Payroll Mate
Payroll Mate is Windows desktop software for running payroll in-house, calculating pay and payroll taxes, and printing checks.
What Payroll Mate is
Payroll Mate is Windows desktop software for running payroll in-house, calculating pay and payroll taxes, and printing checks. It supports hourly, salary, overtime, piece-rate, commission, bonus, and tip pay. Tax calculations include federal and state withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and state and federal unemployment taxes. The software prepares federal forms such as W-2, W-3, 940, 941, 943, and 944. Payroll data can be exported for QuickBooks, Quicken, Sage 50, and Microsoft Accounting, while reports can be saved in PDF, text, CSV, or Excel formats. Payroll Mate is listed at $219 a year for one calendar year, covering up to 10 companies and up to 75 employees per company; a free 30-day trial download is available. The software is installed on the user's computer, with password login and backup and restore features. It supports Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11. Direct deposit files, MICR check printing, state forms, and vendor and contractor management require paid add-ons.
Good
- Handles multiple pay types, including hourly, overtime, and tips.
- Calculates federal and state payroll taxes.
- Exports payroll data to four accounting products.
- Reports can be exported as PDF, text, CSV, or Excel.
Watch out
- Direct deposit requires a paid add-on.
- Several functions, including state forms, require paid add-ons.
- Technical support beyond 60 calendar days may incur fees.
- Windows software; Mac use requires Parallels Desktop or VMware.
Who it suits
It may suit small businesses, accountants, nonprofits, farm owners, payroll bureaus, and other organizations that want to run payroll on a Windows computer. Mac users would need Parallels Desktop or VMware, according to the maker.
Verdict
Payroll Mate provides in-house payroll calculations, forms, reporting, and check printing in a Windows desktop package. Factor in paid add-ons for direct deposit and other listed functions when evaluating the annual plan.
Plans and prices
From Payroll Mate's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Payroll Mate | $219 a year | Up to 10 companies · Up to 75 employees per company · For one calendar year |
The facts
Each one read from Payroll Mate's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accounting integrations
- It exports payroll data for use with QuickBooks, Quicken, Sage 50, and Microsoft Accounting.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Add-on limits
- Direct deposit, MICR check printing, state payroll forms, and vendor and contractor management require paid add-ons.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Direct deposit
- It can generate ACH-formatted direct deposit files, which require purchasing Payroll Mate Option #2.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Hosting and security
- The software is installed on the user's computer rather than hosted online; the maker describes password login and backup and restore features.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The maker lists small businesses, accountants, nonprofits, farm owners, payroll bureaus, and other organizations as intended users.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Pay types
- It supports hourly, salary, overtime, piece-rate, commission, bonus, and tip pay, among other types.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Payroll Mate is desktop software for running payroll in-house, calculating pay and payroll taxes, and printing checks.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Reports and exports
- It provides payroll reports and can export reports in formats including PDF, text, CSV, and Excel.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- Technical support is available for 60 calendar days after purchase by email and chat; the maker says further support may incur fees starting at $65 per incident.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Tax calculations
- It calculates federal and state withholding, Social Security, Medicare, and state and federal unemployment taxes.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Tax forms
- It prepares federal payroll forms including W-2, W-3, 940, 941, 943, and 944.checked 30 Sep 2026
The company
- Headquarters
- Orland Park, Illinois, USAchecked 23 Sep 2026
- Maker
- Real Business Solutions makes Payroll Mate and lists its address in Orland Park, Illinois.checked 30 Sep 2026
- Maker founding
- Real Business Solutions says it was founded in Illinois in 2003.checked 30 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Platform
- The maker lists Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11; for Mac, it suggests using Parallels Desktop or VMware.checked 30 Sep 2026
Money
- Trial
- The maker offers a free 30-day trial download.checked 30 Sep 2026
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