Looking for the best alternative to QuickBooks Payroll? Use our guide to find out which payroll software is right for your business.
Quick books, a product now managed by Intuit, is one of the most popular accounting solutions for small businesses. Its most notable features include income and expense tracking, inventory management, and payroll for businesses of various sizes and industries.
TO SEE: Checklist payroll processing (Tech Republic Premium)
Since its initial release, QuickBooks has undergone several improvements and upgrades and is now available in desktop and cloud versions. QuickBooks is known for its accounting software, but it’s also a great choice for businesses that need payroll support.
In this comparison guide, we take a closer look at what QuickBooks Payroll offers for payroll needs and how other payroll products and services compare.
Jump to:
Best QuickBooks Payroll Alternatives
Gusto: Best for automating payroll
enthusiasm, formerly known as ZenPayRoll, is one of the leading HR platforms that helps simplify payroll management. It is an all-in-one online HR service that is ideal for small businesses. Users can automate payroll processes, including filing taxes, calculating pay stubs, and issuing forms to contractors.
Using Gusto is easy for employers and employees. In addition, full-time employees gain access to high-interest savings accounts via Gusto.
Most important features
- Reporting of new employees
- Contractor payments
- Flexible pay schedules
Advantages
- Excellent employee onboarding features
- Integrations with the best accounting software
- Scalable
- Automation of various HR functions to maximize efficiency
cons
- Some key features are missing from the Simple plan
- The cost per person can get expensive
- Does not facilitate payments outside the US
Prices
- Simple: $40 per month plus $6 per paid person.
- Plus: $80 per month plus $12 per paid person.
- Premium: Amended.
ADP Payroll: Best for Large Businesses
ADP is one of the largest payroll service providers, so it’s no surprise that it’s on this list. The payroll features ADP offers include payroll taxes, integration with accounting software, payroll processing, and new reporting.
It’s not the easiest payroll software to use, with many users claiming the application has a steep learning curve. However, it is one of the most comprehensive payroll solutions on the market. Depending on your package, you have access to everything from direct deposit to employment law compliance.
Most important features
- Legal Services from ADP parent company LegalShield
- HR compliance checks
- Dedicated support team of HR professionals
Advantages
- Works for companies of all sizes, from startups to large enterprises
- Strong customer service
- Extensive HR and payroll functions
cons
- Adjusted prices only
- Integration costs extra
Prices
- Essential: Amended
- Strengthens: Amended
- Completely: Amended
- HR professional: Amended
Papaya Global: Best for International Payroll
Papaya worldwide offers a range of HR solutions including payroll, workforce management and recruiting. It is the leading international payroll solution for cross-border payroll, compliance and tax reporting.
In addition to payroll and HR services, Papaya Global can be used for obtaining work permits and other immigration services. In addition, Papaya Global has a network of domestic partners to assist with payroll and other HR services.
Most important features
- Worldwide wage payments for more than 160 countries
- Dedicated account manager
- Payroll employee of record service
Advantages
- Worldwide payments
- Country-specific onboarding workflows
- Excellent payroll, legal and compliance support
cons
- Expensive for a company with a large number of employees or international payroll
- The self service portal is not the best
Prices
- Prices start at $20 per month per employee, but can add up dramatically for international payroll services.
Paycor: Best for employee self-service
Paycor is a user-friendly online payroll application. It’s packed with features, including an employee self-service portal that can be used to update information, access pay stubs, and view benefits and compensation information. It is an excellent tool to empower employees.
Paycor also helps streamline tax preparation so businesses can meet deadlines. Plus, Paycor’s more expensive plan offers compliance support, benefits, and other HR tools.
Most important features
- Comprehensive employee self-service portal
- Payment on request
Advantages
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Intuitive user interface
- Compliance expertise
cons
- Expensive for payroll, with a lot of extra costs
- Time registration only available as an add-on
- Additional start-up costs
Prices
- Base: $99 per month plus $5 per employee per month.
- Essential: $149 per month plus $9 per employee per month.
- Completely: $199 per month plus $7 per employee per month.
- HCM: $199 per month plus $12 per employee per month.
OnPay: the best for small businesses
OnPay operates in all U.S. states and processes more than $2 billion in payroll annually. With one subscription that covers all features, OnPay users get general access to the platform’s features. However, scalability is an issue, making it more suitable for small businesses.
There are no hidden fees, additional charges or fees to upgrade, but OnPay does not have a mobile app and integrations are limited.
Most important features
- Payroll for multiple schedules
- Federal and state tax returns
- Payroll migration
Advantages
- Full customer support over the phone or online
- Transparent and competitive prices
- One subscription that includes all features
cons
- Limited integrations compared to competitors
- Lack of scalability, making it less suitable for larger companies
- No time registration
- No mobile app
Prices
- Plans start at $40 per month plus $6 per employee per month.
What are the pros and cons of QuickBooks?
The benefits of using QuickBooks Payroll
- Extensive support network: As one of the most popular accounting software options, there are many resources available online for users to learn how to use QuickBooks or find solutions to problems.
- Affordable: Starting at $37.50 per month plus $5 per employee, QuickBooks Payroll is affordable, which has been one of the pillars of its success. There are also different pricing plans to suit different needs.
- Easy to use: QuickBooks Payroll’s intuitive interface makes it easier for users to set up and use payroll features.
The Disadvantages of Using QuickBooks Payroll
- Lack of integration features: If you need to connect QuickBooks with other applications, you may be disappointed, as there are few integration options.
- Open to manipulation: Compared to other more robust solutions, the data in QuickBooks is easy to manipulate.
- Restricted users and file sizes: QuickBooks has limitations on the number of users and files that can be processed at the same time.
Why are businesses outgrowing QuickBooks?
QuickBooks is ideal for small and order-oriented businesses that need a basic accounting or payroll solution. Companies with a growing workforce, recurring revenue, an assortment of billing models, or other complex workflows may eventually outgrow QuickBooks.
In addition, QuickBooks lacks integration features, which are increasingly important for organizations that increasingly use digital technology. There is also less automation available, which can be problematic as the number of bookings or transactions grows.
Organizations are also concerned about audit trail loopholes in QuickBooks because data manipulation is easier, making financial data in QuickBooks vulnerable to exploitation or scrutiny.
What’s easier to use than QuickBooks?
There are several HR and payroll solutions that are more user-friendly than QuickBooks. In some cases, however, ease of use is traded off against functionality.
For example, the OnPay solution is one of the easiest to use software options in the payroll market, but it lacks some key features such as a mobile app, time tracking, and overall scalability. The software most similar to QuickBooks Payroll in terms of user interface is Gusto.
How do you choose a QuickBooks replacement?
When moving from QuickBooks to another payroll solution, you need to consider several factors, including your budget and integrations with your technology stack. A good starting point is to determine why you need to upgrade from QuickBooks. For example, if you are switching because your company has more employees, you should look at alternative solutions designed for larger companies.
Likewise, if QuickBooks no longer works for you because you need it to integrate with other applications, make sure the alternative offers the right integration options.
Using this page as a guide will help you narrow down your search. However, to make the final decision, you must purchase the product and use the software to determine if it is right for your business. payroll processing needs.
Read more: Top payroll processing services for small businesses (TechRepublic)
