If you’re comparing payroll services, the SurePayroll monthly cost usually comes down to two numbers: a base fee and a per-employee rate. For a small team or a single household employee, those two figures decide whether the service fits your budget.
I looked into what SurePayroll charges so you don’t have to guess. The short answer: it starts at $20 per month for payroll without tax filing, or $29 per month if you want taxes handled for you. Once you sign up and run your first payroll, you can use your SurePayroll login to manage everything from one dashboard.
SurePayroll Monthly Pricing
SurePayroll’s payroll service pricing works on a simple model: you pay a monthly subscription fee plus a small rate for each person on your payroll. For most small business payroll needs, the Full Service option runs $29 per month with a $7 charge per employee.
That means one employee costs $36 monthly. The No Tax Filing plan drops to $20 per month plus $4 per employee, but you handle tax deposits yourself.
These rates make the payroll software cost lower than many competitors for one or two workers.
| Plan | Monthly Base Fee | Per-Employee Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| No Tax Filing | $20 | $4 | Owners who file payroll taxes themselves |
| Full Service | $29 | $7 | Small businesses wanting taxes handled |
For a household employer paying a nanny, pricing starts at $39 to $45 per month. The exact SurePayroll monthly cost climbs as you add workers. A two-employee business on Full Service pays $43 monthly. A five-person team pays $64.
These rates cover direct deposit, unlimited payroll runs, and automatic tax filing on the Full Service plan.
Keep in mind that employer payroll expenses extend beyond the base rate once you factor in workers’ compensation or retirement options. The numbers above give you a clear starting point before any add-ons.
SurePayroll Plans and Monthly Fees for Different Payroll
SurePayroll keeps things straightforward with just two main payroll pricing plans for small businesses. The Full Service plan handles tax filing for you, while the No Tax Filing plan costs less if you prefer to manage taxes yourself.
Below is a clear look at what each option includes and what you pay each month.
| Plan | Monthly Base Fee | Per-Employee Fee | Key Payroll Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Service plan | $29 | $7 | Tax filing services, direct deposit, unlimited payroll runs |
| No Tax Filing plan | $20 | $4 | Payroll processing, direct deposit, you handle taxes |
For a business with three employees, the Full Service plan costs $50 monthly ($29 base + $21 for employees). The No Tax Filing plan costs $32 monthly.
These monthly plan fees stay predictable as long as your team size doesn’t change. A separate household payroll option starts at $39 per month for one employee.
The two payroll service options cover most small business needs, whether you want full tax support or just the basics. Your choice depends on how much of the tax work you want to keep in-house versus hand off to SurePayroll.
How Employee Count and Extra Services Affect SurePayroll Costs?
SurePayroll’s base rates stay the same no matter how many people you pay. What changes is the per-employee fee, which applies to every worker on your payroll. Add-ons like accounting tools or HR support push the total higher too.
The table below shows how both factors shape your bill.
| Factor | How It Affects Cost |
|---|---|
| Number of employees | A per-employee fee applies to each worker on Full Service or No Tax Filing plans |
| Additional payroll charges | A 10-person team costs $99 monthly on Full Service; a 3-person team costs $50 |
| Accounting software integration | $4.99 per month to connect QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, or Kashoo |
| Time tracking integration | Around $5 monthly plus $3 per employee, or $9.99 monthly for certain clock tools |
| HR services | Optional Payroll Plus option adds HR benefits and compliance support for a monthly fee |
| Workers’ compensation | Available as an add-on; you pay fees on top of your coverage premiums |
A one-person business pays just the base plus one employee fee. As your number of employees grows, the per-employee fee multiplies across your team.
Additional payroll charges from integrations and add-ons can turn a $36 monthly bill into something much higher. SurePayroll works best for owners who want low base pricing and don’t need every extra tool upfront.
Additional SurePayroll Fees for Tax Forms and Optional Services
Beyond the base plans, SurePayroll charges for certain tax forms and optional services. Some of these costs appear on the pricing page, while others show up at year-end or when you add a feature.
Here is a look at the common extras.
- W-2 filing fees: Some plans bill per form each January. Household employer plans often charge around $5 per W-2, though rates vary by plan and setup.
- 1099 form fees: You can run 1099 contractor payments in the same dashboard, but 1099 form fees may apply at year-end depending on your plan.
- Year-end tax forms: Beyond W-2s and 1099s, year-end tax forms like Schedule H for household employers can cost around $50, so budget for it before January.
- Multi-state payroll: If you pay employees in more than one state, multi-state payroll is a flat $9.99 per month rather than a per-state charge.
- Local payroll taxes: Local payroll taxes that apply to your business also run about $9.99 per month.
- Add-on services: Optional add-on services include SureHR (starting at $25 per month plus $5 per employee), 401(k) plans, workers’ compensation, and health insurance.
- Annual payroll charges: Annual payroll charges like year-end forms and Schedule H can add roughly $50 to $100 to your yearly total depending on your plan.
SurePayroll’s monthly rates stay low, but these extras can add up. Before you sign up, confirm which forms and filings your plan covers and which ones bill separately.
Is SurePayroll Worth the Monthly Cost for Small Businesses?
SurePayroll’s low base rates look attractive, but the real question is whether the total bill matches the value you get.
Here are the key points to weigh before deciding.
- Payroll cost comparison: At $29 plus $7 per employee, SurePayroll is the cheapest full-service option for a one-person payroll at $36 monthly . Square Payroll follows at $41, while Gusto starts at $49 plus $6 per worker. For a 10-person team, SurePayroll runs $99 monthly, still among the lowest published rates.
- Payroll automation benefits: The Full Service plan handles tax calculation, filing, and deposits automatically, including federal, state, and local taxes. You also get unlimited payroll runs, free two-day direct deposit, and auto payroll for salaried workers.
- Small business budget: The base fee fits tight budgets, but year-end W-2 and 1099 forms bill separately at roughly $50 plus $5 per form. Multi-state payroll adds $9.99 monthly. These extras can surprise owners who expect everything included.
- Payroll tax management: Full Service includes a no-penalty tax filing guarantee, meaning SurePayroll covers penalties if they make an error. The No Tax Filing plan only offers a tax calculation guarantee, so you remain responsible for filing.
- Time savings: User reviews consistently mention that running payroll takes minutes, not hours. Employee self-service portals let workers access pay stubs and W-2s without calling you.
- Payroll service value: SurePayroll scores well on value for money in third-party comparisons, rating around 4.3 to 4.6 out of 5. The trade-off is limited HR features and mixed customer support experiences.
- Affordable payroll software: For one to five employees, few competitors match the price. As your team grows past 10, the per-employee fees and missing features may push you toward a more full-featured platform.
If your priority is low cost and basic tax filing, SurePayroll delivers strong value. If you need HR tools, benefits administration, or robust support, the savings may not outweigh the gaps.
Conclusion
SurePayroll monthly cost stays low because the pricing is simple and predictable. Full Service runs $29 plus $7 per employee, while No Tax Filing starts at $20 plus $4 per person. For a one-person business, that means $36 monthly, which is hard to beat among full-service options.
The trade-off is that extras like year-end forms and multi-state filing bill separately. Still, if you want basic payroll handled without a big commitment, SurePayroll fits that goal. Weigh the base rate against your actual needs before deciding.
