Quick Answer: Which Paycheck Calculator Is Best?
If you want one recommendation: Paycheck Calculator US (Pay44). It handles all 50 states, works offline, and costs nothing. We've tested it against actual pay stubs and it consistently lands within 1-2% of the real numbers.
Already paid through ADP? Use ADP Mobile Solutions to see your actual paychecks. Prefer staying in the browser? SmartAsset has the cleanest web experience.
Disclosure: Pay44 (Paycheck Calculator US) is developed by EHM Tech. We've done our best to present an honest comparison including areas where competitors have advantages. This comparison is for informational purposes only. We tested these tools in January 2026. Features, pricing, and availability may change. Always verify calculations with official payroll or tax professionals.
Top Picks by Category
- Best Overall: Paycheck Calculator US (Pay44). Free, works offline, covers all 50 states.
- Best for ADP Employees: ADP Mobile Solutions. See your actual paychecks, not estimates.
- Best in Browser: SmartAsset. Clean interface with visual breakdowns.
- Best for Small Business Owners: QuickBooks. Quick estimates that flow into QuickBooks Payroll.
- Most Configurable: PaycheckCity. Handles complex scenarios other calculators skip.
- Best One-Time Purchase: Payroll Guru. Pay once ($4.99), no ads ever.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Tool | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Platform | Price | All 50 States | Offline | Ads | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay44 | 4.9 | 4.7 | iOS, Android | Free | ✓ | ✓ | Freemium | Everyday use |
| ADP Mobile | 4.7 | 4.5 | iOS, Android, Web | Free* | ✓ | ✗ | None | ADP users |
| SmartAsset | — | — | Web | Free | ✓ | ✗ | Yes | Browser-based |
| QuickBooks | — | — | Web** | Free | ✓ | ✗ | Minimal | Business owners |
| PaycheckCity | — | — | Web | Free | ✓ | ✗ | Yes | Power users |
| Payroll Guru | 3.2 | 3.2 | iOS, Android | $4.99 | ✓ | ✓ | None | No subscription |
*ADP Mobile requires employer to use ADP payroll services
**The QuickBooks Workforce app (4.6 iOS, 4.7 Android) does not include a paycheck calculator but allows employees to view pay stubs, W-2s, and year-to-date earnings
Detailed Reviews
#1 Paycheck Calculator US (Pay44) Best Overall
Pay44 does one thing well: tell you what your paycheck will be before you get it. Enter your salary or hourly rate, pick your state, add your deductions, and you've got a reliable estimate in seconds. No internet required.
With 4.9 stars on iOS and 4.7 on Android, it's the highest-rated paycheck calculator we tested. The app covers all 50 states with current 2026 tax tables and handles the details most free calculators skip: 401(k) contributions, HSA deductions, and additional withholding.
Key Features:
- 2026 federal and state tax brackets for all 50 states
- Supports salary, hourly, and multiple pay frequencies
- Pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA, health insurance)
- Post-tax deductions and additional withholding
- Works offline (no internet required)
- Save and compare multiple scenarios
- Export results as PDF, CSV, Text, or Grid
- Monthly budget planner with visual charts
- Side-by-side job offer comparison
- What-if scenario simulator
Pros
- Highest-rated calculator we tested (4.9 iOS, 4.7 Android)
- Fast, intuitive mobile experience
- Works offline
- Free with optional ad removal
- Multiple export formats (PDF, CSV, Text, Grid)
- Accurate state tax calculations
- Regular tax table updates
Cons
- Mobile-only (no web version)
- Limited employer-specific options
Verdict: If you want a reliable paycheck estimate on your phone without dealing with ads or subscriptions, Pay44 is the clear pick. The offline mode and export options (PDF, CSV, or plain text) solve real problems, not just pad a feature list.
#2 ADP Mobile Solutions + Web Calculators Best for Employees
If your company uses ADP payroll, the ADP Mobile Solutions app gives you access to your actual paychecks, tax documents, and benefits. ADP also provides free web-based salary and hourly calculators for general use.
Key Features:
- View actual pay stubs and tax documents (if employer uses ADP)
- Free web calculators for salary and hourly pay
- Direct deposit management
- Benefits enrollment and tracking
- Time and attendance (employer-dependent)
Pros
- Access to real payroll data
- Trusted enterprise payroll provider
- Integrated benefits management
- Free web calculators for everyone
Cons
- Full features require ADP employer
- Web calculator has ads
- App focuses on existing data, not projections
Verdict: If your employer uses ADP, the mobile app is essential for accessing your pay history and documents. The web calculators are useful for quick estimates but lack the depth of dedicated calculator apps.
#3 SmartAsset Paycheck Calculator Best Web Experience
SmartAsset has the best browser-based calculator we tested. The interface is clean, the breakdowns are visual, and each state page includes helpful context about local taxes. If you prefer not to download an app, start here.
Key Features:
- Clean, modern web interface
- Visual breakdown showing where your money goes
- State-specific tax information and guides
- Helpful explanations alongside calculations
- Links to related financial tools
Pros
- Best-in-class web interface
- Educational content built-in
- Free to use
- No account required
Cons
- Web-only, no mobile app
- Contains sponsored content and affiliate links
- Fewer advanced options than PaycheckCity
- Requires internet connection
Verdict: If you want a paycheck estimate without downloading anything, SmartAsset is where to go. The visual breakdowns help you understand exactly where your money is going.
#4 QuickBooks Paycheck Calculator Best for Small Business
Intuit's QuickBooks offers a free online paycheck calculator designed with small business owners in mind. It calculates employee take-home pay with federal and state tax withholding, making it useful for payroll planning and budgeting.
Key Features:
- Employee net pay calculations
- Federal and state tax withholding
- Supports all 50 states
- Integration path to QuickBooks Payroll
- Hourly and salary support
Pros
- Quick estimates for employee net pay
- Trusted QuickBooks brand
- Easy upgrade to full payroll
- Free to use
Cons
- Marketing-focused for QuickBooks upsell
- Web-only
- Less detailed than PaycheckCity
Note: The QuickBooks Workforce app does not have a built-in, interactive paycheck calculator for employees to estimate hypothetical future pay. However, it allows employees to view detailed pay stubs, W-2s, and year-to-date earnings.
Verdict: QuickBooks offers a straightforward calculator backed by a trusted brand. It's particularly useful if you're considering QuickBooks Payroll for your business. Individual employees may find other tools more focused on their needs.
#5 PaycheckCity Most Detailed
PaycheckCity, powered by Symmetry Software, offers the most granular paycheck calculations available online. It handles complex scenarios including supplemental wages, dual-scenario comparisons, and detailed deduction configurations that other calculators skip.
Key Features:
- Salary, hourly, and bonus/supplemental calculators
- Dual scenario comparison mode
- Detailed pre-tax and post-tax deductions
- W-4 modeling with all steps
- Local tax support for many jurisdictions
- Free and premium versions
Pros
- Most configurable options
- Handles edge cases well
- Side-by-side comparisons
- Professional-grade accuracy
Cons
- Steeper learning curve
- Ad-supported free version
- Can be overwhelming for simple needs
Verdict: PaycheckCity is the power-user's choice. If you need to model complex tax situations, compare multiple scenarios, or handle unusual deduction setups, this is your tool. For basic calculations, simpler options may be easier.
#6 Payroll Guru One-Time Purchase
Payroll Guru by Payrollguru, Inc. is a mobile paycheck calculator with a one-time purchase price of $4.99. Updated for 2026 tax tables, it offers ad-free calculations with more customization than typical budget apps, including 8 configurable deductions and year-to-date tracking.
Key Features:
- One-time $4.99 purchase, no subscription
- Salary and hourly with overtime/double-time
- Up to 8 pre-tax or post-tax deductions
- Year-to-date gross wage tracking
- Pie chart paycheck breakdown
- Email paycheck details
- All 50 states + DC
Pros
- One-time purchase, no recurring fees
- No ads
- 8 customizable deductions
- Year-to-date tracking
- Updated for 2026 taxes
Cons
- $4.99 when free alternatives exist
- 3.2/5 rating on both iOS and Android
- Dated interface design
Verdict: Payroll Guru makes sense if you strongly prefer a one-time purchase over free ad-supported apps. The 8-deduction limit and year-to-date tracking are useful for detailed planning. However, Pay44 offers comparable features at no cost, so you're mainly paying for the ad-free experience.
How We Evaluated
We tested each calculator in January 2026 using consistent test scenarios:
- Accuracy: Compared results against known payroll outputs and IRS withholding tables
- State Coverage: Verified support for all 50 states including complex states like California and New York
- Ease of Use: Evaluated onboarding experience and input simplicity
- Features: Compared deduction options, pay frequencies, and output detail
- Platform: Noted mobile vs. web availability and offline capability
- Cost: Assessed pricing models and ad presence
Frequently Asked Questions
References
- Pay44 Paycheck Calculator. Mobile app with 2026 tax tables, all 50 states, and offline support.
- ADP Mobile Solutions. iOS app for payroll viewing and mobile access.
- ADP Salary Paycheck Calculator. Web tool for federal and state tax estimation.
- ADP Hourly Paycheck Calculator. Web tool for hourly wages with overtime estimates.
- Paycheck Lite by Payroll Guru. iOS app with tax calculations and overtime handling.
- Payroll Guru. Payroll services and accounting tools.
- SmartAsset Paycheck Calculator. Web calculator covering federal, state, and local taxes.
- QuickBooks Paycheck Calculator. Free web calculator using current IRS withholding tables.
- PaycheckCity Salary Calculator. Salary-based paycheck calculator for all U.S. states.
- PaycheckCity Hourly Calculator. Hourly paycheck calculator with overtime support.