QuickBooks Payroll Reviews

“fraud risks and poor support”

Pros

The setup process was easy and it connects well with the accounting side but those benefits don't mean much once you run into the kind of problems we're dealing with.

Cons

The service has been disappointing and the exposure to fraud is a serious issue which is exactly what we're facing right now. There also seem to be weak controls and compliance measures and the frontline staff have only limited understanding of basic payroll fundamentals.

“payroll control and automation”

Pros

Handling payroll on my own is a big plus and I am able to review everything carefully before I submit it.

Cons

I really don't have any complaints as it keeps payroll automatic and very simple to manage.

“Unacceptable tax payment failure”

Pros

The platform itself is fairly simple to use but that means very little if they suddenly decide not to send a payment on your behalf.

Cons

If there were an option to give zero stars, that's exactly what I'd choose. This is the only payroll provider I have dealt with that refuses to take responsibility for the tax payments they are supposed to handle. In Q1 2021, they failed to submit one of my payroll tax payments for no clear reason and I was never informed. The problem only came to light almost a year later when my accountant caught it. Then last week, I got hit with a $1,530 penalty bill tied to that mistake. QuickBooks told me they were not responsible at all. That kind of business practice is terrible and I have since switched to ADP because they clearly state they will take responsibility for any errors they make. I would strongly recommend staying away from QuickBooks.

“hr manager makes it worth it”

Pros

It definitely costs a lot upfront but the features make the price feel justified. The HR manager is one of my favorite parts.

Cons

Using it is still very expensive and I wish the pricing were a bit lower since we run a small company.

“clear payroll breakdowns every month”

Pros

Every month, QuickBooks Payroll makes payroll administration pretty easy for our company. Employees can clearly see exactly where their pay comes from because each payroll includes a detailed breakdown of total earnings, taxes and gross pay in a very clear format. That visibility cuts down a lot of employee questions about finances and becomes especially useful during tax season. Another thing that helps a lot is the notification it sends with the payroll details before the direct deposit actually hits the bank account which gives time to catch and fix any mistakes. Sending out expenses is also very simple and convenient.

Cons

The cost is a bit high, starting at $100 per month plus $5 per employee for the Essentials plan. We also use outside time-tracking software and the basic plan does not offer any integration for that. On top of that the mobile app is quite different from the desktop version and it leaves out a lot of features so it is not nearly as good.

“Powerful tax tools”

Pros

It covers everything needed to handle payroll properly, from preparing and filing payroll taxes to issuing payroll checks without missing key features.

Cons

The pricing keeps climbing and it's starting to feel far too expensive to keep up with.

“all-in-one payroll convenience”

Pros

Having payroll built right into QBO is really convenient since I can handle everything in one software instead of switching between different tools. Any time I run into questions or problems, customer support is usually quick to help out.

Cons

Tax-related issues can take a long time to get sorted out sometimes. Once another department gets involved, it often feels like they never respond.

“simple payroll with flexible access”

Pros

Getting started with QuickBooks Payroll was surprisingly easy for both the employer side and the employee side. It lets you add multiple admin users and adjust their permissions which is really helpful when certain people shouldn't have full access to everything. The system is very user-friendly and guides you step by step through every stage of the payroll process. This was actually the first payroll software I used when I started working in the payroll department and I had absolutely no training. Even with zero help, I was able to figure it out and move through the platform without trouble.

Cons

The only reason I ended up switching payroll software was the direct deposit limit. Because of the restriction placed on our account, I wasn't able to pay all of my employees through direct deposit.

“Convenient payroll management”

Pros

Running payroll for my consulting business is something I handle myself so having QuickBooks Payroll take care of those tasks directly within Quicken is really convenient.

Cons

Getting everything configured does take some work and the initial setup can be a little complicated.

“flexible payroll options”

Pros

It is very user friendly with the way the interface is laid out. When processing payroll and commissions, the setup lets you choose exactly what should be included in each payment. For instance, if a Health Insurance stipend is only paid once a month, you can simply check the box that week to add it to the paycheck.

Cons

One frustrating part was how it tied into our main QuickBooks software because I couldn't use it on my Mac. Since I only use Mac, I ended up needing a PC to access our main QB system, including the payroll functions. Other than that, I really don't have many complaints.

“fast payroll and tax updates”

Pros

Automatic tax table updates are a big help. Even when tax rates change, everything stays current so nothing gets missed. Running payroll only takes a few clicks and the whole process can be finished in just a few minutes.

Cons

It also comes with plenty of integration options, including services like Paychex, Paycor and time management and tracking tools.

“all details in one place”

Pros

QuickBooks Payroll keeps all of our key employee and payroll information together in one place and it's always easy to access when we need it.

Cons

We've had a little trouble with vacation and sick time accrual being slightly off, though it seems like it's probably something I can correct on my end.

“Quickbooks integration is a plus”

Pros

One thing I appreciated was how well it connected with QuickBooks Online which was definitely a nice bonus.

Cons

A downside was the lack of reporting services. I still had to handle all the quarterly reporting, along with the 1099s and W-2s myself. Our current provider takes care of all of that for us now.

“great automation”

Pros

Being able to automate weekly payroll along with the tax handling is a big plus and saves a lot of time.

Cons

The downside is the price which feels high compared with other similar products.

“efficient organization”

Pros

QuickBooks helps keep everything organized in a very efficient way.

Cons

QuickBooks can feel a little overwhelming when you're first learning how to use it.

“imple setup”

Pros

Getting payroll up and running from start to finish was pretty easy and the setup process made the whole thing simple to manage.

Cons

I did have to reach out to the QBO support team to get an error fixed so their assistance was necessary for resolving that issue.

“clear notifications”

Pros

Overall it has been a really positive experience because the layout is user friendly, the system sends me a notification as soon as my paycheck is ready to view and all the information is clearly organized and easy to follow.

Cons

Honestly I do not have any complaints about this software. We have not run into glitches, reliability problems or anything confusing about how it works and even new employees can start using it without needing any explanation.

“setup that just works”

Pros

QuickBooks Payroll has been an excellent tool for businesses of any size. Getting everything set up is easy too and using it day to day is simple and hassle-free.

Cons

The only improvement I'd want is the option to edit pay cheque details after it has already been processed.

“Payroll automation done right”

Pros

Everything about it has worked really well for me. It handles automated federal and state tax calculations, filing and payments, plus 1099 e-filing and payments. It also supports health benefits and 401(k) administration and the next-day direct deposit is a big help. Overall it makes the entire payroll process automated and much easier to manage and pay out.

Cons

I honestly don't have any complaints about this software.

“useful reminders”

Pros

Running payroll in QuickBooks Payroll is not a problem. The layout is user friendly, it's simple to move around and there are plenty of pay-type options available. It's also helpful that some employees can be placed on auto payroll. I really value being able to process separate checks or separate check runs whenever needed. The email reminders about payroll cut-off dates and times are another feature I appreciate. On top of that both as an employee and as a payroll admin, the Workforce feature is very useful since it lets me view my payroll, manage deduction settings and access my W-2.

Cons

There really isn't much I dislike about it. I am familiar with the system now and I have also gone through the QuickBooks training so it works well for me. The only minor issue is that chat support can get backed up at times which means I occasionally have to wait.