Patriot Payroll vs Xero: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Patriot Payroll and Xero — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: Patriot Payroll wins on our scorecard (7.9/10 vs 7.1/10).
| Scored on | Patriot Payroll | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 7 |
| Customer support | 7 | 5 |
| Features | 7 | 8 |
| Basic Payroll Base | $17/mo | — |
| Full Service Base | $37/mo | — |
| Per Employee/Contractor | $4/mo | — |
| Direct Deposit | $0 | — |
| Early Plan | — | $15/mo |
| Growing Plan | — | $42/mo |
| Established Plan | — | $78/mo |
| Gusto Payroll Add-on | — | Varies |
Patriot Payroll in one paragraph
A lean, high-speed payroll solution that is perfect for owners who want to avoid tax penalties without paying for HR features they won't use.
Skip it if: Skip it if you need an all-in-one HR platform that manages your company's health insurance and 401(k) directly within the software.
Xero in one paragraph
Xero is a powerful, sleek alternative to QuickBooks that excels for businesses with international needs, provided you don't mind the lack of phone support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you need to call a human being on the phone whenever you have a software question.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Patriot Payroll or Xero?
On our five-axis scorecard, Patriot Payroll scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.1/10). A lean, high-speed payroll solution that is perfect for owners who want to avoid tax penalties without paying for HR features they won't use.
Who should skip Patriot Payroll?
Skip it if you need an all-in-one HR platform that manages your company's health insurance and 401(k) directly within the software.
Who should skip Xero?
Skip it if you need to call a human being on the phone whenever you have a software question.