QuickBooks payroll is now sold as QuickBooks Workforce. This review looks at it for a business paying one to five people: what each plan includes, what it adds up to, what the offer terms leave out, and how it compares on price with Gusto and Square. Our QuickBooks Payroll vs Gusto post is the head-to-head; this one is about whether QuickBooks is worth it at this size.
We haven't run payroll on these products. Everything here comes from each company's own public pages, read on 8 October 2026, and prices change: check the live page before you sign up.
The three QuickBooks payroll plans
| Plan | Price a month | Key additions |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Payroll | $50 + $7 per employee | Full-service payroll, auto payroll, 1099 e-file, next-day direct deposit, employee portal |
| Workforce Premium | $88 + $13 per employee | Time tracking, same-day direct deposit, expert review of setup, automated I-9, HR tools |
| Workforce Elite | $134 + $17 per employee | Expert setup, tax penalty protection, personal HR advisor, more time tools |
QuickBooks' feature notes add detail that matters at this size. Automated tax payments and filings cover federal and state taxes, while certain local taxes are only on Premium and Elite. Weekend phone and chat support is only on Premium and Elite. Auto payroll starts after the first successful run, for salaried staff or hourly staff on default hours, with direct deposit set up.
What QuickBooks Payroll costs for 1 to 5 employees
| Plan | 1 employee | 3 employees | 5 employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workforce Payroll | $57 | $71 | $85 |
| Workforce Premium | $101 | $127 | $153 |
| Workforce Elite | $151 | $185 | $219 |
The offer is 50% off for 3 months, but the terms say the discount applies to the monthly base price only and not to per-employee, per-contractor or state tax filing fees. On Workforce Payroll with 3 employees that is $25 plus $21, so $46 a month for 3 months, then $71. New customers can take a 30-day free trial instead; QuickBooks says offers for the same product can't be combined.
How it compares with Gusto and Square
| QuickBooks Workforce Payroll | Gusto Simple | Square Payroll | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $50 + $7 per employee | $49 + $6 per person | $35 + $6 per person paid |
| Monthly, 3 employees | $71 | $67 | $53 |
| Direct deposit speed on entry plan | Next-day | Next-day pay is an add-on | Next-day included |
| States on entry plan | Federal and state filings | One state | Multistate included |
Checked October 8, 2026. From each company's pricing page on 8 October 2026. Gusto's next-day pay add-on is $15 a month plus $3 per person.
QuickBooks is the dearest of the three entry plans at this size, by $4 a month against Gusto and $18 against Square for three people. Its case is the link with QuickBooks Online: payroll posts to the books you already keep there.
What the plan price doesn't include
- State tax filing fees: named in the offer terms as outside the discount, so check what your state adds.
- Paper 1099s: e-filing is included for the current filing year and for payments recorded in QuickBooks; QuickBooks says additional fees may apply to print and mail copies.
- Next-day deposit for contractors: available for an additional fee. Same-day deposit is for employees only.
- Background checks through Checkr, workers' compensation through ERGO NEXT and Mineral HR experts (except on Elite): each carries its own fees or terms.
- Benefits administration: sold separately, for businesses with 20 or more employees.
Is QuickBooks Payroll worth it for a small business?
- Worth it if you already use QuickBooks Online and want payroll entries in your books without re-keying, or you want next-day deposit on the entry plan.
- Pick Premium only if you need its time tracking or same-day deposit; for three employees it costs $56 a month more than Workforce Payroll.
- Look at Square first if price is the main concern and you have staff in more than one state.
- Skip a monthly plan if you have one steady employee and an accountant already files your returns: you can run payroll yourself and keep the records.
Where PayDocs fits
PayDocs isn't payroll software and isn't a QuickBooks replacement for anyone who wants filings handled. If you run payroll yourself, it makes the pay stub for each period and W-2 copies at year end from your figures. PayDocs works out federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and supported state taxes for 2026 pay dates (see what we calculate). Previewing is free; a PDF is $4.99 per pay stub once checkout opens, less in packs of 4 or 12, with no monthly fee.
This is general information about US federal rules for employers as of 8 October 2026, not tax or legal advice. State and local rules can add to it.
Questions
How much is QuickBooks Payroll for one employee?
At list price on 8 October 2026, Workforce Payroll was $50 a month plus $7 per employee, so $57 for one person. Premium was $101 and Elite $151 for one employee, before add-ons.
Does the QuickBooks 50% discount cover per-employee fees?
No. QuickBooks' offer terms say the 3-month discount applies to the monthly base price only, not to per-employee, per-contractor or state tax filing fees, and not to other add-ons.
Does QuickBooks Payroll include tax penalty protection?
On 8 October 2026 QuickBooks listed tax penalty protection on Workforce Elite, at $134 a month plus $17 per employee. It wasn't listed on Workforce Payroll or Premium.
Is QuickBooks Payroll worth it for a small business?
It's worth it mainly if you already keep your books in QuickBooks Online. On list price alone it costs more than Gusto Simple and Square Payroll for one to five employees.
Sources
- QuickBooks: Payroll-only plans and offer terms (checked 8 October 2026)
- QuickBooks: Payroll and accounting bundles (checked 8 October 2026)
- Gusto: Pricing, plans and fees (checked 8 October 2026)
- Square: Payroll pricing (checked 8 October 2026)
- IRS: Publication 15 (2026), Employer's Tax Guide
Sources checked October 8, 2026. This article explains how pay documents work; it is not tax or legal advice.
