Common praise
- Responsive and knowledgeable support
- Streamlined setup and navigation
- Affordable for small businesses
Common complaints
- Direct deposit described as slow and restrictive
- Occasional glitches and setup issues
- Limited advanced reporting
Patriot Payroll Review
by Patriot Software
Patriot Payroll is low-cost online payroll for US small businesses: Basic Payroll costs $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid, and Full Service, which files and deposits your payroll taxes, costs $37 a month plus $5 per worker.
Best for
- US small businesses that want payroll at a low published price
- Owners who run payroll often: no fee per payroll run
- Employers that pay W-2 staff and 1099 contractors in one run
Not ideal for
- Employers with staff abroad: Patriot pays in the US only
- Teams that want a native mobile app: Patriot runs in the mobile browser
- Buyers who want tax filing on the entry plan: Basic leaves taxes to you
Also listed in
How we evaluated Patriot Payroll
This review rests on the 31 facts this page shows, each checked against the source listed under “Sources”, most recently on . We did not test the product hands-on: the score uses only those verified facts, as our methodology explains; third-party ratings, where we quote them, never count in the score.
Our verdict
Patriot Payroll suits small US employers that want simple, inexpensive payroll with published prices and US-based support by phone, email or chat. Basic Payroll is $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid, and Full Service, which files federal, state and most local taxes, is $37 plus $5 per worker and $12 a month per extra state. Payroll runs are unlimited; direct deposit and setup are free. It is less suited to companies that want built-in benefits administration, a native mobile app or HR beyond the $6 add-on.
Strengths
Low, published prices
Basic Payroll is $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid, and Full Service is $37 plus $5. In months with no payroll you pay only the base fee, and there are no setup fees.
Evidence: Pricing model: Base fee + per employee1
Unlimited and automatic payroll
You can run payroll as often as you want at no extra charge, or set auto payroll once and let it run on schedule.
Evidence: Unlimited payroll runs: Yes1
Taxes filed with a guarantee
Full Service files and deposits federal, state and most local payroll taxes and year-end forms at no extra fee, and Patriot covers penalties and interest caused by an error on its end.
Evidence: Automatic tax filing: Yes1
Free US-based support and setup help
Support by phone, email or chat runs 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET on weekdays, and Patriot will enter your employee data and year-to-date payroll for free.
Evidence: Support channels: Phone, email, chat1
Contractors in the same run
Pay 1099 contractors alongside employees, by direct deposit if you use it, and give them their own portal.
Evidence: Contractor payments: Yes1
Audited security
Patriot says it is a SOC 2 Type II compliant organization.
Evidence: SOC 2 Type II: Yes3
Weaknesses
Basic does not file taxes
On Basic Payroll you calculate taxes in Patriot but file and deposit them yourself; tax filing needs Full Service.
Evidence: Automatic tax filing: Yes1
Extra states and add-ons cost more
Full Service charges $12 a month for each additional state, and Time & Attendance and HR Software cost $6 a month plus $2 per employee each.
Evidence
Extra costs: Time & Attendance add-on: $6 a month plus $2 per employee, HR Software add-on: $6 a month plus $2 per employee, Each additional state filed (Full Service Payroll): $12 a month, 1099 e-filing (Basic Payroll): nominal fees1
Four-day direct deposit by default
Standard direct deposit takes four days; two-day deposit is for qualifying customers.
Evidence
Direct deposit speed: 4-day standard; 2-day for qualifying customers2
No native app
Patriot runs in the mobile browser; there is no app to install.
Evidence: Mobile apps: Mobile web (no app to install)1
Benefits through partners
401(k), health coverage and workers' comp come through partners such as Vestwell and ERGO NEXT rather than Patriot itself.
Evidence
Benefits offered: 401(k) through Vestwell, Health benefits integration, Workers' comp pay-as-you-go through ERGO NEXT1
Price at a glance
Patriot Payroll cost at 10 to 100 employees
- Basic Payroll$17/mo base + $4/employee/mo
- Full Service Payroll$37/mo base + $5/employee/mo
| Employees | Basic Payroll | Full Service Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | $57/mo | $87/mo |
| 25 | $117/mo | $162/mo |
| 50 | $217/mo | $287/mo |
| 100 | $417/mo | $537/mo |
Monthly list price before discounts, add-ons and taxes, from the published price model of each plan.
Quick answers
- How much does Patriot Payroll cost?
- Basic Payroll costs $17 a month plus $4 per worker paid, and Full Service costs $37 a month plus $5 per worker paid. New accounts get a 30-day trial, then 50% off for 3 months.Based on Free trial: Yes1
- Does Patriot charge per payroll run?
- No. You pay a monthly base fee plus a fee per worker paid that month, and you can run as many payrolls as you need.Based on Pricing model: Base fee + per employee1
- What is the difference between Basic and Full Service?
- Full Service adds federal, state and most local tax filings and deposits, year-end forms at no extra fee and a tax filing guarantee. On Basic you file taxes yourself.Based on Automatic tax filing: Yes1
- Is Patriot Payroll legit?
- Yes. Patriot Software is a private company in Canton, Ohio, founded in 2002, and says it is SOC 2 Type II compliant.Based on Headquarters: Canton, Ohio, US4
Coverage of core payroll software capabilities
Each core capability we evaluate in Payroll Software, checked against Patriot Payroll’s own documentation. “Not verified yet” means we have not confirmed it either way, not that it is missing.
9 verified of 12 core capabilities
Payroll Software
- Gross-to-net calculation1
- Payroll tax filing1
- Overtime and regular rate · not verified yet
- Multi-state payroll1
- Deductions and garnishments · not verified yet
- Off-cycle runs2
- Direct deposit and pay options2
- Time and benefits integration2
- Accounting and GL export1
- Reports and audit trail · not verified yet
- Employee self-service1
- Year-end forms1
Specifications
Fit
Patriot Payroll integrations
Partner and marketplace apps
Patriot Payroll integration coverage
The 10 apps that payroll software products document most often, and whether Patriot Payroll documents each.
2 of the 10 most-connected apps documented by Patriot Payroll; median of the 23 products compared: 3
- QuickBooks · documented by 15 of 23
- Checkr · documented by 7 of 23
- Vestwell · documented by 7 of 23
- Sage Intacct · documented by 6 of 23
- Xero · documented by 6 of 23
- Employee Navigator · documented by 5 of 23
- Indeed · documented by 5 of 23
- Okta · documented by 5 of 23
- Clover · documented by 4 of 23
- Deputy · documented by 4 of 23
Integrations each vendor documents (native, marketplace, Zapier, API or named by the vendor), 23 live payroll software products. Not documented does not mean not possible.
What users say
Third-party ratings are shown as cited text; they are not part of the LeadChange Score.
Where it ranks
- #1 of 15 scoredPayroll Software
- #1 of 1 scoredPayroll Software for Churches
- #1 of 8 scoredPayroll Software for Healthcare
- #1 of 7 scoredPayroll Software for Nonprofits
- #1 of 12 scoredPayroll Software for QuickBooks
- #1 of 7 scoredPayroll Software for Restaurants
- #1 of 8 scoredPayroll Software for Retail
- #2 of 14 scoredPayroll Software for Small Business
Patriot Payroll alternatives
Square Payroll83% similar
SurePayroll83% similar
Gusto75% similar
Wave Payroll75% similar
Paychex Flex68% similar
QuickBooks Payroll68% similar
Compare Patriot Payroll
Implementation and support
About Patriot Software
Official profiles
Frequently asked questions
Is Patriot Payroll legit?
Patriot Payroll is sold by Patriot Software, which was founded in 2002, is headquartered in Canton, Ohio, US, and is privately held. Patriot Software says it is a SOC 2 Type II compliant organization. Before you sign, review the contract terms and ask for the security documentation that applies to your plan.
Does Patriot have a mobile app?
No app to install. Patriot is mobile friendly, so you run payroll in your phone or tablet browser.
Does Patriot Payroll integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes. Patriot integrates with QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, and imports payroll into its own accounting software.
How fast is Patriot direct deposit?
Standard direct deposit takes four days, and qualifying customers get free two-day direct deposit.
What are the best alternatives to Patriot Payroll?
In our payroll software ranking, the highest-scored products other than Patriot Payroll are QuickBooks Payroll, Gusto, and Square Payroll. Compared side by side, by reason to switch: Patriot Payroll alternatives.
Which is better, Patriot Payroll or OnPay?
Our Patriot Payroll vs OnPay comparison sets out when each one fits.
What are the pros and cons of Patriot Payroll?
Strengths documented on the vendor’s own pages: Low, published prices, unlimited and automatic payroll, and taxes filed with a guarantee. It is less suited to employers with staff abroad: Patriot pays in the US only and teams that want a native mobile app: Patriot runs in the mobile browser.
Is Patriot Payroll good for small businesses?
Patriot Payroll lists small businesses among the company sizes it is built for (small businesses); for 10 employees its list prices come to $57 a month if you file taxes yourself. It ranks #2 of 14 in our payroll software for small businesses.
How long does it take to implement Patriot Payroll?
Patriot Payroll states a typical implementation of self-service setup wizard or free setup assistance; no timeline published. Implementation fee: none.
How this page was made
What it is built from
31 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 9, 2026.
Method
Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology
Independent review
Passed our independent review on Nov 1, 2026. How we review
Hands-on testing
We have not tested Patriot Payroll hands-on: this page uses public information only.
Who made it
The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us
Independence and errors
Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction
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How we make money
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Patriot PayrollLeadChange Score 8.7
What changed
PricingWe now list Full Service and Basic Payroll in Patriot Payroll’s extra costs.
FeaturesWe updated Patriot Payroll’s direct deposit speed to 4-day standard; 2-day for qualifying customers (we showed 4-day and 2-day (for qualifying customers)).
PublishedFirst published.
Sources
The 6 pages this page's facts come from. The date beside each is our last check of the facts taken from it (the oldest, when they differ). The numbers beside the figures above link here.
Quotes from the sources
- Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/pricing“If you use Patriot’s payroll software, you will be charged $4 (Basic) or $5 (Full Service) per worker you pay during the month.” “Our payroll is a flat monthly fee + per worker paid fee. Run as many payrolls as you need. We'll bill you in arrears each month.”
- Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/payroll“Many reviews consider Patriot Payroll the best payroll software for small business thanks to its affordability, usability, and customer support.” “Patriot offers a few direct deposit options to meet our customers' needs: expedited 2-day direct deposit for qualifying customers, standard 4-day direct deposit, payroll prefunding, or customer-initiated funding through bank wires or instant payments.”
- Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/about“As a SOC 2 Type II compliant organization, we follow rigorous data protection standards and adhere to all required federal privacy, anti-fraud, and security regulations.” “He said that we could service our customers better if we stayed private.”
- Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/blog/press/patriot-software-10000-customers“Patriot Software, located in Canton Ohio, provides online payroll and accounting software for small businesses.”
- Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/industries“Churches Set up and manage clergy housing allowances and let new hires self-onboard. … Retail Set up Auto Payroll, pay hourly and salaried employees, and handle multiple pay rates.”
- Built In builtinla.com/company/patriot-software-llc“Year Founded: 2002”