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Head-to-head · Small Business Payroll Software

QuickBooks Payroll vs Paylocity

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score QuickBooks Payroll #2 in Small Business Payroll Software 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 3 features Visit QuickBooks
Paylocity #7 in Small Business Payroll Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Paylocity

QuickBooks Payroll leads on 0 checks, Paylocity on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreQuickBooks Payroll · 9.1/10
  • Free trialonly QuickBooks Payroll
  • Most featuresQuickBooks Payroll · 1 of 3

QuickBooks Payroll scores higher on our rubric for small business payroll software: 9.1 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.

QuickBooks Payroll is the better fit for U.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks. Paylocity is the better fit for small firms prioritizing mobile workforce management.

  • QuickBooks Payroll fits best

    U.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks

  • Paylocity fits best

    Small firms prioritizing mobile workforce management

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. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature QuickBooks Payroll 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Paylocity 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.6
Ranking #2 in Small Business Payroll Software #7 in Small Business Payroll Software
Best for U.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks Small firms prioritizing mobile workforce management
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $50/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 350+ integrations
Features QuickBooks Payroll 1/3 · Paylocity 0/3
Tax filing included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Direct deposit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Employee self-service ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Pay frequencies Not checked yet Not checked yet
Worker pay types Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll runs Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
  • Includes next-day direct deposit and an employee self-service portal
  • Available on web, iOS, and Android
  • Mobile access for employees, supervisors, administrators, and executives
  • Combines time tracking, time off, onboarding, and performance workflows
  • Marketplace integrations and developer APIs support connected systems
Cons
  • Workforce Payroll starts at $50 per month, plus $7 per employee monthly
  • Time tracking and scheduling are limited to higher-tier plans
  • Direct deposit timing and other features vary by plan
  • Pricing is customized and requires contacting sales
  • No public plan tiers to compare before a sales conversation
  • Payroll processing and tax filing are not specified in the feature list
Our verdict

QuickBooks Payroll is Intuit’s cloud payroll service for small businesses, including restaurants and other hospitality operators. It handles payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments, and provides direct deposit, employee access to…

Read the review →

Paylocity brings payroll-related employee self-service together with HR, workforce management, and talent tools in a cloud platform. It is aimed at organizations ranging from small businesses to enterprises, with a particular fit for small…

Read the review →
  1. QuickBooks PayrollSmall Business Payroll Software 9.130-day trial
  2. PaylocitySmall Business Payroll Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • QuickBooks Payroll — where it wins

    • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
    • Includes next-day direct deposit and an employee self-service portal
    • Available on web, iOS, and Android

    Where it doesn't

    • Workforce Payroll starts at $50 per month, plus $7 per employee monthly
    • Time tracking and scheduling are limited to higher-tier plans
    • Direct deposit timing and other features vary by plan

  • Paylocity — where it wins

    • Mobile access for employees, supervisors, administrators, and executives
    • Combines time tracking, time off, onboarding, and performance workflows
    • Marketplace integrations and developer APIs support connected systems

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is customized and requires contacting sales
    • No public plan tiers to compare before a sales conversation
    • Payroll processing and tax filing are not specified in the feature list
  • QuickBooks Payroll9.1/10 · 30-day trial

    Automates payroll taxes and direct deposit for small businesses in the QuickBooks ecosystem.

    Visit QuickBooksFull verdict →
  • Paylocity8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad workforce platform for small firms that value mobile access and employee self-service.

    Visit PaylocityFull verdict →

More comparisons

All small business payroll software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update