PayFWDs vs QuickBooks Payroll

PayFWDs9.2Visit QPQuickBooks Payroll6.9Visit

Higher score PayFWDs #1 in Nonprofit Payroll Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit PayFWDs

vs

QP QuickBooks Payroll #8 in Nonprofit Payroll Software 6.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 5 features Visit QuickBooks

• PayFWDs fits best

  Nonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs

• QuickBooks Payroll fits best

  QuickBooks-centered nonprofits

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature	PayFWDs 9.2/10 Visit ↗	QPQuickBooks Payroll 6.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	6.9
Ranking	#1 in Nonprofit Payroll Software	#8 in Nonprofit Payroll Software
Best for	Nonprofits allocating payroll to grants and programs	QuickBooks-centered nonprofits
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	$50/mo
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile
Platforms	Web	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	9 integrations	5 integrations
Features PayFWDs 5/5 · QuickBooks Payroll 2/5
Tax filing included	✓	✓
Nonprofit tax support	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Multi-state payroll	✓	✓
Contractor payments	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Time tracking	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Employee limit	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Allocates labor costs across grants, funds, programs, and projects Supports federal, state, and local tax filing across multiple states Combines payroll, time tracking, HR, reporting, and contractor payments	Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments Provides direct deposit and employee self-service portals Connects with QuickBooks Online, Square, and benefits platforms
Cons	Pricing is customized and requires contact with sales The platform is web-based rather than offered across multiple platform types Organizations seeking payroll-only software may find its wider scope unnecessary	Higher-tier plans are needed for time tracking and scheduling The product is designed for small businesses, not only nonprofits Less suited to buyers prioritizing tip management or one payroll frequency
Our verdict	PayFWDs is a cloud-based payroll and HR platform for small to midsize nonprofits and other growing organizations. Its nonprofit focus centers on assigning labor costs to grants, funds, programs, and projects, while covering payroll… Read the review →	QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud payroll service for small businesses, including nonprofits that already work in the QuickBooks ecosystem. It calculates, files, and pays payroll taxes; supports direct deposit; provides employee portals for… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• PayFWDs — where it wins

  • Allocates labor costs across grants, funds, programs, and projects
  • Supports federal, state, and local tax filing across multiple states
  • Combines payroll, time tracking, HR, reporting, and contractor payments

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is customized and requires contact with sales
  • The platform is web-based rather than offered across multiple platform types
  • Organizations seeking payroll-only software may find its wider scope unnecessary

• QuickBooks Payroll — where it wins

  • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
  • Provides direct deposit and employee self-service portals
  • Connects with QuickBooks Online, Square, and benefits platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • Higher-tier plans are needed for time tracking and scheduling
  • The product is designed for small businesses, not only nonprofits
  • Less suited to buyers prioritizing tip management or one payroll frequency

• PayFWDs9.2/10 · Pricing on request

  A nonprofit-focused payroll platform built for grant allocation and multi-state compliance.

  Visit PayFWDsFull verdict →
• QPQuickBooks Payroll6.9/10 · 30-day trial

  A QuickBooks-focused payroll service with tax filing, direct deposit, and employee self-service.

  Visit QuickBooksFull verdict →