QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper Comparison
QuickBooks Payroll
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…
Microkeeper
Starting at $2.25 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Microkeeper is a user-friendly payroll software that connects you with the world of business payroll processing: delivering quick online setup, automated time keeping and more. Payroll processing has never been easier or…
Microkeeper leads on user satisfaction with a 4.7-star rating across 90 reviews.
QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper — at a glance
| Feature | QuickBooks Payroll | Microkeeper |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 |
| Reviews | 55 | 90 |
| Starting price | $49 /Month | $2.25 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | 8+ apps | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | — | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | — | GDPR |
| Data residency | — | AU |
Key differences between QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper
- Pricing: QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month, while Microkeeper starts at $2.25 /User/Month.
- Target audience: QuickBooks Payroll is built for Small Business, while Microkeeper targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Microkeeper scores higher with a 4.7-star average.
- Deployment: QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Microkeeper supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Payroll 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.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Small Business
Best for Australian shift-based businesses needing compliant, all-in-one payroll and HR.
- You operate a 10-500 employee business in Australia requiring automated Fair Work award compliance.
- You want a simple, user-friendly platform combining payroll, rostering, timesheets, and HR tasks.
- You need integrated real-time attendance tracking with GPS clock-ins and digital timesheets.
- Your company is outside Australia and needs localized payroll compliance for other regions.
- You require a highly modern or customizable user interface with advanced design aesthetics.
QuickBooks Payroll typically suits Small Business. Microkeeper tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | 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 | Microkeeper is a user-friendly payroll software that connects you with the world of business payroll processing: delivering quick online setup, automated time keeping and more. Payroll ... Read More about Microkeeper |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1–500 employees | 10-50 employees51-500 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.
Key strengths
- 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.
- All-in-One Australian Payroll & HR: Combines payroll, time tracking, rostering, onboarding, and superannuation management in one localised platform.
- Automated Award Interpretation: Automatically applies Australian Fair Work awards to confirm accurate employee pay and compliance.
- Streamlined Workforce Management: Offers real-time attendance, GPS clock-ins, and digital timesheets for efficient labour tracking and scheduling.
Best fit
- 1–500 employees
- Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
- Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
- 10–500 employees
- Trades, construction, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and other shift-based sectors in Australia
- Payroll Officers, Operations Managers, HR Administrators, Business Owners, and Compliance Managers
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- Businesses outside Australia may seek payroll platforms with compliance support tailored to their local tax systems.
- Companies requiring more advanced HR modules like learning management or succession planning might prefer larger HCM platforms
- Organizations with highly complex workforce structures could benefit from industry-specific payroll systems.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper Compare on Features?
Total Features | 12 Features | 9 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper 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.
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QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
HIPAA | — | ✗ No |
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GDPR | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Encryption | — | ✓ Yes |
Data Residency | — | 🇦🇺 AU |
QuickBooks Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall, users appreciate Microkeeper’s ease of use, time-saving automation, and comprehensive payroll and HR features, though some note occasional downtime and UI design limitations. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  Red Rooster  Quality Hotel  TELSTRA |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots | No screenshots available. |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper in 2026
Alternatives |
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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, QuickBooks Payroll or Microkeeper?
- Microkeeper edges out the other on user ratings (4.7 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper offer a free trial?
- Yes, both QuickBooks Payroll and Microkeeper offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of QuickBooks Payroll vs Microkeeper?
- QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month. Microkeeper starts at $2.25 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.
- What are the top alternatives to Microkeeper?
- Top alternatives to Microkeeper include Paybooks, Heartland Payroll, Hive Payroll, Papaya Global, APS Payroll.