Patriot Payroll review (2026): features, pros and cons, pricing
Low-cost small business payroll from Patriot Software, in Basic and Full Service tiers.
Verdict at a glance
Patriot Payroll is low-cost small business payroll from Patriot Software, offered in Basic and Full Service tiers. Reviewers like its easy setup and support, though QuickBooks syncing is reported as manual.
Pros
- Easy use and strong support.
- Simple setup.
Cons
- Manual data entry and limited QuickBooks options.
- Direct deposit delays.
What is Patriot Payroll?
Low-cost small business payroll from Patriot Software, in Basic and Full Service tiers. It is built for very small businesses watching cost and employers who want Full Service tax filing at a low base fee. Patriot Payroll was founded in 2002 and is based in Canton, Ohio, US.
Category: Payroll Software
Patriot Payroll key features
| Feature | What we found |
|---|---|
| Tax filing and compliance | Full Service handles federal, state and local deposits and filings. |
| Accounting integrations | Patriot Accounting; QuickBooks integration reported as manual. |
| Time tracking and PTO | Time & Attendance add-on. |
| Benefits administration | Free 401(k) and workers' comp integrations (Wise review) |
| Contractor and 1099 payments | 1099 contractors paid by direct deposit or check; $4 per contractor paid. |
Patriot Payroll pricing
Patriot Payroll charges a monthly base fee plus a fee per worker paid. Basic Payroll is $17 per month plus $4 per worker, and the employer files taxes. Full Service Payroll is $37 per month plus $5 per worker, and Patriot files and pays federal, state and local taxes. The per-worker fee is charged once a month, however many pay runs you do, and contractors count as workers. Time & Attendance starts at $6 plus $2 per employee, and an HR add-on exists. A free trial is offered, and promotions of 50% off have been shown.
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Payroll | $17 | per month + $4 per worker paid | Employer files taxes |
| Full Service Payroll | $37 | per month + $5 per worker paid | Patriot files and pays federal, state, local taxes |
Promotional rates of 50% off have been shown. Per-worker fee charged once per month. Time & Attendance add-on from $6 + $2 per employee (TechRepublic).
Who Patriot Payroll is best for
Best for
- Very small businesses watching cost.
- Employers who want Full Service tax filing at a low base fee.
Not ideal for
- Teams wanting seamless QuickBooks sync (reviewers report manual entry)
- Larger or complex multi-state employers.
Patriot Payroll alternatives
OnPaySmall businesses and accounting-firm partners.
GustoSmall US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup.
QuickBooks PayrollBusinesses already on QuickBooks Online.
ADP RunSmall businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits.
Paychex FlexMid-size employers wanting a full-service provider with HR and benefits options.
JustworksSmall US companies that want a PEO with benefits and compliance handled for them.
What Patriot Payroll really costs
- Per seat per month
- $5 per worker plus $37 base (Full Service)
- Billing
- Monthly and annual.
- 20 users per year
- Full Service: ($37 + 20 x $5) x 12 = $1,644 per year.
Add-ons and extras to budget for
- Time & Attendance from $6 + $2/employee.
- HR add-on.
Questions to ask about price
- Is there a minimum number of seats or a minimum annual spend?
- What is the discount for annual billing, and can we start monthly?
- How much can the price rise at renewal, and is the increase capped in the contract?
- Are there one-time costs for implementation, onboarding or data migration?
Is Patriot Payroll worth the price?
Patriot Payroll is good value for very small businesses watching cost, and for employers who want Full Service tax filing at a low base fee. Patriot says 10 employees cost about $87 a month on Full Service. It gets awkward for teams that want smooth QuickBooks sync, since reviewers report manual data entry, and for larger or complex multi-state employers. Add-ons raise the total.
Worth it if
- Very small businesses watching cost.
- Employers who want Full Service tax filing at a low base fee.
Look elsewhere if
- Teams wanting seamless QuickBooks sync (reviewers report manual entry)
- Larger or complex multi-state employers.
Cheaper per seat than Patriot Payroll
- ADP RunAbout $4 per employee plus $79 base (third-party estimate)
Pricing details most reviews leave out
- Per-worker fee billed once per month regardless of pay runs.
- Contractors are billed like employees ($4 each)
- Full Service $37 + $5 per worker; 10 employees about $87/month per Patriot.
Our verdict on Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll is low-cost small business payroll from Patriot Software, sold in Basic and Full Service tiers. Pricing is a base fee plus a per-worker fee: Basic is $17 a month plus $4 per worker, and Full Service is $37 a month plus $5 per worker. G2 shows a 4.8 rating from 603 reviews, with praise for easy use and support.
The low base fee is the draw, but count everyone you pay. Contractors are billed like employees at $4 each, and Patriot charges the per-worker fee once a month regardless of pay runs. Time & Attendance is an add-on, and reviewers report manual QuickBooks entry and some direct deposit delays. Promotional rates of 50% off have also been shown.
Patriot Payroll FAQ
What is Patriot Payroll used for?
Patriot Payroll is low-cost small business payroll from Patriot Software, offered in Basic and Full Service tiers. Reviewers like its easy setup and support, though QuickBooks syncing is reported as manual. It suits very small businesses watching cost.
How much does Patriot Payroll cost for 20 workers?
On Full Service, 20 workers cost ($37 + 20 x $5) x 12 = $1,644 per year. On Basic, the fee is $17 plus $4 per worker per month, but you file your own taxes.
Do contractors cost extra at Patriot Payroll?
Contractors are billed like employees, at $4 per contractor paid. They can be paid by direct deposit or check.
Does Patriot Payroll offer a free trial?
Yes, a free trial is offered, but there is no free plan. Promotional rates of 50% off have also been shown, so check the current offer.
About Patriot Payroll
- Founded
- 2002.
- Headquarters
- Canton, Ohio, US.
Listed in: Payroll Software
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from Patriot Payroll's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.