NannyLedger vs SurePayroll: Complete Comparison for Household Employers
Compare NannyLedger and SurePayroll by Paychex for nanny payroll, pricing, and household employer tax compliance.
Overview
SurePayroll, a subsidiary of Paychex, is a general small business payroll provider that also serves household employers. While SurePayroll handles payroll for businesses of all sizes, NannyLedger is purpose-built exclusively for household employers -- nannies, housekeepers, and caregivers. This specialization makes a meaningful difference in both pricing and user experience.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NannyLedger | SurePayroll (by Paychex) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $29.99/month flat | $29.99/month + $5/employee |
| Annual Cost (1 employee) | $359.88/year | $419.88/year |
| Built For | Household employers specifically | Small businesses (household as add-on) |
| Tax Compliance Approach | Educational guidance with calculations | Full-service tax filing |
| State Coverage | All 50 states + DC | All 50 states + DC |
| Employee Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Pay Stub Generation | Yes | Yes |
| Time Tracking | Built-in | Separate add-on |
| W-2 Preparation | Guided assistance | Filed for you |
| Schedule H Guidance | Step-by-step walkthrough | Filed for you |
| Direct Deposit | Coming soon | Yes |
| Nanny Tax Education | Comprehensive guides + AI help | Basic FAQ |
| State Compliance Guides | All 50 states + DC | General information |
Pricing as of early 2026. SurePayroll pricing may vary; check their website for current rates.
Pricing Breakdown
SurePayroll charges a base fee of $29.99 per month plus $5 per employee. For a single nanny, that is $34.99 per month or $419.88 per year. If you employ two household workers (say, a nanny and a housekeeper), the cost rises to $39.99 per month or $479.88 per year.
NannyLedger charges a flat $29.99 per month regardless of how many household employees you have -- no per-employee fees. With one employee, NannyLedger saves you $60 per year. But the real advantage is what you get for the same base price: built-in time tracking, an AI-powered tax assistant, and comprehensive state-by-state compliance guides -- features that SurePayroll either does not include or charges extra for. And with each additional employee, the savings grow since NannyLedger never charges per-employee fees.
General vs Specialized
The most important distinction between SurePayroll and NannyLedger is specialization:
SurePayroll is a general-purpose small business payroll platform. It handles restaurants, retail shops, law firms, and everything in between. Household payroll is one of many use cases, and the interface reflects that -- you may encounter business-specific features and terminology that do not apply to household employment.
NannyLedger is designed exclusively for household employers. Every screen, every calculation, and every guide speaks your language. You will not encounter options for business deductions, 401(k) plans, or multi-department payroll. Instead, you get focused tools for the specific challenges household employers face: Schedule H, nanny tax thresholds, state unemployment registration, and W-2 filing.
Tax Compliance Approach
SurePayroll offers full-service tax filing as part of their platform. They calculate, file, and pay your employment taxes on your behalf.
NannyLedger provides all the calculations and documentation you need to file accurately on your own. Our state-by-state compliance guides, AI-powered help, and step-by-step Schedule H walkthrough give you confidence that every number is correct -- while keeping you informed about your obligations.
Many household employers find that understanding their taxes is actually valuable. When you know what you owe and why, you can catch errors, plan ahead for tax season, and make informed decisions about your household budget.
Why Choose NannyLedger
- More features at the same base price -- built-in time tracking, AI tax assistant, and employee portal all included.
- Purpose-built for household employers -- not a business tool with a household mode.
- Built-in time tracking at no extra cost (SurePayroll charges extra).
- Comprehensive state guides for all 50 states and DC.
- AI-powered assistance for instant answers to nanny tax questions.
- Flat pricing -- no per-employee fees that increase as you add staff. Save $60+ per year with one employee, and more with each additional employee.
The Bottom Line
SurePayroll is a reliable general payroll platform backed by Paychex, and it works fine for household employers who want full-service filing. But if you want a tool designed specifically for your needs as a household employer -- with better pricing, built-in time tracking, and specialized compliance guidance -- NannyLedger is the smarter choice.
Get started with NannyLedger today and experience payroll built for families, not businesses.
Ready to save with NannyLedger?
Start managing your household payroll for just $29.99/month.