Best HR & Payroll Software · pricing · Updated June 2026
Square Payroll pricing (2026)
Square Payroll starts at $6/mo (Contractor-Only Payroll), across 2 plans. Best for Square POS merchants (restaurants, retail, services) wanting payroll in one ecosystem. Every figure links to Square Payroll's own page and the date we captured it.
At a glance
- Entry price: $6/mo (Contractor-Only Payroll)
- Free tier: No
- Compliance: HIPAA — · SOC 2 — · GDPR —
- Best for: Square POS merchants (restaurants, retail, services) wanting payroll in one ecosystem; Food-and-beverage businesses with tip-heavy workforces; Micro-businesses running contractor-only payroll at minimal cost
Square Payroll plans & pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Billing | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Service Payroll | $35 | — | flat | Flat base $35/mo plus $6 per person paid/mo. Unlimited pay runs, automated federal/state tax filings, multistate support, off-cycle payments, overtime calculations, benefit deductions, and payroll specialist support. | squareup.com |
| Contractor-Only Payroll | $6 | — | per_seat | No monthly base fee; $6 per contractor paid/mo. Direct payment within Square Dashboard, contractor self-onboarding, digital tax forms, and instant deposits via Cash App. | squareup.com |
Last verified 2026-06-13. Pricing published directly on squareup.com/us/en/payroll/pricing (fetched 2026-06-13).
Capabilities
Integrations: Square POS, Square Staff (Team App), QuickBooks Online, Cash App, Workers' Compensation (add-on).
Key features: Native timecard and tip import from Square POS; Automated multi-state payroll tax filings (federal, state, quarterly, annual); Instant deposits to employees via Cash App; 1099-NEC generation and e-filing for contractors; Payroll management directly inside Square Dashboard (no separate login).
Plan limits: Full-Service plan requires $35/mo base regardless of employee count; Contractor-Only plan: $6 per contractor paid per month, no base fee; No free tier or trial; payroll specialist support included in base plan.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Square Payroll cost?
Square Payroll starts at $6/mo (Contractor-Only Payroll); it has 2 published plans. Verified 2026-06-13.
What are cheaper alternatives to Square Payroll?
Cheaper hr & payroll software than Square Payroll (entry $6/mo) include Deel at $5/mo. Verified 2026-06-13.
Does Square Payroll support HIPAA?
Square Payroll HIPAA support: —. SOC 2: —. GDPR: —.
Does Square Payroll have a free plan?
Square Payroll free tier: No.
Square Payroll vs alternatives
Cheaper hr & payroll software alternatives
- Deel from $5/mo