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QuickBooks Payroll
Best payroll for existing QuickBooks Online users
QuickBooks Payroll is a full-service payroll product from Intuit, designed to work alongside QuickBooks Online for small businesses. This evaluation is based on publicly available information. We do not claim hands-on testing of this product.
What QuickBooks Payroll is
QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud-based payroll tool that integrates natively with QuickBooks Online. It handles tax calculations, federal and state filings, direct deposit, and year-end W-2 and 1099 processing. Its primary advantage is the tight connection to QuickBooks accounting, which eliminates manual reconciliation between payroll and books.
Pricing
- Core: around $50/month + ~$6.50 per employee
- Premium and Elite: higher base and per-employee fees, with same-day direct deposit, HR support, and additional protections
Who QuickBooks Payroll fits best
- Small businesses already using QuickBooks Online for accounting
- Businesses whose accountant works in QuickBooks and wants direct access to payroll data
- Businesses that want payroll and accounting under one subscription and one login
Where it may not fit
- Businesses not on QuickBooks Online lose its primary advantage — Gusto or others may be a better fit
- Pricing structure can be complex across tiers — calculate total monthly cost before committing
- Limited HR capabilities compared to Gusto Plus or Rippling
Related comparisons
Last reviewed: May 2026. Pricing and features subject to change. Verify details with each provider before purchasing.