QuickBooks Time vs Square Payroll Comparison
QuickBooks Time
Starting at $10 /month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
QuickBooks Time is an easy to use time tracking software that helps you accurately track time spent on projects including billable and non-billable items. You can quickly filter your reports by customer, date range and t…
Square Payroll
Starting at $34 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, tax filings, and direct deposi…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
QuickBooks Time vs Square Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | QuickBooks Time | Square Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 1,248 | 15 |
| Starting price | $10 /month | $34 /User/Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Time Tracking Software | Payroll Software |
| Integrations | 12+ apps | — |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours, Online | Business Hours |
| Certifications | — | SOC 2, GDPR |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between QuickBooks Time and Square Payroll
- Pricing: QuickBooks Time starts at $10 /month, while Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: QuickBooks Time supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
QuickBooks Time vs Square Payroll — 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 Time Tracking 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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QuickBooks Time vs Square Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for small to medium service businesses needing simple payroll and time tracking.
- You run a small to medium business with hourly or tipped employees.
- You want effortless integration with Square POS and existing payroll providers.
- You need a simple, user-friendly payroll system with built-in time tracking.
- You require advanced payroll reporting, customization, or analytics.
- You manage complex pay structures, multiple locations, or international staff.
QuickBooks Time typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Square Payroll 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 Time is an easy to use time tracking software that helps you accurately track time spent on projects including billable and non-billable items. You can quickly filter your ... Read More about QuickBooks Time | Square Payroll is payroll software for small businesses and sole proprietors, particularly those already running payments or point-of-sale through Square's ecosystem. It automates pay runs, ... Read More about Square Payroll |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-500 employees | 1-100 employeesMedium Business |
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
- Time Tracking: With QuickBooks Time, your team can log hours from any device, with accurate tracking and fewer errors. This reduces manual data entry and lets your team focus on growing your business.
- Project Management: QuickBooks Time helps managers allocate resources effectively, monitor project timelines, and track team performance. This lets you make informed decisions that improve efficiency and productivity.
- Smooth Integration: QuickBooks Time integrates easily with other QuickBooks products and various payroll systems. This connectivity simplifies your workflow and keeps all financial data consistent and current, speeding up payroll processing.
- Seamless Integration with Square POS: Syncs easily with Square’s point-of-sale system, making it ideal for hourly or tipped workers in service industries.
- Contractor & Employee Support: Easily pay W-2 employees and 1099 contractors with direct deposit and generate tax forms from a single dashboard.
Best fit
- 1-500 employees
- Industries: Consulting, SaaS, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare
- Job Titles: Project Managers, HR Managers, Operations Managers, Finance Managers, Team Leads
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- Users may seek alternatives to QuickBooks Time due to its pricing structure, which can be prohibitive for small businesses or freelancers looking for more budget-friendly time-tracking solutions.
- Some organizations might require specific features, such as advanced reporting or integration with other software platforms, that QuickBooks Time does not fully support, prompting a search for more tailored options.
- The user interface of QuickBooks Time may not meet the needs of all users; alternatives with more intuitive designs could offer a better experience for teams unfamiliar with complex software.
- Businesses already using Square for POS may seek deeper payroll integrations or industry-specific HR features.
- Employers needing more advanced reporting, analytics, or benefits management might explore broader HR platforms.
- Companies managing multi-state or international employees could require tools with expanded compliance capabilities.
Software Demo
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How do QuickBooks Time and Square Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 10 Features | 13 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare QuickBooks Time and Square 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.
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QuickBooks Time vs Square Payroll: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
QuickBooks Time vs Square 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 |
QuickBooks Time User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 1398 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users appreciate Square Payroll's ease of use, integration capabilities, and time-saving automation, though some desire more advanced features for larger or more complex businesses. 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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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |
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Videos |  2 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to QuickBooks Time and Square Payroll 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 Time or Square Payroll?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.5). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do QuickBooks Time and Square Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both QuickBooks Time and Square Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of QuickBooks Time vs Square Payroll?
- QuickBooks Time starts at $10 /month. Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Time?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Time include Homebase, TimeCamp, Time Doctor, Clockify, Hyperlogs.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.