Top QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Alternatives & Competitors For 2024

Last Updated:

Looking for alternatives to QuickBooks Desktop Payroll? Many users crave user-friendly and feature-rich solutions for tasks like Security and Compliance, Payroll and Tax Management, and Platform Capabilities. Leveraging crowdsourced data from over 1,000 real Payroll Software selection projects based on 400+ capabilities, we present a comparison of QuickBooks Desktop Payroll to leading industry alternatives like Paycom, Sage Payroll, OnPay, and Fingercheck.

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Software Tool
Sage Payroll Software Tool

Product Basics

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is a subscription-based labor management solution that offers robust functionalities, including tax penalty protection, automated payrolls, expert support, direct deposits and detailed reports.

The product covers essential aspects of workforce regulation like payroll deductions and approvals, tax liabilities, workers' contributions, holiday tracking and more. It offers group health benefits, scalable subscription plans, smart integrations and support resources for an enhanced user experience. Same-day direct deposits save time and notifications help stay up-to-date with business processes.
read more...
Paycom is a cloud-based payroll management software designed to streamline payroll processing for businesses of all sizes. It automates tasks like calculating taxes, generating paychecks, and filing reports, saving time and reducing errors. Paycom is particularly well-suited for companies with complex payroll needs, such as those with multiple locations, international employees, or union contracts. Some of Paycom's key benefits include its ease of use, scalability, and compliance support. The software is known for its intuitive interface and comprehensive features, making it easy for both administrators and employees to navigate. Paycom can also be customized to meet the specific needs of different businesses, regardless of size or industry. Additionally, Paycom stays up-to-date on all tax and regulatory changes, ensuring that businesses are always in compliance. When compared to similar payroll products, Paycom generally receives positive reviews from users for its user-friendly interface, comprehensive features, and reliable customer support. However, it is also known to be one of the more expensive options on the market, with pricing based on the number of employees and the complexity of payroll needs.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Comprehensive features
  • Reliable customer support
  • Scalable for businesses of all sizes
  • Strong compliance support
Cons
  • Higher cost compared to competitors
  • Complex pricing structure
  • May require additional setup for complex needs
  • Limited reporting customization options
  • Not ideal for very small businesses
read more...
Sage HRMS Payroll is an HR system used by businesses of all sizes across all industries. It enables organizations to process pay in-house. It streamlines tasks such as tallying hours worked, calculating tax and managing data. The single platform approach lets users streamline their pay processes and ensure employees receive accurate paychecks at the end of each pay period. If you integrate with a full suite, users can automate various tasks concerning processing payments, including time and attendance tracking, benefits management and recruitment.
read more...
OnPay is designed to address core payroll needs for small businesses and handles basic HR functions as well. It integrates with a variety of other HR systems to enhance HR processes that include time tracking, accounting, benefits and compliance software integrations.

It requires no more than a few minutes to set up and features an easy-to-use interface. It also offers assistance with data migration for new users, making the transition even easier.
read more...
Fingercheck is a cloud-based human resources platform that streamlines hiring, time tracking and payroll tasks along with various other HR management tasks. Beneficial for users at all levels, it allows both employees and employers to streamline workflows. It helps automate payroll processes, connects time tracking, payroll and core HR functions, and automatically tracks and compiles relevant data.
read more...
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$$$$$
i
$61
$25
$595
$46
$3
Monthly
Per Employee, Monthly
Annually
Monthly
Monthly
No
No
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Small 
i
Medium 
i
Large 
i
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Ranking

#90

among all
Payroll Software

#2

among all
Payroll Software

#24

among all
Payroll Software

#20

among all
Payroll Software

#19

among all
Payroll Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

we're gathering data
86
we're gathering data
75
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
85
we're gathering data
89
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
100
we're gathering data
60
we're gathering data
we're gathering data
100
we're gathering data
40
we're gathering data
Show More Show More
Benefits Management
Dashboard and Reporting
Expense Management
Platform Capabilities
Security and Compliance
Dashboard and Reporting
Expense Management
Security and Compliance
Time and Attendance Management
Payroll and Tax Management
Benefits Management
Dashboard and Reporting
Expense Management
Platform Capabilities
Security and Compliance
Security and Compliance
Benefits Management
Payroll and Tax Management
Benefits Management
Dashboard and Reporting
Expense Management
Platform Capabilities
Security and Compliance

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
Paycom
Sage Payroll
OnPay
Fingercheck
+ Add Product + Add Product
Benefits Management Dashboard and Reporting Expense Management Mobile Capabilities Payroll and Tax Management Platform Capabilities Security and Compliance Time and Attendance Management 85 100 100 87 91 87 100 95 89 60 40 69 88 83 100 52 0 25 50 75 100
0%
100%
83%
17%
0%
100%
83%
17%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
60%
40%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
20%
80%
0%
100%
0%
100%
80%
20%
0%
100%
60%
40%
0%
100%
0%
100%
87%
13%
0%
100%
87%
13%
0%
100%
0%
100%
89%
11%
0%
100%
78%
22%
0%
100%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
100%
88%
12%
0%
100%
25%
75%
0%
100%

Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

0%
100%
43%
57%
0%
100%
43%
57%
0%
100%

User Sentiment Summary

we're gathering data
Great User Sentiment 2809 reviews
Good User Sentiment 92 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 616 reviews
Excellent User Sentiment 235 reviews
we're gathering data
85%
of users recommend this product

Paycom has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% when considering 2809 user reviews from 6 recognized software review sites.

70%
of users recommend this product

Sage Payroll has a 'good' User Satisfaction Rating of 70% when considering 92 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

98%
of users recommend this product

OnPay has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 98% when considering 616 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

92%
of users recommend this product

Fingercheck has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 92% when considering 235 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

n/a
4.4 (14)
5.0 (1)
5.0 (16)
n/a
n/a
4.2 (935)
3.3 (30)
4.9 (195)
4.6 (181)
n/a
4.34 (672)
n/a
n/a
4.58 (26)
n/a
4.4 (640)
3.6 (56)
4.9 (377)
4.6 (25)
n/a
4.8 (162)
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
3.6 (386)
3.0 (5)
4.6 (28)
5.0 (3)

Awards

we're gathering data
Expense Management Award
we're gathering data
User Favorite Award
User Favorite Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Accurate Calculations: Users praise QuickBooks Desktop Payroll for its precise tax calculations, ensuring compliance and reducing errors.
Direct Deposit: The direct deposit feature streamlines payroll processing, making it convenient for both employers and employees.
Reporting Capabilities: QuickBooks Desktop Payroll offers comprehensive reporting options, providing valuable insights into payroll expenses and employee data.
Show more
User-Friendly: 85% of reviews mentioning the interface noted the platform has an intuitive layout, with all features organized and easy to locate.
Customer Service: Customer support is highly responsive, as asserted by 100% of reviews referencing it.
Employee Self-Services: All users referring to self-service observed that employees can easily upload documents, view information and track performance.
Performance Reviews: An open dialogue tool makes employee performance reviews more effective, as indicated by 70% of reviews mentioning this feature.
Use Anywhere: The mobile app is easy to use and has all desktop features available, as asserted by 100% reviews on this feature.
Customization: Customization for most features helps cater to a company’s unique requirements, as noted by all reviews on product customization.
Show more
Excellent HR Functionality: Over 90% of reviewers discussing the HR functions said it worked well.
Useful Reporting: Commenters liked reporting in just under 90% of reviews that discussed it.
Successful Functionality: More than 80% of users who talked about the features were pleased with their functionality.
Great Price: Reviewers were pleased with the price in over 70% of reviews discussing the cost.
Helpful Customer Service: Over 70% of commenters that discussed support felt it was pleasant and useful.
User Friendly: Reviewers felt the system was easy to use in over 60% of comments about the platform’s usability.
Show more
Customer Support: The service team is well-versed with the product and responds quickly, as noted by 93% of users referencing support.
Budget-Friendly: OnPay’s cost has good value against the features offered, according to 91% of users mentioning price.
User-Friendly: The application is easy to adapt to and use, suggested 82% of users who reviewed usage and interface.
Payroll Updates: Gantt Charts provide management with a rich visualization of project workflows and data depiction that helps solve scheduling problems, as observed by approximately 100% of users who talk about its visualizer tool.
Workflow Management: Of users mentioning workflow management, 85% suggested the platform simplifies and organizes workflows to make operations easy.
Show more
Ease of Use: The system is user friendly and easy to navigate, as observed by 97% of reviewers referencing navigation.
Customer Service: The support team is very responsive and helpful, according to 88% of reviewers who mention this aspect.
Centralized Payroll: Everyone talking about this feature noted the system provides centralized payroll information and serves as a combination of time clock and payroll.
Time Clock: More than 75% of reviewers who talk about this feature observed it helps access timecards for several locations at once.
Labor Tracking: The system helps organize, track and manage work hours from anywhere, any time according to every user referencing this feature.
Show more
Outdated Interface: Many users find the interface clunky and outdated compared to modern cloud-based payroll solutions.
Limited Mobile Functionality: Users seeking robust mobile access for tasks like approving time-off requests or running payroll on-the-go may find the mobile app lacking.
Technical Issues: Some users report encountering technical glitches and errors, leading to frustration and wasted time.
Show more
Login Process: All reviews on the login process observed that employees need to log in every time they open the software, as there’s no password save feature.
Challenging Transition: Transitioning between the client and employee side is challenging and cumbersome, as users need to log in to both systems, according to all reviews on this aspect.
Learning Curve: All users reviewing learning noted that the platform has a steep learning curve, making adaptation difficult for new users.
Integration Capabilities: The system doesn't provide integration with major third-party platforms without using SFTP or API, as indicated by 100% of reviews on this feature.
Show more
Performance Issues: Over 80% of users who talked about the system’s performance said they ran into some bugs and crashes.
Bad Setup: Reviewers ran into issues and sharp learning curves during implementation in over 60% of comments about it.
Show more
Unstable Mobile App: The mobile app doesn’t offer optimum usage and lacks functionality compared to the web and desktop versions, according to 66% of reviews referring to this feature.
Show more
Technical Glitches: Everyone mentioning this aspect observed issues such as no reflection of time punches on the self-service portal, inclusion of former employees during payroll calculation and online banking rejection.
Slow System: The system is slow and takes a while to generate reports.
Show more

Is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll truly a "quick" book to payroll mastery, or does it leave users feeling like they're stuck in a rut? User reviews from the last year suggest that QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is a powerful and reliable tool for managing payroll, but it may not be the best fit for every business. Users praise its ease of use, particularly for those already familiar with QuickBooks Desktop, and its affordability compared to other payroll software like Gusto or ADP. However, some users have reported that the software can be slow and clunky, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. A key differentiating factor for QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is its tight integration with other Intuit products, such as QuickBooks Desktop accounting software. This integration allows for seamless data transfer and eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving businesses time and reducing errors. However, this integration can also be a drawback for businesses that don't use other Intuit products, as it can limit flexibility and make it difficult to switch to other software in the future. Overall, QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses that are already using QuickBooks Desktop for their accounting needs and are looking for a reliable and affordable payroll solution. Businesses with complex payroll needs or those looking for a more modern and user-friendly interface may want to consider other options.

Show more

Paycom users in the past year have expressed both enthusiasm and concerns about the software. Many praise its user-friendly interface, mobile app convenience, and comprehensive feature set, which includes payroll, HR, benefits administration, and talent management. Compared to competitors, users find Paycom to be more intuitive and integrated, streamlining HR processes and saving time. Additionally, customer service is often lauded as responsive and helpful. However, some drawbacks are also mentioned. Implementation can be complex and require significant initial effort. Pricing concerns surface, with Paycom perceived as costlier than some competitors. While offering a wider range of features, this may not be necessary for all businesses, leading to potential overpaying for unused functionalities. Overall, Paycom seems to be a powerful and user-friendly option for companies seeking a one-stop HR and payroll solution. However, its complexity and cost warrant careful consideration, especially for smaller businesses or those with simpler needs. Comparing features and pricing with competitors is crucial to ensure Paycom aligns with your specific requirements and budget.

Show more

Sage HRMS Payroll is a payment solution that’s part of the broader software suite. Users enjoyed its useful functionality, ease of use, intuitive layout and good HR features. The reporting features were prevalent because of the comprehensive breakdowns and different levels of permissions on the report. Many also liked that there was no hard close after closing the payroll. Users also felt that customer service was polite and was able to help many through challenges. Overall, reviewers also said it was well-priced and affordable. Its biggest drawback came in the form of performance issues. Users experienced instances of getting kicked out or running into programs that were buggy or crashed. Reviewers were also displeased with the setup process they felt was over-complicated and took far too long. Sage HRMS Payroll may be a good choice for medium and large enterprise organizations who are looking to integrate HR functions as well.

Show more

OnPay is a payroll and HR management software ideal for small businesses. It offers various robust features such as workflow management, automated payroll updates, taxations and billings. It’s also easy to use and good for small budgets. The one notable drawback users cited was the mobile app’s functionality and speed. Overall, small businesses looking for an economic payroll solution with plenty of functionality should consider OnPay.

Show more

Fingercheck’s user-friendly interface makes it easier to handle common HR activities. The support team is responsive, and features like labor tracking, the time clock and centralized payroll information are beneficial according to most reviewers. However, it suffers from certain technical glitches and tends to run slow at times. Overall, it’s a good fit for organizations looking for an all-in-one solution.

Show more

Related Categories

Show more

Top Alternatives in Payroll Software


ADP Workforce Now

APS Payroll

Gusto

Namely

OnPay

Patriot Payroll

Paychex

Paycom

Paycor

Paylocity

Payroll4Free

QuickBooks Payroll

Rippling

TriNet

Workday HCM

WE DISTILL IT INTO REAL REQUIREMENTS, COMPARISON REPORTS, PRICE GUIDES and more...

Compare products
Comparison Report
Just drag this link to the bookmark bar.
?
Table settings