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Head-to-head · Direct Deposit Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score QuickBooks Payroll #2 in Direct Deposit Payroll 9.1/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit site
SurePayroll #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll 8.5/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit SurePayroll

QuickBooks Payroll leads on 0 checks, SurePayroll on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 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
  • Lowest starting priceSurePayroll · $20/mo
  • Free trialonly QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll scores higher on our rubric for direct deposit payroll: 9.1 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

SurePayroll is cheaper to start at $20/mo against $50/mo.

QuickBooks Payroll is the better fit for quickBooks users needing fast direct deposit. SurePayroll is the better fit for small restaurants paying tipped employees.

  • QuickBooks Payroll fits best

    QuickBooks users needing fast direct deposit

  • SurePayroll fits best

    Small restaurants paying tipped employees

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Side by side

Feature QuickBooks Payroll 9.1/10 Visit ↗ SurePayroll 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.5
Ranking #2 in Direct Deposit Payroll #5 in Direct Deposit Payroll
Best for QuickBooks users needing fast direct deposit Small restaurants paying tipped employees
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $50/mo $20/mo (best)
Free plan — —
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Features QuickBooks Payroll 2/2 · SurePayroll 2/2
Payroll tax filing ✓ ✓
Employee self-service ✓ ✓
Specs
Pay frequency Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deposit speed Not checked yet Not checked yet
Payroll countries Not checked yet Not checked yet
Employee limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
  • Offers next-day direct deposit, with same-day options on some plans
  • Employee portal provides pay stubs, W-2s, and tax information
  • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
  • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
  • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service
Cons
  • Workforce Payroll starts at $50 per month plus $7 per employee
  • Time tracking and scheduling require higher-tier plans
  • No free plan is available after the 30-day trial
  • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
  • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
  • Restaurant POS integration is not established
Our verdict

QuickBooks Payroll is Intuit’s cloud payroll service for small businesses, including restaurants and other hospitality operators. It calculates, files, and pays payroll taxes, supports direct deposit, and provides an employee portal for…

Read the review →

SurePayroll is an online payroll service from Paychex for small businesses, including restaurants that pay tipped employees. Its restaurant payroll support includes tip reporting and multiple pay rates for different roles. Employees can…

Read the review →
  1. QuickBooks PayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 9.130-day trial
  2. SurePayrollDirect Deposit Payroll 8.5Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • QuickBooks Payroll — where it wins

    • Automates payroll tax calculations, filings, and payments
    • Offers next-day direct deposit, with same-day options on some plans
    • Employee portal provides pay stubs, W-2s, and tax information

    Where it doesn't

    • Workforce Payroll starts at $50 per month plus $7 per employee
    • Time tracking and scheduling require higher-tier plans
    • No free plan is available after the 30-day trial

  • SurePayroll — where it wins

    • Supports tipped wages, tip reporting and multiple employee pay rates
    • Full Service includes tax filing and free 2-day direct deposit
    • Employees can access paystubs and tax forms through self-service

    Where it doesn't

    • Plans have monthly base and per-employee charges
    • No Tax Filing excludes payroll tax filing and deposits
    • Restaurant POS integration is not established
  • QuickBooks Payroll9.1/10 · 30-day trial

    QuickBooks Payroll delivers automated tax filing and fast direct deposit for QuickBooks-centered teams.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • SurePayroll8.5/10 · Paid

    Restaurant payroll with tip reporting, direct deposit and employee self-service.

    Visit SurePayrollFull verdict →

More comparisons

All direct deposit payroll comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update