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Shopping for nanny payroll means comparing a short list of services — and Poppins and HomePay are usually on it. Both handle the same core job. The difference is in what you pay, how support works, and what's actually included at each price point.
Here's what you need to know, so you can pick the right one and get back to everything else on your list.
Poppins Payroll vs. HomePay: a quick comparison
Poppins Payroll is a dedicated household payroll service at $49/month, all-in. There’s only one plan, which covers employer registration, payroll processing, quarterly filings, W-2s, and Schedule H. There are no enrollment fees, no year-end add-ons for active customers, and no tiers to navigate. Note that some services carry separate fees, including additional employees ($10/month), back-tax calculations, and account reactivation. Notably, Poppins includes fast, accessible customer support — 98% of calls answered in under 15 seconds — and tax agency notice management in their $49/month plan.
HomePay (household payroll service owned by Care.com) offers two plans. HomePay Basic runs $59/month and covers payroll processing with DIY tax filing, meaning the employer handles filing on their own. HomePay Premium runs $75/month (with the first month free) and adds full tax filing, a dedicated account management team, audit support, caregiver-managed time tracking, and a free Care.com membership. Year-end forms (W-2, Schedule H) cost an additional $100 on both plans.
Poppins Payroll vs. HomePay Comparison at a Glance
Who should use Poppins Payroll
Poppins is built for families paying a nanny, caregiver, or other household employee. Everything is covered under one flat monthly fee with no tiers or enrollment fees.
Poppins tends to be the better fit if you:
- Want an all-in price with no add-ons. With Poppins, W-2s and Schedule H are included for active customers at no additional charge.
- Value fast, accessible support: 98% of calls are answered in under 15 seconds, from a team based in Boulder, Colorado. Support is available to both employers and their employees.
- Want state-specific expertise. Poppins' team includes specialists knowledgeable about household payroll rules across all 50 states.
- Want flexible onboarding. You can enter your caregiver's information yourself, or invite your caregiver to self-enter their own details directly in the platform.
Who should use HomePay
HomePay is Care.com's household payroll service, which means it's built into the same ecosystem many families already use to find caregivers. Its two-tier structure lets you start with basic payroll processing at Basic, or step up to Premium for full tax filing and dedicated account support.
HomePay Basic ($59/month) is worth a look if you:
- Are already using Care.com to find a caregiver and want payroll in the same ecosystem.
- Are comfortable handling your own tax filings.
HomePay Premium ($75/month) is worth considering if you:
- Want a dedicated account management team assigned to your account — not a general support queue, but a named group that knows your situation.
- Want guided support if you're ever audited.
- Are already a regular Care.com user and would use the included membership.
Poppins Payroll vs. HomePay In-depth Comparison
A closer look at the key Poppins Payroll vs. HomePay differences
Pricing
The most concrete difference between Poppins and HomePay is what you pay each year. Poppins comes to $588 annually for one employee — no enrollment fee, no year-end charge, W-2s included for active customers. HomePay Basic runs about $708/year (plus a $100 year-end fee = ~$808 total). HomePay Premium runs about $825/year after the first-month-free offer, plus the $100 year-end fee — bringing the true annual cost to around $925-$1,000.
Customer experiences vary, but some families cite the pricing difference as meaningful over time. One Reddit user shared: "As someone who uses Poppins to pay a caregiver, I can say that I love it. It's so simple and easy to use, and totally worth the money. Also, when I was shopping around, I did an analysis of all the payroll tools and Poppins costs way less than HomePay's premium tier."
Most families run household payroll for multiple years. That gap adds up — and the core service on either platform is largely the same.
What's included vs. what's DIY
The most important structural difference between the two services is that HomePay Basic is a DIY product — the employer processes payroll through the platform but handles their own tax filings. HomePay Premium and Poppins are both full-service: filings are handled for you. If you're comparing on price, make sure you're comparing the right tiers. Basic at $59/month is not the same product as Poppins at $49/month.
Setup process
Both services cover the setup fundamentals: IRS registration, federal EIN, state account setup, and new hire reporting. With Poppins, you sign up online and can typically be running payroll within about a week — no upfront fees or phone calls required. You can enter your caregiver's information yourself or invite them to self-enter their own details directly in the platform.
HomePay's onboarding works the same way — caregivers self-enter their own information. Both services handle the setup legwork.
Tax filings and year-end forms
Poppins prepares and files federal and state tax filings, quarterly estimated payments (1040-ES), and year-end forms under one subscription, included for active customers. HomePay Premium covers the same filings, but year-end W-2 and Schedule H preparation carries a $100 fee on both plans. HomePay Basic requires employers to file their own taxes.
Customer support
Poppins' support team is in Boulder, Colorado, available Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm MT. The standout metric: 98% of calls are answered in under 15 seconds.
HomePay's team is available for slightly longer hours: Monday-Thursday until 6 pm CT, Friday until 5 pm CT. On Premium, you're assigned a dedicated account management team, which means the same group of people handles your account over time. On Basic, it's general phone and email support.
Geographic availability and state compliance
Both services support household employers across all 50 states. Poppins handles state-specific setup and filings as part of the standard monthly fee, with specialists knowledgeable about household payroll rules state by state.
Elder care considerations
Both services handle nanny and elder care caregiver payroll. Poppins has developed specific resources for elder care families, including state-by-state compliance guidance and workers' compensation access via Bhalu Insurance (subject to state requirements) — a common need for families who hire a private caregiver rather than going through an agency. HomePay also lists senior care as a dedicated use case on its site and has worked with elder care families for years.
Tips to help you choose between Poppins Payroll and HomePay
Poppins Payroll vs. HomePay comparison: The bottom line
If you want the lowest all-in annual cost, fast phone support, and a single full-service plan with no tiers to navigate, Poppins is the right call at $49/month. If you're already in the Care.com ecosystem and want a lower entry point for basic payroll processing, HomePay Basic at $59/month is worth a look — but know that tax filing is DIY and year-end forms carry a $100 fee. And if you want a dedicated team handling your account directly and you're less price-sensitive, HomePay Premium at $75/month (plus fees) earns that price for the right family.
The core service on the full-service tiers is similar. The real decision is how much hands-on support you want, and what that's worth per year.
If Poppins sounds like the right fit, getting started takes about 10 minutes. Try it free, the rest of your first month is on us
Comparing more options? See how Poppins stacks up against SurePayroll and HomeWork Solutions, or view Poppins' full pricing.
The information in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Household payroll rules vary by state and are subject to change. Consult a qualified tax professional or employment attorney for guidance specific to your situation.
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