Free calculator
Enter your headcount, admin hours, and a provider quote to see what running payroll yourself really costs, and where the break-even sits.
Use real figures where you have them and estimates where you do not. You can change anything and the results move with it.
Outsourcing saves you
$0
per year, compared with running payroll in-house.
Enter your numbers to beginEnter your numbers to see where the two options cost the same.
These figures are estimates for planning only. They are not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Ask any provider for a written quote before you decide.
Behind the math
The calculator compares two yearly totals side by side. Here is what goes into each one.
It starts with the time cost. It multiplies the hours you spend on each pay run by your pay runs per year, then multiplies that by the hourly cost of the person doing the work. It adds your payroll software and any other yearly costs, like filing fees, year-end forms, or penalties.
It takes the base fee charged for each pay run and adds the per employee fee for every person you pay. It multiplies both by your pay runs per year, then adds any yearly fees such as setup or year-end filings, plus the hours you still spend yourself.
The difference between the two totals is your yearly saving or extra cost. The break-even answers a different question. It assumes your admin time grows as your team grows, then finds the headcount where both options cost the same.
Below that headcount one option wins, and above it the other does. Numbers are estimates. Use a real quote for the closest result.
Swap your estimate for real numbers. Compare vetted providers side by side. It is free, and there is no obligation to switch.