Best Nanny Payroll Services 2026: 8 Compared

You've hired a nanny. Now you need to handle payroll and taxes. The good news: there are services that make this easy. The bad news: they range from $100/year to over $1,000/year—and the expensive ones aren't always better.

We compared every major nanny payroll service in 2026 so you don't have to.

The Full Comparison Table

Every major nanny payroll service, side by side:

Pricing verified as of April 2026. Visit each provider's website for current rates: HomePay, GTM, SurePayroll, Poppins, Nest, Gusto, Savvy Nanny, NannyKeeper.

The pattern is clear: core features (tax calculations, W-2s, Schedule H) are the same everywhere. You're paying more for filing service, phone support, or a brand name—not for better calculations.

Our Picks

Best for most families: NannyKeeper — $10/month gets you everything you need. You file the forms yourself (15 minutes/quarter), but we generate them, remind you of deadlines, and walk you through every step.

Best full-service: GTM Payroll — If you truly don't want to touch any forms, GTM does it all for $840/year with a dedicated account manager and SOC 1 certification.

Best budget full-service: Poppins Payroll — Full-service filing at $588/year. Less hand-holding than GTM, but $252/year cheaper.

1. NannyKeeper — Best Overall Value

Price: $10/month (Starter) or $18/month (Plus) | Compare →

NannyKeeper is a self-service nanny payroll platform built specifically for household employers. We calculate all federal and state taxes, generate every document you need (W-2, Schedule H, pay stubs), and send email reminders before every quarterly deadline.

What's included:

• Automatic tax calculations for all 50 states
• W-2, Schedule H, and pay stub generation
• Email deadline reminders before every quarter
• Direct deposit: $6/transfer (Plus) or $8/transfer (Starter)
• Employee W-4 self-service portal (Plus)
• Free forever tier for payment tracking only

What's not included:

• Tax filing (you submit the forms yourself—about 15 minutes per quarter)
• Phone support (email only)
• Workers' compensation placement

The tradeoff: You spend roughly an hour per year filing forms that NannyKeeper generates for you. In exchange, you save $300–$800/year compared to any other option.

Best for: Budget-conscious families who are comfortable clicking "submit" on a government website. Which, honestly, is most families.

Annual cost: $100 (Starter) or $180 (Plus) on annual billing

Try the free nanny tax calculator →

2. GTM Payroll — Best Full-Service

Price: $70/month | Full review → | Compare →

GTM is a full-service household payroll specialist based in New York. They've been doing this for 30+ years and handle everything—payroll processing, quarterly filings, year-end documents, even workers' comp insurance placement.

What's included:

• All payroll processing and tax calculations
• Quarterly tax filings (they submit them)
• W-2, Schedule H, and all year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Dedicated account manager
• Workers' comp insurance placement
• SOC 1 Type II certified security

What's not included:

• Free tier or trial
• Email deadline reminders (they file for you, so less relevant)
• Self-service option

The tradeoff: You pay $840/year, but you literally never touch a tax form. GTM handles everything.

Best for: Families who want zero involvement in tax paperwork and don't mind paying for the convenience.

Annual cost: $840

3. SurePayroll (by Paychex) — Best for Business Owners

Price: $39/month | Full review → | Compare →

SurePayroll is a full-service small business payroll service owned by Paychex. It wasn't designed specifically for household employers, but some families use it because Paychex is a trusted name and it handles tax filings on your behalf. Note: SurePayroll acquired NannyChex in 2022, so if you were a NannyChex customer, this is where your account went.

What's included:

• Payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2 and year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Phone support
• Backed by Paychex infrastructure

What's not included:

• Household-specific guidance or terminology
• Email deadline reminders
• Free tier

The tradeoff: SurePayroll is full-service and reasonably priced, but the interface and terminology are designed for businesses with multiple employees—not a family paying one nanny. You'll see features you don't need and miss household-specific guidance.

Best for: Families who already use Paychex for a business and want to consolidate, or former NannyChex customers who stayed.

Annual cost: ~$523 (including year-end fees)

4. Poppins Payroll — Best Mid-Range

Price: $49/month | Full review → | Compare →

Poppins is a full-service nanny payroll company that positions itself as a friendlier alternative to the big names. They're household-specific, reasonably priced, and have a good reputation for customer support.

What's included:

• Payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2, Schedule H, and pay stubs
• Year-end documents included (no extra fee)
• Direct deposit
• Phone and email support

What's not included:

• Email deadline reminders
• Free tier

The tradeoff: Poppins is the most affordable full-service option—cheaper than HomePay and GTM, with the same core filing service. But it's still more expensive than self-service options like NannyKeeper.

Best for: Families who want full-service filing, phone support, and a household-focused service without paying HomePay prices.

For a deeper dive, read HomePay vs Poppins.

Annual cost: ~$588

5. Nest Payroll — Best for Catch-Up Filing

Price: $42–$49/month | Full review →

Nest is a household-specific payroll service based in Palo Alto. Their standout feature is a catch-up service for families who've been paying under the table and need to get compliant. But there's one notable gap.

What's included:

• Payroll processing and tax calculations (all 50 states + DC)
• Quarterly tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2, W-3, Schedule H preparation and filing
• EIN and state registration help
• New hire reporting
• Concierge support (text/email)
• Catch-up service for back taxes ($42/mo + $149/year-end per tax year)

What's not included:

• Traditional direct deposit (Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle only)
• Free tier (14-day trial only)
• Employee self-service portal

The tradeoff: Nest is purpose-built for household employers and offers the best catch-up service on the market. But the lack of bank-to-bank direct deposit is a dealbreaker for some families.

Best for: Families who need help with back taxes, or who already pay via Venmo/Cash App and don't need traditional direct deposit.

Annual cost: ~$504 (1 employee) or ~$588 (2 employees)

6. Gusto — Best for Families Who Already Use It

Price: $46/month base + $6/month per employee | Learn more →

Gusto is a well-known small business payroll platform that now has a dedicated household employer page. It's full-service—they handle tax filings, direct deposit, and year-end documents. The interface is polished and modern, and if you've used Gusto for a business before, the experience will feel familiar.

What's included:

• Full payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2 and year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Phone and email support
• Modern, well-designed interface

What's not included:

• Household-specific guidance or terminology
• Deadline reminders
• Free tier
• Back tax catch-up service

The tradeoff: Gusto is a great payroll product, but it's built for small businesses first. The HR tools, benefits administration, and team management features are overkill for a family with one nanny. And at ~$624/year, you're paying for that infrastructure whether you use it or not.

Best for: Families who already use Gusto for a business and want to keep everything in one place.

Annual cost: ~$624 (one employee)

7. Savvy Nanny Payroll Services — Best Boutique Option

Price: Varies (contact for quote) | Learn more →

Savvy Nanny is a smaller, household-specific payroll service that takes a more personal approach. They handle full-service payroll—tax calculations, filings, and year-end documents—with a focus on the nanny employer experience.

What's included:

• Full payroll processing and tax calculations
• Tax filings (they file for you)
• W-2 and year-end documents
• Direct deposit
• Dedicated support
• Household-specific service

What's not included:

• Published pricing (you need to contact them for a quote)
• Free tier
• Back tax catch-up service

The tradeoff: Savvy Nanny offers a more hands-on, personal experience than the bigger names. The downside is that pricing isn't transparent—you have to reach out for a quote, which makes it harder to comparison shop.

Best for: Families who want a boutique, personal-touch payroll service and prefer working with a smaller operation.

Annual cost: Varies (contact for quote)

8. HomePay (Care.com) — Most Recognized Brand

Price: $59/month (Basic) or $75/month (Premium) | Full review → | Compare →

HomePay (formerly Breedlove & Associates) is the most well-known name in nanny payroll, backed by Care.com. They offer full-service payroll—meaning they file your taxes for you—now with two pricing tiers.

What's included (Basic — $59/mo):

• All payroll processing and tax calculations
• Quarterly tax filings (they submit them)
• Direct deposit
• Email deadline reminders
• Employee onboarding

Premium ($75/mo) adds:

• Dedicated phone support
• Tax ID applications
• Tax agency communications
• Free Care.com Premium membership

What's not included:

• Free tier

The tradeoff: HomePay's Premium plan at $900/year is the most expensive option on this list. Even the Basic tier at $708/year is pricier than most. You're paying for the brand name, Care.com integration, and a long track record.

Best for: Families who found their nanny through Care.com and want seamless integration, or who are willing to pay for name recognition.

Thinking about leaving HomePay? See our switching guide.

Annual cost: $708 (Basic) or $900 (Premium)

How to Choose: Decision Guide

Start here: Do you want someone else to file your taxes for you?

If yes, premium → GTM Payroll ($840/year) GTM is the best full-service option with a dedicated account manager, SOC 1 certification, and workers' comp placement. HomePay's comparable Premium tier ($900/year) costs more and doesn't include workers' comp. HomePay's stripped-down Basic ($708/year) is cheaper but drops dedicated support.

If yes, budget → Poppins Payroll ($588/year) Poppins offers full-service filing at the lowest price point. Less hand-holding than GTM, but $252/year cheaper.

If no → NannyKeeper ($100–$180/year) Self-service payroll is easier than it sounds. NannyKeeper calculates everything, generates every form, sends deadline reminders, and walks you through filing. The actual filing takes about 15 minutes per quarter.

If you're not sure → Try NannyKeeper's free payment tracking tier. You can track payments at no cost, see what taxes you'd owe, and decide later if you want full payroll. No credit card required.

The real cost difference

Over 5 years, here's what each service costs for one employee:

That's $2,000–$3,600 saved over 5 years by choosing NannyKeeper over the full-service options. Enough for a family vacation.

What All Nanny Payroll Services Do the Same

Every service on this list handles the basics:

• Tax calculations — Federal (Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.45%, FUTA 0.6%) and state taxes computed automatically
• W-2 generation — Annual wage and tax statement for your employee
• Schedule H — The household employer tax form filed with your 1040
• All 50 states — Including states with special requirements (California, New York, New Jersey, etc.)
• Pay stubs — Records for every paycheck

The difference is in the extras: filing service, deadline reminders, direct deposit pricing, and how much you pay for the convenience.

What About DIY?

You can absolutely handle nanny payroll yourself without any service. This is what it looks like:

1. Calculate federal and state taxes manually (IRS Publication 926)
2. Submit quarterly estimated tax payments to IRS + your state
3. File Schedule H with your annual tax return
4. Generate W-2s and submit Copy A to SSA
5. Handle new hire reporting in your state

Estimated time: 2–4 hours per quarter if you're doing it right.

The risk: Mistakes in tax calculations can lead to IRS penalties. Using a calculator like NannyKeeper's free tool eliminates the math risk even if you handle everything else yourself.

Our recommendation: At $10/month, a payroll service pays for itself by saving you time and preventing calculation errors. But if you're a spreadsheet enthusiast, more power to you.

FAQ

What is the cheapest nanny payroll service?

NannyKeeper is the most affordable option at $10/month ($100/year on annual billing) with all core features included. Direct deposit is available at $6–$8/transfer. There's also a free forever tier for payment tracking only. The next cheapest is SurePayroll at $39/month (~$523/year including year-end fees).

Is it worth paying for full-service nanny payroll?

It depends on your comfort level. Full-service (GTM at $840/year or HomePay at $900/year for Premium) means they file everything for you. Self-service (NannyKeeper at $100–$180/year) means you file the forms yourself—about 15 minutes per quarter. For most families, self-service saves $600+/year for roughly an hour of work per year total.

Do I even need a nanny payroll service?

If you pay a household employee $3,000 or more in cash wages in 2026, you're legally required to withhold and pay employment taxes (IRS Publication 926). A payroll service automates the calculations and generates the required documents. You can do it yourself, but a service prevents costly mistakes.

What happened to NannyChex?

NannyChex was acquired by SurePayroll (Paychex) in 2022. The NannyChex brand and website no longer exist. If you were a NannyChex customer, your account was migrated to SurePayroll.

Can I switch nanny payroll services mid-year?

Yes. You can switch at any time. Your new service will calculate taxes going forward, and you'll receive a W-2 covering the full year at tax time. We recommend switching at the start of a quarter for the cleanest transition. Sign up for NannyKeeper →