It is simple to utilize all payroll processing solutions since they all use the same software. However, in terms of general simplicity of use, QuickBooks Payroll Elite comes in first, followed by QuickBooks Payroll Premium, and finally by QuickBooks Payroll Core. If you are already using Intuit products, especially QuickBooks Online for accounting, QuickBooks Payroll is the perfect payroll application for you because the two integrate seamlessly with each other. But if you are not already in the QuickBooks ecosystem, you can consider other best payroll apps available in the market before making a final choice. If you have budget constraints, you can also look at the free payroll apps available.
For the cost and wealth of features, Intuit is well-optimized for mid-sized businesses looking for a full-service payroll solution. As QuickBooks Desktop payroll service does not have a user cap, it’s a better option for companies that plan to grow beyond 150 employees. 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. Alternatively, PayChex is our top pick for businesses after full control over their payroll processes, because it offers instant payment features and a range of granular reporting options.
Is QuickBooks Payroll Right for Me?
Access to 401(k) plans by Guideline and health benefits by Allstate Health Solutions are also available in all US states. ADP Run, on the other hand, is more adept than QuickBooks at scaling alongside growing businesses. Due to its seamless HR add-ons, open API, and multitude of integration partners, APD was the only provider in our testing to receive a perfect score of 5/5 for scalability. And at a time when 30% of finance HR leaders doubt whether their payroll system can support their plans for expansion, the need for a scalable solution like ADP isn’t going away anytime soon. ADP doesn’t have public pricing, but it starts at $79 per month, plus $4 per employee, making it a little less pricy than QuickBooks Payroll Premium, though more expensive than QuickBooks Payroll Core.
Pricing: QuickBooks Payroll Core vs Premium vs Elite
As for taxes, it automates withholding and filing for federal and state. If you’re required to file local taxes for your employees based on jurisdiction, you’ll need the Premium or Elite plan to automate it. It provides full-service payroll software that lets you track projects and time.
Meanwhile, if you need more dedicated full-service HR and payroll support, then a professional employer organization (PEO) may be right for you. Browse through our guide to the best PEOs for small businesses to find some options. Now that you know what QuickBooks Payroll is capable of, you can make an informed decision if this software is right for you. If you’re happy with your current accounting software, subscribing to QuickBooks Enterprise just to access QuickBooks Payroll just doesn’t make sense. However, while Square Payroll and Gusto are cheaper alternatives to QuickBooks Online Payroll, they aren’t cheaper by much. If you’re already locked into the QuickBooks system, it might be worth adding payroll services just to keep things cohesive.
In addition to common add-on costs for healthcare, users are expected to pay extra for benefits, such as 1099 e-filing, multistate tax filing, and access to QuickBooks Online Simple Start services. QuickBooks Payroll starts at $6 per employee with a $50 base per month. You can purchase QuickBooks Payroll as a standalone product or bundled with QuickBooks Online if you need accounting software. All plans have multistate tax filing which costs $12 per person under the Core and Premium plans but is free under Elite.
What are the Differences Between Core, Premium, and Elite: QuickBooks Payroll?
QuickBooks Payroll is a good payroll software choice for many small businesses. Its detailed, user-friendly interface is easy for non-accountants to use. In contrast to most small-business payroll solutions, QuickBooks Payroll has a stand-out mobile app for employers. Gusto offers affordable payroll services with basic reporting, onboarding, and health insurance administration with all of its plans. It tops our best payroll software list as the best overall payroll software for small businesses.
Negative QuickBooks Online Payroll Reviews
That said, the service with the most flexible pricing plan is Square Payroll, which starts at just a $29 monthly fee, plus $5 per employee per month. QuickBooks offers three Payroll plans, each offering more features than the last. A 30-day free trial is also available, and there’s a money-back guarantee for those who decide they need to cancel. However, if you operate a larger business (with a larger budget), and you’re looking for locally-installed accounting software with built-in payroll, QuickBooks Enterprise may be a good fit.
- QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium uses 128-bit encryption and two-factor authentication to keep your data safe from theft.
- It can also help you manage your payroll, HR, benefits and talent from a single platform.
- A large list of more than 650 integrations will help users address other business needs, including accounting and invoicing.
- QuickBooks also runs promotions for its payroll product frequently, so be sure to check for any available discounts before purchasing.
- You can add various details, including job titles, payment information, time off, tax documents, and benefits.
Health benefits administration, tax preparation, and tax payment are all included in QuickBooks Payroll, a cloud-based payroll solution. Timekeeping and HR help are also included in the Premium and Elite programs. The majority of them are compatible with third-party accounting software, such as QuickBooks.
QuickBooks Online Payroll Premium uses 128-bit encryption and two-factor authentication to keep your data safe from theft. Additionally, it has a robust reporting system that allows you to track employee hours and deductions easily. Is QuickBooks Payroll Elite your best option if you’re a small business owner that needs help with HR issues? Additional tax penalty protection is provided, as are all of the Premium plan’s features. You can add team member—employee or independent contractor—details manually or import from external sources, such as spreadsheets or previous payroll applications.
- Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships.
- You can also find desktop versions of both QuickBooks products—you’ll see them referred to as QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Payroll Desktop.
- Federal and State payroll taxes and forms are automated, therefore you don’t have to worry about remembering deadlines and filling out paperwork including year-end filings.
- QuickBooks Online Payroll also has mobile apps for Apple products and Android products.
However, business owners who don’t necessarily need same-day direct deposits and want a more affordable all-in-one platform might find other providers to be a better option. Check out our top-recommended payroll software for more options and information. It delivers comprehensive payroll, makes it easy to connect or add employee benefits, and adds HR support that can guide a business through the process of helping its employees. Premium is a great fit for a business that has complex payroll needs, offering great features at a fair (if not low) price.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services. The rating of this company or service is based on the author’s expert opinion and analysis of the product, and assessed and seconded by another subject matter expert on staff before publication. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships. QuickBooks Online Payroll offers basic tax support features on all its plans, including support for 1099 contractors.
QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, & Elite: Complete Overview
QuickBooks Payroll solutions were analyzed for cost, convenience of use and customer service, as well as feedback from actual users. quickbooks online payroll premium features You may use any one of these programs to handle payroll, from calculating wages to submitting tax returns. We’ve produced a list of the top nine payroll service providers for small businesses in this guide.
If you have employees in multiple states, this plan will handle tax filing. You need to pay extra for additional states with the other plans, however. Finally, you get dedicated HR support, expert setup, and project management tools, as well as insurance against tax penalties of any kind up to $25,000, even if you are at fault.
The web-based help area includes all Intuit products, and the search box does not usually filter it down properly. Intuit has created an ecosystem of its own when it comes to apps for small businesses. Intuit workforce portal is an employee self-service platform that enables employees to view their paychecks and W-2s. They can also apply for leave, view leave balances and enter time sheets on the portal. You can choose whether you want your employees to have access to the workforce portal or not while adding their names to the payroll database.
When is it Appropriate to Make use of the QuickBooks Payroll Premium Feature?
A QuickBooks expert guides you through the complete setup including connecting bank accounts and credit cards, setting up automations and learning best practices. You can access payroll data, list of banks, next payroll run date and more from a single dashboard. Whether you wish to set up paid time off or maximum allowed overtime or a pay cycle, it’s as simple as selecting the given option.