QuickBooks Payroll review (2026): features, pros and cons, pricing
Intuit's payroll sold as bundles with QuickBooks accounting, with tax filing and 1099 e-filing included.
Rebranded: Now marketed as QuickBooks Workforce (Payroll bundles); G2 page titled QuickBooks Workforce.
Verdict at a glance
QuickBooks Payroll is Intuit's payroll sold as bundles with QuickBooks accounting, including tax filing and 1099 e-filing. It fits businesses already on QuickBooks Online, though reviewers report weak support and basic reports.
Pros
- Tight QuickBooks Online integration.
- Easy setup.
Cons
- Poor support reported.
- Basic payroll reports.
What is QuickBooks Payroll?
Intuit's payroll sold as bundles with QuickBooks accounting, with tax filing and 1099 e-filing included. It is built for businesses already on QuickBooks Online and employers wanting payroll bundled with bookkeeping. QuickBooks Payroll is based in Mountain View, US.
Category: Payroll Software
QuickBooks Payroll key features
| Feature | What we found |
|---|---|
| Tax filing and compliance | Full-service payroll calculates, files and pays payroll taxes. |
| Accounting integrations | Native QuickBooks bookkeeping bundle. |
| Time tracking and PTO | Scheduling in all bundles; time tracking with Premium and Elite. |
| Benefits administration | Access to Allstate health, Vestwell 401(k), Next workers' comp, Mineral HR advisor; limited availability, extra fees. |
| Contractor and 1099 payments | 1099-NEC and 1099-MISC e-filing for unlimited forms, contractor management. |
QuickBooks Payroll pricing
Each bundle is a monthly base fee plus a per-employee charge. Payroll + Simple Start is $88 list plus $6.50 per employee, Payroll + Essentials is $125 plus $6.50, and Premium + Plus is $203 plus $10 per employee. The promo halves the base for 3 months, then list price applies. Billing is monthly and annual, with a note about 10% off the annual price whose mechanics are not explained. Benefits administration fees and time tracking below Premium are extra. Elite is not priced publicly.
| Plan | Price | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll + Simple Start | $88 list ($44 promo) | per month base + $6.50 per employee | Next-day direct deposit (run by 5 PM) |
| Payroll + Essentials | $125 list ($62.50 promo) | per month base + $6.50 per employee | Same-day direct deposit (run by 7 AM) |
| Premium + Plus | $203 list ($101.50 promo) | per month base + $10 per employee | Adds HR tools, I-9, recruiting, time tracking |
Elite price not shown. 50% off for 3 months promo. Benefits administration limited availability with extra fees.
Who QuickBooks Payroll is best for
Best for
- Businesses already on QuickBooks Online.
- Employers wanting payroll bundled with bookkeeping.
Not ideal for
- Teams that need Elite pricing in public.
- Buyers wanting benefits admin included.
QuickBooks Payroll alternatives
GustoSmall US businesses of 1 to a few dozen people wanting simple setup.
OnPaySmall businesses and accounting-firm partners.
Patriot PayrollVery small businesses watching cost.
ADP RunSmall businesses wanting a large provider with tax filing and add-on HR/benefits.
Paychex FlexMid-size employers wanting a full-service provider with HR and benefits options.
JustworksSmall US companies that want a PEO with benefits and compliance handled for them.
What QuickBooks Payroll really costs
- Per seat per month
- $6.50 per employee on Payroll + Simple Start (plus $88 base list)
- Billing
- Monthly and annual.
- Annual discount
- Page notes +10% off annual price, mechanics not explained.
- 20 users per year
- Simple Start bundle list: ($88 + 20 x $6.50) x 12 = $2,616 per year; promo months excluded.
- Renewal terms
- Promo expires after 3 months, then list price.
Add-ons and extras to budget for
- Benefits administration fees.
- Time tracking below Premium (FAQ)
Questions to ask about price
- Is there a minimum number of seats or a minimum annual spend?
- Are there one-time costs for implementation, onboarding or data migration?
Is QuickBooks Payroll worth the price?
It is good value if you already run QuickBooks Online and want payroll, tax filing and 1099 e-filing in one bundle. For 20 employees on the Simple Start bundle, list price comes to $2,616 per year, excluding the promo. It gets expensive when you need Essentials for same-day deposit, Premium for time tracking, or benefits admin with extra fees. Teams wanting Elite pricing in public will be disappointed.
Worth it if
- Businesses already on QuickBooks Online.
- Employers wanting payroll bundled with bookkeeping.
Look elsewhere if
- Teams that need Elite pricing in public.
- Buyers wanting benefits admin included.
Cheaper per seat than QuickBooks Payroll
- ADP RunAbout $4 per employee plus $79 base (third-party estimate)
- Patriot Payroll$5 per worker plus $37 base (Full Service)
- Paychex FlexAbout $5 per employee plus $39 base (third-party, Essentials)
- Gusto$6 per person per month plus $49 base (Simple); $12 plus $80 base (Plus)
Pricing details most reviews leave out
- Pricing page now sells payroll+accounting bundles named Workforce, not the old Core/Premium/Elite lineup.
- Listed prices are 50% off for 3 months; list is double.
- Same-day direct deposit requires the Essentials bundle or above.
- Benefits administration has limited availability and extra fees.
Our verdict on QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is now marketed as QuickBooks Workforce, and it is sold as payroll plus accounting bundles. Payroll + Simple Start lists at $88 per month plus $6.50 per employee, but the page shows $44 because of a 50% promo for 3 months. After that it returns to list price. Essentials is $125 list and Premium + Plus is $203 list.
The promo is the key cost trap, since the listed prices are half of list for only three months. Same-day direct deposit needs Essentials or above, and benefits administration has limited availability with extra fees. Elite pricing is not shown. G2 shows 4.4 from 501 reviews, with complaints about support and basic reports.
QuickBooks Payroll FAQ
What is QuickBooks Payroll used for?
QuickBooks Payroll is Intuit's payroll sold as bundles with QuickBooks accounting, including tax filing and 1099 e-filing. It fits businesses already on QuickBooks Online, though reviewers report weak support and basic reports. It suits businesses already on QuickBooks Online.
How much does QuickBooks Payroll cost for 20 employees?
On the Payroll + Simple Start bundle, list price is ($88 + 20 x $6.50) x 12, which is $2,616 per year. That excludes the 3-month promo.
What happens after the QuickBooks Payroll promo ends?
The promo is 50% off for 3 months. After that, the list price applies, which is double the promo price on the page.
Is QuickBooks Payroll still sold under that name?
It is now marketed as QuickBooks Workforce, with payroll and accounting bundles replacing the old Core, Premium and Elite lineup.
About QuickBooks Payroll
- Headquarters
- Mountain View, US.
Listed in: Payroll Software
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from QuickBooks Payroll's own pricing, product or documentation pages, G2 and company records, checked on October 24, 2026. Unknown values are left out instead of estimated.