect a polished SaaS experience. But for the price, it's hard to beat."
Verified buyer · Bookkeeper
Verified on Trustpilot

Patriot pricing

Basic Payroll
$17+ $4/ee/mo
Best for: You file your own taxes
Most popular
Full Service
$37+ $4/ee/mo
Best for: Patriot files all taxes

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Integrations

QuickBooksXeroPatriot Accounting

FAQ

Is Patriot really the cheapest payroll?

For full-service multi-employee payroll in the US, yes — typically 30–50% cheaper than Gusto.

Patriot comparisons

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