Truly Free Payroll Software for Every Small Business: Features, Benefits & Top Picks
Running a small business is not easy, and payroll is one of those tasks that takes time, focus, and accuracy. Many business owners worry about salary calculations, employee records, and monthly payments, especially when the budget is limited. Free payroll software helps solve this problem by making payroll simple, organized, and stress-free.
These tools are designed for people who want a clear and easy way to manage employee salaries without hiring extra staff or buying costly software. With free payroll software, you can calculate wages, track working hours, and generate payslips in just a few clicks. It allows business owners to stay in control and avoid common payroll mistakes.
In this blog, we are going to share simple and reliable information about the best free payroll software, so that you can manage your small business payroll process without any confusion. Our focus is not just on listing features, but on helping you choose the best free payroll software for your business needs.
For startups and small teams, a free payroll solution is a smart way to get started. These tools save time, reduce manual work, and allow you to focus more on growing your business instead of worrying about payroll tasks.
Free Payroll Software for Small Business
1. Payroll4Free
Payroll4Free is an online payroll management platform built to help small businesses run payroll efficiently without paying monthly subscription fees. It is especially useful for startups, freelancers, and small companies, who want a simple, no-frills system that covers all basic payroll needs while keeping costs under control. The software focuses on functionality, accuracy, and ease of use, making payroll processing less stressful for business owners.
This platform allows users to calculate employee pay, manage deductions, and compute payroll taxes automatically. Whether a business pays workers hourly or on a salary basis, Payroll4Free ensures accurate calculations every time. It reduces human error and saves valuable time that would otherwise be spent on spreadsheets or manual bookkeeping.
Payroll4Free also helps businesses stay organized by keeping complete records of payroll history and employee data. Employers can view past payments, track earnings, and generate reports whenever required. This is particularly useful during audits, financial planning, or tax season when accurate documentation is essential.
Key Features of Payroll4Free
• Free core payroll processing
• Automatic payroll calculations
• Federal and state tax calculations
• Support for hourly and salaried employees
• W-2 and 1099 form generation
• Payroll reports and summaries
• Employee record management
• Payroll history tracking
• Cloud-based access
• No software installation required
• User-friendly dashboard
• Optional direct deposit service
• Optional tax filing assistance
• Secure data storage
• Multi-employee support
Pros of Payroll4Free :
> Free core payroll services
> Automatic tax and payroll calculations
> Supports W-2 and 1099 form generation
> Easy to use, beginner-friendly interface
> Cloud-based access from any device
> Keeps payroll records organized
> No software installation required
> Good for small businesses with simple payroll needs
> Option to add direct deposit and tax filing services
Cons of Payroll4Free :
> Some features (direct deposit, tax filing) require payment
> Limited advanced HR functionality
> Not ideal for larger businesses with complex payroll
> User interface is basic compared to premium tools
> Occasional customer support limitations
> No mobile app (web only)
Payroll4Free Pricing Summary
The core payroll software is free, and you only pay if you opt into services like automated tax filing, direct deposit, or specialized support—making Payroll4Free flexible for businesses that want to keep payroll costs low.
Free Plan
• Core payroll processing: Free
• Payroll tax calculations: Free
• Employee pay and deduction tracking: Free
• W-2 and 1099 form generation: Free
• Payroll reports and history: Free
• Cloud access: Free
Optional Paid Services
• Direct Deposit: Paid add-on (fee per employee/pay period)
• Professional Tax Filing & Payment: Paid service (varies by filing type)
• Year-End Tax Form Filing: Optional paid support
Payroll4Free Supported Operating Systems & Platforms
• Web Browser — No Available
• Desktop App — Only Windows
• Mobile App — No Official App for Mobile
2. HR.my
HR.my is an online HR and payroll software that helps businesses manage their employees and salaries easily. It keeps all employee details, attendance, and payroll work in one place, so there is no need for paperwork or complicated systems.
The best thing about HR.my is that it offers free payroll services.
This is very helpful for small businesses and startups that want to save money. It automatically calculates salaries and creates payslips, which saves time and reduces mistakes.
Employees can also use HR.my. They can check their payslips, see attendance, and update their personal information by themselves. This makes work easier for both employees and HR staff.
HR.my is simple to use and does not need any software installation. You can use it from any device with internet access.
Key Features of HR.my
• Cloud-based access
• Employee database management
• Payroll automation
• Payslip generation
• Attendance tracking
• Employee self-service portal
• Leave management
• HR and payroll reports
• Multi-company support
• Secure data storage
• User-friendly interface
• Free basic payroll features
Pros of HR.my :
> Easy to use
> Cloud-based (access from anywhere)
> Free payroll features
> Automates salary calculation
> Generates payslips
> Employee self‑service portal
> Reduces manual errors
> Stores all HR data in one place
> Good for small businesses
Cons of HR.my :
> Limited advanced features compared to full HR systems
> May need upgrades for larger companies
> Depends on internet connection
> Not suitable for complex HR needs immediately
HR.my Pricing Overview
HR.my costs nothing to use for HR and payroll, and any payment is just optional sponsorship instead of a subscription.
Free Forever:
HR.my’s core HR and payroll features are completely free to use for life.
No Paid Tiers:
Unlike other HR software, HR.my does not have separate subscription plans. All core features remain free, making it ideal for startups and small businesses.
Optional Support:
Users can choose to sponsor the platform for a small monthly fee to support development, remove ads, and get minor extra benefits. This is completely optional.
HR.my Supported Operating Systems & Platforms
• Web Browser — Any OS with Chrome/Edge/Firefox/Safari
• Desktop App — No Official Desktop App for PC
• Mobile App — Android and iOS
3. Empxtrack (Free Tier)
Empxtrack is a powerful HR and payroll management software that helps organizations manage employee salaries, attendance, and payroll processes in one place. It is designed to reduce manual payroll work and improve accuracy for businesses of all sizes.
Empxtrack Payroll with the free version is designed to help small teams and growing organizations manage basic payroll activities without any initial cost. The free edition allows businesses to experience the core payroll and HR features of Empxtrack while keeping expenses low. It is especially useful for startups or companies that are beginning to organize their payroll process digitally.
In the free version, Empxtrack provides essential payroll support by linking employee information with attendance and leave data. This helps in maintaining accurate salary records and understanding pay-related details in a structured manner. While advanced automation and complex payroll rules are limited, the free plan is suitable for handling simple payroll requirements.
Kya Features of Empxtrack
• Basic payroll processing
• Integration with attendance and leave data
• Payslip generation
• Employee self-service portal
• Tax and deduction support
• Salary structure management
• Secure data management
• Cloud-based access
• Payroll reports and summaries
• Scalable for business growth
Pros of Empxtrack :
> Easy-to-use payroll processing
> Integrates with HR, attendance, and leave modules
> Payslip generation and employee self-service portal
> Helps reduce manual errors
> Cloud-based access from anywhere
> Secure payroll data with role-based controls
> Suitable for small and growing businesses
Cons of Empxtrack :
> Free version has limited payroll features
> Advanced tax and compliance may need paid plan
> Some automation features available only in higher tiers
> Limited support for complex payroll rules in the free plan
Empxtrack Pricing Overview
Empxtrack offers a free plan where you can use payroll and HR features at no cost for a limited number of employees.
Free Usage & Starter Features
• Employee Portal & HRIS — free up to 10 (or up to 25 in some listings) employees
• Payroll (full payroll processing) — free up to 10–25 employees
• Performance Appraisals — 5 free reviews
• 360° Feedback — 2 free feedback runs
• Leave Management — 5 free leave apps
• Attendance Tracking — free up to 10–25 employees
• Exit Management — 2 free exits
Paid Add‑Ons — What You Pay For
Once you go beyond the free limits or want extra features, Empxtrack charges on a usage basis:
Per‑Employee Pricing
(You pay these as monthly subscriptions if you exceed the free seat limit)
• Employee Portal & HRIS: —$1.55 per employee/month
• Payroll: —$1.55 per employee/month
• Leave Management: —$1.55 per employee/month
• Attendance: —$1.55 per employee/month
Per‑Item / Per‑Feature Pricing
(One‑time or per cycle fees)
• Performance Appraisal (extra): —$12.75 per appraisal
• 360° Feedback (extra): —$24.75 per feedback
• Exit Management (extra): —$7.75 per exit
Empxtrack Supported Operating Systems & Platforms
• Web Browser — Any OS with Chrome/Edge/Firefox/Safari
• Desktop App — No Official Desktop App for PC
• Mobile App — No Official App for Mobile
4. ExcelPayroll
ExcelPayroll is a simple and easy-to-use payroll management solution that helps make salary processing fast and accurate using Microsoft Excel. This software is especially useful for small businesses, startups, freelancers, and accountants who want to manage payroll at a low cost.
The main focus of ExcelPayroll is to automate salary calculations, tax deductions, allowances, overtime, and payslip generation—all within the familiar Excel environment. It does not require any complex installation or technical knowledge, which makes it a beginner-friendly option.
ExcelPayroll allows organizations to handle basic payroll tasks such as salary calculation, deductions, allowances, and net pay generation. Since it is Excel-based, users can customize payroll formats according to their company’s needs. It is especially useful for businesses with a small number of employees.
Key Features of ExcelPayroll
• Excel-based payroll system
• Automated salary calculation
• Tax and deduction management
• Allowance and overtime calculation
• Payslip generation
• Customizable salary structure
• Offline working support
• Easy data entry and editing
• Suitable for small teams and businesses
Pros of ExcelPayroll :
> Easy to use for beginners
> Low-cost payroll solution
> Works within Microsoft Excel
> No internet connection required
> Customizable according to business needs
Cons of ExcelPayroll :
> Limited automation compared to cloud payroll software
> Not ideal for large organizations
> Manual updates may be required
> Lacks advanced HR features
ExcelPayroll Pricing Overview
ExcelPayroll follows a simple and affordable pricing model, making it suitable for small businesses, startups, freelancers, and accountants. Instead of expensive monthly subscriptions, ExcelPayroll is usually offered as a one-time payment solution, which helps reduce long-term costs.
Common Pricing Structure
• Free / Trial Version
• Limited payroll features
• Suitable for basic salary calculations
• Best for testing or very small teams
Basic Plan
• One-time purchase
• Core payroll functions
• Salary, deductions, and basic payslips
• Ideal for small businesses
Standard Plan
• Includes tax calculation templates
• Allowance and overtime management
• Customizable payroll formats
• Suitable for growing teams
Advanced / Premium Plan
• Full payroll automation
• Advanced payslip design
• Multi-employee support
• Priority updates and customization options
ExcelPayroll Supported Operating Systems & Platforms
• Web Browser — Available, Can be opened in a browser (limited features)
• Desktop App — Windows and macOS
• Mobile App — Android and iOS (but advanced features may be limited)
Conclusion
Choosing the right free payroll software can make payroll management much easier for small businesses, startups, and growing teams. A reliable payroll solution not only helps you calculate salaries accurately but also saves time, reduces errors, and simplifies compliance-related tasks. By selecting software that matches your business size and requirements, you can manage payroll with confidence and focus more on scaling your business. Free payroll tools are a smart starting point, offering essential features without adding extra costs to your operations.
FAQ's about free payroll software for small business
What is free payroll software for small businesses?
Free payroll software is a tool that helps small businesses calculate employee salaries, taxes, and deductions at no cost. It is ideal for startups and small teams with basic payroll needs.
Is there truly free payroll software?
Yes — some vendors offer free payroll solutions, especially tailored for very small businesses or basic payroll needs. Usually “free” includes limited features; advanced addons (tax filing, direct deposit, support) may cost extra.
Who qualifies for free payroll software?
Free options are best for:
• Small teams (often under 10 employees)
• Businesses without complex tax situations
• Employers comfortable handling some tax forms manually
Which is the best free payroll software for small businesses?
The best free payroll software depends on your business size, country, and payroll complexity. Popular options include Payroll4Free, HR.my Payroll (limited free features), and other regional solutions.
How many employees can I manage with free payroll software?
It depends on the provider. Some allow unlimited employees, while others limit free plans to 1–10 employees.
Vikram kumar
Hello everyone, My name is Vikram and i am from India. I am very interested in blogging. I will do my best to keep you happy with my posts. I do my work seriously. I hope you enjoy this blog. Thanks you!
