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PayAdvisors vs Collective for S Corp Payroll
Collective bundles payroll with bookkeeping, tax returns and the S election. PayAdvisors runs your payroll only, completely, for $149 a month, and you keep your CPA.
At a glance
PayAdvisors: $149 a month, flat
Collective S Corp plan: $349 a month
Payroll only vs an all-in-one membership
Prices checked October 22, 2026
In short
Which one fits you?
Choose Collective if you want one membership that also covers bookkeeping, your business tax return and the S election, and you do not have a CPA yet.
Choose PayAdvisors if you already have a CPA and want your payroll done completely by a payroll team, at a lower monthly price.
Side by side
PayAdvisors and Collective compared
Prices and features as each company lists them, checked October 22, 2026.
| PayAdvisors S corp payroll package | Collective S Corp plan | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price | $149 a month, flat | $349 a month, or $296 a month paid annually |
| One-time setup | $249 setup, plus $249 per state tax account we register | $199 onboarding fee (Collective says it also covers year-to-date bookkeeping cleanup) |
| What it covers | Payroll only: state withholding and unemployment accounts, monthly payroll, tax deposits, quarterly and annual payroll returns, W-2 and W-3, and notices about your payroll accounts | A membership: entity formation or review, S election filing (Form 2553), bookkeeping, quarterly tax estimates, the business tax return (Form 1120-S), employer registration, employee and contractor payroll, and an accounting and tax advisor |
| Bookkeeping and tax returns | Not included. They stay with your CPA | Bookkeeping and the business return (Form 1120-S) included. Collective lists individual tax returns as an add-on for its S Corp plan; confirm with Collective what is included. |
| Your salary | Your CPA sets it, and we run it every month | Listed as "Support with reasonable salary" |
| S election and EIN | Not included. You arrive with both | S election filing included; Collective's FAQ says the price also covers getting your EIN |
| Your contact | A dedicated payroll manager | A dedicated account manager |
| Term | Month to month | Monthly, or yearly at a discount |
Over a year
What the monthly fees add up to
Twelve months of monthly fees: $1,788 with PayAdvisors, against $4,188 with Collective billed monthly or $3,552 paid annually. One-time setup fees come on top for both.
Collective's price includes bookkeeping and your business tax return. With PayAdvisors, your CPA handles those and bills you separately, so compare the full picture, not only the payroll line.
Who each is best for
Pick the one that matches how you work
Collective
Owners who want formation, bookkeeping, the business return and payroll from one membership, and who do not have a CPA yet.
Either one
An S corp owner who works in the business needs a salary run through payroll, with deposits, quarterly returns and a W-2. Both cover that.
PayAdvisors
Owners who already have a CPA and want payroll done completely for $149 a month, flat.
Sources
Where these facts come from
Collective is a trademark of its owner. PayAdvisors is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Collective.
- Collective plans and pricing: S Corp plan $349/month, yearly billing "Save 15%", plan features, "Individual Tax Returns add-on available" on the S Corp plan (checked October 22, 2026)
- Collective contact page FAQ: $296/month when paid annually; one-time onboarding fee of $199, which it says also covers catching up and cleaning up year-to-date bookkeeping; individual tax return preparation for an additional one-time fee; price covers the LLC and S election filings, EIN, bookkeeping and an accounting and tax advisor (checked October 22, 2026)
- Collective help center, LLC Membership Tier Overview & FAQ (section comparing the LLC and S Corp tiers): S Corp tier adds payroll setup and management, ongoing payroll processing, quarterly payroll tax filings and Form 1120-S (checked October 22, 2026)
- PayAdvisors S corp payroll package: $149 a month flat, $249 setup, $249 per state tax account (checked October 22, 2026)
This is general information, not tax advice. Confirm your situation with your tax professional.
Related
More for S corp owners
- S corp payroll package: $149 a month, flat. You keep your CPA.
- PayAdvisors vs Gusto Solo: A payroll team, or an app you run yourself.
- S corp reasonable salary estimator: See what people in your line of work earn, using public BLS wage data.
PayAdvisors vs Collective questions
Is PayAdvisors cheaper than Collective?
Per month, yes: $149 a month, flat, against Collective's $349 a month, or $296 a month paid annually, as listed on October 22, 2026. Collective's price also covers bookkeeping and your business tax return, which stay with your CPA on PayAdvisors.
Does PayAdvisors file my S election?
No. You arrive with your EIN letter and your S election acceptance from the IRS. Collective's S Corp plan includes the Form 2553 filing.
Can I keep my CPA with PayAdvisors?
Yes. Your CPA sets your salary and prepares your tax returns, and we run the payroll.
Can I move my payroll from Collective to PayAdvisors mid-year?
Yes. We load your prior wages and year-to-date taxes so your W-2 covers the whole year. Switching is included in setup. You would also need a CPA or bookkeeper for your books and returns.
Where do the Collective prices come from?
From Collective's own pricing and contact pages, checked October 22, 2026. Prices change, so confirm them on collective.com before you decide.
Next step
Already have a CPA? Let us run the payroll.
Bring your EIN letter, your S election acceptance and the salary your CPA sets. A payroll team handles the rest.