If you've decided you want someone else to handle your nanny taxes, HomePay and Poppins Payroll are probably on your shortlist. Both are full-service, meaning they calculate your taxes and file them for you.
So what's actually different?
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | HomePay | Poppins Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $75 (billed quarterly) | $49 |
| Year-end fee | +$100 (W-2, Schedule H) | Included |
| Annual total | ~$1,000 | ~$588 |
| Files taxes for you | Yes | Yes |
| Direct deposit | Included | Included |
| All 50 states | Yes | Yes |
| Phone support | Yes | Yes (98% answered in <15 sec) |
| Nanny contracts | Sample template | Included |
| EIN registration help | Via tax application packet | Included |
| Care.com integration | Yes | No |
The numbers tell a clear story: Poppins costs about $412 less per year for substantially the same service.
Pricing Breakdown
HomePay charges $75/month, billed $225 per quarter. On top of that, there's a $100 fee at year-end for your W-2 and Schedule H. That puts your annual total around $1,000.
Poppins charges $49/month with no extra fees. W-2, Schedule H, pay stubs, nanny contracts, EIN help: all included. Annual total: about $588.
That's a $412/year difference for two services that do fundamentally the same thing.
Where HomePay Wins
Available everywhere. HomePay covers all 50 states, with nearly two decades of experience navigating state-specific rules.
Established track record. HomePay (formerly Breedlove) has been around since 2006. They've processed thousands of households across nearly two decades. That kind of history matters when someone's handling your tax filings.
Care.com integration. If you found your nanny through Care.com, the connection is seamless. Makes sense, since Care.com owns HomePay.
For a deeper look at HomePay specifically, see our full HomePay review.
Where Poppins Wins
Price. $412/year cheaper, and no surprise fees at year-end. What you see is what you pay.
Support speed. Poppins advertises that 98% of calls are answered in under 15 seconds. HomePay has BBB complaints about hold times, so this is a meaningful difference if you value phone support.
Extras included. Poppins bundles customizable nanny contracts and hands-on EIN registration into the subscription. HomePay offers a sample contract template and handles EIN through their tax application packet, but Poppins makes these more front-and-center.
Cleaner experience. Poppins has a more modern interface. HomePay's platform works fine, but it feels like it was last redesigned a few years ago.
For more on Poppins, check out our Poppins Payroll review.
Where They're the Same
Both HomePay and Poppins cover all 50 states, so availability isn't a deciding factor. You can look up your state's specific nanny tax requirements on our state guides page to understand what's involved either way.
What They Have in Common
Both HomePay and Poppins:
- Calculate federal and state taxes for each payroll
- File your quarterly tax forms with the IRS and state agencies
- Prepare and file your W-2 and Schedule H at year-end
- Include direct deposit at no extra charge
- Offer phone support with real humans
If filing your own taxes is a non-starter, either service will handle it. The question is really about price, support, and how much the extras matter to you.
Who Should Pick Which
Go with HomePay if:
- You found your nanny through Care.com and want seamless integration
- You value the longest track record in the industry (since 2006)
- The $412/year difference doesn't move the needle for you
Go with Poppins if:
- You want the lower price without giving up full-service filing
- Fast phone support matters to you (98% of calls answered in under 15 seconds)
- You want nanny contracts and EIN help bundled in
A Third Option Worth Knowing About
If you're reading a comparison of two services that cost $588-$1,000/year, it's worth mentioning that full-service filing isn't your only path.
NannyKeeper is a self-service payroll tool that costs $10-$18/month ($120-$216/year). It calculates all the same federal and state taxes, generates your W-2 and Schedule H, and sends email reminders before every deadline. The difference: you file the forms yourself, which takes about 15 minutes per quarter on the IRS and state websites.
| HomePay | Poppins | NannyKeeper | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual cost | ~$1,000 | ~$588 | $120-$216 |
| Direct deposit | Included | Included | $6-$8/transfer |
| Files for you | Yes | Yes | No (you file) |
| All 50 states | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Use our nanny tax calculator to see what you'd actually owe in your state. It's free, no signup needed.
See what you'll owe
Use our free calculator to estimate your nanny tax costs for 2026.
FAQ
Is Poppins Payroll cheaper than HomePay?
Yes. Poppins costs about $588/year compared to HomePay's ~$1,000/year. Both are full-service and include direct deposit, but HomePay charges an extra $100 at year-end for W-2 and Schedule H preparation.
Does Poppins Payroll work in all 50 states?
Yes. Poppins now covers all 50 states, same as HomePay and NannyKeeper. State availability is not a differentiator between these services.
Is HomePay the same company as Breedlove?
Yes. HomePay was formerly Breedlove & Associates before being acquired by Care.com and rebranded. Same service, new name.
What's the cheapest way to do nanny payroll?
Self-service tools like NannyKeeper start at $10/month ($120/year) and handle all 50 states. You file the forms yourself using the documents and reminders the platform provides. If you want full-service filing, Poppins at $49/month is the most affordable option.
Can I switch between HomePay and Poppins mid-year?
Yes. You can switch nanny payroll providers at any time. Your new provider will handle filings going forward, and you'll get a W-2 covering the full calendar year. Switching at the start of a quarter makes the transition cleanest.
Compare NannyKeeper vs HomePay →