Alternatives · Payroll
Paychex Flex alternatives
Paychex Flex compared with 7 alternatives: RUN Powered by ADP, Gusto, QuickBooks Workforce, Paycor, SurePayroll and 2 more.
Paychex Flex's current pricing could not be confirmed from its own site. None of the alternatives has a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
7 tools · Listings checked up to Oct 17, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paychex FlexThis tool | Paid | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| RUN Powered by ADP | Paid | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| Gusto | From $49/mo | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| QuickBooks Workforce | Free trial · from $50/mo | Trial only | Web, iOS, Android |
| Paycor | From $99/mo | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| SurePayroll | From $20/mo | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| Justworks | From $50/mo | No | Web, iOS, Android |
| Paylocity | Paid | No | Web, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Paychex Flex
- Paid
RUN Powered by ADP
ADP's payroll and HR service for US businesses of 1 to 49 people
- RUN Powered by ADP also covers time tracking.
- Paychex Flex also covers reports.
Suits: US businesses with up to 49 employees that want taxes filed for them
- From $49/mo
Gusto
Payroll and HR for small businesses, with apps for owners and staff
- Gusto also covers time tracking and expense tracking.
- Paychex Flex also covers reports.
Suits: Small US businesses paying W-2 employees and contractors
- Free trial · from $50/mo
QuickBooks Workforce
Intuit's payroll and HR service, sold alone or with QuickBooks
- QuickBooks Workforce also covers time tracking.
- Paychex Flex also covers reports.
Suits: US businesses already keeping their books in QuickBooks Online
- From $99/mo
Paycor
US payroll and HR software, with published prices under 50 staff
- Paycor also covers expense tracking.
Suits: US businesses under 50 employees that want to see a price before calling sales
- From $20/mo
SurePayroll
Online payroll for small US businesses and household employers
Suits: Small US businesses with a handful of employees
- From $50/mo
Justworks
Pay, benefits and HR platform for employers, with an app for staff
- Justworks also covers time tracking and expense tracking.
- Paychex Flex also covers reports.
Suits: Smaller employers that want benefits normally offered by large ones
- Paid
Paylocity
Payroll, HR, finance and IT platform for US employers, by quote
- Paylocity also covers time tracking and expense tracking.
Suits: US companies that want payroll, HR and time tracking in one system
Limits worth knowing in Paychex Flex
- No prices are published: Basic, Foundations, Advanced and Complete are each quoted after a form or a sales call.
- Time and attendance, applicant tracking, state unemployment service and job costing are add-ons on some or all packages.
- Online chat support comes with every package; phone and email agents and a dedicated payroll specialist are add-ons on the lower packages.
- The pages read describe US payroll only: federal, state and local tax filing, and W-2 and 1099 forms.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Paychex Flex?
The alternatives to Paychex Flex in this directory are RUN Powered by ADP, Gusto, QuickBooks Workforce, Paycor, SurePayroll, Justworks and Paylocity. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Paychex Flex.
Is there a free alternative to Paychex Flex?
None of the alternatives listed here has a free plan. QuickBooks Workforce offers a free trial.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Oct 17, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.