The 6 Best Trucking Payroll Software
These payroll software options for trucking companies can handle mileage, contractor payments, expense tracking, reimbursements, and more.
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Expert Analyst & Reviewer
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Trucking payroll software is either generic payroll software that trucking companies can use or specialized trucking payroll software designed to handle the specific payroll needs of trucking businesses. The best payroll software for trucking companies includes trucking payroll-specific features, such as support for multiple pay schedules and rates, IFTA and fuel tax tracking, contractor payments, expense tracking, reimbursements, and more.
With the right payroll software, your trucking business can run payroll with the click of a button. This guide tackles everything you need to know about the best trucking payroll software options on the market and whether they would be a good match for your trucking business.
Learn More About Our Top Picks
| Company | Best For | Next StepsBest For |
|---|---|---|
ADP Payroll  | Best overall trucking payroll software | Best overall trucking payroll software
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Intuit Online Payroll  | Best trucking payroll software with mileage tracking integrations | Best trucking payroll software with mileage tracking integrations
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Axon  | Best all-in-one trucking payroll software | Best all-in-one trucking payroll software
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Gusto  | Best trucking payroll software for small trucking businesses | Best trucking payroll software for small trucking businesses
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Axis  | Best trucking payroll software for driver payments | Best trucking payroll software for driver payments
|
Other Featured Options:
- Strategy Systems: Best TMS & trucking payroll software for small trucking businesses
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents
The Best Trucking Payroll Software
The best trucking payroll software can handle anything from payment by mileage, contractor payments, expense tracking, reimbursements, and more. Our picks for the best trucking software are ADP, QuickBooks, Axon, Gusto, Axis, and Strategy Systems.
1. ADP: Best Overall Trucking Payroll Software
ADP Payroll
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Pros
- TripLog integration for mileage and IFTA tracking
- Flexible pay rates and schedules
- Excellent HR features and resources
- Multistate payroll
- Many integrations
Cons
- No published prices
- It tends to be fee-heavy
ADP is cloud-based payroll software with extensive HR solutions. Although ADP’s feature set is robust and flexible, it’s the software’s third-party integration with TripLog that makes it a good payroll solution for trucking companies.
Using ADP and TripLog together expands the functionality of both programs. Where ADP lacks built-in IFTA tracking, TripLog can track IFTA and generate tax-compliant reports. Two-way sync in real-time means businesses can keep data updated and accurate across both platforms.
ADP Pricing
ADP does not publish its prices, so you’ll need to contact the company directly for a customized pricing package. Keep in mind that ADP tends to be fee-heavy, so be sure to ask about add-ons and fees for your pricing package.
ADP Features
ADP is a well-regarded payroll solution. Trucking companies can easily run payroll using ADP with its essential payroll features, including direct deposit, check-printing, auto-scheduled payroll, employee management, PTO, and more.
Here’s a deeper look at ADP’s standout features:
- HR resources library
- Time tracking and attendance (add-on)
- TripLog mileage tracking integration
- Background checks (add-on)
- Mobile app for employers and employees
- Extensive reports
- Benefits administration
- Multistate payroll (extra cost)
Is ADP Right For You?
ADP’s payroll-first solution can adapt to trucking-specific payroll needs and is our pick for the best overall trucking payroll software. The software’s TripLog integration adds essential trucking payroll features: mileage tracking and IFTA reporting.
Trucking businesses looking for a payroll solution that integrates with their transportation management system (TMS) may consider looking elsewhere, as ADP does not have any TMS software integrations.
2. QuickBooks: Best Trucking Payroll Software With Mileage Tracking Integrations
Intuit Online Payroll
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Pros
- Multistate payroll runs
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Same-day direct deposit
- Multiple mileage tracking integrations
Cons
- Limited benefits administration
- Many fees
- 150-user cap
QuickBooks is one of those universal payroll software options with the flexibility to serve businesses in the trucking industry. The software offers a proprietary mileage tracking software add-on, but trucking companies can also choose from several mileage-tracking third-party integrations, including HyperTrack, Timeero, and TripLog. We recommend TripLog, as it’s the only solution with built-in IFTA tracking and reporting.
Trucking companies can choose between QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online for their payroll needs. If you pay more than 150 workers, you’ll default to QuickBooks Desktop, as QuickBooks Online has a 150-user limit cap.
QuickBooks Payroll Pricing
QuickBooks Payroll pricing starts at $45/month + $4 per person. However, the platform consistently runs discounts for its services, including a 50% off promotion — if you time it right, you’ll be able to land some decent savings.
Unfortunately, QuickBooks is a bit on the fee-heavy side; the software’s pricing terms’ fine print lists most of these extra fees. So be aware that services such as multistate payroll runs, direct deposit for contractors, and payroll tax support may cost you extra.
QuickBooks Payroll Features
QuickBooks Payroll has a wealth of features, but you’ll pay extra for them. With the software’s many integrations, essential payroll features, and a suite of HR solutions, QuickBooks Payroll has earned its spot among the top contenders in the payroll software category.
QuickBooks Payroll’s features include:
- Federal and state payroll tax filing and payment
- Local payroll tax support (in some cases)
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Multistate payroll
- Reimbursements
- Multiple pay rates
- Employee management
- Time tracking
Is QuickBooks Payroll Right For You?
If your trucking business is already using a product within the QuickBooks software suite and wants to stay within the QuickBooks ecosystem, QuickBooks Online Payroll could be a good fit for your business.
With more mileage tracking integrations than ADP, QuickBooks is a great payroll solution for trucking businesses looking for a payroll solution that can integrate with the mileage tracking solution they are already using.
Get Started with Intuit Online Payroll
3. Axon: Best All-In-One Trucking Payroll Software
Axon
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Pros
- Complete TMS solution
- IFTA and fuel tax management
- Built-in accounting tools
- Mileage-tracking integration
- Scalable
Cons
- Nontransparent pricing
- Payroll is not a standalone solution
- It does not automate tax payments
Axon is a transportation management system (TMS) with trucking dispatch, fleet management, accounting, payroll, fleet maintenance, ticketing, warehouse management, and fuel tax services.
Trucking businesses utilize TMS software to manage essential business operations, from tracking truck routes to scheduling truck repairs. Axon includes trucking payroll services within its system, so businesses using the software can easily pay drivers and office staff.
Axon Pricing
Axon does not publish its prices online, but interested customers can reach out for a customized pricing package that suits your business’s needs.
Axon Features
Axon offers a comprehensive TMS solution for trucking businesses looking to manage operations from a single hub. As not all TMS options include payroll, Axon stands out as a solution with built-in trucking payroll software.
Axon’s payroll software includes everything you can expect from traditional payroll software, plus a few trucking payroll features, such as:
- Office and driver payroll
- Set multiple pay rates and schedules
- PC*MILER integration
- Check and direct deposit for contractors
- Fuel tax calculation
Is Axon Right For You?
Axon earned our pick as the best all-in-one trucking payroll software for its robust payroll features and comprehensive TMS software. As a TMS, Axon goes beyond payroll. With Axon’s platform, you can easily manage your entire trucking operation within a single software solution.
4. Gusto: Best Trucking Payroll Software For Small Trucking Businesses
Gusto
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Pros
- Unlimited payroll runs across the US
- Pay contractors and employees
- Timeero mileage tracking integration
- Transparent pricing
Cons
- Limited benefits administration
- No IFTA tracking and reporting integrations
- Limited time tracking
Gusto is a cloud-based payroll and HR software with unlimited payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, payroll tax support, and more. Gusto is generally flexible enough to serve as the go-to payroll software across multiple industries, but its functionality is a bit limited when it comes to trucking payroll.
Although trucking businesses can track mileage with Gusto’s Timeero integration, Gusto lacks built-in or integrated IFTA tracking and reporting. However, for small trucking businesses or trucking companies that leave IFTA and mileage tracking to their TMS software, Gusto is a solid payroll solution with a robust feature set.
Gusto Pricing
Gusto is transparent about its pricing, with its employee and contractor payroll plans starting at $39/month + $6 per person paid. If your business will only be paying contractor drivers, Gusto’s Contractor-Only plan costs $6/month/person.
If your business opts to use any of Gusto’s benefits, they’ll cost extra. Further, if your business needs to pay international contractors, there’s a 1.5% administration fee to consider.
Gusto Features
Gusto’s payroll features are comprehensive and include essentials such as direct deposit, check-printing, unlimited payroll runs, deductions, and reimbursements.
Gusto’s reports, time tracking, and benefits administration features are a bit limited compared to other popular payroll tracking options in that they aren’t as fully fleshed out. However, Gusto keeps things concise and plays to its strengths, offering excellent core payroll features and steadily improving its features.
Gusto’s payroll features include:
- Unlimited payroll runs
- PTO tracking and management
- Direct deposit and check-printing
- Employee and contractor payments
- Federal, state, and local tax filing
- Deductions and garnishments
- Customizable reports
- 131+ integrations
Is Gusto Right For You?
Gusto is a great payroll solution on its own. However, Gusto’s only mileage tracking integration doesn’t support IFTA tracking and reporting. For this reason, Gusto likely wouldn’t scale well for larger trucking businesses with more complex payroll and tax reporting needs.
However, if you are starting a trucking company or your current trucking business handles IFTA tracking and reporting manually or through a separate TMS system, Gusto could be a great payroll software.
5. Axis: Best Trucking Payroll Software For Driver Payments
Axis
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Pros
- Complete TMS system
- Plenty of integrations
- Built-in payroll
- Automatic mileage tracking
Cons
- Outdated interface
- Driver-only payroll
Axis is a TMS solution made for trucking companies of all sizes, from a single truck to enterprise-sized fleets. The software focuses on automating trucking operations, from dispatch to payroll and everything in between.
While payroll isn’t the focus of Axis’s TMS, it’s every bit as functional and trucking-specific as the rest of the software’s services. However, if you are looking for payroll software that allows you to pay office staff and drivers, Axis isn’t the right fit.
Axis Pricing
Axis offers a variety of pricing packages starting at $75/month, with each package having access to all of Axis’s features. Pricing is based on the size of your trucking company’s fleet and your level of commitment. Customers can choose from packages that support anywhere from one to 150+ trucks or from monthly no-commitment agreements to 36-month contracts.
Axis Features
Axis boasts all the features one would expect from a TMS system, plus built-in payroll for drivers. Axis’s payroll features focus on driver payroll, so trucking companies can get drivers paid in a way that works best for them.
- Driver mobile app (iOS and Android)
- Driver eSigning
- Pay hourly or per hour, mile, or load
- Reimbursement requests and management
- QuickBooks integration
- Safety and fleet compliance support
- Secure document storage
- Fleet-focused factoring services
Is Axis Right For You?
Axis boasts a rich feature set for trucking companies of any size and addresses common trucking pain points, from flexible pay rates to safety compliance.
As a payroll solution, Axis earned our best trucking company payroll software for driver payments because of its ease of use, payment flexibility, and how well it works as a part of the complete Axis TMS software.
As Axis doesn’t support office staff payments, it’s not a good fit for businesses that want to keep driver and office payroll combined in a single software platform.
6. Strategy Systems: Best TMS & Trucking Payroll Software For Small Trucking Businesses
Strategy Systems
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Pros
- Complete TMS solution
- Expense reimbursements
- Automated mileage calculations
- QuickBooks integration
Cons
- Nontransparent pricing
- Payroll is not a standalone product
Strategy Systems is a complete transportation management system (TMS) software solution offering payroll, dispatch solutions, EDI services, accounting, driver management services, fleet maintenance, and CRM. While not exclusively a payroll software solution, Strategy Systems’ payroll solution is built for trucking companies.
Strategy System’s payroll software supports payments for both office staff and drivers, same-day direct deposit, tax support, expense reimbursement, and automated mileage calculations.
Strategy Systems Pricing
Strategy Systems does not publish its pricing online, so you’ll need to contact the company directly for pricing information. Additionally, purchasing Strategy Systems’ payroll solution as a standalone product is not possible, so you’ll be paying for the entire TMS solution.
Strategy Systems Features
Strategy Systems is our pick for the best trucking payroll solution for small trucking companies. Strategy Systems’ payroll software can do everything a traditional payroll software can with the addition of trucking-specific features, including:
- Expense reimbursements
- Payroll tax filing
- Same-day direct deposit
- Deductions
- Track extra stops
- Automated mileage calculation
- Office payroll support
- QuickBooks integration
Is Strategy Systems Right For You?
Strategy Systems is a good fit for small to mid-sized trucking companies looking for a comprehensive TMS system with built-in payroll. Trucking businesses searching for a standalone payroll product should look elsewhere, though.
Why We Don't Recommend These Payroll Software For Trucking Companies
TruckLogics: TMS Without Payroll
TruckLogics is a solid TMS software option but lacks a functional payroll solution. Although the software offers a PayWow integration in lieu of a built-in payroll solution, PayWow’s payroll functions are very limited. Moreover, per PayWow’s site at the time of writing: “PayWow is currently not accepting new signups. Please talk to our Support Team for further information.”
APS: Not A True Trucking Payroll Software Solution
Although APS advertises itself as a trucking payroll service, it lacks a streamlined way to pay drivers per mile. Currently, drivers must input miles through the APS employee mobile app to be approved for payment. This method creates several extra steps in the payroll process, as mileage isn’t automatically tracked and shared and must be approved.
Moreover, APS doesn’t currently support any third-party mileage tracking integrations, so there’s no real way to pay by mileage with APS efficiently. As it is, APS is best suited for trucking companies that pay drivers hourly. APS Payroll lacks a streamlined way to pay per mile.
Which Trucking Payroll Software Is Right For Your Business?
Beyond your budget, there are two major things to consider when choosing the best trucking payroll software for your business: TMS software and payment methods.
If your business currently uses TMS software, look for payroll software options that will integrate with your TMS software or decide whether you want to switch to a TMS software option that includes payroll.
If you pay drivers per mile, you’ll need payroll software that integrates with your TMS mileage tracker or one with a third-party mileage tracking integration. If you opt for the third-party integration option, we recommend a solution such as TripLog because of its built-in IFTA tracking, IRS-compliant reports, and trucking fuel card expense tracking.
Overall, you’ll need to consider your business’s payroll needs and pain points when choosing the tucking payroll software that best suits your business. From there, you can consider payroll options that meet your needs and reduce payroll pain points.
Other Trucking Company Resources
Whether you’re just starting your trucking business or want to explore some resources you might be missing out on, we’ve got you covered. Below you’ll find some of our trucking business guides to help you grow your trucking business:
Trucking Payroll Software FAQs
In Summary: The Best Trucking Payroll Software
- ADP Payroll: Best overall trucking payroll software
- Intuit Online Payroll: Best trucking payroll software with mileage tracking integrations
- Axon: Best all-in-one trucking payroll software
- Gusto: Best trucking payroll software for small trucking businesses
- Axis: Best trucking payroll software for driver payments
- Strategy Systems: Best TMS & trucking payroll software for small trucking businesses
Davina Ward
Expert Analyst & Reviewer
A New York native, Davina earned her BA in English from SUNY Geneseo in 2018. After graduating, she began her career as a freelance writing generalist before finding a niche writing about SaaS. Davina unironically enjoys testing and reviewing software on her free time but otherwise can be found oscillating between hobbies every few weeks or so — most recently, longboarding.
View Davina Ward's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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