{"category":{"slug":"payroll-software","label":"Payroll software"},"methodology_url":"https://www.orbator.io/ai-index/methodology","license":"Free to use with attribution to orbator.io","date":"2026-07-25","engine":null,"available_dates":["2026-08-01","2026-07-31","2026-07-28","2026-07-26","2026-07-25","2026-07-22","2026-07-11","2026-07-10","2026-06-25","2026-06-18","2026-06-17","2026-06-12"],"policy":{"quotable_engines":["anthropic","openai","gemini"],"max_excerpt_chars":400,"full_text_public":false,"customer_runs_public":false,"full_text_retention":"retained at least 24 months, then operator review","notes":["Only Index category runs are archived publicly — customer scans never appear.","The quotable unit is a short excerpt of at most 400 characters, never the full answer.","Engines outside the verbatim allowlist are recorded as having answered, with the excerpt withheld under their terms.","Prompt intent is published; the prompt text itself is not."]},"status":"ok","count":7,"limit":50,"truncated":false,"engines":[{"engine":"anthropic","count":7,"withheld":false,"answers":[{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"# Best Payroll Software for Small Businesses (2026)\n\nBased on multiple recent comparisons, here are the top options depending on your needs:\n\n## Top All-Around Picks\n\n**Gusto** – Consistently ranked as one of the best options. Gusto is the best online payroll provider for integrated payroll and HR, earning a 4.6-star rating, with even its base plan including onboarding, offer letter templates, unl","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":169,"end":174,"name":"Gusto"},{"start":227,"end":232,"name":"Gusto"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"best_in_category","excerpt":"## Best Tools for Global Remote Payroll (2026)\n\nHere's a breakdown of top options depending on your needs:\n\n### 🌍 All-in-One Global Payroll + EOR Platforms\n\n**Deel** — Deel supports contractor payments and employee payroll in over 100 countries, with strong compliance tools and the ability to convert contractors into employees through its EOR service Its dashboards and self-service portals simpli","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":25,"end":31,"name":"Remote"},{"start":122,"end":140,"name":"One Global Payroll"},{"start":160,"end":164,"name":"Deel"},{"start":169,"end":173,"name":"Deel"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"problem_solving","excerpt":"Paying international contractors compliantly without a PEO (Professional Employer Organization) is entirely doable — PEOs are typically used for full-time employees, not independent contractors. For contractors, you need a different compliance framework built around **correct classification, proper contracts, tax documentation, and clean payment rails**. Here's how to structure it:\n\n## 1. Nail Dow","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"problem_solving","excerpt":"## Best Payroll Options for a 10-Person Team\n\nFor a small team of 10, you generally don't need enterprise HCM software—you want something simple, affordable, and compliant. Here are the top picks:\n\n### 1. **Gusto** — Best overall for small teams\nGusto offers solid payroll software for small businesses that need essential payroll features without the enterprise-level complexity, handling payroll pr","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":207,"end":212,"name":"Gusto"},{"start":246,"end":251,"name":"Gusto"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"alternatives","excerpt":"If you're looking to move away from pricier platforms like ADP, Paychex, or Paylocity, there are several solid budget-friendly options depending on your business size and needs:\n\n## Best All-Around Value\n\n**Gusto** – Gusto is an all-in-one payroll and HR solution designed for small and midsize businesses that want efficiency without complexity, streamlining payroll, benefits, and compliance to hel","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":59,"end":62,"name":"ADP"},{"start":64,"end":71,"name":"Paychex"},{"start":76,"end":85,"name":"Paylocity"},{"start":207,"end":212,"name":"Gusto"},{"start":217,"end":222,"name":"Gusto"}]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"comparison","excerpt":"Small businesses choosing payroll solutions generally face a tradeoff between full-service platforms that handle compliance and tax filing for you, versus DIY software where you retain more control (and responsibility) over the process. Let me pull together current comparisons to give you a well-grounded answer.# Full-Service Payroll vs. DIY Payroll Software for Small Teams\n\n## The Core Difference","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[]},{"engine":"anthropic","answered_on":"2026-07-25","prompt_intent":"recommendation","excerpt":"Several payroll platforms are designed specifically to automate multi-state tax compliance. Here are the leading options based on current comparisons:\n\n**Gusto** – Gusto is an all-in-one payroll and HR platform designed for small and midsize businesses that need reliable tax filing and compliance support, offering automated federal, state, and local payroll tax filing. It's also built to simplify","excerpt_withheld":false,"withheld_reason":null,"highlights":[{"start":154,"end":159,"name":"Gusto"},{"start":164,"end":169,"name":"Gusto"}]}]}]}