Patriot Review 2026: Payroll Services, Accounting Software, Bookkeeping, Online Invoicing
Overall Rating
4.7
4.7
Last updated: July 2026
Patriot Payroll is an easy-to-use payroll system designed to make payroll management quick and simple for small businesses. It provides an easy-to-use platform that offers direct deposit, tax filing, and time tracking. The software also offers customizable pay types, pay periods, and deductions, making it a versatile solution. Patriot Payroll is cloud-based, meaning businesses can access their payroll data from anywhere, at any time, as long as they have an internet connection.
Plans & Pricing
Basic
$8.50
seat/
month
$2/mo employee
- Free payroll setup
- Free 2-day direct deposit for qualified customers
- Free employee portal
- Free workers' comp integration
- Unlimited payrolls
- All pay frequencies
- Multiple locations
- Customizable hours, money, deductions
- Mobile friendly
- Accounting Software Integration
Full Service
$18.50
seat/
month
$2.50/mo employee
- All the features of the Basic plan
- We'll file and deposit federal payroll taxes
- We'll file and deposit state payroll taxes
- We'll file and deposit local payroll taxes
- We'll file year-end payroll tax filings (no additional fees)
- Tax filing accuracy guaranteed
Featured prices can be updated and free offers may include additional terms.
Patriot Payroll offers two pricing plans: Basic and Full Service.
The Basic plan is designed for small businesses that want to manage their own payroll in-house. It includes features such as payroll processing, direct deposit, tax filing, and employee self-service and is priced based on the number of employees.
The Full Service plan is designed for businesses that want Patriot Payroll to handle all aspects of their payroll processing, tax filing, and compliance. This plan is also priced based on the number of employees, with additional fees for some services.
Both pricing plans offer a 30-day free trial period, and there are no setup fees or long-term contracts.
Expert Score
Pros
- 60-Day Free Trial
- Transparent Costs
- Easy to Navigate and Use
Cons
- Limited Report Customization
- Fees for Some Integrations
Customer Support
Patriot customer support is available 9:00 AM- 7:00 PM EST; Monday - Friday.
Chatbot
There is a customer support chatbot on the Patriot site; however, it was unavailable during this review.

Email Support
Although not easy to spot at the bottom of the home screen, there is an option to send an email directly to the Patriot support staff. I received a helpful reply in 11 hours.

Live Phone Conversation
My phone consultation with the Patriot support team was excellent. My call was answered on the 6th ring with no holding time. The representative was helpful without any upsell attempts.
Online Resources
Patriot has a searchable blog on the website and an FAQ section. The blog is organized into categories and straightforward.

Patriot also has a dedicated YouTube Channel.
Overall Experience
My overall experience with their support was positive though limited to business hours. The Patriot staff was helpful and didn’t attempt upsells during any contact. Even though their online resources aren’t as robust as other platforms, their information is easy to find and straightforward.
Phone Support
During Business Hours
Replies within 12 hours
FAQ
Located on Website
Blog
Under Resources tab on the website
Video Tutorials
Dedicated YouTube Channel
Ease of Use
The Patriot page is refreshingly simplistic and easy to navigate. In comparison to other sites, Patriot gets right to the point.
Sign-Up
The sign-up process is simple at takes less than 10 minutes. The following business information is required to create an account: ●Business Tax ID/EIN - This will be verified by Patriot ●Business Banking Information - This will be verified by Patriot ●Business Mailing Address To run Payroll, employee/contractor address, SSN, and banking information is also needed. *Only address and SSN are needed if payment will be via paper check. Click the video for a walk-through of the sign-up process:
Run Payroll
Running payroll with Patriot is done in 3 easy steps. In this video, we take a closer look at the payroll run process:
Features & Functionality
Payroll Services
What makes Patriot a special payroll software are the essential features and functions that you would expect to find in any high-end payroll software. The process is made seamless by the software onboarding abilities supported by the Patriot staff and the specialized onboarding tool. What's more, you can use your iOS, Mac, Windows, and Android devices to access Patriot. However, you can only access it from the web when using a phone as there's no dedicated app for mobile phones. Be that as it may, the software still works well across all devices and offers the following incredible features.
Hassle-free Payroll Processing
There's not much to do other than following three easy steps when processing payroll with Patriot Payroll. You'll only need to enter the hours, approve the payroll, and then print the paychecks. Since the software offers a free direct debit facility, you'll have little to worry about debit charges.
Free Payroll Tax Filings
You need the Patriot full-service payroll plan to access and enjoy a less complicated tax calculation procedure. It is always a wise step to add the additional $20 to get the full-service plan so Patriot can compile accurate tax calculations and avoid expensive taxation mistakes. What's more, Patriot will directly file your taxes to relevant agencies, but it does add an additional charge for every extra state.
Range of Payroll Reports
Most of the crucial payroll reports you may need to access are readily available in the package, free of charge. Some of these reports include:
- Paycheck history report
- Payroll tax credit report
- Tax deposit report
- Payroll register
- Payroll tax filing report
- Deposit details
- Check payment details
- Deduction history
- Time off report
- W-2 summary
- Payroll tax liability report and
- Contribution history
Patriot offers free 4-day and 2-day direct deposit, employee portals so they can securely access pay stubs, pay history, time off balances, and electronic W-2s, and independent contractor pay options.
Mobile Use
Patriot does not have a mobile app, but their software is mobile-friendly. You can run your accounting or payroll directly from your smartphone or tablet. There is no need to download an app onto your mobile device or waste precious storage space.
Click the video for a tour of Patriot’s main features:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzk7MCcOgh8
Automate repetitive payroll tasks to save time.
Patriot offers the Patriot HR add-on for more employee status, position history & managers, notes, and files.
Stay compliant with built-in tax management features.
With Patriot, information is imported seamlessly into Patriot's Accounting software. They also integrate with QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online. They also have a Patriot Time & Attendance integration to keep track of hours.
Accounting Software
Patriot Accounting includes all the standard bookkeeping and reporting features typically included in an accounting package. Users can easily create estimates, purchase orders, sale orders, invoices and account reconciliations. Patriot Accounting software is web-based and can be accessed from any device, including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. There is no dedicated mobile app because the web-based platform works perfectly fine on mobile phones.
Some of the key features of Patriot Accounting are as follows:
Secure Document Storage
With Patriot, you can securely store your documents and receipts by uploading and attaching them with each transaction. The information is securely stored in the cloud, which means you don’t have to worry about the regulatory requirement of keeping accounting documents for a given period of time. We all know how difficult it is to store and retrieve paper-based documents, and Patriot appears to be an apt choice to resolve the dilemma.
Automated Bank Imports
Once you connect the bank or credit card account with Patriot, all of your transactions will be automatically imported into the software. This is exactly where Patriot stands out from other basic accounting software. For small businesses, much of the accounting activity flows directly from the bank, and takes you to the next level. It is not a simple tool that just helps you organize the transactions into account types, but actually creates value and saves time through the automated processes.
Comprehensive Reports
Most decision-makers are interested in the reports generated by accounting software, and this is exactly where Patriot outperforms the competition. There is a wide range of reports available in both subscriptions. These include account reconciliation, customer estimates, check registers, profit and loss statements, accounts receivables aging, accounts payables aging, trial balances, balance sheets, general ledgers, unpaid customer invoices, bill listing, vendor payment history, sales tax report, and invoice detail report.
Monitor and categorize expenses for accurate financial tracking.
Streamline tax compliance with automated preparation tools.
Automate repetitive accounting tasks to boost efficiency.
Patriot itself offers a range of other software, which include Patriot Payroll, Patriot HR and Patriot Time and Attendance. Patriot Accounting can, therefore, easily be integrated with these products. In addition, Patriot is integrated with Card Connect to facilitate credit card transactions. Overall, the range of integrations offered by Patriot are somewhat limited as compared to other popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks and FreshBooks.
Access accounting tools seamlessly across various devices.
Bookkeeping
Patriot Accounting includes all the standard bookkeeping and reporting features typically included in an accounting package. Users can easily create estimates, purchase orders, sale orders, invoices and account reconciliations. Patriot Accounting software is web-based and can be accessed from any device, including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. There is no dedicated mobile app because the web-based platform works perfectly fine on mobile phones.
Some of the key features of Patriot Accounting are as follows:
Secure Document Storage
With Patriot, you can securely store your documents and receipts by uploading and attaching them with each transaction. The information is securely stored in the cloud, which means you don’t have to worry about the regulatory requirement of keeping accounting documents for a given period of time. We all know how difficult it is to store and retrieve paper-based documents, and Patriot appears to be an apt choice to resolve the dilemma.
Automated Bank Imports
Once you connect the bank or credit card account with Patriot, all of your transactions will be automatically imported into the software. This is exactly where Patriot stands out from other basic accounting software. For small businesses, much of the accounting activity flows directly from the bank, and takes you to the next level. It is not a simple tool that just helps you organize the transactions into account types, but actually creates value and saves time through the automated processes.
Comprehensive Reports
Most decision-makers are interested in the reports generated by accounting software, and this is exactly where Patriot outperforms the competition. There is a wide range of reports available in both subscriptions. These include account reconciliation, customer estimates, check registers, profit and loss statements, accounts receivables aging, accounts payables aging, trial balances, balance sheets, general ledgers, unpaid customer invoices, bill listing, vendor payment history, sales tax report, and invoice detail report.
Simplify and optimize tax filing with expert features and tools.
Automate repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and productivity.
Patriot itself offers a range of other software, which include Patriot Payroll, Patriot HR and Patriot Time and Attendance. Patriot Accounting can, therefore, easily be integrated with these products. In addition, Patriot is integrated with Card Connect to facilitate credit card transactions. Overall, the range of integrations offered by Patriot are somewhat limited as compared to other popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks and FreshBooks.
Access and use on a variety of compatible devices.
Flexible pricing structures tailored to different needs and budgets.
Online Invoicing
Patriot Accounting includes all the standard bookkeeping and reporting features typically included in an accounting package. Users can easily create estimates, purchase orders, sale orders, invoices and account reconciliations. Patriot Accounting software is web-based and can be accessed from any device, including Windows, Mac, Android and iOS. There is no dedicated mobile app because the web-based platform works perfectly fine on mobile phones.
Some of the key features of Patriot Accounting are as follows:
Secure Document Storage
With Patriot, you can securely store your documents and receipts by uploading and attaching them with each transaction. The information is securely stored in the cloud, which means you don’t have to worry about the regulatory requirement of keeping accounting documents for a given period of time. We all know how difficult it is to store and retrieve paper-based documents, and Patriot appears to be an apt choice to resolve the dilemma.
Automated Bank Imports
Once you connect the bank or credit card account with Patriot, all of your transactions will be automatically imported into the software. This is exactly where Patriot stands out from other basic accounting software. For small businesses, much of the accounting activity flows directly from the bank, and takes you to the next level. It is not a simple tool that just helps you organize the transactions into account types, but actually creates value and saves time through the automated processes.
Comprehensive Reports
Most decision-makers are interested in the reports generated by accounting software, and this is exactly where Patriot outperforms the competition. There is a wide range of reports available in both subscriptions. These include account reconciliation, customer estimates, check registers, profit and loss statements, accounts receivables aging, accounts payables aging, trial balances, balance sheets, general ledgers, unpaid customer invoices, bill listing, vendor payment history, sales tax report, and invoice detail report.
Process payments seamlessly with integrated systems.
Track time spent on projects for accurate billing.
Keep a close eye on expenses for better financial management.
Available on multiple devices for accessibility.
Affordable pricing to fit varied business needs.
Features
- 401k Tracking
- FMLA Tracking
- Generation of pay stubs and reports
- Multi-State
- Calculate and pay employee salaries
- Compliance with state and federal tax laws
- Direct Deposit for Employee Paychecks
- Tracking of employee hours and overtime
- Update real-time employee information
- Employee Attendance Tracking
- Employee self-service update anytime
- Vacation/Sick Leave Tracking
- Benefits Management
- Employee profile management
- Organizational Chart
- Automatic Tax Payment
- Form 1099-MISC
- Form 1095-B
- Form 1094-B
- Form 1095-C
- Form 1094-C
- Form 940 (Annual federal taxes)
- Form 941 (Quarterly federal taxes)
- Form 944 (Annual federal taxes)
- Form 945 (Non-Payroll Payments-e.g. Pension & Annuities)
- Form W-2 ( Tax filing included)
- Form W-3
- Form W-4
- Tax Compliance
- Time and Attendance Tracking
- HR & Benefits Systems
- Accounting Software
- Direct Deposit
- Tax filing and compliance
- General Ledger
- Bookkeeping
- Manages Accounts Payable/Receivable
- Income & Expenses Tracking/Management
- Account Reconciliations
- Financial Reporting
- Invoicing
- Record Expenses
- Record Mileage
- Generate Invoices
- Recurring Expenses
- Accountant-Prep Friendly
- Automation of Invoices/Notifications
- Purchase Order Automation
- Payment Processing
- Payroll Processing
- Time tracking
- Third-party Integrations
- Windows
- Android
- Linux
- iPhone/iPad
- Mac
- Web-Based
- Bookkeeping Services Integration
- Dashboards
- Cloud-Based
- Multi-user Access
- Manage Purchase Orders
- Bank and Credit Card Synchronization
- Payroll Management
- Accountant-prep Friendly/Accessible
- Monthly Payment
- Customizing your invoice
- Tracking Invoice Views
- Customizing invoice payment terms
- Offer Discounts
- Recurring Invoices
- Client Portal
- Invoice Previews
- Banking Data Synchronization
- Send receipts to customers
- Track refunds and credits issues
- Credit Card Payments
- Auto Payment
- Payment reports
- Tracking against clients and projects
Verdict
Patriot Payroll is best suited for small business owners who are looking for a simple and affordable payroll solution. If you're a larger business with more complex payroll needs, you may want to look for an alternative. It is easy to use, minimalistic, and a great option for those needing basic features. Plus, they offer a 60-day free trial, so you can try it out before committing to a paid plan.
Click the video to see my closing thoughts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1sC3d2YAtQ
Users Reviews
Write a review
Leave a review, help others get it right the first time.
3 Reviews
Siree W
Switch!
FAST software and great support
- Fast software -- and I mean quick loading times pages and calculations!
- No cons
Oliver K
Patriot is a Game Changer!
Patriot's software is extremely intuitive and easy to use. Their reports are detailed and can be customized to meet your needs. Their 'full service' has made filing tax reports a breeze for me!
Leanne F
Business Owner
Super Easy Payroll Services
Patriot Payroll provides reliable service at an affordable price. I don't have to worry about monthly and quarterly filings since they handle everything for me. Customer service is reliable and polite, and the cost is much lower than other companies.
- Sometimes, they are slow in updating their system with new state rules.