$0/ month
- Monthly platform fee
- $0
- Per-employee fee
- $0
- Setup fee
- $0
What’s included for free
Always free
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Direct deposit
- Tax calculations and filings
- W-2s and 1099s
- New-hire reporting
- Employee self-service
How we keep payroll free.
We earn commissions on insurance
When you buy health insurance through us, the insurance company pays us a commission.
We run efficiently
An efficient, agile operation keeps our costs low, so there’s no overhead to pass on to you.
Some services cost extra
State Tax Registration is optional and priced by state.
What you’d pay elsewhere.
| Freedom | Gusto Simple | OnPay | QuickBooks Workforce Payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly base | $0 | $49 | $49 | $50 |
| Per employee / month | $0 | $6 | $6 | $7 |
| 10 employees / month | $0 | $109 | $109 | $120 |
| Per month | Base | Per employee | 10 employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freedom | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Gusto Simple | $49 | $6 | $109 |
| OnPay | $49 | $6 | $109 |
| QuickBooks Workforce Payroll | $50 | $7 | $120 |
Standard standalone payroll subscription prices, checked September 17, 2026. Promotions and extras excluded. Features vary. Gusto Simple covers single-state payroll.
FAQs
What does free payroll include?
Unlimited payroll runs, direct deposit, tax calculations and filings, W-2s and 1099s, new-hire reporting, and employee self-service, with no monthly, per-employee, or setup fee.
Is State Tax Registration optional?
Yes. You can register with each state yourself or pay us to do it. Pricing depends on the state. Either way, your business must complete the registrations the state requires.
What fees will I still pay for?
You pay the premiums and plan fees for any coverage you choose, like health insurance, a 401(k), or workers’ comp. State Tax Registration, if you use it, is priced by state.
You may also pay a fee for wire transfers, failed payroll debits, returned payments, expedited processing or tax-filing corrections. Fees charged by our payroll provider are passed through at cost, without markup.