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Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll Review

Review Updated
Robin Hartill, CFP
By: Robin Hartill, CFP

Our Small Business Expert

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts’ opinions aren’t influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page.

Intuit QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud-based payroll processing software that allows you to pay up to 150 employees, though it's designed primarily for teams of 50 or less. QuickBooks Payroll easily integrates with other Intuit programs, particularly QuickBooks Online, but it doesn't offer other accounting software integrations. Read our expert review of QuickBooks Payroll to see if it's the best choice for your needs.

Ratings Methodology
QuickBooks Payroll
Learn More for QuickBooks Payroll
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4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Bottom Line: QuickBooks Online Payroll is perfect for businesses already living in the Intuit QuickBooks ecosystem. This full-service payroll software has three plans to scale with you as your business grows.
  • Ease Of use
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    4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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    3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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    Features
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    4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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    • Multiple plans available
    • Can be used with or without QuickBooks financial applications
    • All plans include full-service payroll
    • Extra charges assessed in Core plan
    • Auto Pay only available for salaried employees
    • Limited report customization

Intuit QuickBooks Payroll offers an affordable, easily navigated payroll software application that is designed for small business owners.

Even better, if you're looking for affordable accounting software, you can subscribe to both QuickBooks Online Accounting and QuickBooks Payroll at significant savings. But not to worry, QuickBooks Payroll can still be used as a standalone payroll application, even if you use another accounting software application.

Who is Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll for?

QuickBooks Payroll, like all Intuit applications, is designed with the small business owner in mind.

The application is designed for up to 50 employees, but because of the potential fees involved, it's really best suited for businesses with 15 or fewer employees. The application is scalable and offers three plans, so you can easily move up to the next plan if you're looking for additional product functionality.

Keep in mind that while you don't need to be using QuickBooks accounting applications in order to use QuickBooks Online Payroll, it can be really handy if you do.

QuickBooks Payroll features

Running payroll can be a time suck -- and as a small business owner, you probably have a never-ending list of to-dos on your plate. The best payroll software makes it easy to automate as much of the process as possible. Many providers offer HR assistance and time-tracking tools, as well. Read on for a discussion of some of the best QuickBooks Payroll features.

Automatic payroll processing

After you have at least one eligible and you've run payroll manually at least once, you can set up automatic payroll. You can use automatic payroll for salaried employees and hourly employees -- though QuickBooks only recommends this option for hourly employees if their schedule doesn't vary by pay period. You won't be able to use automatic payroll for commission-only employees or contractors.

Quickbooks Payroll

Payroll tax filing

About 1 in 3 small business owners with five or more employees report spending at least six hours per month handling payroll taxes, according to the National Small Business Association. With all three of its plans, QuickBooks Payroll will calculate and file federal and state payroll taxes for you. Automated filing for local payroll taxes is available with the Premium and Elite plans.

All three plans have an accuracy guarantee, provided that your business provides correct and on-time information and has sufficient funds to cover its tax obligation. With the Elite plan, you also get reimbursed for up to $25,000 in IRS penalties and interest if there's an error -- even if you're responsible for the mistake.

Each plan also includes e-filing an unlimited number of 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC forms for independent contractors.

Quickbooks Payroll

Next-day deposit and same-day direct deposit

The basic Payroll Core plan allows you to submit payroll until 5 p.m. Pacific Time the day before payday. If you upgrade to the Premium or Elite plans, you can run payroll until 7 a.m. Pacific Time on payday. Same-day direct deposit is free under both plans.

Quickbooks Payroll

Employee portal

Your employees can provide and update their personal details, tax information, and payment preferences using QuickBooks Payroll's employee portal under all three plans. Employees can also view their pay stubs, W-2s, earnings, and tax withholdings when they log in. Even if you cancel QuickBooks Payroll, employees will retain access to the portal for 12 months.

Quickbooks Payroll

Time tracking tools

A 2022 Paychex poll found that tracking employee hours is the most time-consuming human resources task in a hybrid or remote workforce. Intuit says that its QuickBooks Time tools, which are included with Premium and Elite plans, saves up to two hours on each payroll run and about 4% of payroll costs.

Employees can clock in and out using the QuickBooks' Workforce app on their mobile devices. You can also manage schedules and approve timesheets using the app. If you choose the Elite plan, you'll get several additional project management features. For example, you'll be able to track project budgets and deadlines. You can also set up geofences so employees will get reminders to clock in or out when they leave a job site.

Quickbooks Payroll

Benefits administration

Offering competitive benefits is vital to attracting top talent. But untangling the complexities of health insurance and 401(k) plan administration can be a challenge for small business owners. QuickBooks Payroll partners with AllState Health Solutions to offer more than 200 health insurance plans for small businesses. It also has a partnership with Guideline to offer 401(k) plans.

Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll's ease of use

QuickBooks Payroll offers an easy onboarding process, the application guiding you step-by-step through each process. You do need to be prepared to enter the information requested, so be sure you have access to your federal and state tax ID numbers and banking information, which you'll need in order to complete the setup process.

QuickBooks Payroll to-do list with remaining steps to fully set up the software

Intuit QuickBooks Payroll offers an easy onboarding process. Image source: QuickBooks Online Payroll software.

Navigating through the application is easy, even for new users. Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll offers intuitive system navigation, which includes an abbreviated menu bar, along with easy access to all included features from the main entry screen. Payroll can be processed in three steps, and with Auto Payroll, you can run payroll without entering any pay data.

Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll's pricing

QuickBooks Payroll offers three plan levels, but what sets QuickBooks Online Payroll apart from other payroll providers is that even the lowest priced payroll plan offers full-service payroll processing.

QuickBooks Payroll pricing chart

QuickBooks Online Payroll offers three plans and all include full-service payroll. Image source: QuickBooks Online Payroll software.

This is a major bonus for small businesses that don't wish to handle their own payroll tax processing, filing, and remittance, but don't have a large enough budget to purchase one of the more expensive plans.

The Core plan is currently discounted 50% to $22.50 per month for the first three months, then goes to $45.00 per month, plus an additional $4 per employee. The Core plan does pay taxes, but it only files for one state, so if you pay employees in more than one state, you'll pay an additional fee of $12.

The Premium plan is currently discounted 50% to $37.50 per month for the first three months, then it goes to $75.00 per month, with an $8 per employee additional fee. In addition to the Core plan features, the Premium plan also offers same day direct deposit and the HR Support Center. The Center provides easy access to state and federal wage and overtime laws, assists with custom job descriptions and employee onboarding, and offers employee performance tools.

The Elite plan is currently discounted 50% to $62.50 per month for the first three months, which then jumps to $125 per month, plus a $10 per employee additional fee. The Elite plan offers onboarding, access to a personal HR advisor, plus all of the features found in the Core and Premium plans. The Elite plan also lets you pay employees in an unlimited number of states at no extra charge.

Special pricing is also available for those using QuickBooks Online.

Working with Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll support

Phone and messaging support is included with all QuickBooks Payroll subscriptions. All payroll support is U.S. based, and available during regular business hours. In addition, QuickBooks Online Payroll offers easy access to numerous indexed support articles, as well as short, step-by-step training videos that guide you through various payroll tasks.

Benefits of Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll

If you're a QuickBooks Online Accounting user, QuickBooks Payroll will allow seamless integration of your payroll application with your accounting software. Plus, you can automatically post payroll entries to your general ledger.

While the benefits may not be so obvious if you're a small business owner not using QuickBooks Online Accounting, you can still benefit from using Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll. You will have affordable access to full-service payroll at any plan level, free direct deposit, and a portal that lets employees track vacation and sick time in the application.

How QuickBooks Online Payroll Compares

Online access Direct deposit Prepares federal tax forms Employee access to payroll documents
Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll Yes Yes Yes Yes
Gusto Yes Yes Yes Yes
Payroll4Free Yes Yes Yes Yes
Payroll Mate Yes Yes
RUN Powered by ADP Yes Yes Yes Yes
Paycor Yes Yes Yes Yes

Is Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll Right for you?

While Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll(QuickBooks Payroll) is optimally designed for small businesses that use QuickBooks Online Accounting, the application can also find a spot in businesses not currently using QuickBooks applications. If you have less than 15 employees and are looking for full-service payroll, QuickBooks Online Payroll may be worth a second look.

FAQs

  • Yes, Intuit QuickBooks Online Payroll can be used as a standalone application, though you will reap more benefits including special pricing if you're a QuickBooks Online user.

  • Yes, next-day direct deposit is available for both employees and contractors, though you will have to pay an additional fee if paying contractors. The Premium and Elite versions of QuickBooks Online Payroll offer same day direct deposit, though it is only available for employees.

  • Yes. Support is U.S. based and both telephone and chat support is available at no additional cost.

QuickBooks Payroll
Unify your accounting and payroll needs with Inuit QuickBooks Online Payroll. Run your payroll free for 30 days with a free trial.QuickBooks Payroll
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Our Small Business Expert

Robin Hartill, CFP
By: Robin Hartill, CFP

Writer

Robin Hartill, CFP®, is a personal finance writer and editor whose work frequently appears in various national publications. She wrote the syndicated “Dear Penny” financial advice column for four years.