Payroll4Free

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Score6.9

Rank#2 of 31

From$35,350/mo

Free planYes

Runs onBrowser extension, Web, Windows

Summary

Payroll4Free handles payroll for employees and 1099 contractors, with tax calculations, payment options, time tracking, employee access, and reports. It calculates federal, state, and local taxes and provides filled-out tax forms; an optional Payroll Tax Service can deposit and file taxes for the customer. Payments can be made by paper check, direct deposit, or a combination, with an optional Direct Deposit Service using Payroll4Free’s bank for transfers. The system tracks vacation, sick, and PTO time, with accrual rules that can be configured. Employees can view pay information online, reprint paystubs and W-2s, review accrued vacation, and update personal information. Reports cover earnings, taxes, benefits, accrued time, and payroll journals. Free basic service is for customers paying nine or fewer people no more than once monthly and includes outside software integrations and HR functions. Platforms listed are web, Windows, and extension. The downloadable application requires Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime during installation. Payroll4Free says it uses 2048-bit SSL encryption and stores encrypted client data in Amazon Cloud.

Who it is for

It suits small employers paying nine or fewer people once monthly, including those paying 1099 contractors. Employees who want online access to pay records and personal details can use its portal.

What is good

Calculates federal, state, and local taxes.
Offers check, direct deposit, or combined payments.
Tracks vacation, sick, and PTO time.
Free basic service covers up to nine people paid monthly.

What to know first

Free basic service is limited to nine people.
Free basic service is limited to monthly pay frequency.
The downloadable application requires Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime.

Verdict

Payroll4Free combines core payroll processing with tax calculations, time tracking, and employee access. The free basic service has employee-count and pay-frequency limits; optional tax and direct-deposit services are available.

Payroll4Free plans and pricing

All plans

Free basic services Free 9 or fewer employees paid monthly · advertising-supported payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026

Payroll Tax Services $35,350/mo monthly / annual first 2 tax authorities included payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026

Direct Deposit Services $35,350/mo monthly / annual recurring service fee payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on nonprofit payroll software

Free plan: Yespayroll4free.com
Paid from: $15/mopayroll4free.com
Tax filing included: Yespayroll4free.com
Multi-state payroll: Yespayroll4free.com
Contractor payments: Yespayroll4free.com
Employee limit: 9 employeespayroll4free.com
Time tracking: Yespayroll4free.com

Facts

Payroll processing: Payroll4Free pays employees and 1099 contractors and supports year-end 1099 forms.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Tax calculations: The software calculates federal, state and local taxes and provides filled-out tax forms.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Payments: Users can pay by paper check, direct deposit, or a combination of both.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Employee portal: Employees can access pay information online, reprint paystubs and W-2s, review accrued vacation and change personal information.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Reporting: Reporting options include earnings, tax, benefit, accrued-time and payroll-journal reports.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Integrations: The free service includes outside software integrations and human-resource functions.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Security: Payroll4Free says it uses 2048-bit SSL encryption, stores encrypted client data in Amazon Cloud and requires a browser extension.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support: The company says experienced payroll and tax professionals provide customer service and payroll advice.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Free-service limit: Basic services are free when paying 9 or fewer individuals no more than once monthly.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Paid tax option: Payroll4Free can deposit and file payroll taxes on the customer's behalf through its optional Payroll Tax Service.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Paid direct-deposit option: Customers may use Payroll4Free's bank for employee direct-deposit transfers through its optional Direct Deposit Service.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Software download: The downloadable application requires Microsoft Edge WebView2 Runtime during installation.downloads.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026
Company history: Payroll4Free says it started in 2012 with two local clients and had clients in nearly every U.S. state by 2014.payroll4free.com · 30 Sept 2026