Let\u2019s jump into it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Straightforward pricing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sometimes, software comes with hidden fees based on what you choose to do with it. For example, watch out for platforms that look cheap up front but add fees for every payroll run, tax form, direct deposit, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Easy time tracking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Your payroll tool should integrate with mobile time tracking, which most payroll software doesn\u2019t directly offer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, if you were using QuickBooks with ZenMaid for scheduling, ZenMaid software would calculate weekly payroll based on scheduled and logged hours and export directly to QuickBooks, which you can then pay out to your employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Automated taxes and compliance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tax rules change from state to state (and even city to city). A good payroll system should handle withholdings, file tax forms for you, send out year-end W\u20112s or 1099s, and know when to apply certain rules or deductions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Different payout options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Not everyone prefers direct deposit, so make sure that the payroll tool you choose offers different options. Direct deposit is the most popular (and often the easiest), but some cleaners prefer a paper check, for example, and this is especially important if you have a mix of long-term, part-time, and seasonal employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Referrals and reviews<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t underestimate the power of referrals and reviews from others! Make sure to check out what others are saying about the choices you\u2019re considering by doing a few quick searches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For example, one of ZenMaid\u2019s internal cleaning experts, Maria, used a no-name brand for well over eight years at her cleaning business. They were super affordable, never late in sending out payments, and, overall, a very easy platform, but they weren\u2019t known at all by the broader market. The software came from a recommendation by another person, and it ended up being a choice Maria\u2019s business never strayed from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Top 4 Payroll Software Options for Cleaning Companies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"10\"](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/10-1024x536.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGusto \u2014 #1 overall payroll choice for cleaning businesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our experts unanimously recommend Gusto<\/a>. Stephanie, a ZenMaid employee and owner of Serene Clean, switched from QuickBooks to Gusto around year three of her cleaning business being open. In her words, \u201cI\u2019ve never looked back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"gusto](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/gusto-payroll-1024x673.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFor starters, Gusto has phenomenal customer service. That\u2019s the biggest difference between them and other platforms \u2014 Gusto\u2019s team feels like actual payroll experts. If you start offering benefits and need to make deductions from paychecks, for example, having that expertise is a lifesaver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gusto also partners with other services to make benefits easy. For example, 401(k) programs can be offered through Guideline, which is one of Gusto\u2019s partners. The same goes for health insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reporting is also excellent, and there are lots of small added features that make the user experience really great. Additionally, based on what permissions you set, staff can log in and see everything they need at any time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall, Gusto is a five-star choice because it handles so much automatically, like new hire reporting, payroll tax calculations, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gusto\u2019s pricing is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Simple<\/strong> \u2014 $49 per month + $6 per person per month<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Plus <\/strong>\u2014 $80 per month + $4.80 per person per month<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Premium<\/strong> \u2014 $180 per month + $8.80 per person per month<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPaychex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your cleaning business is scaling fast and you want more than just payroll, Paychex<\/a> might be a good option. It\u2019s a full-service platform that includes payroll, HR, and benefits all rolled into one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"paychex\"](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/paychex-1024x576.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLike Gusto, you get access to real payroll specialists, as well as tools for onboarding, tracking time, and managing compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With that said, Paychex can be pricier than other options, especially for smaller crews. It\u2019s a bit less intuitive so you\u2019ll have to take some time to learn and get running, but if you\u2019re building a larger team or want to streamline HR and payroll under one platform, it\u2019s worth a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, if you want pricing, you have to contact Paychex directly (all of their pricing is custom).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"11\"](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/11-1024x536.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuickBooks Online + Payroll<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
QuickBooks<\/a> is a popular choice for payroll if you\u2019re already using it as your accounting software. Adding their payroll feature keeps everything in one place, which is handy \u2014 you can run payroll, track taxes, and automatically sync all those numbers into your books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"payroll](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/payroll-quickbooks.avif\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is a good option for cleaning business owners who want everything connected, but unlike Gusto or Paychex, it\u2019s not specialized in payroll. If your payroll needs are straightforward and uncomplicated, this is a good choice, but may require a lot of extra effort if you run into any complexities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
QuickBooks offers three pricing tiers<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Payroll Core<\/strong> \u2014 $50 per month + $6.50 per employee per month<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Payroll Premium<\/strong> \u2014 $88 per month + $10 per employee per month<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Payroll Elite<\/strong> \u2014 $134 per month + $12 per employee per month<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- There also more expensive tiers if you choose to bundle your payroll with bookkeeping<\/a>. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"12\"](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/12-1024x536.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWave Payroll (by Wave Financial)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGusto \u2014 #1 overall payroll choice for cleaning businesses<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our experts unanimously recommend Gusto<\/a>. Stephanie, a ZenMaid employee and owner of Serene Clean, switched from QuickBooks to Gusto around year three of her cleaning business being open. In her words, \u201cI\u2019ve never looked back.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n For starters, Gusto has phenomenal customer service. That\u2019s the biggest difference between them and other platforms \u2014 Gusto\u2019s team feels like actual payroll experts. If you start offering benefits and need to make deductions from paychecks, for example, having that expertise is a lifesaver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gusto also partners with other services to make benefits easy. For example, 401(k) programs can be offered through Guideline, which is one of Gusto\u2019s partners. The same goes for health insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The reporting is also excellent, and there are lots of small added features that make the user experience really great. Additionally, based on what permissions you set, staff can log in and see everything they need at any time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, Gusto is a five-star choice because it handles so much automatically, like new hire reporting, payroll tax calculations, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gusto\u2019s pricing is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your cleaning business is scaling fast and you want more than just payroll, Paychex<\/a> might be a good option. It\u2019s a full-service platform that includes payroll, HR, and benefits all rolled into one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like Gusto, you get access to real payroll specialists, as well as tools for onboarding, tracking time, and managing compliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that said, Paychex can be pricier than other options, especially for smaller crews. It\u2019s a bit less intuitive so you\u2019ll have to take some time to learn and get running, but if you\u2019re building a larger team or want to streamline HR and payroll under one platform, it\u2019s worth a look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, if you want pricing, you have to contact Paychex directly (all of their pricing is custom).<\/p>\n\n\n\n QuickBooks<\/a> is a popular choice for payroll if you\u2019re already using it as your accounting software. Adding their payroll feature keeps everything in one place, which is handy \u2014 you can run payroll, track taxes, and automatically sync all those numbers into your books.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a good option for cleaning business owners who want everything connected, but unlike Gusto or Paychex, it\u2019s not specialized in payroll. If your payroll needs are straightforward and uncomplicated, this is a good choice, but may require a lot of extra effort if you run into any complexities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n QuickBooks offers three pricing tiers<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPaychex<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nQuickBooks Online + Payroll<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWave Payroll (by Wave Financial)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"wave\"](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/wave-1024x1001.png\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"quick-tip-image\"](\"https:\/\/www.zenmaid.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/themes\/zm-theme\/assets\/cta_images\/zm_trial_cta.png\")
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