We ranked the payroll platforms that fit a trade business, weighing price, how much they automate, and how well they handle the things a crew-based shop actually needs, like paying hourly techs and tracking time. Here is the field.
The top picks
Gusto
Best overall for small tradesGusto is the payroll tool we point most small trade businesses to. It runs full-service payroll, files your federal, state, and local taxes automatically, and handles direct deposit, new-hire reporting, and benefits without a bookkeeping degree. The interface is genuinely easy, which matters when payroll is one more thing on an owner's plate.
Visit GustoQuickBooks Payroll
Best if you already use QuickBooksIf your books already live in QuickBooks, its payroll add-on is the path of least resistance. Payroll and accounting stay in one system, so wages, taxes, and job costing line up without exporting and re-importing. It costs a little more than some rivals, but the tight integration saves real time for a QuickBooks shop.
Visit QuickBooks PayrollHomebase
Best value for hourly crewsHomebase starts free for scheduling and time tracking, then adds payroll as a paid layer on top. For a shop built on hourly techs, having the time clock and the payroll in one place means hours flow straight to paychecks with no double entry. It is the value pick when managing an hourly crew is the real job.
Visit HomebaseAt a glance
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gusto | Best overall for small trades | $40/mo + $6/person | 4.6 | Visit → |
| QuickBooks Payroll | Best if you already use QuickBooks | $50/mo + $6/person | 4.5 | Visit → |
| Homebase | Best value for hourly crews | Free plan + payroll add-on | 4.6 | Visit → |
The Bottom Line
For most small trade businesses, Gusto is the best payroll pick: full-service, automated taxes, and easy to run. Choose QuickBooks Payroll if your accounting already lives there, and Homebase if you manage an hourly crew and want time tracking and payroll in one tool.
How we picked
We pull current pricing straight from each vendor, read through real contractor reviews on sites like G2 and Capterra, and line the features up against what the trade actually needs day to day. The rankings are ours and they are not for sale. A company cannot pay to move up this list. When a cheaper tool does the job better, it ranks higher.
More ways to run your business
Frequently asked questions
What is the best payroll software for a small contractor?
For most small trade businesses, Gusto is the best fit. It runs full-service payroll, files your payroll taxes automatically, and is easy enough that an owner can handle it without a bookkeeper. QuickBooks Payroll is the top alternative if your books already live in QuickBooks.
How much does payroll software cost?
Most payroll platforms charge a base monthly fee plus a per-employee fee. Gusto and QuickBooks Payroll typically start around $40 to $50 a month plus roughly $6 per person. Homebase offers a free scheduling and time-tracking tier with payroll as a paid add-on.
Do I need payroll software if I only have a few employees?
Once you have even one W-2 employee, yes, it is worth it. Payroll software handles tax withholding, filings, and direct deposit correctly and on time, which protects you from the penalties that come with getting payroll taxes wrong by hand.