Does QuickBooks charge a fee for payroll?

Yes, QuickBooks Payroll charges for its payroll services, including monthly or annual base subscription and per-employee fees. QuickBooks Payroll offers a variety of different plans to fit different budgets, and pricing and features are transparently listed on the provider’s website.

Does QuickBooks do direct deposit for payroll?

Yes, QuickBooks Payroll offers direct deposit to transfer pay into employees' bank accounts. Same-day and next-day direct deposits are available. Offering direct deposit saves time and effort compared to physical checks, and it's a convenient and secure way to handle employee payments.

Does QuickBooks automatically pay payroll?

Yes, QuickBooks can automatically run payroll based on a preferred schedule (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly) for both hourly and salaried employees while performing tax withholdings as well. By running payroll, users can create pay stubs, notify employees, generate reports, and pay and file tax forms automatically.

Does QuickBooks charge for ACH payments?

QuickBooks Payments, which is a different Intuit tool unrelated to QuickBooks Payroll, charges a 1% fee for ACH payments with a maximum amount of $10. ACH payments are when funds are transferred between accounts at different financial institutions via a network administered by the National Automated Clearing House Association.

How long does QuickBooks take to process payroll?

QuickBooks Payroll’s Core plan offers next-day direct deposit, while its Premium and Elite plans offer same-day direct deposit. Employers must submit payroll by 5 p.m. Pacific Time the day before payday for next-day deposit and by 7 a.m. Pacific Time on payday for same-day deposit.

Updated April 15, 2025 at 9:53 AM

QuickBooks Payroll 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Written by Emilie Audubert

Content Analyst

Edited by Mehar Luthra

Team Lead, Content

Wondering if QuickBooks Payroll is right for your organization?

Our Payroll Software selection experts can help you in 15 minutes or less.

On this page

Our Summary
Pricing and Plans
Features
Integrations
Key Sentiments
User Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions

Our Summary

QuickBooks Payroll

4.5

(965)

FrontRunner 2026

Pros:

Integration with QuickBooks
Quick setup and onboarding

Cons:

High cost
Tax filing issues

Pricing

Starting at $3.50 per month

What is QuickBooks Payroll:

QuickBooks Payroll is a payroll software from Intuit that also includes human resources (HR) functions such as time tracking, benefits management, and team management. Users can run payroll on a schedule, manage timesheets, deliver pay stubs and W2s, and calculate and file federal and state payroll taxes.

Why we like QuickBooks Payroll:

QuickBooks Payroll integrates easily with other QuickBooks products, including the popular accounting software. Its highest rating from users comes in the functionality category, with online time tracking, payroll management, and tax compliance called out as top features.

Who should use QuickBooks Payroll:

QuickBooks Payroll is a good choice for businesses already using other QuickBooks products. Small businesses that want to automate their payroll and get additional HR tools should also consider it. About 75% of reviewers come from companies with fewer than 50 employees (mostly between two and 10).

QuickBooks Payroll Screenshots

QuickBooks Payroll Overview

QuickBooks Payroll is an HR services platform that offers human resources (HR) and employee management services for small businesses. The tool helps organizations manage processes for onboarding, compensation calculation, attendance tracking and benefits administration.

With its tax penalty protection, QuickBooks Payroll can resolve errors and automatically reimburse penalty charges or interest costs while filing federal or state payroll taxes. Additionally, it offers one-on-one legal guidance on state and federal laws for employee compensation or overtime rules.

QuickBoo...

QuickBooks Payroll Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $3.50 per month

Free Trial

Free Version

Simple Start

$3.50

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

Bookkeeping automation
Invoice and payments
Tax deductions
General reports
Receipt capture
Mileage tracking
Cash flow
Sales and sales tax
Estimates
Contractors

Essentials

$6.50

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

Connect 3 sales channels
Multiple currencies
Enter time

Plus

$9.90

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

Inventory
Project profitability
Financial planning
Connect all sales channels

Advanced

$23.50

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

Auto-track fixed assets
Data sync with Excel
Batch invoices and expenses
Custom access controls
Workflow automation
Data restoration
24/7 support & training
Revenue recognition

Confused about pricing? We've got you covered.

Get a personalized pricing breakdown tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, no generic estimates.

Our Analysis of QuickBooks Payroll's Pricing Plans

Choosing the right payroll solution for your business can be daunting, but we're here to help. We've dug deep into QuickBooks Payroll's pricing plans to uncover the details and outline each option’s advantages and potential drawbacks. QuickBooks Payroll offers three tiers: Core, Premium, and Elite. Whether you're a small startup or a growing enterprise, one of these plans is likely to fit the bill. Let's dive in and explore which QuickBooks...

Payroll plan might be the perfect match for your company's needs and budget. **Core plan** QuickBooks Online Payroll's Core plan is a solid choice for businesses with straightforward payroll needs. At a monthly base price of $50 plus $6 per employee/contractor per month, it offers essential features such as automated tax calculations, filings for one state, and next-day direct deposit. **Pros:** - **Streamlined payroll processing:** The Core plan simplifies payroll tasks, saving time and reducing errors. - **Affordable pricing structure:** With a low per-employee cost, this plan is budget-friendly for small businesses. - **Automated tax compliance:** State and federal tax calculations and filings for one state are handled automatically. **Cons:** - **Limited state filings:** Additional states incur a $12 monthly charge each, which can add up for businesses operating in multiple states. - **No same-day direct deposit:** Funds may take longer to reach employees' accounts than with higher-tier plans. - **Lack of advanced features:** The Core plan may not suffice for businesses requiring time tracking and stronger HR and team management functionalities. **Premium plan** Stepping up to the Premium plan unlocks additional features and flexibility for growing businesses. The monthly base price is $85, and the per-employee cost increases to $9 per month. The Premium plan includes one state filing (additional states cost $12 per month), time tracking, and enhanced team management tools. **Pros:** - **Time tracking:** The Premium plan lets team members clock in/out via a mobile app. Users can also create schedules, approve timesheets, and track employee work locations via GPS. - **Same-day direct deposit:** Employees can receive their pay faster, boosting satisfaction and financial well-being. - **HR support included:** Access to HR expertise helps navigate complex personnel issues and maintains compliance. **Cons:** - **Higher per-employee cost:** The increased monthly fee per employee may strain the budget for businesses with larger teams. - **Additional state filing fees:** Multistate businesses will incur extra charges for each state beyond the first. **Elite plan** QuickBooks Payroll's top-tier Elite plan delivers the most comprehensive set of features and benefits. Priced at a monthly base rate of $130 plus $11 per employee per month, the plan includes unlimited state filings. It also provides same-day direct deposit, tax penalty protection up to $25,000, and premium team management tools. **Pros:** - **All-inclusive state filings:** Businesses operating in multiple states can save significantly on filing fees. - **Tax penalty protection:** QuickBooks will cover penalties up to $25,000, providing peace of mind and financial security. - **Premium support and resources:** Elite Plan subscribers benefit from priority support and exclusive educational materials. **Cons:** - **Steeper per-employee pricing:** At $11 per employee monthly, the Elite Plan may be cost-prohibitive for some businesses. - **Potential for underutilization:** Smaller businesses might not leverage all the advanced features, leading to a lower ROI. **Free Trial** For businesses unsure about committing to a paid plan, QuickBooks Payroll offers a 30-day free trial. This allows users to explore the platform's features and functionality without upfront costs. However, it's essential to note that users will be automatically charged the current monthly price for their selected plan after the trial period unless they cancel before the trial ends. **Conclusion** After analyzing the pricing plans for QuickBooks Payroll, it's evident that there are options to fit the needs and budgets of various business sizes. **For small businesses or startups:** The Core plan is likely the most cost-effective choice. The $6/month per employee cost (with a $50 monthly base fee) allows for scalability without breaking the bank. However, the additional monthly filing fee of $12 per state should be considered if your business operates in multiple states. For growing businesses: The Premium plan balances affordability and features. At $85 per month plus $9 per employee per month, it's a step up from the Core plan but provides the added benefits of same-day direct deposit and time tracking. This plan is ideal for businesses with increasing payroll needs that still want to keep costs manageable. **For larger enterprises:** The Elite plan is the top-tier option, providing the most comprehensive features. At $130 per month plus $11 per employee per month, it's the priciest choice, but it includes all state filings at no extra charge and offers tax penalty protection up to $25,000. The Elite plan could be the best fit for businesses with a significant number of employees and complex payroll requirements. Ultimately, the decision comes down to evaluating your business's size, payroll complexity, budget, and growth trajectory. By carefully considering these factors and aligning them with the appropriate QuickBooks Payroll plan, you can ensure that your payroll processes are efficient, compliant, and cost-effective, setting your business up for long-term success.

Compare Pricing

Compare pricing across our most frequently recommended Payroll products.

Software options

Starting price*

User rating

BambooHR

$10.00 per month

4.58(3097 reviews)

455

recommendations

OnePoint HCM

$1,500.00 per month

5.00(6 reviews)

185

recommendations

Eddy

$8.00 per month

4.63(48 reviews)

179

recommendations

Patriot Payroll

$17.00 per month

4.81(3575 reviews)

recommendations

*Defined as the price above any available free plan

QuickBooks Payroll Features

Drawn from insights across 965 verified reviews, we've outlined QuickBooks Payroll's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.

QuickBooks Payroll's score

Category average

QuickBooks Payroll's Best Rated Features

Receipt Management

4.75

4.21 category average

Direct Deposit

4.72

4.24 category average

Real-Time Updates

4.71

4.40 category average

QuickBooks Payroll's Worst Rated Features

360 Degree Feedback

3.56

3.50 category average

Multi-State

3.73

3.22 category average

Onboarding

3.88

3.91 category average

Popular features found in Payroll
401(k) Tracking
Benefits Management
Check Printing
Compensation Management
Compliance Management
Direct Deposit
Employee Database
Self Service Portal
Third-Party Integrations
W-2 Preparation
Wage Garnishment
More features of QuickBooks Payroll
360 Degree Feedback
Accounting
Alerts/Notifications
Applicant Tracking
Approval Process Control
Attendance Tracking
Audit Trail
Billable & Non-Billable Hours
Dashboard
Employee Management
Employee Portal
Employee Scheduling
For Accountants
Historical Reporting
Learning & Development
Multi-Currency
Multi-State
Onboarding
Online Time Tracking
Payroll Management
Payroll Reporting
Performance Management
QuickBooks Integration
Real-Time Data
Real-Time Updates
Receipt Management
Recruitment Management
Reminders
Reporting/Analytics
Succession Planning
Tax Calculation
Tax Compliance
Tax Filing
Tax Forms
Time & Attendance
Time & Expense Tracking
Time Off Management
Timesheet Management
Vacation/Leave Tracking
Workflow Management

QuickBooks Payroll Integrations

Based on 965 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with QuickBooks Payroll.

QuickBooks Desktop

Integration rated 3.3 from 5 reviews

Connecteam

Integration rated 4.7 from 3 reviews

OnTheClock

Integration rated 4.5 from 2 reviews

QuickBooks Enterprise

Integration rated 4.5 from 2 reviews

Shopify

Integration rated 5.0 from 2 reviews

HoneyBook

Integration rated 5.0 from 1 review

See all 15 integrations

QuickBooks Payroll Key Sentiments

We analyzed 965 verified reviews for QuickBooks Payroll to find out what actual users really think.

Most Positive Sentiments

Small business solutions

71% Positive

16% Neutral

13% Negative

Reviewers find QuickBooks Payroll well-suited for small businesses, highlighting its cost-effectiveness and comprehensive features. They appreciate its ability to handle payroll efficiently for businesses with a limited number of employees. Users note that while it may not be ideal for larger companies, it offers significant value for small to midsize enterprises.

Customer service

58% Positive

15% Neutral

27% Negative

Users value the availability and helpfulness of QuickBooks Payroll's customer service, finding support responsive and informative. They appreciate the assistance provided during learning and troubleshooting. However, some reviewers experience difficulties with accessibility and inconsistent support quality, leading to frustration when resolving issues.

Learning curve

57% Positive

29% Neutral

14% Negative

Reviewers find QuickBooks Payroll user-friendly with helpful learning resources and customer support. They appreciate the detailed explanations and guidance, which make the learning process manageable. Despite the initial learning curve, reviewers find the software beneficial once they become familiar with its features.

Least Positive Sentiments

Payroll taxes

35% Positive

47% Neutral

18% Negative

Users find QuickBooks Payroll reliable for handling tax filings and ensuring compliance, appreciating the accuracy and ease of e-filing. They value the reminders and automated processes that simplify tax management. However, some users face challenges with tax support and occasional issues with tax payments and reporting, which can complicate their experience.

Employee payroll

44% Positive

36% Neutral

20% Negative

Reviewers appreciate the ease of use and employee management features in QuickBooks Payroll, noting its suitability for small businesses. They find the employee portal useful for accessing paychecks and managing profiles. However, users report issues with pay period adjustments, payroll errors, and limitations in handling larger employee numbers, which can cause delays and inaccuracies.

QuickBooks Payroll User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.5

Ratings Breakdown

68%

20%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.4

Value for money

4.3

Customer support

4.2

Functionality

4.5

Bryan J.

Verified reviewer

Aviation & Aerospace

2-10 employees

Used daily for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Quickbooks Review

It was great and I was able to pay all of my employees with ease. Quickbooks worked hand in hand with my small business.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

It helped streamlined my payroll for my employees in an easy manner to understand. I loved how the spreedsheets worked and was able to calculate monetary amounts.

Cons:

I wish it would of costed less money to buy the software than what I had to pay to get it, but after I used it once I knew it was for me.

cyndy a.

Verified reviewer

Consumer Services

Self-Employed

Used monthly for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed May 2025

Time Saved

QuickBooks has been a reliable and comprehensive tool for managing business finances. From invoicing and tracking expenses to preparing for tax time, it streamlines many of the tasks that used to take hours. While the pricing can increase with add-ons, the time saved and overall functionality make it a worthwhile investment for growing businesses

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Create and send professional invoices Accept online payments (credit card, ACH, etc.) Set up automatic reminders and recurring invoices

Cons:

The way that everything costs extra and really starts to add up. For example: features like Payroll, Time Tracking, and Inventory Management are not included in base plans. Annual price increases — Intuit often raises subscription prices, especially for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop. Multiple users = higher cost — Want to add more than one team member? That’s often an extra fee. Support access is tiered — Priority customer support is only included in higher-priced plans.

Reasons for choosing QuickBooks Payroll

Because I am a small business owner, "Time is Money."

Melissa L.

Verified reviewer

Building Materials

51-200 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed March 2019

Quickbooks Payroll

Previously 4

If I had a choice I would use another payroll software and do journal entries for payroll items. I think it has gotten better over the years, however I think there is much available room for growth and improvement.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Previously 3

Value for money

Customer support

Previously 5

Functionality

Previously 3

Pros:

If you are looking for basic integration or use in job costing with TSheets than QB full-service payroll is for you.

Cons:

The inability to write checks the same day without being charged $100 without a two day lead time. I have learned a work around but I should be able to write a check to an employee without having to post-date it by two days. Though customer support is always willing to help, expect to spend 2-3 hours on the phone with them each time you call, and I am QB certified.

Verified

Reviewer

Hospital & Health Care

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed December 2025

Great experience.

I have used QuickBooks for over 30 years and have always had a great experience. Changes they have made have increased the usability of the program and the interfaces with my timeclock has made it so much better.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

QuickBooks is very easy to learn and understand. The program has progressively gotten better over the past number of years, making it interface with time clocks and increasing the ease of making tax payments a breeze. Our accountant also likes it as it makes his job easier.

Cons:

It is on the higher end of the cost for this type of program. Due to it's complexity, a new user today may have more difficulty in learning the system. But once you learn it, it is a great addition to your office.

Shani F.

Verified reviewer

Accounting

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed July 2025

The best way to create an invoice

I am very satisfied with the software, the best way to prepare invoices and receive the money is through the software, it is also convenient for the customer.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Anyone looking for the easiest way to prepare invoices should download this software. It's simple, smart, and easy to use.

Cons:

What I like most is that you can integrate with other software like: d-tools. It helps organize the work, quotes, and conversion to invoices.

Reasons for choosing QuickBooks Payroll

Preparing invoices for price quotes. Helps calculate salaries and receive profits

Louise M.

Verified reviewer

Construction

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed November 2024

QuickBooks Payroll Should Have Their License Revoked

We have been using QuickBooks online payroll for almost 3 years now. In July of this year, we discovered issues with accrual calculations and syncing errors. Not only has this issue not been fixed 4 months later, but we have now discovered system calculations have been incorrect for some time, shorting our employees of vacation earnings. While their engineers have been working on a fix, they managed to delete our payroll data, which they have not been able to recover. In over 20 years in the financial industry, I have never experienced or heard of anything like this. The most alarming part is that they show little concern or urgency in correcting this issue. They should not be able to sell or operate a malfunctioning financial system and deserve to have their business license revoked. Not only will we be moving to a new system asap, but we will also be reporting them to the Canadian Financial Consumer Agency. Considering QuickBooks is one of the largest accounting systems in the world, it is shocking they can operate such a flawed system. STAY AWAY!!!!

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Absolutely nothing! This system and their constant updates is full or errors.

Cons:

Everything! We have uncovered a disaster issue noted in detail below.

Reasons for choosing QuickBooks Payroll

It was recommended by our bookkeeper who we have since let go.

Reasons for switching to QuickBooks Payroll

External bookkeeping company recommended it. We later found out there were receiving kick backs to sign up clients.

Sarah F.

Verified reviewer

Accounting

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed April 2025

QBO is the way to go!

Overall, my experiences have been good. Anytime I need assistance, chat support has almost always proven to be the way to go.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

I love the ability to automate payroll for set hourly and salary employees. I also appreciate the ability to automate payroll tax accruals for filing and payments.

Cons:

I noticed that the software doesn't calculate Simple IRA deductions as it should for pre-tax deductions and I have to manually calculate and change on each payroll.

Reasons for choosing QuickBooks Payroll

SurePayroll was not user friendly, the customer support is horrible, and there is a lack of available reports.

Tom B.

Verified reviewer

Food & Beverages

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed April 2025

Quickbooks payroll is

Experience has been great! Runs automatically like a charm

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

It is simple and easy to use and connected to all of the GL accounts, making entries effortless.

Cons:

Probably the set up, but that is always to be expected when engaging new software

Reasons for switching to QuickBooks Payroll

One of my other companies was using Quickbooks so we decided to standardize

Jack I.

Verified reviewer

Information Technology and Services

Self-Employed

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed December 2024

Straightforward for the most part, could be simpler in some areas

Generally overall a good experience. I no longer use this because I no longer need to manage my own payroll, however because of how simple the platform was in general, and for headline figures, I would use it again.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Typically it is easier to use than other market leaders. Once you are familiar with the platform it is easy to find what you need, the inclusion of a bookmarking/favourites feature helps with this also.

Cons:

On some aspects of Payroll, it seemed to over complicate the process, such as whenever you made changes to an employee, the process could be simplified to be more streamline and also less jargon and more helpful tips and text for functions relating to payroll specifically such as NI rates etc.

Reasons for switching to QuickBooks Payroll

Xero didn't offer the features at the time and was really over complicated. I moved to Quickbooks Payroll for simplicity and for the other accounting services it offered.

Bianca P.

Verified reviewer

Health, Wellness and Fitness

2-10 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed January 2026

Quickbooks payroll

Overall pleasant experience, everything felt secure and easy to manage. Good for payroll and expense management.

Ratings Breakdown

Ease of use

Value for money

Customer support

Functionality

Pros:

Quickbooks payroll was very easy to use, and banking integration was simple. Customer support is quick and helpful. Paystubs are easy to access. Overall good value for the cost.

Cons:

Quickbooks can be a little hard to use for new customers who aren’t familiar with payroll management. A couple of big issues that were dealt with.

Showing 1 - 10 of 965 Reviews

See All Reviews

QuickBooks Payroll FAQs

Does QuickBooks charge a fee for payroll?
Yes, QuickBooks Payroll charges for its payroll services, including monthly or annual base subscription and per-employee fees. QuickBooks Payroll offers a variety of different plans to fit different budgets, and pricing and features are transparently listed on the provider’s website.
Does QuickBooks do direct deposit for payroll?
Yes, QuickBooks Payroll offers direct deposit to transfer pay into employees' bank accounts. Same-day and next-day direct deposits are available. Offering direct deposit saves time and effort compared to physical checks, and it's a convenient and secure way to handle employee payments.
Does QuickBooks automatically pay payroll?
Yes, QuickBooks can automatically run payroll based on a preferred schedule (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly) for both hourly and salaried employees while performing tax withholdings as well. By running payroll, users can create pay stubs, notify employees, generate reports, and pay and file tax forms automatically.
Does QuickBooks charge for ACH payments?
QuickBooks Payments, which is a different Intuit tool unrelated to QuickBooks Payroll, charges a 1% fee for ACH payments with a maximum amount of $10. ACH payments are when funds are transferred between accounts at different financial institutions via a network administered by the National Automated Clearing House Association.
How long does QuickBooks take to process payroll?
QuickBooks Payroll’s Core plan offers next-day direct deposit, while its Premium and Elite plans offer same-day direct deposit. Employers must submit payroll by 5 p.m. Pacific Time the day before payday for next-day deposit and by 7 a.m. Pacific Time on payday for same-day deposit.