---
title: QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Reviews
meta_title: 'QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features
  | G2'
meta_description: Filter 53 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry to
  find out how QuickBooks Desktop Payroll works for a business like yours.
aggregate_rating:
  rating_value: 4.2
  review_count: 53
  scale: '5'
date_modified: '2026-08-04'
parent_category:
  name: HR
  url: https://www.g2.com/categories/hr
---

# QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Reviews
**Vendor:** Intuit  
**Category:** [Payroll Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/payroll)  
**Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0  
**Total Reviews:** 53
## About QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
Error-free, worry-free Payroll. Get expert payroll assistance. Avoid costly tax penalties. Save time with everything in one place. No exporting or double checking. Everything is done right in QuickBooks.



## QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Pros & Cons
**What users like:**

- Users appreciate the **easy payroll setup** in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, enabling efficient tax calculations and report preparation. (5 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **ease of use** of QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, finding it convenient for managing their payroll efficiently. (2 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **ease of payroll management** in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, making setups and tax calculations straightforward. (2 reviews)
- Users find QuickBooks Desktop Payroll **easy to navigate** , making it ideal for small businesses and novices alike. (2 reviews)
- Users value the **automation of calculations** in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, streamlining their payroll process efficiently. (1 reviews)
- Easy Management (1 reviews)
- Efficiency (1 reviews)
- Helpful (1 reviews)
- Navigation Ease (1 reviews)
- Time Tracking (1 reviews)

**What users dislike:**

- Users find the **high fees** for QuickBooks Desktop Payroll burdensome, impacting overall budget and flexibility. (3 reviews)
- Users find the **absence of multi-user options** limiting, affecting convenience and security during payroll operations. (2 reviews)
- Users often face **connectivity issues** with QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, hindering effective syncing and operations. (1 reviews)
- Users find the **limited subscription options** for QuickBooks Payroll costly, preferring customizable pricing for features needed. (1 reviews)
- Users highlight the need for improved **customer support** to enhance their experience with QuickBooks Desktop Payroll. (1 reviews)
- Steep Learning Curve (1 reviews)

## QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Reviews
  ### 1. Makes my life easier 

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Non-Profit Organization Management | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2019

**What do you like best about QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?**

I like that it can automatically sort for you! 

**What do you dislike about QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?**

There is nothing about this program that I dislike 

**What problems is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I am solving the labor of inputting payroll and determining taxes by hand 

  ### 2. Its an accountant on call

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Financial Services | Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 19, 2019

**What do you like best about QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?**

It’s simplicity and ease ability to input data

**What do you dislike about QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?**

The lagging, and has a huge tendency of crashing from time to time

**What problems is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Record keeping of payroll and maintaining regulatory requirements 

  ### 3. Not bad but could be better 

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Law Practice | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 18, 2019

**What do you like best about QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?**

Not bad but some menus are not logical . 

**What do you dislike about QuickBooks Desktop Payroll?**

Pretty rare, but I might be frustrated in doing some stuff. Have to google for solutions 

**What problems is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll solving and how is that benefiting you?**

General accounting 


## QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Discussions
  - [How do I MAP payroll items in QuickBooks?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-map-payroll-items-in-quickbooks)
  - [How do you do after fact payroll in QuickBooks desktop?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-do-after-fact-payroll-in-quickbooks-desktop)
  - [Does QuickBooks help with payroll?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/payroll-for-quickbooks-desktop-does-quickbooks-help-with-payroll)
  - [Can I use payroll with QuickBooks desktop?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-i-use-payroll-with-quickbooks-desktop)

- [View QuickBooks Desktop Payroll pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-desktop-payroll/reviews?page=2&section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-06+10%3A15%3A43+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=5d45afec-e716-4d04-8a1d-3a5f936d921e&secure%5Btoken%5D=d7c70a77a4948c8f445bc3f92fd901fb2916f688cc71576f5599f2413732b0df&format=llm_user)
## QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Integrations
  - [Vestwell](https://www.g2.com/products/vestwell/reviews)

## QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Features
**Employee Self Service**
- Web Portal
- Benefits Manager
- Self Service Portal

**Administration**
- Payroll Entry
- Time Off Accrual
- Direct Deposit
- Expense Reimbursement
- Pre-tax Deductions
- Wage Garnishment
- Approvals
- Check/W-2 Printing
- Check/W-2 Delivery
- Split Deposits

**Taxes**
- Tax Calculation
- Tax Filing
- Automatic Tax Payment

**Integration**
- API / Integration
- Time Tracking Integration
- Accounting Integration
- Core HR Integration
- API
- 401(k) Tracking
- Expense Tracking
- Vacation/Leave Tracking
- Third-Party Integrations
- Third-Party Integration

**Platform**
- Reporting and Dashboards
- User, Role, and Access Management
- Performance and Reliability
- Scalability
- Payroll Reporting
- Activity Dashboard
- Compensation Management
- Timesheet Management
- Performance Management
- Benefits Management
- Document Management
- Payroll Management
- Compliance Management
- Cash Flow Management
- Team Management
- Policy Management
- Calendar Management
- Mobile Access
- Attendance Management
- Deduction Management
- Employee Management
- Reimbursement Management
- Audit Management
- Receipt Management
- Time Off Management
- Workflow Management
- Expense Management

**Additional Functionality**
- Reminders
- Employee Profiles
- Generative AI
- Alerts/Notifications
- W-2 Preparation
- Multi-Country
- Employee Database
- Reporting & Statistics
- Employee Self Service
- AI Copilot
- Data Import/Export
- Multi-State
- Approval Process Control
- Tax Compliance
- Access Controls/Permissions
- Time Tracking
- Customizable Reports
- Web-based Deployment
- Payroll Outsourcing
- Expense Claims
- Multi-Currency
- Corporate/Business
- Chatbot
- 1099 Preparation
- Auto Update
- Time & Attendance
- AI/Machine Learning
- Employee Onboarding
- Batch Processing
- Accounting
- For Accountants
- For CPA Firms
- Multi-Location
- Reporting/Analytics
- For Small Businesses
- Workflow Automation

## Top QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Alternatives
  - [Toast](https://www.g2.com/products/toast/reviews) - 4.2/5.0 (353 reviews)
  - [isolved](https://www.g2.com/products/isolved/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (1,285 reviews)
  - [Paylocity](https://www.g2.com/products/paylocity/reviews) - 4.4/5.0 (6,047 reviews)

