Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll Comparison
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…
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…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | QuickBooks Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 15 | 55 |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | $49 /Month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small 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 | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | — |
Key differences between Square Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month, while QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
- Target audience: Square Payroll is built for Large Enterprises and Medium Business, while QuickBooks Payroll targets Small Business.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; QuickBooks Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Square Payroll vs QuickBooks 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 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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Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
Small Business
Square Payroll 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 | 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 | 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 |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | ||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 1-100 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.
Key strengths
- 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.
- 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
- 1–100 employees
- Retail, food service, salons, hospitality, and other service-based small businesses
- Business Owners, Payroll Managers, Accountants, Restaurant Managers, and HR Assistants
- 1–500 employees
- Retail, professional services, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and nonprofits.
- Payroll Managers, HR Managers, Accountants, Business Owners, and Finance Directors.
Reasons buyers look elsewhere
- 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.
- 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.
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How do Square Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square Payroll 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.
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Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll: 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 |
Square Payroll 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 | — |
Square Payroll User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | 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
| Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 52 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. 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 |  6 Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  1 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Square Payroll and QuickBooks 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, Square Payroll or QuickBooks Payroll?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 4.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Square Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Square Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll?
- Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. QuickBooks Payroll starts at $49 /Month.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include OnPay, APS Payroll, Heartland Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll, Justworks.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll include Heartland Payroll, OnPay, Square Payroll, Patriot Payroll, SurePayroll.