Payroll4Free review

Payroll4Free is the only product here that runs US payroll, including tax math, at no charge. Its FAQ says all basic services are free as long as you pay 9 or fewer individuals no more than once a month, and the company explains that advertisers pay to show small ads inside the software. The free tier covers payroll processing, direct deposit through your own bank or paper checks, federal, state and local tax calculations, PTO accrual, an employee portal, reporting and live support. You can pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, and year-end forms are included. Two services cost extra: a Payroll Tax Service that deposits and files your taxes, and a Direct Deposit Service that moves funds through Payroll4Free's bank. The software runs on Windows, so Mac users need Windows installed, and it also imports hours from time clock files and exports to QuickBooks. For a business with a handful of staff on a monthly pay cycle that can make its own tax deposits, it removes the payroll bill entirely.

Who it is for

US employers with up to 9 workers paid monthly who are willing to deposit and file their own payroll taxes.

Price

Free for 9 or fewer people paid once a month; optional Payroll Tax Service and Direct Deposit Service cost extra.

All basic services are included for free as long as you pay 9 or less employees monthly.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors, with year-end forms included
• Federal, state and local tax calculations
• Direct deposit through your own bank or printed paper checks
• Vacation, sick and PTO accrual tracking
• Employee portal for pay stubs, W-2s and accrued time

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No bill for basic payroll at up to 9 people
• Strength: Pays both employees and contractors
• Strength: Live support from payroll and tax staff
• Weakness: Free only if you pay no more than once a month
• Weakness: Tax deposits and filings are on you unless you buy the paid tax service
• Weakness: Windows only; Mac users need Windows running

Key facts

• Price: $0 for 9 or fewer people paid monthly
• Paid options: Payroll Tax Service, Direct Deposit Service
• Worker types: W-2 employees and 1099 contractors
• Operating system: Windows (Mac only with Windows installed)
• Headquarters: Albany, New York

Where it ranks

Payroll4Free is No. 1 in our Best Free Payroll Software verdict.