QuickBooks Payroll vs LeanLaw

Deel

Rippling

RUN Powered by ADP

Deel is the only global-first people platform that enables companies to hire, pay, manage, and develop talent in 150+ countries without compliance headaches or third-party dependencies. Deel supports 40,000 customers and 1.5 million workers through a single, scalable global system.

Rippling is a cloud-based workforce management system that helps businesses manage operations across HR, finance, and IT.

RUN Powered by ADP® helps small businesses automate payroll, file taxes and manage HR with ease. From AI-driven efficiency to expert support, businesses can take care of their teams anytime and anywhere. 

Payroll Manager

Customer service was mediocre and took quite a long while to work with for seemingly simple errors that were only correctly handled approximately 50% of the time.

Administrator

My experience with QuickBooks Payroll was generally good, but we ultimately moved to another provider that offered more robust features, stronger customer support, and better HR and benefits integrations to match our growing needs.

Senior Manager

I am a CPA and have been using QuickBooks since 1999, I have been supporting clients since then with both QBD and QBO.

QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud-based payroll solution for small businesses which offers automatic payroll tax calculations, integrated time tracking, same day direct deposit, real-time data updates, tax form preparation and filing, and an online employee portal to streamline the payroll process

360 Degree Feedback

Accounting

Alerts/Notifications

Applicant Tracking

Approval Process Control

Attendance Tracking

Audit Trail

Benefits Management

Billable & Non-Billable Hours

Check Printing

Compensation Management

Dashboard

Direct Deposit

Employee Management

Employee Portal

Employee Scheduling

For Accountants

Historical Reporting

Learning & Development

Multi-Currency

Multi-State

Onboarding

Online Time Tracking

Payroll Management

Payroll Reporting

Performance Management

QuickBooks Integration

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Updates

Receipt Management

Recruitment Management

Reminders

Reporting/Analytics

Self Service Portal

Succession Planning

Tax Calculation

Tax Compliance

Tax Filing

Tax Forms

Time & Attendance

Time & Expense Tracking

Time Off Management

Timesheet Management

Vacation/Leave Tracking

W-2 Preparation

Wage Garnishment

Workflow Management

Reviews for QuickBooks Payroll come from a wide variety of industries, including construction (12% of reviewers), accounting (11%), and medical practice (4%). The most frequent use case for QuickBooks Payroll cited by reviewers is payroll (78% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Reviewers appreciate the robust features, seamless integration, and free trial, and some users report affordability when bundled with QuickBooks products. However, many reviewers express concerns about frequent price increases, high costs, and limited value for basic payroll needs.

Value for money

The QuickBooks Payroll integration most frequently cited by reviewers is QuickBooks Online, an accounting product rated 4.4 out of 5 for its integration with QuickBooks Payroll.

Integrations

QuickBooks Payroll is a payroll tool offering key features such as tax compliance, tax calculation, payroll management, payroll reporting, direct deposit, and W-2 preparation, among others.

QuickBooks Payroll

Web-based

iPhone

iPad

Android

Gusto

Paychex Flex

ADP Workforce Now

Patriot Software

SurePayroll

Xero

Knit

ADP TotalSource

NetSuite

Square Payroll

Dayforce Powerpay

Wagepoint

Payworks

Paylocity

QuickBooks Time

Simple Start

Essentials

Plus

 Advanced

Long waits and limited help

White Glove Wizard

Time drain - Normal issues have either taken multiple calls to resolve, or have taken hours on the phone because if an agent hangs up, they cannot continue to work on your issue - they have to take the next call - so they waste your time waiting while someone tries to read the full manual to figure it out, when in fact, it is a recent programming changes issue.

76% of reviewers feel negative about Phone Support. Users frequently report long hold times, difficulty reaching knowledgeable representatives, and multiple calls needed to resolve issues. Reviewers express frustration with the lack of direct contact options, frequent transfers, and callbacks that do not always occur. Many say support agents often lack the expertise to address problems efficiently, leading to wasted time and unresolved concerns. Users indicate that navigating phone menus and waiting for assistance detracts from their overall experience.

Banking integration frustrations

53% of reviewers feel negative about Banking and Payments. Users report difficulties with linking bank accounts, managing direct deposits, and handling payment processing. Reviewers mention issues such as duplicate transactions, complicated onboarding, and problems updating banking information. Some users experience unauthorized changes, delayed deposits, or unexpected fees, leading to confusion and financial penalties. They also note that resolving banking-related problems often requires multiple calls and can disrupt payroll operations.

High and rising costs

Pastor

QuickBooks Payroll is extremely expensive, and the price changes without much explanation or added benefit.

Managing Member

The overall cost to use the product, largely due to always-increasing subscription prices, is the primary downside to using QuickBooks Payroll, or any Intuit/QuickBooks product.

58% of reviewers feel negative about Pricing. Users frequently mention that the software is expensive, with regular price increases and additional fees for features or updates. Reviewers say the cost can be burdensome for small businesses and nonprofits, especially when compared to the value received. Many users express frustration with unclear pricing structures, unexpected charges, and the need to pay for upgrades or extra services. They feel that the expense is not always justified by the product’s capabilities.

Frequent technical difficulties

Office Administrator

I once had a major issue that required a special department, but every time I called in and asked for that department, I was forced to explain my entire situation and wait an hour for that person to try to fix it, even though I knew they couldn't, before the person would escalate.

67% of reviewers feel negative about Bugs and Issues. Users report experiencing software glitches, crashes, syncing errors, and slow performance. Reviewers mention that updates can introduce new problems, and resolving technical issues often requires multiple interactions with support. Many users find it challenging to correct errors or navigate system changes, leading to frustration and lost productivity. They also note that inconsistent information from support staff can complicate troubleshooting, making it harder to resolve ongoing issues.

Beginner-friendly learning process

85% of reviewers feel positive about Training and Learning Curve. Users report that while there is an initial learning period, the software provides ample resources such as training videos, hints, and support to help them get started. Reviewers appreciate being able to teach themselves or new employees quickly, often mastering the basics after a short time. They find the program approachable for beginners and note that support options like chat are helpful for resolving questions. Many users say the learning process is straightforward and enjoyable.

Seamless software connections

Director

It is directly integrated with our bookkeeping file without the need for manual inputting entries.

90% of reviewers feel positive about Integrations. Reviewers appreciate how easily the software connects with QuickBooks Online and other accounting tools, streamlining payroll, tax compliance, and bookkeeping. Users highlight the benefit of automatic data syncing, which reduces manual entry and errors. They find that integrating with time tracking and banking services simplifies payroll processing and reporting. Many users mention that these integrations save time and make managing finances more efficient, especially for businesses already using QuickBooks products or needing to connect with various platforms.

Effortless initial setup

84% of reviewers feel positive about Setup. Reviewers say setting up the software, including adding employees and configuring tax withholdings, is simple and guided. Users mention that clear instructions and helpful support make the process smooth, even for those new to payroll systems. They appreciate that setup is quick, allowing them to start using the product with minimal hassle. Many users highlight the straightforward enrollment and secure setup, noting that the system is ready to use shortly after installation.

Tailored for small businesses

ACCOUNTANT

Overall QuickBooks Payroll is an awesome tool for small business.

80% of reviewers feel positive about Small Business suitability. Users indicate the software meets the needs of small and very small businesses, offering essential payroll and compliance features without unnecessary complexity. Reviewers say it helps them operate more professionally and efficiently, even with limited staff. Many small business owners value being able to handle payroll from anywhere and find the system easy to learn and use. They also mention that the product is flexible enough for startups and small teams, making it a practical choice for their operations.

Hard to navigate the screens, Intuit has taken complete control over payroll, can't make adjustments when needed, Inuit sets up unneeded payroll items automatically, support is terrible and takes too long for corrections, support does not understand the payroll tax rules

Payroll specialist

QB Payroll has options for setting up state and federal and federal taxes, as well as PTO, and things like wage garnishment.

Accountant

the biggest drawback of QuickBooks Payroll is the poor quality and accessibility of its Customer Support. While the software excels with its seamless integration into QuickBooks accounting, users frequently report frustration with extremely long hold times and being transferred between agents who often lack the specialized knowledge to resolve complex tax or payroll errors, which can be critical for a financial service.

Managing Partner

QuickBooks Payroll allowed me to onboard new contractors while being able to keep track of my current contractors.

What I liked least about QuickBooks was bugs and issues that the billing department encountered with processing bi-weekly pay roll, it was even worse with cut-off times, deadlines and holidays.

Owner

It reduces manual work and keeps you compliant with tax obligations, which is the most important thing for a payroll tool.

Some bugs or setup issues can take longer than expected to resolve, and at times it can feel difficult to get clear answers quickly.

Controller

Sometimes there are updates and it may interfere with payroll processing. But these are easy fixes. And sometimes just refreshing the software solves the issues.

I like the fact that Quickbooks Payroll allows a small buisness owner to keep track of hours worked, employee paychecks and billing all in one platform.

Manager

Great payroll service for starting out, but once you get better versed in all payroll options, you will soon learn that it doesn't really meet your needs.

Software enginner

The automation has improved the workflow, allowing me to focus on other business priorities. While there are areas for improvement, especially regarding cost and occasional service delays, it remains a reliable tool for payroll management.

I used to be on a Quickbooks Payroll by an employer and what I liked the most was that I was able to quickly access and view my pay stabs a couple days prior to actual pay day

Security and banking features are also helpful, especially when handling sensitive employee and payment information.

We use it to import hours, processing payroll, track the taxes, and process W2s for our contractors.

The system is fairly straightforward once it is set up, and it helps save time compared to trying to manage payroll manually.

Sales Coordinator

Overall, QuickBooks Payroll is a solid solution for managing payroll. Despite occasional slow support, it simplifies payroll tasks and keeps everything organized.

Giving Intuit too much control of our money instead of just helping us track and report our finances.

Dive Operation Manager

Pay stubs and direct deposits are seamless, and banking sync eliminates admin time during busy payroll runs.

Owner,Bookkeeper,TaxPreparer

Automated compliance and tax filing is another feature that I like.

I had to write a check and now i have 2 debited payrolls for the employee, 7 days later no refund showing yet despite assurance it will refund soon.

I know it was a nightmare because my employers billing department has to eventually switch payroll companies and we got physical checks for about 2 months during the transition.

Payroll operations were more reliable, and crew payments arrived on time without manual entry, reducing finance burden in peak season.

The ability for my CPA to access my accounts and send them inquiries on specific transactions within the QB system.

The interface, while functional, occasionally feels cluttered and could be more intuitive for new users.

For the money, it is useful, but small business owners need reliable support when payroll or banking matters are involved.

Financial Controller

Not only has this issue not been fixed 4 months later, but we have now discovered system calculations have been incorrect for some time, shorting our employees of vacation earnings. While their engineers have been working on a fix, they managed to delete our payroll data, which they have not been able to recover.

Direct deposit is straightforward to set up, and employees can access their pay stubs online without needing to contact HR.

The connected ecosystem saves time, reduces duplicate work, and makes day-to-day payroll tasks feel more straightforward.

Virus Handler

I loved how the spreedsheets worked and was able to calculate monetary amounts.

Manager of Account and Human Resources

I utilize the download option so I can keep using QuickBooks Desktop.

dispatch

If you don’t understand basic accounting logic, it’s difficult to work. But QuickBooks breaks this convention, such as the most basic and most frequently used function-automatic generation of Invoices.

As a business owner it was important to be able to pay my contractors in an efficient, professional but also convenient way.

President

Makes doing payroll a breeze, deals with all the taxes that need to be accounted for and store employee information

Medical Administrative

Quick book payroll makes it ease for me to do direct deposits.

Director of Administration and Finance

Currently, there is no option to select a Per Diem Employee designation, which would be useful.

It makes it super easy to use, even filing quarterly and annual reports automatically without any input from the owner.

As an employee, it was a fine system to use to log hours and track time.

Bookkeeping

Through QuickBooks desktop payroll we were able to schedule our liability payments as well.

Co-Founder

Automatically calculate taxes on all expenses as well as files them, cloud payroll generation and management.

This can get a company in a bind when it is in an untraditional holiday!

QuickBooks Payroll is the first software that I used. Although I dont have a formal training but I became expert using this software.

Every time I have had to call customer service for help, I always received kind and detailed instruction to my problem.

It helped streamlined my payroll for my employees in an easy manner to understand.

They are consistently adding new features and options that come with no additional cost.

I liked Quickbooks Payroll because the customer service availability is a 10/10.

Electrical engineer

My overall experience with QuickBooks payroll is that it's great to send payments to staff and it identified in a great way

Assistant

It took some time and training to get familiarized with the features and effectively evaluate it's value and its multiple features and uses.

I like that it’s already inside QuickBooks, so I don’t have to deal with extra syncing or posting journal entries.

Payroll

Taxes

Customer Support

Ease of Use

Banking and Payments

Small Business

Reviewers indicate QuickBooks Payroll’s direct deposit aspect is convenient, easy to set up, and ensures employees are paid promptly. Users report that same-day and next-day deposit options are valuable, and they appreciate being able to split payments into multiple accounts. They say QuickBooks Payroll eliminates the need for paper checks, saving time and reducing errors. Some users mention deposit limits and occasional setup challenges, but most find direct deposit reliable and essential for their payroll process. Of the 79 QuickBooks Payroll users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Direct Deposit, 92% rated this feature as important or highly important.

QuickBooks Payroll vs LeanLaw Comparison (2026)

QuickBooks Payroll

LeanLaw

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives