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Best payroll services for a contracting business (2026)

Ranked for a new contracting business: our score plus what matters in your trade.

What matters for a contracting business

  • Most states require workers' comp from your first employee; pay-as-you-go policies link to payroll.
  1. 1Homebase 8.9 Hourly shift teams like restaurants and retail shopsfree plan · phone support · 4.5/5 user rating ReviewVisit
  2. 2OnPay 7.7 Small teams across states wanting one flat price1 month free trial · phone support · 4.8/5 user rating ReviewVisit
  3. 3Gusto 7.3 Single-state teams that want published, month-to-month pricingphone support · 4.7/5 user rating ReviewVisit
  4. 4Patriot Software 7 Budget-minded small teams paid in one state30 days free trial · phone support ReviewVisit
  5. 5RUN Powered by ADP 6.3 Owners who want 24/7 phone help and room to growphone support · 4.9/5 user rating ReviewVisit

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Your state's rules

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Ranked by our score (same formula for every tool), with a bonus for tools built for your trade. How we rate