PaycheckCity vs Payroll4Free (2026): which should you pick?

Pick PaycheckCity if

• Fits if you pay a few US employees and file taxes yourself
• Works for accountants running several small payrolls

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want direct deposit, as it does none
• Not for you if you want taxes filed and paid for you
• Watch out: state forms are not completed, only the federal W-2, 940 and 941
• Tight if your staff expect a portal, because there is none
• Watch out: the $228 annual rate starts when the 14-day trial ends

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

PaycheckCity

• It does no direct deposit, tax filing or tax payment; you print checks and file and remit yourself.
• State forms are not completed; only federal W-2, 940 and 941 are prepared.
• Self-service only, with help articles and a chat box.
• There is no employee portal.

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.

PaycheckCity

Payroll tax calculation

Calculates gross-to-net pay and state taxes for all 50 states, plus Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands and American Samoa, including multi-state cases.

Printable paychecks and paystubs

Paychecks and paystubs are generated for printing, and the payroll history is saved.

Year-end form preparation

The app fills in federal Form W-2, 940 and 941 with Schedule B from payroll history for you to file.

Tax change notifications

Notifications tell you when payroll tax rules change in your jurisdiction.

Unlimited companies and employees

Adding locations, companies or employees costs nothing extra under the single plan.

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.

PaycheckCity

• PaycheckCity Payroll$19

  per month, billed as one annual payment of $228

  One plan with unlimited companies, locations, employees and payroll runs. Applicable taxes are added.

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.