We research, evaluate, and test each payroll software app that we review at Merchant Maverick, placing special emphasis on key characteristics to generate granular ratings. For small and micro businesses looking for self-service payroll, this is an expensive option for the features promised, and you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere. QuickBooks also runs promotions for its payroll product frequently, so be sure to check for any available discounts before purchasing. QuickBooks Online Payroll offers a 30-day free trial, but if you opt to try before you buy, you’ll miss out on a 50% off “buy now” promotion.

SurePayroll has the most straightforward approach to payroll

QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud-based payroll software that allows businesses to pay employees, file payroll taxes and manage employee benefits and HR in one place. The software saves time by automatically calculating, filing and paying federal and state payroll taxes. Many online payroll services include features that help you administer benefits in the same platform, as well as integrations for accounting software. Many offer workers the option to get a payment card, so they can receive money before payday and use the card directly to make purchases. Although each quickbooks payroll: online services for small businesses has a unique design with varied features, most online payroll services work basically the same way.

Expert product support

The platform offers full-service payroll and its key features include automated taxes, compliance management, multi-state payroll tools, and lifetime accounts. QuickBooks Online Payroll earned 4.4/5 stars in the features category with plenty of features spanning payroll processing, employee management, time tracking, HR, and benefits administration. The bulk of the software’s lost points come from its local tax support limitations and limited HR integrations. Some payroll services offer automated payroll, so you can set worker pay and employees can track their time (if necessary) and the service runs payroll on schedule.

The cost will go up if you need other solutions like time tracking and employee benefits. QuickBooks Payroll is a great choice if you already use QuickBooks Online and are looking for payroll software that will make your life just a little easier. Although it’s designed for businesses with up to 50 employees or contractors, it can accommodate up to 150 workers. The software integrates directly with QuickBooks Online, can run payroll automatically and offers same-day or next-day direct deposits. Three plan offerings mean businesses can upgrade as they grow and require more services. Health benefits and retirement plans can be incorporated with any subscription.

Offer team benefits

• Set payroll to a schedule, so your team gets paid on time, every time.
• Once you’ve sent an invoice or received a payment, the data is automatically recorded in your accounting records for effortless reporting and tax filing.
• A few reviewers also said that it is pricier than similar payroll software.
• Additionally, while Gusto has more employee add-ons than many other online payroll systems, it’s not a total HR management solution.
• Before you commit to a payroll plan, thoroughly assess your own needs and make sure they mesh with your preferred plan.

For help choosing the best payroll software for your business, read our step-by-step guide on how to choose payroll software. No matter how your customers choose to settle up, track payments in one place to make managing your business finances easier than ever. QuickBooks Online Payroll’s 4.4/5 star rating in the user review category reflects its notably high 4.5/5 star rating across user review sites and its positive feedback on other platforms. QuickBooks Online Payroll offers health, vision, and dental benefits through SimplyInsured, which doesn’t offer health benefits in Hawaii, Vermont, and DC. Likewise, workers’ comp insurance isn’t available in Ohio, North Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming. Join the thousands of people like you already growing their businesses and knowledge with our team of experts.

If you upgrade to its paid tiers, TimeTrex offers recruiting, onboarding, and advanced time tracking with facial recognition and geofencing features. In addition to its efficient payroll and HR tools, I like that it has transparent pricing. Similar international payroll providers, such as ADP and Rippling, typically require you to request a quote. Further, Papaya Global integrates with HRIS, time tracking, expense management, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software. However, its partner systems aren’t as robust as Rippling’s 600-plus options.

Oh, and the platform is chock full of plain English and point-and-click functions, making it a breeze for anyone to adopt without needing a technical background. The best payroll services offer core capabilities, ample software integrations and other key features that may or may not match your company’s current size and payroll needs. Some payroll services are part of comprehensive HR platforms that include not only pay and benefits but also employee development, education and coaching programs.

QuickBooks Online Payroll Reviews

To determine the best payroll services for small businesses, Forbes Advisor researched the industry and analyzed 23 different companies and their plans. We then scored these contenders across 34 metrics in five categories weighted to favor features that small business owners find valuable in a payroll provider. Here’s a breakdown of the categories we used to rank the providers that made the top of the list. Paycor offers automated payroll processing with the option to pay using direct deposit, check (either in-person or online) or card payments. When running payroll, it allows you to take into account wage garnishments and time-off requests.

• And unless you like the company of IRS agents, cash under the table won’t cut it.
• Companies that have complex payroll needs means that they may require the option to set up profiles for full-time and part-time workers along with salaried employees, contractor payments, and vendors.
• It’s also a good option for tech-heavy companies, given the IT solutions that allow you to manage the devices and work-related apps that are usually provided to employees.
• With a single solution like this, we love that you don’t have to integrate payroll with third-party tools or reenter payroll data into your accounting program.
• Once your employees are paid, QuickBooks Payroll will send you a confirmation text.
• Paychex Flex provides excellent third-party software integration whereas QuickBooks Payroll integrations are fairly limited and are largely centered around Intuit products.

Mobile Wallet and Self-Serve App

QuickBooks Payroll goes beyond paychecks to help you manage your finances. With over 15 customizable payroll reports, you can view payroll tax deductions, bank transactions, total payroll costs, and more. Real-time data means it’s easy to make smarter decisions for your business.

How Much Do Payroll Services Cost?

These factors contributed to QuickBooks Payroll getting perfect marks in this criterion. In general, payroll services are cheaper, especially if you go the self-service rather than full-service route. Many payroll companies also combine payroll with features like HR administration, time tracking, and employee benefits that are outside the scope of an accountant’s job. Many small businesses opt for payroll software because they don’t have an HR department, and the responsibility for payroll falls on the CEO or owner. Since small business owners already have packed schedules, payroll software offers a great solution to help them save time, reduce errors, ensure tax compliance and more.

QuickBooks Payroll is an excellent app from Intuit for managing employee payroll for a small business. If you are already using QuickBooks Online for accounting, the two integrate seamlessly, enabling you to manage both accounting and payroll from a common platform. QuickBooks Payroll also made it to our list of best payroll software for small businesses. As for the easiest payroll software to use, we recommend QuickBooks Payroll or OnPay. QuickBooks Payroll syncs with QuickBooks Online, one of the most popular accounting solutions in the world.