QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is a comprehensive automated tax and compensation management software providing small to mid-sized businesses with integrated tools to pay employees, manage benefits, and file taxes accurately.
Square Payroll
Square Payroll is a full-service payroll software that automates tax filings, employee payments, and benefits management for small businesses using integrated time tracking and point-of-sale data.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | QuickBooks Payroll | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Website | quickbooks.intuit.com | squareup.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting Price | $45/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 1983 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | Mountain View, USA | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is an automated solution designed to take the stress out of paying your team. Whether you have one employee or a growing workforce, you can run payroll in minutes with integrated time tracking and automatic tax calculations. The platform handles your federal and state tax filings and payments automatically, helping you stay compliant without manual data entry.
You can manage your entire back office by syncing payroll data directly with QuickBooks Online accounting. This integration ensures your financial books stay balanced and up-to-date every time you run a pay cycle. Beyond just paychecks, you can offer your team health benefits, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp, all managed from a single dashboard that scales with your business needs.
Square Payroll
Square Payroll simplifies how you pay your team by automating the most complex parts of business ownership. You can pay employees and contractors in just a few clicks, whether they are hourly or salaried. The platform automatically calculates, files, and pays your federal and state payroll taxes, ensuring you stay compliant without manual paperwork. Because it integrates directly with Square POS, your team's hours sync automatically, eliminating the need for manual data entry or messy spreadsheets.
You can manage everything from a single dashboard, including workers' compensation, health insurance, and 401(k) plans. The system supports flexible payment options like Instant Payments, allowing you to send funds to employees the same day they work. Whether you are running a single coffee shop or managing multiple retail locations, you get a straightforward tool that handles the back-office heavy lifting so you can focus on growing your business.
Overview
QuickBooks Payroll Features
- Auto Payroll Set your payroll to run automatically each pay period so your team gets paid on time without you lifting a finger.
- Automated Tax Filings Let the software calculate, file, and pay your federal and state payroll taxes automatically to ensure year-round compliance.
- Same-Day Direct Deposit Keep your money longer and pay your employees faster with the ability to submit payroll on the very same day.
- Integrated Time Tracking Track employee hours and approve timesheets directly within the app to eliminate manual data entry and errors.
- Health Benefits Compare and choose medical, dental, and vision plans for your team with digital enrollment and automated deductions.
- Workers' Comp Integration Get quotes and manage your policies with a pay-as-you-go model that improves your business cash flow.
- Expert Support Access 24/7 premium support and even get a payroll setup review from a professional to ensure everything is correct.
- HR Advisor Access Consult with certified HR professionals to get custom handbooks and expert advice on complex hiring or termination issues.
Square Payroll Features
- Automated Tax Filings. Let the software calculate, file, and pay your state and federal payroll taxes automatically to ensure total compliance.
- Time Card Sync. Import employee hours directly from Square POS or the Team App to eliminate manual data entry errors.
- Instant Payments. Access your funds immediately and pay your team the same day they work using your Square Balance.
- Benefits Integration. Offer and manage health insurance, 401(k) plans, and workers' comp directly through your payroll dashboard.
- Contractor Payments. Pay your independent contractors via direct deposit and let the system generate and file 1099-NEC forms.
- Employee Mobile App. Give your team a dedicated app to track their hours, view pay stubs, and manage their tax forms.
Pricing Comparison
QuickBooks Payroll Pricing
- Full-service automated payroll
- Automated tax filings
- Next-day direct deposit
- Health health benefits
- 401(k) plans
- Expert product support
- Everything in Core, plus:
- Same-day direct deposit
- Integrated time tracking
- Expert setup review
- HR support center access
- Workers' comp administration
Square Payroll Pricing
- $5 per person paid monthly
- No monthly base fee
- Direct deposit included
- 1099-NEC generation and filing
- Self-service contractor account
- Everything in Contractor plan, plus:
- $6 per person paid monthly
- Full-service tax filings
- Time card and POS integration
- Health insurance and 401(k) access
- Live phone and chat support
Pros & Cons
QuickBooks Payroll
Pros
- Seamless integration with QuickBooks Online accounting
- User-friendly interface is easy for non-accountants
- Reliable automated tax filing and payments
- Fast same-day direct deposit options
- Mobile app allows payroll runs from anywhere
Cons
- Per-employee fees can become expensive
- Customer support wait times can be long
- Occasional glitches when syncing with third-party apps
Square Payroll
Pros
- Seamless integration with Square Point of Sale
- Automatic tax filing saves hours of manual work
- Simple and transparent per-employee pricing model
- Easy setup process for new business owners
Cons
- Customer support can be difficult to reach
- Limited advanced HR features for large corporations
- Account freezes can occasionally delay payroll processing