Payroll Solutions Providers
Top Companies in 2024
QuickBooks vs Square
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- Customizable reports and analytics
- Transparent pricing
- Tax compliance automation
- Employee self-service portal
- Free guided setup
- Nationwide coverage
- Garnishment management
- Integrations with third-party applications
- On-demand pay & Square Banking
- SOC and IRS certifications
- Transparent pricing
- May be more expensive than others
- Mobile apps are missing some desktop features
- Steep learning curve for platform
- Limited international presence
- One plan for employees
- Limited employee-type support
- Reporting system limitations
- Poor fit for large companies
- No free trial
QuickBooks Payroll is one of the innovative solutions that are helping businesses streamline their payroll process, ensure tax compliance, and efficiently manage employees. They offer a range of services, including payroll processing automation, employee self-service functions, and automatic tax management. Their software also continuously stays up-to-date with tax regulations, thus providing minimal risks. Some of their competitive edges include their ability to integrate with other products in the QuickBooks ecosystem, helping automate the flow of data between departments. In addition, their customers appreciate the software’s easy-to-use interface and scalability. They are well-established in the market and continue to showcase their innovative approaches to meet changing business needs. They receive predominantly positive feedback from clients and industry insiders but are not accredited by the BBB.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Square was founded in 2009 by Jack Dorsey and Jim McKelvey. Initially focused on POS systems, the company has expanded into other industries, including payroll solutions. In 2022, Square garnered significant recognition, earning the ISO 27001 certification for robust information security practices. The company excels in delivering user-friendly payroll solutions tailored for small to midsize businesses, featuring seamless integration, time tracking, and mobile accessibility to streamline payroll management efficiently.
Square's appeal in the payroll management industry is bolstered by a transparent pricing model, nationwide coverage, and seamless integrations with third-party applications. The emphasis on security and innovation, reflected in the ISO certification and continuous improvements, underscores Square's commitment to providing reliable solutions.
Despite varying user experiences, Square remains dedicated to simplifying payroll processes and ensuring compliance. While acknowledging limitations, such as the absence of a free trial and specific employee-type support, Square's adaptability, transparency, and customer-centric approach make it a reliable choice in the business technology landscape.
- Free Trial : 30 days
- Pricing Option : Monthly flat rate + rate/employee/month
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing : $22.50/month + $6/employee/month (for the first 3 months)
- Trustpilot Score : 4.6 out of 5
- BBB Rating : N/R
- Free Trial : Available
- Pricing Option : Per employee
- Transparent Pricing : Available
- Pricing : $35
- Trustpilot Score : 4.2
- BBB Rating : A+
- 30-day free trial
- Added HR & employee benefits
- Tax penalty protection
- Feature scalability for growing businesses
- Mobile application
- Added HR benefits
- Easy cancelation
- 401K Tracking
- API/Integration Capabilities
- Direct Deposit
- FMLA Tracking
- Generation of Pay Stubs & Reports
- Mobile App for Employees
- Multi-Country
- Multi-State
- 401K Tracking
- API/Integration Capabilities
- Direct Deposit
- FMLA Tracking—Undisclosed
- Generation of Pay Stubs & Reports
- Mobile App for Employees
- Multi-Country
- Multi-State
- Compliance With State & Federal Tax Laws
- Form 1099-Misc
- Form W-2
- Form W-3
- Form W-4
- Tax Filing
- Compliance With State & Federal Tax Laws
- Form 1099-Misc
- Form W-2
- Form W-3
- Form W-4
- Tax Filing
- Documentation
- FMLA Training—Undisclosed
- Live Online
- Videos
- Documentation
- FMLA Training—Undisclosed
- Live Online
- Videos
- Calculate & Pay Employee Salaries
- Real-Time Reports
- Time, Attendance & Overtime Tracking
- Update Real-Time Employee Information
- Calculate & Pay Employee Salaries
- Real-Time Reports
- Time, Attendance & Overtime Tracking
- Update Real-Time Employee Information
- Android
- Cloud-Based
- iOS
- Mac
- Windows
- Android
- Cloud-Based
- iOS
- Mac
- Windows
- Large Businesses
- Medium-Sized Businesses
- Small Businesses
- Large Businesses
- Medium-Sized Businesses
- Small Businesses
- Blog
- Demos—Undisclosed
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile App
- Phone
- Blog
- Demos
- FAQs
- Help Guides
- Live Chat
- Mobile App
- Phone
QuickBooks Payroll vs. Square Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll and Square Payroll stand out as effective solutions to tackle the intricate task of payroll management in business operations. This comparison seeks to navigate their services, user-friendliness, security measures, and pricing structures, providing you with the insights needed to make an informed decision.
Services
QuickBooks and Square Payroll allow businesses to process employee payments through manual or automated runs. Additionally, both services take care of tax filing responsibilities, calculating, filing, and paying federal and state payroll taxes to ensure compliance with labor laws. Time tracking is another common feature, allowing businesses to manage employee hours, approve timesheets, and create invoices on the go. Moreover, both QuickBooks and Square provide customer support to assist users with any questions or issues, ensuring businesses have the necessary assistance.
While QuickBooks and Square share common ground, they differ in certain aspects, catering to the varied needs of businesses. Quickbooks offers workers' compensation coverage and integration with QuickBooks Accounting for seamless business and payroll management. On the other hand, Square emphasizes simplicity by directly integrating Square's POS systems, streamlining timecard import and tip processing. Square excels in labor-cost reporting, providing businesses insights into overall labor costs, including wages and tips.
Ease of use and integrations
QuickBooks and Square share common features that contribute to their popularity among businesses. In terms of user experience, both platforms offer a user-friendly interface and mobile app functionality, ensuring accessibility and ease of navigation for users managing payroll tasks. QuickBooks and Square Payroll seamlessly sync with QuickBooks Online, ensuring effortless integration with accounting software. Both platforms recognize the importance of mobile functionality, allowing users to manage payroll on the go through dedicated mobile apps.
While QuickBooks and Square share common ground, their differences lie in the specific integrations and pricing structures they offer. QuickBooks sets itself apart with a more extensive array of integrations, including workers' compensation and HR support powered by Mineral, Inc. Square, on the other hand, excels in its integration with Square's POS systems, allowing for the easy import of timecards, tips, and commission rates.
Security & compliance
Both Square and QuickBooks prioritize security and compliance, adhering to industry standards. Both platforms employ encryption techniques, undergo regular audits, and implement strong password controls to fortify security measures. Additionally, they share employee security awareness training, incident response plans, and compliance with various standards, such as SOC 1, 2, and ISO27001. Both Square and QuickBooks recognize the importance of staying updated on security measures to comply with the ever-evolving landscape of payroll and employment laws.
Pricing
QuickBooks offers transparent pricing with three plans. The Core Plan provides a complete payroll system with features like next-day direct deposit at $45 per month plus $4 per employee. The Premium Plan, priced at $75 per month plus $8 per employee per month, adds HR support and same-day direct deposit. The Full-Service Payroll plan at $80 per month (with a 50% discount for the first three months) includes payroll services and tools like bill and time tracking.
Square offers straightforward pricing with two plans. The Full-service Payroll plan, designed for employees and contractors, has a $37 base subscription fee plus $6 per month per employee and $6 per month per contractor. The Contractor-only Payroll plan has a free base subscription and charges $6 per month per contractor. Both plans include full-service payroll, automated tax filings, and access to HR resources. Square Payroll emphasizes simplicity, with no hidden fees or long-term commitments.
Conclusion
In summary, QuickBooks and Square offer robust solutions for streamlined payroll management, featuring common strengths such as payroll processing, tax filing, and user-friendly interfaces with mobile capabilities. Both prioritize security and compliance, ensuring adherence to industry standards. In terms of pricing, QuickBooks provides transparent plans catering to specific business needs, while Square emphasizes simplicity with straightforward pricing and no hidden fees. Businesses should weigh these differences before choosing the payroll solution that aligns best with their operational goals.
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