We don't require expensive desktop software for payroll anymore. This is all because of the rise in mobile technology; freelancers and small business owners can handle payments, manage taxes, and track hours just through an Android app.

Therefore, the demand for free payroll apps has grown significantly among U.S. businesses seeking affordable and reliable tools. In this guide, we will go through the usability, features, and limitations of the seven best free payroll apps for Android to help you choose the right tool for your business.

Best Free Payroll Apps for Android: At A Glance

Software

Free Plan / Trial

Best For

Rating

HR.my

Free forever

Unlimited employees and modules in one app

4.4

Wave Payroll

Free to start (limited features)

Deep accounting integration

-

TaxBandits

Free to start

Reporting and Filing Tax

-

Patriot Payroll

30 days free

Accounting and Payroll Under One Login

5

Homebase

Free plan (scheduling, time-clock)

Time tracking with GPS & shift management

4.7

RUN Powered by ADP

3 months free

AI-based error detection & compliance automation

5

SurePayroll

6 months free

Multiple bank deposits & full tax compliance

4.5

HR.my

HR.my is an HRMS and payroll Android app that is free and supports unlimited employees and multilingual access. The app has been developed for small-to-medium-sized companies to manage staff at different locations. It integrates attendance, leave management, and employee self-service into one simple Android interface.

Limitations With Free Plan: The user interface and feature set may be less polished compared to commercial paid alternatives.

Key Features

  • Unlimited Employee And Data Support: Unlike many free apps that limit headcount, HR.my allows unlimited employees and data storage. This means businesses can scale without worrying about hidden per-user costs
  • HR + Payroll in One: Apart from managing salaries, the system connects many other functions such as time clock (with photo & location tracking), leave and expense claims, etc.
  • Multilingual Interface: Over 60 languages are supported, which makes the app available for different workforces. Users of the Android operating system in various locations can work with the app in their preferred language, improving adoption and ease of use

Pros And Cons 

Pros

Cons

Truly free with no employee-count limits

Customer service is not available on the web and mobile application

Comprehensive HR + payroll scope in one app

No Graphical representations on Dashboard

Time clock allows you to track the working hours of all the employees

 

Wave Payroll

Wave Payroll is a component of the Wave suite for small businesses, providing payroll functionality that can be controlled through Android to manage pay runs, make payments to employees, and link with accounting. The mobile app provides entrepreneurs access to payroll reports and employee information anywhere. 

Limitations With Free Plan: The Android mobile version may offer limited payroll execution features (many functions still via web). 

Key Features

  • Accounting Integration: All payroll runs are set up in such a way that they synchronously operate with Wave Accounting, so the expense records and tax liabilities are updated instantly. Due to this, manual reconciliation is no longer needed, and consequently, your books will always be accurate and compliant without you having to use several apps
  • Auto-Generated Tax Form: Wave takes compliance out of the way by generating important payroll tax documents like W-2s and 1099s with employee details already filled. Users have the option to either download or directly file them, thereby reducing the hours to mere minutes
  • Integrated Contractor Payments: Wave is different from most small-business payroll applications because it can handle the payment of both employees and freelancers within a single system. It supports ACH transfers and automatically records those payments in your accounting books

Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

Seamlessly integrates with Wave Accounting

The transaction screen feels cluttered and hard to track with all accounts visible

Simplifies tax documentation for small teams

Lacks advanced HR or benefits modules

Ideal for freelancers and small-business owners

 

Homebase

For restaurants, retailers, or any team that pays hourly staff, Homebase offers a mobile-first experience that simplifies shift scheduling and payroll in one place. Managers can review timesheets, approve hours, and run payroll from their phone, while employees use GPS-enabled time clocks and receive pay notifications instantly. It’s an excellent choice for businesses focused on real-time workforce management.

Limitations With Free Plan: The free plan covers scheduling and basic time-clock functions, but full payroll features (e.g., tax filing, multi-location processing) often require paid add-ons or upgraded tiers.

Key Features

  • Mobile Payroll Workflow: The Android application allows managers to handle the entire payroll process by reviewing timesheets, approving hours, and processing payroll. This includes calculations of regular hours, overtime, tips, and taxes
  • Employee Self-Service And Time Clock: By using their phone with GPS verification, employees can clock in and out, check their pay stubs, and get notifications
  • Scheduling And Labor Cost Controls: Shift scheduling templates that reduce administrative workload, notifications for overtime or late arrivals sent automatically, and payroll integration of work schedules for precise cost tracking are the main features of the system

Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

Excellent mobile-first experience for scheduling

App stability issues reported by some users

Employee self-service and time clock simplify admin tasks

Payroll is not integrated in the mobile app

Effortless scheduling and time sheets for the whole team

 

RUN (Powered BY ADP)

RUN Powered by ADP is an all-in-one payroll and HR mobile solution intended for small businesses in the U.S. The app’s AI-powered error detection flags inconsistencies before payroll is submitted, and built-in tax compliance ensures automatic federal and state filings. For owners who value accuracy, automation, and on-the-go access, ADP delivers enterprise reliability in a mobile format.

Limitations With Free Plan: The free plan is valid for up to 3 months.

Key Features

  • AI-Powered Error Detection: The application utilizes its internal artificial intelligence capabilities to identify possible payroll errors, for example, hours not recorded, overtime misuse, or unsteady deductions. By identifying such issues early, it helps reduce costly mistakes before payroll is finalized.
  • U.S. Tax And Compliance Automation: By using RUN, filing federal and state tax returns, W-2s, and 1099s will all be done automatically. The system is also regularly updated to meet the new regulatory requirements of the 50 states, thus freeing the small business owners from the compliance burden
  • Flexible Pay Options And Employee Access: The mobile app allows employees to access their pay stubs, tax paperwork, and even selected flexible pay methods. This is an enhancement of employee contentment and openness

Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

Robust U.S. payroll and tax compliance built in

Some advanced modules and integrations cost extra

Mobile-friendly for payroll/HR tasks on the go

Troubleshooting takes a while to fix the issue with remote IT support

Supports payroll, employee self-service, and scalable integrations

 

SurePayroll

SurePayroll is a payroll service primarily for small businesses that have the support of Paychex. This includes the payment of nannies, household workers, freelancers, and both W-2 and 1099 workers. The Android app enables employers to run payroll, approve working hours, and access employee data from any location. It also allows them to monitor tax-filing status, offering mobile convenience along with comprehensive tax assistance.

Limitations With Free Plan: The free plan is limited to six months and provides only basic payroll features. Advanced options, such as same-day payroll, require an upgrade to a paid plan.

Key Features

  • Multiple Bank Account Deposit Splits: It is possible for employees and employers to divide the employee's net salary among several bank accounts (up to three) either in fixed amounts or through percentages. This allows for the setup of savings, checking, and transfers or dedicated accounts
  • White-Label Reseller Program: SurePayroll provides a complete reseller/white-label scheme that enables accounting firms or service companies to customize the payroll service with their brand, handle clients through one platform, and create a secondary source of income
  • Broad Tax Compliance: It takes care of federal, state, and local payroll tax filing and payment, and assures compliance. This total service support is a powerful distinguishing factor for small businesses in the U.S

Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

Solid mobile experience for small business payroll runs

Some users report slow or inconsistent customer service experiences

Tax filing and deposits handled automatically for many jurisdictions

Add-on fees for state/local services and payroll settings may increase the cost

Provides every employee with their own log in access to view history

 

TaxBandits Payroll

TaxBandits offers a payroll tax filing platform, allowing unlimited payroll runs for employees and contractors, and integration with tax-form filing, all in one place. The core offering is free to start. It is suitable for businesses that are cost-conscious and need streamlined payroll and tax workflow.

Limitation With Free Plan: Mobile-specific app support (for full payroll execution) appears limited: the known Android app is for W-9 / contractor form entry rather than full payroll runs.

Key Features

  • Built-in Tax And Form Filing Support: Supports many U.S. federal & state tax forms (e.g., 94x for employment taxes, W-2s, 1099s), with bulk upload, and CSV import for free. It also provides real-time status updates
  • Self-Service Employee: Employees or contractors can access pay stubs, view tax forms, and update their information. Employers can onboard staff, collect W-4/W-9 forms electronically, and manage payroll from a single portal
  • Unlimited Free Payroll Runs for Employees And Contractors: The platform advertises unlimited payroll runs at no upfront cost, covering employees and 1099 contractors, including bonuses and off-cycle payments

Pros And Cons 

Pros

Cons

Strong support for tax-form filing (941, W-2, 1099 series) and compliance features

Not a full payroll service in the sense of direct deposit + withholding automation in the free plan

Supports prior-year filings and multiple client accounts for accountants or small firms

Some users indicate manual calculations or payroll logic still needed (not fully automated payroll engine)

Simple, intuitive interface with clear state and federal compliance notifications

 

Patriot Payroll

Patriot Payroll is a U.S.-based cloud payroll solution, offering core payroll processing, tax filing, and employee self-service. The employer dashboard works via desktop or responsive browser, and employees using the “My Patriot” mobile app can access pay information and time tracking on Android.

Limitation With Free Plan: While employees have mobile app access, full employer-mobile functionality (especially payroll setup) is limited via the app, and the free plan is for 30 days.

Key Feature

  • Run Payroll From Anywhere: Employers can log in via mobile browser and follow the same 3-step process, enter employee hours, review check details, and submit payroll, enabling payroll runs from a smartphone when needed
  • Time And Attendance Integration: When paired with Patriot’s time-and-attendance add-on, the mobile app lets hourly employees clock in/out, edit timecards, and managers can approve or clone hours
  • Mobile Employee Self-Service: Via the My Patriot Android app, employees can view pay summaries, access year-end tax forms (W-2s), update their personal information, and check time-off balances

Pros And Cons

Pros

Cons

The payroll portal allows employees to enter their own bank account information 

The layer upon layer of security features makes it challenging to update data

Straightforward and user-friendly

Reports are cumbersome, processing time of 4 days is too long unless you pay extra

Handles federal, state, and local filings with automated updates to tax laws

 

Which Free Payroll Android App Should You Choose For Your Business?

Different businesses have different payroll priorities. There are those that mainly concern themselves with automated tax filing and compliance, while there are those that only want mobile accessibility or accounting integration.

When choosing a free payroll app for Android, it’s important to ensure that the features align with your company’s size, pay structure, and compliance needs. Look for options that support direct deposits, automated deductions, employee self-service, and secure data management, all within a mobile-friendly interface.

Opting for an app that simplifies calculations, reduces manual work, and compliance maintenance will enable you to manage payroll in an efficient way, all this without the added cost of conventional desktop systems.