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QuickBooks Payroll is the natural pick if your books already live in QuickBooks Online, since pay runs post straight to your ledger, and Premium and Elite add same-day direct deposit and HR tools. It is legitimate full-service payroll from Intuit, and in 2026 Intuit renamed it QuickBooks Workforce: Payroll Core became Workforce Payroll, Premium became Workforce Premium and Elite became Workforce Elite. It costs more per employee than Gusto, OnPay or Patriot, the 50% discount lasts only three months, and Intuit carries a D- BBB rating with 4,616 complaints in three years across its products, so price it at the regular rate and know how to cancel.
Your options
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Deel This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative Companies hiring a mix of contractors and employees across several countries that want one platform and one invoice.
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Paychex This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative U.S. businesses with roughly 10 to several hundred employees that want one provider for payroll, HR support, benefits and possibly a PEO.
- Current name
- QuickBooks Workforce (formerly QuickBooks Online Payroll); plans Workforce Payroll, Workforce Premium and Workforce Elite3
- Payroll plans
- Workforce Payroll $50 a month plus $7 per employee; Premium $88 plus $13; Elite $134 plus $17, as listed October 20262
- Bundles with accounting
- Payroll + Simple Start $88 plus $6.50 per employee; Payroll + Essentials $125 plus $6.50; Premium + Plus $203 plus $101
- Promotion
- 50% off the base price for 3 months; per-employee fees are not discounted2
- Direct deposit
- Next business day on Workforce Payroll (run by 5 p.m.); same day on Premium and Elite (run by 7 a.m.)2
- Tax penalty protection
- Elite only: Intuit pays IRS penalty fees and interest up to $25,000 a year, terms apply2
- Contract
- No annual contract, cancel anytime1
- BBB (Intuit Inc.)
- D-, not accredited; 4,616 complaints in the last 3 years across Intuit products5
Pros
- Payroll entries flow directly into QuickBooks Online
- Full-service tax filing on every plan
- Same-day direct deposit on Premium and Elite
- Up to $25,000 a year of IRS penalty protection on Elite
- No annual contract
Cons
- Higher per-employee fees than Gusto, OnPay or Patriot
- The 50% discount lasts only three months
- Per-employee fees changed for new subscriptions on July 1, 2026
- Intuit has a D- BBB rating with thousands of complaints across products
- Benefits administration and time tracking cost extra on some plans
Best for: Small businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks Online and want payroll in the same system.
Skip it if: You use other accounting software or want the lowest per-employee price.
Quickbooks Payroll vs. competitors
| Company | Base per month | Per employee | Tax filing at entry price | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Workforce Payroll | $50 ($88 with accounting) | $7 ($6.50 with accounting) | Yes | Intuit: D-, 4,616 complaints in 3 years | |
| Gusto Simple | $49 | $6 | Yes | A+, 349 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| OnPay | $49 | $6 | Yes, multi-state included | A+, 26 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| Patriot Software | $17 (Basic) or $37 (Full Service) | $4 or $5 | Only on Full Service | A+, 6 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
Payroll software we reviewed
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Quickbooks Payroll This review Best for: Small businesses that already keep their books in QuickBooks Online and want payroll in the same system. -
Deel This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Companies hiring a mix of contractors and employees across several countries that want one platform and one invoice. -
Paychex This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.9 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. businesses with roughly 10 to several hundred employees that want one provider for payroll, HR support, benefits and possibly a PEO. -
Gusto This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small businesses that want to run their own payroll online with taxes filed for them and clear monthly pricing. -
Patriot Software This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Small US businesses with simple payroll that want low published prices and human support. -
Multiplier This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Startups and mid-size companies hiring a handful of full-time employees abroad without setting up local entities. -
Remote This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.8 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Startups and mid-size companies hiring a handful to a few hundred people abroad that want published prices and an EOR that owns its local entities. -
Paycor, Inc. This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: U.S. businesses of roughly 10 to a few hundred employees that want payroll, HR and reporting in one platform and are willing to manage a structured setup.
Quickbooks Payroll pricing at a glance
QuickBooks Workforce payroll pricing at the regular rate, as listed October 20262
| Plan | Base per month | Per employee per month | Direct deposit | Tax penalty protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce Payroll | $50 | $7 | Next day | Not listed |
| Workforce Premium | $88 | $13 | Same day | Not listed |
| Workforce Elite | $134 | $17 | Same day | Up to $25,000 a year |
| Payroll + QuickBooks Simple Start | $88 | $6.50 | Next day | Not listed |
| Payroll + QuickBooks Essentials | $125 | $6.50 | Same day | Not listed |
| Workforce Premium + QuickBooks Plus | $203 | $10 | Same day | Not listed |
Intuit advertises 50% off the base price for 3 months on these plans; the per-employee fee is charged in full. Background checks start at $29.99 per report. Benefits administration on Premium and Elite is an optional add-on ($5 per employee per month from July 1, 2026, per Intuit's accountant update). QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is a separate product not shown here.
Quickbooks Payroll, step by step
Pick a plan
Choose payroll alone or a bundle with QuickBooks Online accounting. If you already use QuickBooks Online, you add Workforce from your account or by calling 1-888-857-3710.
Set up company and employees
Enter your federal and state tax IDs, bank account and employee details. Intuit offers to move data from your current provider, and Elite includes setup done for you.
Run payroll
Approve hours and pay. Submit by 5 p.m. for next-day deposit on Workforce Payroll, or by 7 a.m. for same-day deposit on Premium and Elite.
Taxes are filed for you
Every plan is full service: Intuit calculates, files and pays federal and state payroll taxes and produces year-end W-2s and 1099s.
Cancel when you want
There's no annual contract. Cancel in your account settings, and make sure final tax filings for the quarter are handled before you switch.
QuickBooks Payroll legitimacy and licensing
Yes. QuickBooks Payroll is made by Intuit Inc. of Mountain View, California, the company behind QuickBooks and TurboTax. In 2026 Intuit renamed QuickBooks Online Payroll to QuickBooks Workforce. Payroll Core became Workforce Payroll, Payroll Premium became Workforce Premium and Payroll Elite became Workforce Elite, and existing subscriptions moved over automatically.
Intuit’s BBB profile shows a D- rating and 4,616 complaints in three years, but that covers every Intuit product, including TurboTax and QuickBooks accounting. On Trustpilot, QuickBooks scores 3.7 out of 5 from 16,894 reviews, mostly about the accounting software. Complaints that do involve payroll tend to center on billing, price changes and support.
QuickBooks Payroll cost
As listed in October 2026, Workforce Payroll costs $50 a month plus $7 per employee, Workforce Premium $88 plus $13 and Workforce Elite $134 plus $17. If you also need accounting, bundles start at $88 a month plus $6.50 per employee with QuickBooks Simple Start, $125 plus $6.50 with Essentials, and $203 plus $10 for Workforce Premium with QuickBooks Plus.
Intuit advertises 50% off the base price for three months, so a $50 plan shows as $25 at first. The per-employee fee isn’t discounted. Intuit changed per-employee fees for new subscriptions on July 1, 2026, and new customers get six months of price protection from sign-up. For a 10-person company on Workforce Payroll, the regular cost is $50 plus $70, or $120 a month before add-ons.
What each plan includes
Workforce Payroll covers Full-service payroll. Payroll that files and pays your payroll taxes for you instead of only calculating them. Compare payroll software with automatic tax filing, next-day direct deposit, an employee portal, and access to health, 401(k) and workers’ comp options from partners. Workforce Premium adds same-day direct deposit, time tracking, hiring and onboarding tools, time off management, automated I-9s, up to five automated HR workflows and an expert review of your setup. Workforce Elite adds unlimited HR workflows, setup done for you, and tax penalty protection that pays IRS penalties and interest up to $25,000 a year.
Background checks through Checkr start at $29.99 per report. Benefits administration on Premium and Elite is optional and costs extra.
What customers say about Quickbooks Payroll
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Payroll that posts directly into QuickBooks Online books
- Helpful onboarding and setup advisors
- Same-day direct deposit on higher plans
- Tax filings handled automatically
Common complaints
- Price increases and promo prices that double after three months
- Charges after cancelling and other billing disputes
- Slow or unhelpful support on technical problems
- Interface changes that make routine tasks harder to find
Complaints and how to avoid problems
The most common problems reported about QuickBooks products are billing after cancellation, promotional prices that end, interface changes and slow support on technical issues. To protect yourself, write down the regular price you’ll pay after month three, keep cancellation confirmations, and check that your final quarter’s tax filings are complete before you switch providers.
Because payroll moves money for taxes and wages, confirm your bank verification and tax account setup early. Late or wrong deposits are your legal responsibility as the employer even when a provider files for you, which is why Elite’s penalty protection exists.
Cancelling QuickBooks Payroll
Intuit lists no annual contract and says you can cancel anytime. Cancel in your QuickBooks account and confirm the date service ends. If you leave mid-quarter, ask which quarterly and year-end forms Intuit will still file, and give your new provider year-to-date payroll totals so W-2s are correct.
Who should pick something else
If you don’t use QuickBooks Online, the main reason to choose it goes away. Gusto and OnPay charge $49 a month plus $6 per person and include tax filing, and Patriot starts at $17 a month plus $4 per worker if you file taxes yourself. Very small employers with one or two workers can also run payroll themselves and pay taxes through the IRS’s free EFTPS system, though mistakes carry penalties.
Alternatives to Quickbooks Payroll
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Better if you want a payroll-first product with a lower per-person fee that still syncs to QuickBooks Online.
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Better if you pay workers in several states and want one flat published price.
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Better for the lowest cost, especially if you're willing to file payroll taxes yourself on the Basic plan.
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IRS EFTPS and do-it-yourself payroll
Free if you have one or two employees and are comfortable calculating withholding and depositing taxes through the IRS's free EFTPS system.
Next steps
Quickbooks Payroll reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is QuickBooks Payroll now QuickBooks Workforce?
Yes. In 2026 Intuit renamed QuickBooks Online Payroll to QuickBooks Workforce, with plans called Workforce Payroll, Workforce Premium and Workforce Elite. Existing subscriptions were updated automatically.
How much is QuickBooks Payroll per month?
As listed October 2026, Workforce Payroll is $50 a month plus $7 per employee, Premium $88 plus $13 and Elite $134 plus $17. Intuit offers 50% off the base price for three months.
Can I buy QuickBooks Payroll without QuickBooks accounting?
Intuit lists Workforce plans with payroll priced on their own and also sells bundles with QuickBooks Online accounting. Confirm at checkout whether accounting is required for your setup.
Does QuickBooks Payroll file payroll taxes?
Yes. All Workforce plans are full service, so Intuit calculates, files and pays federal and state payroll taxes and handles year-end forms.
How fast is QuickBooks direct deposit?
Next business day on Workforce Payroll if you run payroll by 5 p.m., and same day on Premium and Elite if you run it by 7 a.m.
What is QuickBooks tax penalty protection?
On Workforce Elite, Intuit says it will pay IRS penalty fees and interest up to $25,000 a year if you receive a penalty. Terms apply.
Is there a contract or cancellation fee?
No. Intuit says there is no annual contract and you can cancel whenever you like. Promotional pricing lasts three months, so plan for the regular rate after that.
Is QuickBooks Payroll better than Gusto?
It's better if your books are in QuickBooks Online and you want one system. Gusto costs less per person ($49 plus $6 on Simple) and has an A+ BBB rating.
What is Intuit's BBB rating?
D-, not accredited, with 4,616 complaints in the last three years across all Intuit products.
Does QuickBooks Payroll include time tracking?
Intuit says time tracking is included with Workforce Premium and Elite. The QuickBooks Time price for those plans rose $2 per employee per month on July 1, 2026, per its accountant update.
Sources (6)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- Intuit: QuickBooks payroll pricing (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Intuit: QuickBooks Workforce plans and pricing (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Intuit Firm of the Future: QuickBooks payroll name and price changes (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Intuit QuickBooks Community: Introducing a unified QuickBooks Workforce (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Intuit Inc. profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: QuickBooks reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
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