# SurePayroll

SurePayroll is an online payroll service for small businesses rated 4.0/5 on G2 and 4.2/5 on Capterra. Pricing from ~$19.99/mo + $4/employee. Owned by Paychex.

**Category:** Online payroll for small businesses  
**Vendor:** SurePayroll, Inc. (subsidiary of Paychex)  
**Founded:** 2000  
**HQ:** Glenview, Illinois, US  
**Website:** https://www.surepayroll.com  


## About

SurePayroll is an online payroll service built specifically for small businesses with typically 1-10 employees. Founded in 2000 in Glenview, Illinois, SurePayroll was one of the early web-based payroll services before Paychex acquired it in 2011. Post-acquisition, it has continued to operate as a distinct, lower-cost brand targeting the micro and small business segment that Paychex's main platform does not reach as efficiently. The platform handles payroll tax calculations, federal and state filings, direct deposits, and year-end W-2 and 1099 processing through a straightforward self-service interface. SurePayroll also offers a nanny payroll product for household employers, which is a fairly unique differentiator in the market.

## Ratings

| Source | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| G2 | 4.0/5 | 350 |
| Capterra | 4.2/5 | 260 |
| Gartner Peer Insights | N/A/5 | insufficient data |
| TrustRadius | 7.4/10 | 90 |

## Funding

Private funding pre-acquisition; acquired by Paychex in 2011 (undisclosed amount)

| Round | Amount | Date | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seed / early funding | Undisclosed | 2000-2010 | Private investors |
| Acquisition | Undisclosed | 2011 | Paychex, Inc. (NASDAQ: PAYX) |

## Viability

Low risk. SurePayroll is fully backed by Paychex, one of the largest and most financially stable payroll companies in the US. The Paychex parent has approximately $5.3 billion in annual revenue and is a dividend-paying public company. SurePayroll's brand and platform continue to be maintained as a low-cost entry point into the Paychex ecosystem. The main strategic risk is that Paychex could someday retire the SurePayroll brand and migrate customers upmarket to Paychex Flex, but there is no current indication of that.

## Pricing

SurePayroll's advertised starting price is approximately $19.99/mo base plus $4 per employee per month for its Full Service plan, which includes automatic tax filing. A Self Service plan with a lower base fee exists for employers who want to handle state tax filings themselves. The nanny payroll product has its own pricing, typically around $49.99/mo for one household employee. Published prices are promotional and renewal rates may differ, so confirm the post-promotion price in writing before committing.

| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Full Service | ~$19.99/mo + $4/employee/mo | Small businesses wanting automatic federal and state payroll tax filing included |
| Self Service | Lower base fee + $4/employee/mo | Small businesses comfortable handling state tax filings themselves in exchange for a lower monthly cost |
| Nanny / Household | ~$49.99/mo (one household employee) | Household employers paying a nanny, housekeeper, or caregiver |

## What reviewers say

_~350 G2 reviews at 4.0/5 and ~260 Capterra reviews at 4.2/5, plus TrustRadius_

**Praised:**
- Price is the most cited positive; at roughly $19.99/mo plus $4 per employee, SurePayroll is one of the more affordable full-service payroll options for teams under 10
- Setup is genuinely fast; reviewers regularly say the first payroll run is complete within a few hours of signing up, with guided prompts walking through each step
- The nanny and household employer payroll product draws strong praise from that specific niche, offering a cleaner experience than trying to run household payroll through a business-focused tool

**Complaints:**
- Customer support quality is the most common complaint; phone wait times can stretch and some reviewers report being transferred multiple times without resolution
- Limited HR functionality: SurePayroll covers payroll and not much else; no onboarding tools, no PTO management, and no benefits administration
- Some reviewers report unexpected pricing increases at renewal and frustration with the difficulty of canceling or switching platforms

## Compliance

- **SOC 2:** Yes
- **GDPR:** Yes
- **HIPAA:** No
- **SSO:** No

## Integrations

- QuickBooks Online
- QuickBooks Desktop
- Xero
- Wave Accounting
- Freshbooks
- AccountEdge
- Time Doctor
- When I Work
- ZipRecruiter
- Paychex HR (parent platform)

## FAQs

### How much does SurePayroll cost?

SurePayroll's Full Service plan starts at approximately $19.99 per month plus $4 per employee per month and includes automatic federal and state payroll tax filing. A Self Service plan with a lower base fee handles calculations but leaves state filings to the employer. Household payroll is separately priced at around $49.99/mo. Promotional rates apply for new accounts; confirm the renewal price before signing up.

### Is SurePayroll owned by Paychex?

Yes. Paychex acquired SurePayroll in 2011. SurePayroll continues to operate as a distinct brand and platform targeting the micro-business and household employer segment, while Paychex Flex serves larger SMBs and mid-market companies.

### Does SurePayroll file payroll taxes automatically?

Yes, on the Full Service plan. SurePayroll calculates, deposits, and files federal and state payroll taxes, and handles year-end W-2 and 1099-NEC distribution and filing. On the Self Service plan, only federal taxes are fully managed; state tax deposits and filings are the employer's responsibility.

### Does SurePayroll offer nanny payroll?

Yes. SurePayroll's household payroll product is one of the more established in the market, handling the specific tax and compliance requirements for nanny, caregiver, and housekeeper employers. It covers Schedule H, state household employment taxes, and W-2 issuance.

### Who is SurePayroll best for?

SurePayroll is best for solo business owners and micro-teams of 1-10 employees who want a no-frills payroll service at a low monthly cost. It is also a strong option for household employers who need nanny payroll. If you need HR tools, benefits, or PTO management alongside payroll, Gusto or Paychex Flex are better fits.


## Sources

- [G2: SurePayroll reviews](https://www.g2.com/products/surepayroll/reviews): rating 4.0/5, ~350 reviews
- [Capterra: SurePayroll](https://www.capterra.com/p/32919/SurePayroll/): rating 4.2/5, ~260 reviews, sub-scores, demographics
- [TrustRadius: SurePayroll](https://www.trustradius.com/products/surepayroll/reviews): score 7.4/10, ~90 reviews
- [SurePayroll pricing page](https://www.surepayroll.com/pricing): Full Service vs. Self Service pricing confirmed
- [Crunchbase: SurePayroll](https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/surepayroll): founding, Paychex acquisition 2011
- [LinkedIn: SurePayroll company page](https://www.linkedin.com/company/surepayroll/): employee count, HQ, specialties
- [Paychex: SurePayroll acquisition announcement](https://www.paychex.com/newsroom): 2011 acquisition, SurePayroll brand continuity