QuickBooks Payroll Review: Features, Pros & Cons

Payroll reports cover the usual core functionalities of vacation and sick leave, payroll taxes and wages, payroll deductions and contributions, workers’ compensation, and multiple worksite coverage. QuickBooks Payroll is relatively easy to use — especially if you have experience running payroll or using other QuickBooks programs. Though the software is user-friendly, we appreciate that the company provides online guides for quickbooks payroll review getting started and can assist with setup, depending on your plan. If QuickBooks Payroll isn’t a good fit for you, check out our page comparing payroll software to find a payroll plan that is.

Why Rippling is better than ADP and QuickBooks?

Premium plan customers can access the HR support center but not a personal HR advisor. Every QuickBooks Payroll plan has the option to automatically run payroll for salaried employees paid via direct deposit and hourly employees with default hours paid via direct deposit. Before payroll runs each pay period, you’ll get a preview email with the opportunity to make changes. Once your employees are paid, QuickBooks Payroll will send you a confirmation text.

• For businesses with remote employees, these multiple-state-filing fees could really add up.
• With the plan, you’ll have access to an HR support center and workers’ compensation administration.
• It is available as a standalone solution or as an add-on for QuickBooks Desktop.
• QuickBooks Online Payroll has month-to-month contracts and no early termination fees.
• Existing QuickBooks customers can sign into their account and add a payroll package.

QuickBooks Payroll Review: Features, Pros & Cons

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. QuickBooks Online Payroll rated 2.6/5 stars in the pricing category due to its higher-than-average cost, lack of a discounted annual plan option, and pricey add-ons. However, the software gets points for pricing transparency and plans that are generously packed with features. But if you pay employees in multiple states, a QuickBooks competitor like Gusto with free multi-state payroll will cost less in the long run.

Payroll Service

Each time you run payroll, they’ll get an email informing them their pay stubs are available to view, print or download. Direct stores can be set up safely, and it permits organizations to pay their representatives on time and in a helpful manner. The feature can be customized to pay different employees different amounts or percentages, and it can be set up to pay employees on a recurring schedule, such as weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Ramp offers a free corporate card and finance management system for small businesses. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise users get payroll baked into their plans, so they’ll always have access to payroll functionality from within the QuickBooks Desktop platform. QuickBooks Desktop Payroll rated a solid 4.1/5 star rating in the reviews category which reflects its users’ positive experiences with the software.

Account Information

With the QuickBooks Payroll Premium package, additional features like time tracking, same-day direct deposit, and a complete HR support center are available. However, the HR support center offers good value as it aids with hiring, employee performance, and compliance with labor laws. QuickBooks offers a fast and efficient way to run payroll and a convenient solution for businesses that already use QuickBooks for other accounting tasks. Most users report that QuickBooks is easy to manage, even without a financial background.

Negative QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Reviews & Complaints

QuickBooks uses AP Intego to help businesses find workers’ compensation insurance quotes and connect their policies to QuickBooks to simplify their audits. QuickBooks Payroll’s time-tracking tools make reporting on payroll subjects a breeze. Robie Ann Ferrer is an HR expert writer at Fit Small Business, focusing on small business HR and payroll software content. Robie also worked as an HR specialist for 10 years where she managed various facets of HR—from payroll and benefits to employee services and HR systems. QuickBooks Payroll is an easy program to use, especially if you are already familiar with QuickBooks in general. You do have to set up payroll on your own unless you get the Elite plan, but you can contact support with questions.

• 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.
• Additionally, several features like time-tracking are only available through higher-cost plans.
• For example, neither OnPay nor Gusto charges you extra to offer direct deposit for contractors.
• With ADP and QuickBooks, payroll often sits in a silo, requiring extra steps to sync changes across different systems.
• This is incredibly time-consuming for those unfamiliar with the software or payroll processes in general.

However, it lacks a few crucial features such as built-in time tracking and integration with accounting software other than QuickBooks Online. ADP specializes in payroll and HR services, offering payroll processing, tax filing, and benefits administration. It can be suitable for businesses that need a standalone payroll system with HR support. QuickBooks, on the other hand, is primarily accounting software that includes payroll as an add-on.