Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time Comparison
Square Payroll
Starting at $34 /User/Month
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Square Payroll is our new, easy-to-use payroll software that integrates with your existing payroll provider. It helps you pay employees faster, keep better track of hours worked, and outsource the labor-intensive parts o…
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 leads on user satisfaction with a 3.9-star rating across 586 reviews.
Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time — at a glance
| Feature | Square Payroll | QuickBooks Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 586 | 270 |
| Starting price | $34 /User/Month | $10 /month |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Payroll Software | Time Tracking 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 | Business Hours, Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | — |
| Data residency | US | — |
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 3.9-star average.
- Deployment: Square Payroll supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS; QuickBooks Time supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS.
Square Payroll vs QuickBooks Time — 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert | Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
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
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 our new, easy-to-use payroll software that integrates with your existing payroll provider. It helps you pay employees faster, keep better track of hours worked, and ... 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 |
|---|---|---|
Entry Level Pricing |
|
|
Free Trial Availability | ||
Spotsaas ScoreWhat'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.
- Streamlined Time Tracking: With QuickBooks Time, your team can easily log hours from any device, ensuring accurate tracking and reducing the risk of errors. This means less time spent on manual entry and more time focused on what really matters—growing your business.
- Enhanced Project Management: By using QuickBooks Time, managers can allocate resources more effectively, monitor project timelines, and gain insights into team performance. This allows you to make informed decisions that drive efficiency and productivity.
- Seamless Integration: QuickBooks Time integrates effortlessly with other QuickBooks products and various payroll systems. This connectivity not only simplifies your workflow but also ensures that all financial data is consistent and up-to-date, making payroll processing a breeze.
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
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.
Software Demo
Demo |
|---|
Need a second opinion?
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.
How do Square Payroll and QuickBooks Time Compare on Features?
Total Features | 13 Features | 10 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Square Payroll and QuickBooks Time 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 |
|
|
Pricing Plans |
|
|
Pricing Page |  |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
|
|
|---|---|---|
Platforms Supported |
|
|
Modes of support |
|
|
API Support |
|
|
Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
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 | 3.9 (based on 586 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
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
|
Pros and Cons |
|
|
Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
Integrations
Integration with other apps | No Integration information available. |
|---|
Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  6 Screenshots |  3 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos |  1 Videos |  2 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Square Payroll and QuickBooks Time in 2026
Alternatives |
|---|
Add another option to compare side by side
Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.Compare similar software options
Related Blogs and Articles for Time Tracking Software
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 (3.9 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.