Best Patriot Payroll Alternatives in 2026
Patriot Payroll is the cheapest full-service payroll option but its HR features are thin. Here is what to consider if you have outgrown it.
Quick verdict
Best step-up from Patriot: OnPay or Gusto Simple. Best if you need HR too: Gusto Plus. Best if you need contractor payroll at no extra cost: OnPay.
Why teams look beyond Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll earns its reputation for low cost. At $37 per month plus $4 per employee for the Full Service plan, it is consistently the cheapest option that includes federal and state tax filing. Teams leave for two main reasons: they want a better interface, or they need HR features that Patriot does not provide.
Customer service reviews are more mixed than the product reviews. For straightforward payroll with standard employees, most users find it works fine. Complex situations, multi-state payroll with unusual local taxes, or anything requiring support intervention tend to be where the gaps show.
OnPay: best first step up
OnPay at $40 per month plus $6 per employee (so slightly more expensive than Patriot) offers a cleaner interface, better customer service reviews, and support for contractor payments and agricultural payroll at no extra charge.
For teams that like the Patriot simplicity but want more reliable support and a better-designed product, OnPay is the natural upgrade. The price difference for a team of 10 employees is $30 per month.
Gusto Simple: best for teams wanting more polish
Gusto Simple at $40 per month plus $6 per employee offers a more polished interface than Patriot, next-day or same-day direct deposit, and basic HR document management. It is in the same price range as OnPay for small teams.
Gusto has better brand recognition and integrates with more third-party tools than Patriot or OnPay. For teams that care about how their payroll software integrates with benefits, accounting software, and time tracking tools, Gusto has more options.
Gusto Plus: best if you need HR features
If the reason for leaving Patriot is the lack of HR features, the jump to Gusto Plus at $80 per month plus $12 per employee is the most common path. It adds time tracking, PTO management, and basic performance tools on top of payroll.
This is a meaningful price jump from Patriot. A team of 10 pays $77 per month on Patriot Full Service vs. $200 per month on Gusto Plus. Worth it if you need those HR features; not worth it if payroll is all you need.
How to choose
Stay on Patriot if cost is paramount and you are doing straightforward payroll. Move to OnPay if you want a better product at a similar price point. Move to Gusto Simple for better integrations and more polish. Move to Gusto Plus if you need HR features in the same platform.
Frequently asked questions
Is Patriot Payroll good for restaurants? Yes. Patriot handles tip credits and tipped employee payroll, which is a common requirement for restaurants. OnPay also supports this. For larger restaurant groups with complex tip pooling and scheduling, a more specialized platform may be needed.
Does Patriot Payroll integrate with QuickBooks? Yes. Patriot has a QuickBooks Online integration for payroll journal entries. It also integrates with Wave.
Can Patriot handle multi-state payroll? Yes, but it adds cost. Patriot charges extra for each additional state beyond your primary state. For teams with employees in multiple states, OnPay or Gusto may work out cheaper when you factor in the additional state fees.