HR & Payroll Software
QuickBooks Payroll
US payroll that lives inside QuickBooks Online — best value if you're already an Intuit customer.
Solo / FreelancerSmall businessMedium businessNorth America
Last reviewed Jul 16, 2026 · Pricing verified Jul 16, 2026
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DEV-TOP · horizontalOur take
Best for existing QuickBooks Online users who want payroll in the same system rather than integrating a separate tool — less compelling as a standalone choice if you don't already use QuickBooks for accounting.
Choose this if...
- Existing QuickBooks Online users wanting payroll in the same login
- US small businesses wanting tax-filing accuracy backed by Intuit
Look elsewhere if...
- You don't use QuickBooks Online and don't want to
- You're outside the US
Visit QuickBooks Payroll
This is a direct link to QuickBooks Payroll— we don't currently earn anything from it.
Pricing
Verified Jul 16, 2026 against QuickBooks Payroll's own pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce Payroll (Core) | 50 USD/mo | — | $50/mo + $6/employee/mo — full-service payroll, next-day deposit |
| Workforce Premium | 85 USD/mo | — | $85/mo + $9/employee/mo — adds same-day deposit, HR support, workers' comp admin |
| Workforce Elite | 130 USD/mo | — | $130/mo + $11/employee/mo — adds tax penalty protection, personal HR advisor |
Free tier reality
There's no permanent free plan. No free tier. New pricing and naming (Workforce Payroll/Premium/Elite, replacing the former Core/Premium/Elite names) took effect July 1, 2026. Many customers get an introductory discount (e.g. 50% off) for the first few months.
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DEV-MID · rectanglePros
- Deep integration with QuickBooks Online accounting
- Tax penalty protection on the top tier
- Well-established, Intuit-backed reliability
Cons
- US-only
- Plan names and pricing changed recently (renamed Workforce Payroll/Premium/Elite as of July 2026) — worth double-checking current terms
- Standalone value is weaker if you don't already use QuickBooks accounting
Key features
- Full-service payroll with automatic tax filing
- Same-day/next-day direct deposit (plan-dependent)
- Integrates directly with QuickBooks Online accounting
- HR support and workers' comp administration (higher tiers)
- Tax penalty protection (Elite)
Integrations
- VERIFY
Platforms
- web
- ios
- android
Regional fit
US-only payroll; can run standalone or bundled with QuickBooks Online accounting — VERIFY current bundling/discount rules.
- North America
Best for
Try free first
Not ready for QuickBooks Payroll? Start with our free tools — come back when you outgrow them.
Alternatives
Gusto
Pick this instead if: US small businesses running payroll in one or a few states
BambooHR
Pick this instead if: Small-to-midsize businesses wanting a single system of record for HR
Deel
Pick this instead if: Companies hiring contractors or employees across multiple countries
Remote
Pick this instead if: Companies hiring internationally that already have (or plan to set up) local entities and just need payroll run
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QuickBooks Payroll FAQ
Questions about this tool
Is QuickBooks Payroll free?
No — QuickBooks Payroll doesn't have a permanent free plan. No free tier. New pricing and naming (Workforce Payroll/Premium/Elite, replacing the former Core/Premium/Elite names) took effect July 1, 2026. Many customers get an introductory discount (e.g. 50% off) for the first few months.
How much does QuickBooks Payroll cost?
From 50 USD/mo. We verify pricing directly against QuickBooks Payroll's own pricing page — see the pricing table above for the full breakdown of plans, and check the verified date before making a decision, since software pricing changes often.
Who is QuickBooks Payroll best for?
Existing QuickBooks Online users wanting payroll in the same login US small businesses wanting tax-filing accuracy backed by Intuit
Who should avoid QuickBooks Payroll?
You don't use QuickBooks Online and don't want to You're outside the US
Does QuickBooks Payroll work well outside the US?
US-only payroll; can run standalone or bundled with QuickBooks Online accounting — VERIFY current bundling/discount rules.
What are the best alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
Worth comparing: Gusto, BambooHR, Deel, Remote. See the Alternatives section above for why you might pick one of these instead.