Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time vs Homebase 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 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…
Homebase
Starting at $0 / location / month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, and payroll management, reducing…
Square Payroll leads on user satisfaction with a 5.0-star rating across 15 reviews.
Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time vs Homebase — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | QuickBooks Time | Homebase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5.0 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 15 | 270 | 131 |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | $10 /month | $0 / location / month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Time Tracking Software | Employee Scheduling Software |
| Integrations | — | 12+ apps | 11+ apps |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Browser Based (Cloud) |
| API | Available | Available | Available |
| Support modes | Business Hours | Business Hours, Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | — | SOC 2 |
| Data residency | US | — | United States, Canada |
Key differences between Square Payroll and QuickBooks Time
- Pricing: Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month, while QuickBooks Time starts at $10 /month.
- User satisfaction: Square Payroll scores higher with a 5.0-star average.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; QuickBooks Time supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Compare Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time vs Homebase — and walk away knowing which one fits.
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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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.
Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
Best for simple, streamlined scheduling and payroll in small to mid-sized teams.
- You manage retail, hospitality, or food service teams with up to 500 employees.
- You need an easy-to-use platform for shift scheduling, time tracking, and payroll integration.
- You want built-in team communication tools like chat boards to improve collaboration.
- Your organization requires highly advanced schedule customization beyond basic features.
- You have complex scheduling needs that demand a more intuitive and flexible interface.
Square Payroll typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. QuickBooks Time 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 | 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 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 | Homebase is a comprehensive time-tracking software developed by experienced people managers to enhance team collaboration and efficiency. It simplifies employee time tracking, scheduling, ... Read More about Homebase |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability | |||
SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.7/10 |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | |||
Best Company Size | 1-100 employeesMedium Business | 1-500 employees | 1-50 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
- 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.
- 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.
- Streamlined Communication: Homebase allows smooth communication among team members, letting managers send updates and receive feedback in real-time. Keeping everyone on the same page is easier.
- Efficient Scheduling: With Homebase, scheduling shifts is easy. The intuitive interface lets you create schedules quickly, reducing the headache of manual planning. Your team will appreciate the clarity and predictability in their work hours.
- Time Tracking Made Simple: Say goodbye to manual time sheets! Homebase offers reliable time tracking features that help you monitor employee hours accurately, maintain compliance, and simplify payroll processing.
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
- Industries: Consulting, SaaS, Professional Services, Retail, Healthcare
- Job Titles: Project Managers, HR Managers, Operations Managers, Finance Managers, Team Leads
- 1 to 500 employees
- Retail, Hospitality, Food Service, Healthcare, and Construction
- Managers, Shift Leaders, HR Personnel, and Business Owners
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.
- 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.
- Users may seek alternatives to Homebase if they require more advanced scheduling features or integrations with other software, as some businesses have unique operational needs that Homebase may not fully address.
- Companies with larger teams or more complex workforce management requirements might find that Homebase lacks scalability, prompting them to explore solutions that better accommodate growth and diverse employee roles.
- Businesses prioritizing robust reporting and analytics tools may look for alternatives, as Homebase’s reporting capabilities might not meet the depth of insight required for informed decision-making.
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How do Square Payroll, QuickBooks Time and Homebase Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 10 Features | 32 Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square Payroll, QuickBooks Time and Homebase 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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Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
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HIPAA | ✗ No | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | — | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | — |
Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | |||
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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 mixed across 1398 reviews, so it is worth reviewing the tradeoffs closely. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of scheduling, communication features, and payroll integration, tempered by some interface usability concerns. 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 | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
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List of Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. | No Customers information available. |  Antique Taco  Woodhouse  Souvla |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |
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Videos |  1 Videos |  2 Videos |
Alternatives
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 Time?
- Square Payroll edges out the other on user ratings (5.0 vs 3.4). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Square Payroll and QuickBooks Time offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Square Payroll and QuickBooks Time offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time?
- Square Payroll starts at $34 /User/Month. QuickBooks Time starts at $10 /month.
- What are the top alternatives to Square Payroll?
- Top alternatives to Square Payroll include Patriot Payroll, Paychex Flex, Paycor, Freshbooks, PaymentEvolution.
- What are the top alternatives to QuickBooks Time?
- Top alternatives to QuickBooks Time include Homebase, ClockShark, Timesheets.com, TrackingTime, Timeero.