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Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll Comparison

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Deputy

4.5(381 reviews)

Starting at $3.50

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Deputy is a powerful time-saving software that streamlines business schedules and operations. It offers budget-friendly staff scheduling options based on team availability, with instant notification through its applicati…

QuickBooks Payroll

4.4(55 reviews)

Starting at $49 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Small Business

QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s paycheck to tracking deductions…

Deputy leads on user satisfaction with a 4.5-star rating across 381 reviews.

Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll — at a glance

FeatureDeputyQuickBooks Payroll
Rating4.5 / 54.4 / 5
Reviews38155
Starting price$3.50$49 /Month
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessSmall Business
CategoryEmployee Scheduling SoftwarePayroll Software
Integrations—8+ apps
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOSSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS
APIAvailable—
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, OnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR—
Data residencyUS—

Key differences between Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll

  • Pricing: Deputy starts at $3.50, while QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
  • Target audience: Deputy is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while QuickBooks Payroll targets Small Business.
  • User satisfaction: Deputy scores higher with a 4.5-star average.
  • Deployment: Deputy supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.

Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Employee Scheduling Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Deputy - Employee Scheduling Software
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QuickBooks Payroll - Payroll Software
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Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Deputy

Best for medium businesses needing simple, real-time employee scheduling and time tracking.

Choose if
  • You manage a 50-500 employee retail, hospitality, or healthcare team.
  • You want real-time roster and labor cost updates to control budgets.
  • You need an easy-to-use platform with built-in communication for shift coordination.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your business requires deep payroll processor integrations or advanced customization.
  • You need extensive tiered support or highly customizable workflows.

QuickBooks Payroll

Best for

Small Business

Deputy typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. QuickBooks Payroll tends to fit Small Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Deputy is a powerful time-saving software that streamlines business schedules and operations. It offers budget-friendly staff scheduling options based on team availability, with instant ... Read More about Deputy

QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy to stay on top of your HR needs. It’s payroll software that gives you the power to handle all the payroll processing you need, from modeling an employee’s ... Read More about QuickBooks Payroll

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $3.50
  • Starts from $49

Free Trial Availability

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.5/10

9.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.46

(381)

4.4

(55)

Best Company Size

50-500 employeesMedium Business
1–500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Deputy

  • Streamlined Scheduling: With Deputy, managers can quickly create and adjust employee schedules in real-time. This saves time and confirms that staffing levels meet operational demands, improving overall productivity.
  • Improved Communication: The platform improves communication among team members through its built-in messaging system. It keeps everyone informed and aligned, reducing misunderstandings and strengthening team cohesion.
  • Accurate Time Tracking: Deputy offers reliable time tracking features that let employees clock in and out from their smartphones or desktops. This eliminates manual timesheets and provides accurate data that simplifies payroll processing for administrators.

QuickBooks Payroll

  • Compliance and Tax Support: The platform keeps tax compliance current, automatically calculates taxes, and manages filings to reduce penalties.
  • Integrated Accounting Solutions: It integrates smoothly with QuickBooks Accounting software, providing real-time financial insights and simplifying bookkeeping.
  • Seamless Payroll Processing: QuickBooks Payroll automates payroll calculations, tax filings, and direct deposits, reducing manual errors and saving time.
Best fit

Best fit

Deputy

  • 50 to 500 employees
  • Retail, Hospitality, Healthcare, and Manufacturing
  • Typical users encompass Operations Managers, HR Professionals, Shift Supervisors, and Team Leaders

QuickBooks Payroll

  • 1–500 employees
  • Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
  • Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Deputy

  • Users may seek alternatives to Deputy if they find its pricing structure to be higher than expected, especially for small businesses or startups with tight budgets that require cost-effective workforce management solutions.
  • Some organizations might require more advanced features, such as extensive reporting or integration capabilities with other software, which they find lacking in Deputy, prompting them to explore other platforms.
  • Businesses with specific industry needs, like healthcare or manufacturing, may look for alternatives that offer tailored functionalities that better align with their unique operational requirements and compliance standards.

QuickBooks Payroll

  • Businesses requiring industry-specific payroll features may seek specialized platforms.
  • Companies looking for more robust HR management and employee benefits integration may explore other solutions.
  • Organizations with complex multinational payroll needs might prefer global payroll providers.

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll Compare on Features?

Total Features

11 Features

12 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $3.50
      • $49

      Pricing Plans

      • Scheduling

        • Unlimited shifts/month

        • Employee Scheduling

        • Auto-Scheduling

        Show more +

      • Time & Attendance

        • Unlimited timesheets/month

        • Timesheets

        • Payroll Integration

        Show more +

      • Premium

        • Unlimited shifts/month

        • Unlimited timesheets/month

        • Employee Scheduling

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Deputy pricing
      QuickBooks Payroll pricing

      Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      —

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      —

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      —

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      —

      Deputy User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      316

      88

      6

      5

      18

      30

      14

      6

      0

      2

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights Deputy's ease of use and efficiency in scheduling and time tracking, tempered by concerns over support and integration limitations.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Real-time scheduling updates
      • Time tracking accuracy

      Common complaints

      • Customer support challenges
      • Integration and customization limitations

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      What buyers like

      • Automates tax filing, paycheck generation, and sends real-time notifications to reduce manual effort.
      • Interface includes step-by-step tutorials and works for both beginners and experienced users.
      • Integrates with QuickBooks for financial reporting and analytics.

      Common complaints

      • Steeper pricing compared to alternative payroll systems, especially for smaller businesses or limited payroll needs.
      • Complexity in resolving reporting errors or adjusting liabilities, often requiring external support or advanced accounting knowledge.
      • Occasional glitches, lag, and freezes, especially with the online version, impacting usability and efficiency.

      Pros and Cons

      • Simplifies scheduling and payroll with real-time roster and cost updates

      • User-friendly interface that is easy to use for scheduling

      • Efficient time tracking and timesheet management

      • Lack of notifications causing unconfirmed shifts and unclaimed hours

      • Frustrations with integrations, setup issues, and language barriers in support

      • Simplifies payroll management with automation for tax filing, paycheck generation, and real-time notifications, reducing errors and manual effort.

      • Intuitive and user-friendly interface, suitable for both experienced users and beginners, with step-by-step tutorials for easy setup.

      • Offers robust integration with accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks), providing seamless financial reporting and analytics.

      • Steeper pricing compared to alternative payroll systems, especially for smaller businesses or limited payroll needs.

      • Complexity in resolving reporting errors or adjusting liabilities, often requiring external support or advanced accounting knowledge.

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Deputy or QuickBooks Payroll? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Integrations

      Integration with other apps

      No Integration information available.

      Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll Customers

      Customers

      HubSpot

      HubSpot

      ACE Hardware

      ACE Hardware

      Harper

      Harper

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Unavailability 1

      7 Screenshots

      Workers Payroll

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      4 Videos

      video-0

      1 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Deputy or QuickBooks Payroll?
      Deputy edges out the other on user ratings (4.5 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case, so use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Deputy and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Deputy vs QuickBooks Payroll?
      Deputy starts at $3.50. QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Deputy?
      Top alternatives to Deputy include Homebase, Shifton, Findmyshift, Staffcloud, Planday.
      What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
      Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.