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Head-to-head · Small Business Payroll Software

QuickBooks Payroll vs Rippling

  • 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
Rippling #8 in Small Business Payroll Software 8.5/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Rippling

QuickBooks Payroll leads on 0 checks, Rippling 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 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

QuickBooks Payroll is the better fit for U.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks. Rippling is the better fit for small firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform.

  • QuickBooks Payroll fits best

    U.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks

  • Rippling fits best

    Small firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform

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Side by side

Feature QuickBooks Payroll 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Rippling 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #2 in Small Business Payroll Software #8 in Small Business Payroll Software
Best for U.S. small businesses already using QuickBooks Small firms seeking payroll within a connected HR platform
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $50/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 5 integrations 650+ integrations
Features QuickBooks Payroll 1/3 · Rippling 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
  • Connects payroll and benefits with employee records and time tools
  • Automates onboarding, offboarding, approvals, and workflows
  • Supports web and mobile access with 650 integrations
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 requires a custom quote
  • Payroll and tax capabilities are not described in detail
  • Availability and pricing may vary by country and selected modules
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 →

Rippling brings payroll into a cloud workforce management platform for organizations managing employee data and HR operations. For small firms, its appeal is the ability to place payroll alongside benefits administration, time tracking,…

Read the review →
  1. QuickBooks PayrollSmall Business Payroll Software 9.130-day trial
  2. RipplingSmall Business Payroll Software 8.5Pricing 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

  • Rippling — where it wins

    • Connects payroll and benefits with employee records and time tools
    • Automates onboarding, offboarding, approvals, and workflows
    • Supports web and mobile access with 650 integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a custom quote
    • Payroll and tax capabilities are not described in detail
    • Availability and pricing may vary by country and selected modules
  • QuickBooks Payroll9.1/10 · 30-day trial

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

    Visit QuickBooksFull verdict →
  • Rippling8.5/10 · Pricing on request

    Payroll sits within a broad HR platform that also connects time, benefits, and workflows.

    Visit RipplingFull 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