Starting price$37/mo + $5/workerFull Service Payroll; Basic (you file taxes) $17 + $4/worker
Free trial / plan30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months
Vettlo score78/100
G2 user rating4.8/5630 reviews
Patriot Payroll Review (2026): Pricing, Pros and Cons
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Short answer
Patriot Payroll ranks #6 of 7 in our payroll tools ranking (78/100). Best for very small businesses on a tight budget. Paid plans start at $37/mo + $5/worker (Full Service Payroll; Basic (you file taxes) $17 + $4/worker).
What is Patriot Payroll?
Patriot Payroll comes in two plans. Basic ($17 a month plus $4 per worker) runs payroll and direct deposit while you file taxes yourself; Full Service ($37 plus $5 per worker) adds federal, state and local tax filings and deposits. Each additional state costs $12 a month, and time and attendance and HR software are add-ons at $6 a month plus $2 per employee each.
Who it's best for
Businesses with a few employees in one state that want the lowest per-worker price and don't need HR tools.
Why we rank it
It has the lowest per-worker fees here, a do-it-yourself plan for $17 a month and a 30-day free trial.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- $5 per worker on Full Service, $4 on Basic
- 30-day free trial, then 50% off for 3 months
- Rated 4.8/5 on G2
Watch-outs
- Each additional state costs $12 a month
- Basic doesn't file taxes for you
- Time tracking and HR are separate add-ons
Skip it if: You have employees in several states or want benefits and HR in the same tool.
Patriot Payroll pricing
Paid plans start at $37/mo + $5/worker (Full Service Payroll; Basic (you file taxes) $17 + $4/worker). Free plan or trial: 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months.
From Patriot Payroll's pricing page, checked on the date at the top of this review. See how it compares on price in our payroll tools pricing overview.
How we scored Patriot Payroll
Payroll score: 78/100
Payroll & tax filing (25%)4/5
Compliance & multi-state (15%)3.5/5
HR & benefits (15%)3/5
Time tracking & integrations (10%)3/5
Ease of use (15%)4/5
Price & value (20%)5/5
Each criterion is rated 0 to 5 and weighted for the category. See our methodology.
How Patriot Payroll compares
| # | Tool | Best for | Starting price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gusto | Small businesses that want payroll, benefits and core people tools in one place | $49/mo + $6/person | 88/100 |
| 2 | OnPay | Best value for multi-state payroll | $49/mo + $6/person | 87/100 |
| 3 | Rippling | Growing companies that want payroll, benefits and employee records in one system | From $8/employee/mo | 82/100 |
| 4 | RUN Powered by ADP | Small businesses that want a large provider's compliance and help desk services | Pricing on request | 80/100 |
| 5 | Square Payroll | Hourly, shift-based teams | $35/mo + $6/person | 79/100 |
| 6 | Patriot Payroll | Very small businesses on a tight budget | $37/mo + $5/worker | 78/100 |
Alternatives and comparisons
Patriot Payroll FAQ
How much does Patriot Payroll cost?
Paid plans start at $37/mo + $5/worker (Full Service Payroll; Basic (you file taxes) $17 + $4/worker). Free plan or trial: 30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months.
Is Patriot Payroll worth it?
Patriot Payroll scores 78/100 in our payroll tools ranking, where it is best for very small businesses on a tight budget. It's a weaker fit if: you have employees in several states or want benefits and HR in the same tool.
Does Patriot Payroll have a free plan or trial?
30 days free, then 50% off for 3 months.
What are the best Patriot Payroll alternatives?
In our payroll tools ranking, the closest alternatives are Gusto, OnPay and Rippling.