Patriot Software vs Square Payroll
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026). Last verified May 31, 2026.
The short answer
Patriot Software ranks higher on Top 11 (#7 vs #8) for Small business owners running payroll without in-house HR. A highly affordable and straightforward payroll solution perfect for businesses on a tight budget.
At a glance
| Patriot Software | Square Payroll | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #7 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026) | #8 / The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026) |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 8 | 7.9 |
| Best for | Best value for money | Businesses using Square POS |
| Pricing | $ ($14+/mo) | $$ ($41+/mo) |
| HQ | Canton, USA | San Francisco, USA |
| Founded | 2002 | 2009 |
Patriot Software
A highly affordable and straightforward payroll solution perfect for businesses on a tight budget.
www.patriotsoftware.comSee full entry in The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026)
Square Payroll
Perfect for Square POS users, with seamless integration of hours, tips, and commissions.
squareup.com/us/en/payrollSee full entry in The 11 Best Payroll Software for SMBs (2026)
Methodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.