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.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$8.50 per monthQuickBooks 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.
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$42.50 per monthPatriot 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.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.