How Patriot Software Works
Patriot Software separates core functions into two main products that can be purchased together or independently: Accounting and Payroll. Small business owners set up company details and employees, then run payroll cycles with options for free direct deposit and tax filing, or choose Full Service Payroll to outsource tax deposits and filings.
On the accounting side, users create and send invoices, record expenses, reconcile bank transactions, and generate core financial reports. Add-ons such as Time & Attendance feed hours directly into payroll runs, and the optional Bookkeeping Service reconciles accounts and closes books each month to reduce administrative overhead.
Core Capabilities of Patriot Software
Patriot Software features
Patriot Software groups payroll, accounting, and HR capabilities into a compact feature set focused on ease of use, affordability, and US payroll compliance. The platform recently expanded mobile access and strengthened integrations with payment and benefits providers to reduce manual work.
What Makes Patriot Software Stand Out
Payroll processing
Patriot Payroll supports unlimited payroll runs, free direct deposit, and pay-by-check options, with tax calculations and filing available through Full Service Payroll. The interface streamlines employer taxes and employee pay setup, which helps small teams run payroll quickly and routinely in under a few minutes.
Accounting and invoicing
The accounting product covers invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and standard financial statements such as balance sheets and profit and loss reports. Users can accept credit card payments through a built-in Stripe connection to shorten invoice-to-cash cycles and reconcile payments in the ledger.
Time & Attendance
The Time & Attendance add-on allows employees to enter hours via web or mobile, supports clock-in/clock-out workflows, and handles custom overtime rules. Timesheets integrate directly with payroll to reduce manual entry and improve payroll accuracy.
HR tools and compliance
Patriot's HR add-on includes a compliance center, paperless employee files, and manager permissions to centralize personnel records and routine HR tasks. The HR module is designed to support small employers with documentation and basic policy tracking rather than full enterprise HR management.
Bookkeeping Service
For organizations that prefer an outsourced option, Patriot offers a monthly Bookkeeping Service where Patriot's team closes the books, reconciles accounts, and hosts a review with the client. This service is useful for owners who want accurate monthly financials without hiring in-house accounting staff.
Employee mobile app and self-service
W-2 employees paid through Patriot Payroll can use the free mobile app to view pay stubs, edit federal withholding, and access payroll history. Employee self-service reduces HR overhead by letting staff manage personal payroll details directly in the app.
With these features, Patriot Software combines the essentials of small-business payroll and accounting into a single, usable package that reduces the time spent on payroll, invoicing, and basic HR tasks.
Patriot Software Pricing
Patriot Software Pricing Overview
Patriot Software offers a range of pricing plans for its Accounting and Payroll software, including free trials and discounted rates for new users.
Free Trial Offer
All users can enjoy a 30-day free trial and receive 50% off for the first 3 months on any subscription plan.
Accounting Software Pricing
Patriot Software provides two tiers for its Accounting software:
-
Accounting Basic - $20/mo
- Unlimited customers & invoices
- Unlimited vendors, contractors, & payments
- Automatic bank imports
- Income & expense tracking
- Accept credit card payments
- Robust financial reporting
- Account reconciliation
-
Accounting Premium - $30/mo
- Everything in Basic, PLUS:
- Create & send estimates
- Users-based permissions
- Recurring invoices
- Send invoice payment reminders
- Manage receipts & documents
Add-ons:
- Bookkeeping Service starting at $100/month (plus a one-time onboarding fee).
Payroll Software Pricing
Patriot Software offers two tiers for its Payroll software:
-
Basic Payroll - $17/mo plus $4 per worker paid
- Free direct deposit
- Free employee portal
- Unlimited payrolls
- Auto payroll
- Pay contractors in payroll
- Free health benefit integration
- Robust payroll reports
-
Full Service Payroll - $37/mo plus $5 per worker paid
- Everything in Basic, PLUS:
- Federal tax filings & deposits
- State tax filings & deposits
- Local tax filings & deposits
- Year-end payroll tax filings at no additional fee
- Tax filing reliability guaranteed
Add-ons:
- Time & Attendance - $6/month (plus $2 per employee).
- HR Software - $6/month (plus $2 per employee).
Enterprise/Custom Pricing
For larger organizations or specific needs, custom pricing options are available. Please contact Patriot Software for more information.
Special Pricing for Accountants
Patriot Software offers discounted pricing for accountants and bookkeepers who enroll in the Partner Program.
This pricing was last checked by our team on February 1, 2026
What is Patriot Software used for
Patriot Software is commonly used for payroll processing, including direct deposits, payroll tax calculations, and optional tax filing services, which makes it a fit for small businesses that need compliant payroll without a payroll specialist on staff. Companies that prefer a single vendor for payroll and basic accounting use Patriot to keep employee pay and financial records aligned.
Small service businesses, local retailers, contractors, and startups use Patriot for day-to-day bookkeeping and to produce monthly financial reports. When businesses need periodic professional support, they can add the Bookkeeping Service to get reconciled books and a monthly review.
The Good and Bad of Patriot Software
The Good
Affordable Pricing
Patriot Software offers competitive pricing with a 30-day free trial and significant discounts for the first three months.
Comprehensive Features
The platform includes essential accounting and payroll features, such as unlimited invoicing and direct deposit.
User-Friendly Interface
The software is designed to be intuitive and mobile-friendly, allowing easy access without app downloads.
Excellent Customer Support
Patriot Software provides USA-based support with friendly representatives available via multiple channels.
What Could be Added
Limited Integrations
Patriot Software may lack integrations with some third-party applications compared to competitors.
Basic Reporting
While reports are available, they may not be as advanced or customizable as those offered by other accounting tools.
No Advanced Features
Some users may find the absence of advanced features like project tracking or inventory management limiting.
Add-On Costs
Additional features and services come at extra costs, which can add up for businesses needing multiple add-ons.
Frequently asked questions about Patriot Software
What does Patriot Software cost per month?
Patriot Software's pricing starts at an entry level of $20/month for Accounting and $17/month + $4 per worker paid for Payroll. Additional fees apply for add-ons and managed services; check the current pricing options for full details.
Does Patriot Software handle payroll tax filing?
Yes, Patriot Software can handle payroll tax filing through its Full Service Payroll offering. Full Service Payroll includes tax deposits and filings as part of the managed service while the self-service payroll product calculates taxes for you to file.
Can Patriot Software accept credit card payments for invoices?
Yes, Patriot Software integrates with Stripe to accept credit card payments. The integration is available through the Accounting product to simplify invoice payment and reconciliation.
Is there a Patriot Software mobile app for employees?
Yes, Patriot Software offers a free mobile app for W-2 employees paid through Patriot Payroll. Employees can view pay stubs, edit federal withholding, and access payroll history on iOS and Android devices.
Does Patriot Software offer bookkeeping services?
Yes, Patriot provides a paid Bookkeeping Service to close books and reconcile accounts monthly. The service includes a monthly review and is designed for businesses that want professional bookkeeping without hiring in-house staff; see the Bookkeeping Service page for details.
Final Verdict: Patriot Software
Patriot Software is a pragmatic choice for US-based small businesses that need straightforward accounting and payroll under one login with accessible, US-based support. It does payroll well for single-state employers and offers useful add-ons such as Time & Attendance, HR tools, and a Bookkeeping Service for owners who want to outsource back-office work.
Compared to Gusto, Patriot Software generally presents a lower-cost entry point, with payroll starting at $17/month plus $4 per worker paid, while Gusto prioritizes deeper HR and benefits workflows with a higher starting price in most plans. If your priority is cost-effective payroll and basic accounting with optional managed bookkeeping, Patriot is a strong fit; if you need advanced HR, recruitment, or global payroll features, a competitor like Gusto or ADP may be a better match.
Overall, Patriot Software delivers clear value for small employers who want reliable payroll processing, simple accounting, and the option to expand with add-ons or managed bookkeeping as their business grows. For next steps, try the product via the 30-day trial and signup options or request a demo.
