Blog · Payroll Management
QuickBooks Payroll Pricing Explained: Published Tiers, Linked
Intuit publishes QuickBooks Payroll pricing directly on its website, which puts it in the same transparent-pricing category as Gusto rather than the quote-gated model used by ADP and Paychex. This guide covers the tier structure and what typically changes as you move up, without repeating a specific dollar figure that could go stale. Always check the live pricing page for current numbers.
How QuickBooks Payroll Pricing Is Structured
QuickBooks Payroll follows the standard published-software model: a base monthly platform fee plus a per-employee-per-month charge that scales with headcount. Intuit sells this in named tiers, generally moving from a core payroll tier up through tiers that add same-day direct deposit, tax penalty protection, and expanded HR support tools.
Because QuickBooks Payroll integrates with QuickBooks Online accounting, Intuit frequently offers bundled pricing or promotional discounts for existing QuickBooks customers. Bundle terms and promotional pricing change often, so the tier names and exact figures are best confirmed on quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/ rather than repeated here.
What Changes as You Move Up Tiers
- Entry tier: Core payroll processing and tax filing, integrated with QuickBooks Online.
- Mid tier: Adds same-day direct deposit and expanded reporting.
- Top tier: Adds tax penalty protection, HR support resources, and premium onboarding.
As with any DIY software, moving up a tier buys you more built-in features, but it does not remove the labor of running payroll yourself each cycle. That distinction matters when comparing total cost against a fully managed service.
What the Published Price Does Not Include
The advertised tier price covers the software platform. It does not cover the time your bookkeeper or office manager spends running payroll each period, correcting your own data-entry mistakes, or handling complex multi-state compliance questions that fall outside standard support. Those costs are real even though they never appear on the pricing page.
If you are weighing QuickBooks Payroll against a legacy provider, see our ADP vs QuickBooks Payroll comparison. For the full category breakdown of DIY versus full-service versus managed pricing, see our payroll software pricing guide.
The Alternative: Fully Managed Payroll
If you like the transparency of a published price but do not want to run payroll yourself, a managed service is the tradeoff on the other side. BEG publishes a flat $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, and a team handles the processing, filing, and corrections for you.
Transparent Pricing, Fully Managed.
BEG publishes a flat $25-$45 per employee per month, all-inclusive. Get an instant on-screen estimate, no quote gate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does QuickBooks Payroll publish its pricing?
Yes. Intuit publishes QuickBooks Payroll pricing directly at quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/, with named tiers and a base-plus-per-employee structure. Always check the live page for current figures since Intuit periodically updates pricing and promotions.
How is QuickBooks Payroll priced?
Like most published-tier payroll software, QuickBooks Payroll combines a base monthly fee with a per-employee-per-month charge. Higher tiers add features like same-day direct deposit, tax penalty protection, and expanded HR support.
Is QuickBooks Payroll cheaper if I already use QuickBooks for accounting?
Intuit frequently bundles or discounts QuickBooks Payroll for existing QuickBooks Online users. Check the current bundled pricing on the official pricing page, since bundle discounts and terms change.
Is QuickBooks Payroll a managed service?
No. QuickBooks Payroll is DIY software. You or your bookkeeper runs payroll through the platform each cycle. It is not a managed service where a provider processes payroll on your behalf.
How does QuickBooks Payroll compare to a managed payroll service?
QuickBooks Payroll is typically cheaper per employee than a managed service, but you take on the labor of running payroll and handling any errors yourself. BEG charges a flat $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, and a team runs it for you.
Anthony leads payroll solutions at Business Executive Group, a national managed payroll firm serving businesses across industries. BEG manages payroll at $25-$45 PEPM, all-inclusive, with deep expertise in compliance, multi-state filing, and industry-specific payroll requirements. Get instant pricing at beghr.com.
Authoritative source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
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