Patriot Payroll vs ZenBusiness: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Patriot Payroll and ZenBusiness — 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 7.2/10).
| Scored on | Patriot Payroll | ZenBusiness |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 7 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 9 |
| Fees & pricing | 9 | 6 |
| Customer support | 7 | 6 |
| Features | 7 | 8 |
| Basic Payroll Base | $17/mo | — |
| Full Service Base | $37/mo | — |
| Per Employee/Contractor | $4/mo | — |
| Direct Deposit | $0 | — |
| Starter Tier | — | $0 + State Fees |
| Pro Tier | — | $199/year |
| Premium Tier | — | $299/year |
| Registered Agent (Standalone) | — | $199/year |
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.
ZenBusiness in one paragraph
ZenBusiness is a top-tier choice for effortless LLC formation, provided you are vigilant about disabling the expensive annual subscription add-ons.
Skip it if: You are comfortable navigating your state's Secretary of State website and want to avoid high-margin recurring compliance fees.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Patriot Payroll or ZenBusiness?
On our five-axis scorecard, Patriot Payroll scores higher (7.9/10 vs 7.2/10). 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 ZenBusiness?
You are comfortable navigating your state's Secretary of State website and want to avoid high-margin recurring compliance fees.