Patriot Payroll vs Payroll4Free (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Patriot Payroll if

• Fits if you're happy filing payroll taxes yourself and want the lowest price here
• Works for firms that don't pay staff every month, since quiet months cost only the base fee

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want to run payroll from an app, as there isn't one
• Tight if your staff work in several states, at $12 a month for each state after the first
• Too light for teams that want HR and time tracking built in, as each is $6 a month plus $2 a person
• Watch out: Basic doesn't file or deposit payroll taxes, and the half-price start lasts only 3 months
• Not for you if you pay anyone outside the US, as it runs US payroll only

Pick Payroll4Free if

• Fits if you pay 9 or fewer people in the US once a month
• Works for owners who accept ads in the software to avoid a bill

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you pay staff more than once a month or have 10 or more
• Watch out: tax filing and bank deposits are paid, with no price shown
• Not for you if you use a Mac: it needs Windows and a browser extension
• Not for you if you run payroll outside the US: it is US only

Patriot Payroll

• Runs payroll in the US only; Full Service files in all 50 states, at $12 a month for each state after the first.
• Basic Payroll does not file or deposit payroll taxes; that needs Full Service.
• Time & Attendance and HR Software cost $6 a month plus $2 per employee each.
• There is no mobile app: payroll is run in a phone's or computer's browser.

Payroll4Free

• Free only for 9 or fewer people paid no more than once monthly; the site publishes no prices beyond that.
• Tax filing for you (Payroll Tax Service) and deposits through its bank (Direct Deposit Service) are paid, with no price shown.
• Each extra state or location carries a fee the site does not price. Payroll is for US businesses only.
• The FAQ says it needs a small browser extension, and Macs must run Windows to use it.

Patriot Payroll

Unlimited and automatic payroll

Run as many payrolls as needed for the same monthly fee, or set payroll to run itself on schedule. Months without a payroll cost only the base fee.

Tax filing on Full Service

Full Service collects, files and deposits federal, state and most local payroll taxes and files Forms 940, 941, W-2 and W-3 at no extra fee.

Free direct deposit

Standard 4-day direct deposit is free, with 2-day deposit for qualifying customers; checks can also be printed from the software.

Employee and contractor portals

Staff see pay stubs, pay history, time-off balances and W-2s online, and 1099 contractors can be paid in the same payroll and get their own portal.

Benefits and insurance links

Free integrations connect 401(k) plans through Vestwell, health insurance through SimplyInsured and pay-as-you-go workers' comp through ERGO NEXT.

Time & Attendance and HR add-ons

Time tracking and HR software can each be added for $6 a month plus $2 per employee, and payroll syncs to Patriot's own accounting software.

Payroll4Free

Employees and contractors

Pays W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, and the FAQ says year-end tax forms are included for both.

Tax calculations and reports

Calculates federal, state and local payroll taxes and gives access to filled-out tax forms. Filing the forms for you is an optional paid service.

Direct deposit or checks

Employees and contractors can be paid by paper check, direct deposit or a mix of both. Direct deposit through your own bank is free.

Time off tracking

Vacation, sick and PTO time can be set up to accrue by length of service or hours worked.

Employee portal

Employees can view pay information, reprint paystubs and W-2s, check accrued time and change personal details online.

Exports and imports

Payroll data can be exported to accounting packages, banks and benefit companies, and employee hours can be imported from a time clock file.

Patriot Payroll

• Basic Payroll$17

  per month, plus $4 per worker paid

  Unlimited payrolls, free direct deposit, employee and contractor portals and payroll reports; you file taxes. Advertised at $8.50 plus $2 for 3 months.

• Full Service Payroll$37

  per month, plus $5 per worker paid

  Adds federal, state and local tax filings and deposits and year-end forms. Each extra state is $12 a month. Advertised at $18.50 plus $2.50 for 3 months.

Payroll4Free

• Free$0

  All basic payroll services for businesses paying 9 or fewer people no more than once monthly, with ads from partner companies shown inside the software.

Patriot Payroll

• Other savings

  50% off for 3 months after the free trial

  After the 30-day trial, new customers pay half the listed price for 3 months: $8.50 plus $2 per worker on Basic and $18.50 plus $2.50 on Full Service.

• Other savings

  Partner pricing for accountants

  Accountants and bookkeepers who join Patriot's Partner Program get discounted pricing for the businesses they manage.

Payroll4Free

No public discounts listed.