About RunWise Pay

What RunWise Pay is

RunWise Pay helps business owners find payroll service providers that may fit their needs. We are not a payroll company, accountant, bookkeeper, or tax advisor. We do not run payroll, file payroll taxes, or give legal, tax, or accounting advice.

Our job is simple: we learn a few basic details about your business and what kind of help you want, then we connect you with participating payroll providers so you can compare your options. You stay in control of the decision.

This service is especially useful for busy owners setting up payroll for the first time, switching from a current provider, or fixing a payroll problem. We also try to make the process easier for new immigrants and non-native English speakers who may be learning the US payroll system as they go.

Why the service is free for your business

RunWise Pay is free for the business owner. You do not pay us to use the matching service.

Participating providers pay to be matched with businesses looking for payroll help. That means you can use our service to save time, compare options, and ask questions without paying a fee to RunWise Pay.

We do not promise that every provider will be a fit, and we do not guarantee a price, provider, or outcome. Our role is to help you start the comparison process, not to make the hiring decision for you.

How matching works

We keep the process straightforward. You share basic contact information and a few business details, and we use that to help connect you with providers that serve businesses like yours.

1. Tell us your business name, contact name, phone number, optional email, state, how many people you pay, and preferred language.
2. Tell us what you need help with, such as first-time payroll setup, switching providers, or solving a payroll issue.
3. We match you with participating payroll providers that may fit your situation.
4. You compare quotes, ask what is included, and decide whether to move forward with any provider.

If you want to see the steps in more detail, visit How It Works or Get Matched.

What we collect — and what we do not collect

We collect contact and business intent only. That usually means your business name, your name, phone number, optional email address, state, number of workers you pay, and preferred language.

We do not ask for sensitive payroll or identity information through the matching form. That means we do not ask for Social Security numbers, EINs, bank account numbers, employee Social Security numbers, or employee personal records.

Once you choose to speak with a payroll provider, that provider may explain what information they need to set up payroll. Before sharing anything, confirm you are speaking directly with the provider and understand why they need it.

What payroll services usually cost

Payroll pricing is often a monthly base fee plus a per-employee or per-contractor fee. A common range for a small business is roughly $20 to $100+ per month as a base fee, plus about $4 to $15+ per person paid. Some providers also charge setup fees, year-end form fees, add-on fees, or multi-state fees.

Those ranges are general information only, not quotes. The real number depends on team size, how often you run payroll, whether you pay employees, contractors, or both, what features are included, and which state or states you operate in.

Always confirm in writing what is included before you sign. Ask whether tax filing, direct deposit, new-hire reporting, year-end W-2 and 1099 forms, support, setup, and any state-specific filings are included or extra.

How to compare providers wisely

A low advertised price does not always mean low total cost. Some businesses end up paying more because important items were not included, support was hard to reach, or state filing needs were not handled clearly.

Watch for red flags like vague pricing, hidden fees, no clear tax-filing guarantee, pressure to sign quickly, or unclear answers about support. Ask for the full scope in writing before you agree to anything.

A good comparison checklist includes:
- What exactly is included in the monthly fee
- Whether payroll tax filings are handled in all your states
- How direct deposit timing works
- What year-end forms are included
- What setup costs or migration costs apply
- How support works and whether your preferred language is available

If you have questions about our matching process, you can contact us. For payroll, tax, or legal specifics, confirm details with the provider you are considering and check current IRS and state rules yourself, since rules and deadlines vary by state and change over time.