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Patriot Software vs QuickBooks Payroll (2024 Comparison)

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Last Update

Nov 07, 2024

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Excellent Value For Price
4.3

0

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Patriot Software

Patriot Software offers a user-friendly payroll solution for small businesses, with affordable pricing and reliable customer support. It's an excellent choice for those seeking simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

  • Affordable for small businesses
  • User-friendly interface
  • Reliable customer support
  • Limited integrations
  • Basic reporting features

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$8.50 per month
Excellent Value For Price
4.5

0

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QuickBooks Payroll

QuickBooks Payroll provides a comprehensive payroll solution with seamless QuickBooks integration and advanced features. It's ideal for businesses seeking robust functionality and detailed reporting capabilities.

  • Comprehensive feature set
  • Seamless QuickBooks integration
  • Advanced reporting capabilities
  • Higher cost
  • Complex for beginners

Free plan?

Yes

Starting price

$42.50 per month

What is Patriot Software?

Patriot Software is a comprehensive payroll solution designed for small businesses. It simplifies payroll processing with features like direct deposit, tax filing, and employee self-service portals. The software is user-friendly, making it easy for business owners to manage payroll without needing extensive accounting knowledge. With Patriot Software, you can ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, reducing the risk of costly errors. It also offers time and attendance tracking, which helps streamline workforce management. Overall, Patriot Software is a reliable choice for small businesses looking to efficiently handle their payroll needs.

What is QuickBooks Payroll?

QuickBooks Payroll is a robust payroll management tool that integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software. It offers features like automatic payroll tax calculations, direct deposit, and employee benefits management. QuickBooks Payroll is ideal for businesses of all sizes, providing flexibility and scalability as your business grows. The software ensures compliance with tax regulations, minimizing the risk of penalties. With its intuitive interface, QuickBooks Payroll makes it easy for users to manage payroll tasks efficiently. Whether you're a small business or a larger enterprise, QuickBooks Payroll offers the tools you need to streamline your payroll processes.

Pros and Cons of Patriot Software vs QuickBooks Payroll

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Pros & Cons of Patriot Software

Affordable for small businesses
  • Patriot Software offers competitive pricing, making it an ideal choice for small businesses looking to manage payroll without breaking the bank. Its cost-effective plans provide excellent value for money.
User-friendly interface
  • The software's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate and manage payroll tasks efficiently. Even those with limited accounting knowledge can quickly get up to speed with Patriot Software.
Reliable customer support
  • Patriot Software provides dependable customer support, ensuring users receive timely assistance when needed. Their support team is responsive and knowledgeable, helping resolve any issues that may arise.
Limited integrations
  • While Patriot Software offers basic integration capabilities, it lacks the extensive integration options available with other payroll solutions. This may be a drawback for businesses relying on multiple tools.
Basic reporting features
  • The software's reporting capabilities are somewhat limited, providing only basic insights into payroll data. Businesses seeking more advanced analytics may find this aspect lacking.
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Pros & Cons of QuickBooks Payroll

Comprehensive feature set
  • QuickBooks Payroll offers a wide range of features, including advanced reporting, tax filing, and employee benefits management. This makes it a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes.
Seamless QuickBooks integration
  • The software integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks accounting software, allowing for smooth data transfer and streamlined financial management. This integration is a significant advantage for QuickBooks users.
Advanced reporting capabilities
  • QuickBooks Payroll provides robust reporting features, offering detailed insights into payroll data and trends. Users can generate customizable reports to meet their specific needs.
Higher cost
  • QuickBooks Payroll is priced higher than some other payroll solutions, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious businesses. However, its extensive features justify the cost for many users.
Complex for beginners
  • The software's comprehensive feature set can be overwhelming for new users, particularly those with limited experience in payroll management. A learning curve may be involved for beginners.

Patriot Software vs QuickBooks Payroll: At A Glance

Decision FactorPatriot SoftwareQuickBooks Payroll
Value to Price
Good4.2
Excellent4.4
Ease of Use
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.6
Functionality
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.7
Scalability
Good4.1
Excellent4.5
Integrations
Good4.0
Excellent4.6
Customer Support
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.3
Security
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.4
Overall Rating
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5

Value to Price

Value to Price is a critical dimension that evaluates the cost-effectiveness of the software. Patriot Software offers competitive pricing, making it a great choice for small businesses on a budget. QuickBooks Payroll, while slightly more expensive, provides extensive features that justify its cost. If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, Patriot Software is ideal, but for more advanced features, QuickBooks Payroll is worth the investment.

Ease of Use

Ease of Use assesses how user-friendly the software is. Patriot Software is known for its intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage payroll tasks. QuickBooks Payroll also offers a user-friendly experience, with a slightly more polished interface. If you prioritize simplicity, Patriot Software is a great choice, but for a more refined experience, QuickBooks Payroll excels.

Functionality

Functionality measures the range of features offered by the software. Patriot Software provides essential payroll features, while QuickBooks Payroll offers a more comprehensive suite, including advanced reporting and integration capabilities. If you need basic payroll management, Patriot Software is sufficient, but for more robust functionality, QuickBooks Payroll is the better option.

Scalability

Scalability evaluates the software's ability to grow with your business. Patriot Software is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses, while QuickBooks Payroll offers more scalability for larger enterprises. If you're a small business with plans to expand, QuickBooks Payroll provides the flexibility you need to scale effectively.

Integrations

Integrations assess the software's ability to connect with other tools. Patriot Software offers basic integrations, while QuickBooks Payroll provides a wider range of integration options, including seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software. If you rely on multiple tools, QuickBooks Payroll's integration capabilities make it the superior choice.

Customer Support

Customer Support evaluates the quality of assistance provided by the software. Patriot Software offers reliable customer support, with responsive service. QuickBooks Payroll also provides excellent support, with a slightly broader range of resources. If you value comprehensive support, QuickBooks Payroll is the better option, but Patriot Software still offers dependable assistance.

Security

Security measures the software's ability to protect sensitive data. Both Patriot Software and QuickBooks Payroll offer robust security features, ensuring data protection. QuickBooks Payroll has a slight edge with additional security measures. If security is a top priority, QuickBooks Payroll provides enhanced protection, but Patriot Software still offers reliable security.

Overall Rating

Overall Rating is a comprehensive assessment of the software's performance across all dimensions. Patriot Software scores well, particularly for small businesses, while QuickBooks Payroll excels with its advanced features and scalability. If you're a small business, Patriot Software is a solid choice, but for more extensive needs, QuickBooks Payroll is the top performer.

Patriot Software vs QuickBooks Payroll: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features

FeaturesPatriot SoftwareQuickBooks Payroll
Direct Deposit
Excellent4.5
Excellent4.7
Tax Filing
Excellent4.4
Excellent4.6
Employee Self-Service
Excellent4.3
Excellent4.5
Time and Attendance
Good4.2
Excellent4.4
Reporting
Good4.1
Excellent4.6
Integration with Accounting Software
Good4.0
Excellent4.8

Direct Deposit

Direct Deposit is a crucial feature for payroll software, allowing employees to receive their pay directly into their bank accounts. Patriot Software offers a reliable direct deposit service, making it easy for small businesses to manage payroll efficiently. QuickBooks Payroll, on the other hand, provides a more advanced direct deposit system with faster processing times. If speed and efficiency are your priorities, QuickBooks Payroll is the better choice, but Patriot Software still offers a dependable service.

Tax Filing

Tax Filing is an essential feature for payroll software, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Patriot Software offers a straightforward tax filing process, making it easy for small businesses to stay compliant. QuickBooks Payroll provides a more comprehensive tax filing system, with automatic calculations and filing options. If you need a more robust tax filing solution, QuickBooks Payroll is the superior choice, but Patriot Software still offers a reliable service.

Employee Self-Service

Employee Self-Service allows employees to access their payroll information, such as pay stubs and tax forms, online. Patriot Software offers a user-friendly self-service portal, making it easy for employees to access their information. QuickBooks Payroll provides a more advanced self-service system, with additional features like benefits management. If you need a more comprehensive self-service solution, QuickBooks Payroll is the better option, but Patriot Software still offers a reliable service.

Time and Attendance

Time and Attendance tracking is a valuable feature for payroll software, helping businesses manage employee hours and attendance. Patriot Software offers a basic time and attendance system, suitable for small businesses. QuickBooks Payroll provides a more advanced system, with additional features like overtime tracking and scheduling. If you need a more robust time and attendance solution, QuickBooks Payroll is the superior choice, but Patriot Software still offers a reliable service.

Reporting

Reporting is an important feature for payroll software, providing insights into payroll data and trends. Patriot Software offers basic reporting capabilities, suitable for small businesses. QuickBooks Payroll provides a more comprehensive reporting system, with advanced analytics and customizable reports. If you need more detailed reporting, QuickBooks Payroll is the better option, but Patriot Software still offers a reliable service.

Integration with Accounting Software

Integration with Accounting Software is a key feature for payroll software, allowing seamless data transfer between payroll and accounting systems. Patriot Software offers basic integration capabilities, suitable for small businesses. QuickBooks Payroll provides a more advanced integration system, with seamless integration with QuickBooks accounting software. If you rely on multiple tools, QuickBooks Payroll's integration capabilities make it the superior choice.

Pricing Comparison of Patriot Software and QuickBooks Payroll

To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Patriot Software and QuickBooks Payroll. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your payroll needs.

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Patriot Software Pricing Plans

Basic Payroll
For Small Businesses
$8.5

per month

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Basic Payroll includes:
  • Free employee portal for easy access to pay stubs.
  • Unlimited payrolls to accommodate any pay schedule.
  • Pay contractors directly through payroll system.
  • Free 401(k) integration for employee retirement plans.
Accounting Basic
For Small Businesses
$10

per month

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Accounting Basic includes:
  • Unlimited vendors, contractors, and payments management.
  • Automatic bank imports for streamlined transactions.
  • Income and expense tracking for financial clarity.
  • Accept credit card payments to boost sales.
Accounting Premium
For Small Businesses
$15

per month

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Includes Accounting Basic, plus:
  • Create and send estimates to potential clients.
  • User-based permissions for secure access control.
  • Send invoice payment reminders to ensure timely payments.
  • Manage receipts and documents for organized records.
Full Service Payroll
For Small Businesses
$18.5

per month

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Includes Basic Payroll, plus:
  • State tax filings and deposits for compliance.
  • Local tax filings and deposits for complete coverage.
  • Year-end payroll tax filings at no additional fee.
  • Tax filing accuracy guaranteed for peace of mind.
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QuickBooks Payroll Pricing Plans

Payroll Core + Simple Start
For Small Businesses
$42.5

per month

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Payroll Core + Simple Start includes:
  • Auto Payroll feature to ensure timely and accurate payroll processing.
  • Employee portal for easy access to pay stubs and tax forms.
  • Track income and expenses to maintain financial clarity.
  • Invoice and accept payments to streamline cash flow management.
Payroll Core + Essentials
For Growing Businesses
$57.5

per month

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Includes Payroll Core + Simple Start, plus:
  • Run enhanced reports to gain deeper insights into business performance.
  • Manage bills and enter time to streamline operations.
  • Connect up to 3 sales channels for expanded reach.
  • Includes 3 users to facilitate team collaboration.
Payroll Premium + Plus
For Large Enterprises
$92

per month

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Includes Payroll Core + Essentials, plus:
  • 24/7 expert product support for uninterrupted assistance.
  • Track project profitability to optimize resource allocation.
  • Track inventory to manage stock levels effectively.
  • Includes 5 users to support larger teams.

Our Rating Methodology

We thoroughly evaluate each payroll software, focusing on key factors like functionality, ease of use, and integrations. By analyzing user reviews and conducting hands-on testing, we ensure our recommendations meet diverse business needs. Each factor is weighted by importance to deliver a reliable final rating, helping you make informed decisions.

Decision FactorScoring Weight
Value to Price
20%
20%
Ease of Use
20%
15%
Functionality
20%
25%
Scalability
20%
15%
Integrations
20%
10%
Customer Support
20%
10%
Security
20%
5%

Patriot Software or QuickBooks Payroll: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?

Choose Patriot Software If You Need ...

  • Ideal for small businesses

    If you are a small business owner looking for an affordable and user-friendly payroll solution, Patriot Software is an excellent choice. Its competitive pricing and intuitive interface make it easy to manage payroll tasks efficiently.

  • Simple payroll management

    If you need a straightforward payroll solution without the complexity of advanced features, Patriot Software is a great option. Its simplicity and ease of use make it ideal for businesses seeking basic payroll management.

Choose QuickBooks Payroll If You Need ...

  • Comprehensive payroll solution

    If you require a comprehensive payroll solution with advanced features and seamless QuickBooks integration, QuickBooks Payroll is the superior choice. Its extensive feature set and integration capabilities make it ideal for businesses seeking robust functionality.

  • Advanced reporting needs

    If you need detailed reporting and analytics to gain insights into payroll data, QuickBooks Payroll is the better option. Its advanced reporting capabilities provide valuable insights, making it ideal for businesses seeking in-depth analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Author

Martin Lunendonk

Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.