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LeadChange Group

QuickBooks Payroll

Best QuickBooks Payroll Alternatives

10 products that do the same job as QuickBooks Payroll, matched to the reason you might switch, with similarity scores and published prices.

By LeadChange Research TeamUpdated Based on 28 sources, most recently checked

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QuickBooks Payroll alternatives, closest first

  1. SurePayrollSimilarity 85
  2. Paychex FlexSimilarity 75
  3. OnPaySimilarity 70

Alternatives by reason for switching

  • Lower published price

    Patriot Payroll

    From $162 a month at 25 employees vs $225 for QuickBooks Payroll (starting prices).

    $37/mo + $5/employee/mo (Full Service Payroll plan)1

  • Built for larger companies

    Paycor

    Serves enterprise companies; QuickBooks Payroll does not list enterprise among the sizes it serves.

    Small businesses, mid-market companies, enterprises2

What should your next provider do better than QuickBooks Payroll?

Your matches show verified evidence for it, never who pays us.

QuickBooks Payroll alternatives, closest first

Products built for the same job come first, then products that also cover it, each group by similarity: the share of categories (50%), company sizes served (30%) and pricing model (20%) a product shares with QuickBooks Payroll.

  1. SurePayroll

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $204 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 4.9 vs 8.5.

    SurePayroll vs QuickBooks PayrollSurePayroll pricing

    Similarity85 of 100

    From $29/mo + $7/employee/mo (Full Service plan)3

  2. Paychex Flex

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: Paychex Flex: from $39/mo + $5/employee; QuickBooks Payroll: from $50/mo + $7/employee. Payroll Software score 7.2 vs 8.5.

    QuickBooks Payroll vs Paychex FlexPaychex Flex plans and prices

    Similarity75 of 100

    From $39/mo + $5/employee/mo (up to 19 employees)4

  3. OnPay

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $199 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 7.6 vs 8.5.

    OnPay vs QuickBooks PayrollOnPay pricing

    Similarity70 of 100

    From $49/mo + $6/employee/mo (Payroll Essentials plan)5

  4. Patriot Payroll

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $162 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.7 vs 8.5.

    QuickBooks Payroll vs Patriot PayrollWhat Patriot Payroll costs

    Similarity68 of 100

    From $37/mo + $5/employee/mo (Full Service Payroll plan)1

  5. Square Payroll

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $185 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 7.7 vs 8.5.

    Square Payroll vs QuickBooks PayrollSquare Payroll pricing

    Similarity60 of 100

    From $35/mo + $6/employee/mo6

  6. Gusto

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $199 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 8.1 vs 8.5.

    QuickBooks Payroll vs GustoGusto plans and prices

    Similarity55 of 100

    From $49/mo + $6/employee/mo7

  7. Wave Payroll

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $190 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Not scored yet in Payroll Software; QuickBooks Payroll scores 8.5.

    Wave Payroll plans and prices

    Similarity52 of 100

    From $40/mo + $6/employee/mo8

  8. Paycor

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: Paycor: quote-only; QuickBooks Payroll: from $50/mo + $7/employee. Payroll Software score 6.3 vs 8.5.

    Paycor plans and prices

    Similarity41 of 100

  9. ADP RUN Powered by ADP

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: ADP RUN Powered by ADP: quote-only; QuickBooks Payroll: from $50/mo + $7/employee. Payroll Software score 5.1 vs 8.5.

    QuickBooks Payroll vs ADP RUN Powered by ADPADP RUN pricing

    Similarity40 of 100

  10. Netchex

    vs QuickBooks Payroll: Netchex: quote-only; QuickBooks Payroll: from $50/mo + $7/employee. Payroll Software score 4.8 vs 8.5.

    Netchex vs QuickBooks PayrollNetchex pricing

    Similarity39 of 100

Why buyers look beyond QuickBooks Payroll

  1. Key features sit on higher tiers

    Same-day deposit, time tracking and HR workflows need Premium at $88 plus $13 per employee. Tax penalty protection up to $25,000 a year, beyond the accuracy guarantee every plan has, and a personal HR advisor need Elite at $134 plus $17.

  2. Some fees are not published

    State tax filing fees, the Mineral HR add-on, next-day deposit for contractors and automated 1099s carry extra fees whose amounts are not published. Background checks start at $29.99 per report.

  3. Benefits come through third parties

    Health insurance (Allstate), 401(k) (Vestwell) and workers' comp (NEXT) are sold separately. Workers' comp is not offered in OH, ND, WA or WY, and benefits administration requires 20+ employees.

  4. Payroll API limited to partners

    A Workforce GraphQL API with webhooks exists, but payroll data access is restricted to approved Intuit partners.

  5. Weekend support on higher plans only

    Phone and chat support is included during business hours. Weekend support is limited to Premium and Elite, and exact support hours are not published.

QuickBooks Payroll vs its closest alternatives

Payroll Software comparison: LeadChange Score, pricing and verified features
ProductScoreStarting price per employeeStarting base feePricing modelFree trialSOC 2 Type IIMobile apps
QuickBooks Payroll9–128.5$7/employee/mo$50/moBase fee + per employeeYesYes: Yes (company-level, product not named)iOS (QuickBooks Workforce), Android (QuickBooks Workforce)
SurePayroll3,134.9$7/employee/mo$29/moBase fee + per employeeNoNot verifiedYes
Paychex Flex4,147.2$5/employee/mo (under 20 employees)$39/mo (under 20 employees)Base fee + per employeeNot verifiedNot verifiedPaychex Flex app (iOS), Paychex Flex app (Android), Paychex Flex Time Kiosk app
OnPay5,15,167.6$6/employee/mo$49/moBase fee + per employeeYesYesNot verified
Patriot Payroll1,178.7$5/employee/mo$37/moBase fee + per employeeYesYesMobile web (no app to install)
Square Payroll6,187.7$6/employee/mo$35/moBase fee + per employeeNot verifiedYesSquare Team App
Gusto7,198.1$6/employee/mo$49/moBase fee + per employeeNoNot verifiediOS (Gusto Mobile), Android (Gusto Mobile)
Wave Payroll8,20Not scored$6/employee/mo$40/moBase fee + per employeeYesNot verifiedWeb browser only (payroll is not in the Wave mobile app)

Not verified = we have no sourced value for it yet.

Alternatives to similar products

Frequently asked questions

What are the best alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?

Among products built for the same job in Payroll Software, the closest to QuickBooks Payroll are SurePayroll (85% similar), Paychex Flex (75% similar), and OnPay (70% similar), by the categories, company sizes and pricing model they share. SurePayroll vs QuickBooks Payroll: From $204 vs $225 a month at 25 employees (starting prices). Payroll Software score 4.9 vs 8.5.

What is a cheaper alternative to QuickBooks Payroll?

Patriot Payroll: From $162 a month at 25 employees vs $225 for QuickBooks Payroll (starting prices).

Which QuickBooks Payroll alternatives publish their prices?

Of the alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll, SurePayroll, Paychex Flex, OnPay, Patriot Payroll, Square Payroll, Gusto, and Wave Payroll publish list prices for at least one plan. QuickBooks Payroll publishes its prices too.

Which QuickBooks Payroll alternative scores highest?

Patriot Payroll scores highest at 8.7/10; QuickBooks Payroll scores 8.5. Closest to QuickBooks Payroll: SurePayroll (85% similar, 4.9).

Why do teams look for QuickBooks Payroll alternatives?

The fit limits documented for QuickBooks Payroll: key features sit on higher tiers, some fees are not published, and benefits come through third parties. The “Why buyers look beyond QuickBooks Payroll” section explains each one from its source.

Which QuickBooks Payroll alternatives integrate with Vestwell?

OnPay, Patriot Payroll, Square Payroll, Paycor, and Netchex document an integration with Vestwell, like QuickBooks Payroll.

Which QuickBooks Payroll alternatives offer a free trial?

Of the alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll, OnPay, Patriot Payroll, and Wave Payroll list a free trial, as QuickBooks Payroll does.

Is Patriot Payroll better than QuickBooks Payroll?

Patriot Payroll scores 8.7/10 in Payroll Software against 8.5 for QuickBooks Payroll; which fits better depends on your headcount, budget and the modules you need. Feature by feature: QuickBooks Payroll vs Patriot Payroll.

How this page was made

  • What it is built from

    53 verified facts, each checked against the vendor's own pages or another primary source, most recently on Nov 14, 2026.

  • Method

    Scored and compared with the LeadChange methodology, version 1.5. Read the methodology

  • Independent review

    Our independent review of Nov 2, 2026 asked for changes. How we review

  • Hands-on testing

    We have not tested QuickBooks Payroll hands-on: this page uses public information only.

  • Who made it

    The LeadChange Research Team, following a written research process. No named expert has reviewed this page. About us

  • Independence and errors

    Who pays us never changes a score or a rank. If something here is wrong, tell us and we correct it publicly. Request a correction

Switching from QuickBooks Payroll?

Tell us why you’re leaving and when your contract ends, and see the alternatives that fit, with verified evidence for what you need, ranked without regard to who pays us.

Find my alternatives

Sources

The 28 pages this page's facts come from. The date beside each is our last check of the facts taken from it (the oldest, when they differ). The numbers beside the figures above link here.

Quotes from the sources
  1. Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/pricing“Basic Payroll is $17/month + $4 per worker paid; Full Service Payroll is $37/month + $5 per worker paid.” “Our payroll is a flat monthly fee + per worker paid fee. Run as many payrolls as you need. We'll bill you in arrears each month.”
  2. Paycor paycor.com/plans-pricing“50-1000 EMPLOYEES”
  3. SurePayroll (Paychex) surepayroll.com/payroll“Pay employees in minutes, easily access reports, and get payroll taxes filed and deposited automatically.” “Billed monthly. Cancel anytime.”
  4. Paychex paychex.com/payroll/paychex-flex-essentials“Our most affordable option: Only $39/mo. + $5 per employee … Rest easy knowing your federal, state, and identified local payroll taxes will be calculated, paid, and filed on your behalf. *Additional fees may apply. … Get your required employee and independent contractor tax forms for tax season. **Available at additional cost.”
  5. OnPay onpay.com/payroll/software/costs-pricing“Payroll Essentials $49 base + $6/worker per month” “Get started at just $49 base + $6/worker per month. No hidden fees, ever.”
  6. Square squareup.com/us/en/payroll/pricing“For full-service payroll, the cost is $35 per month, plus $6 per person paid per month. For contractor-only payroll, the cost is $6 per person paid per month.” “Manage your team and run payroll anytime, from anywhere, with the Square Team App.”
  7. Gusto gusto.com/product/pricing“Simple Run basic payroll in one state. $49/mo + $6/mo per person” “Simple, transparent pricing Payroll, benefits, and HR all in one place. No hidden fees. Cancel any time.”
  8. Wave waveapps.com/payroll“$40 USD base fee+ $6 per active employee+ $6 per independent contractor paid” “Upon processing your first payroll, you can use Wave Payroll for up to 30 days, commitment-free. At any time, you can activate to start your billing cycle and gain access to items like tax filing and approving payrolls beyond the current month.”
  9. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/bundle“WORKFORCE PAYROLL Pay your team and get payroll taxes done for you. $50 + $7/employee” “Find the right payroll plan for you”
  10. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/one-employee“Free trial applies to the monthly base price for the first thirty (30) days of new subscriptions to QuickBooks Online and/or Workforce.”
  11. Intuit assurance.intuit.com“Badges ISO 27001:2022 SOC 1 Type I SOC 2 Type II PCI:DSS”
  12. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/time-tracking/mobile“QuickBooks Workforce is also available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.”
  13. SurePayroll (Paychex) surepayroll.com/pricing“During your first 12 months with SurePayroll, every alternating month will be free.” “Mobile app for employers and employees”
  14. Paychex paychex.com/apps/mobile-app“Employees can download the Paychex Flex® app for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and log in using their Paychex account credentials.”
  15. OnPay onpay.com“Get one month free”
  16. OnPay onpay.com/security“Third-party Certification: OnPay holds third-party auditor certification with the AICPA’s SOC program and is SOC 2 Type II compliant.”
  17. Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/about“As a SOC 2 Type II compliant organization, we follow rigorous data protection standards and adhere to all required federal privacy, anti-fraud, and security regulations.”
  18. Square trust.squareup.com“SOC 2 Type II”
  19. Gusto Payroll (Gusto)“We’ve got all kinds of plans for all sizes of business. Explore all the options. You’ll pay nothing ‘til you’re ready to run payroll.” “Yes, you can run payroll, check payroll status, add and view team members and manage your team all from the Gusto mobile app. Download the iOS app here and the Google Play app here.”
  20. Wave support.waveapps.com/hc/en-us/articles/360030007911-Understand-Wave-s-payroll-subscription“Wave’s payroll feature is only available on web browsers.”
  21. Paychex paychex.com/payroll/compare-payroll-solutions“Basic Essential Payroll & HR Request Pricing Foundations AI & HR Features Best Value Request Pricing Advanced Enhanced Service Needs Request Pricing Complete Premium Services Request Pricing”
  22. Square squareup.com/us/en/payroll/small-business“Transparent pricing with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.”
  23. Intuit quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll
  24. OnPay onpay.com/app-directory
  25. Patriot Software patriotsoftware.com/payroll
  26. Block squareup.com/us/en/payroll/retirement-benefits
  27. Paycor marketplace.paycor.com/en-US/listing
  28. Netchex netchex.com/vestwell

Vendor? Reach buyers comparing QuickBooks Payroll