--- title: "Best QuickBooks Payroll Alternatives 2026 | Capterra" description: "Looking for alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll? Find out how QuickBooks Payroll stacks up against its competitors with real user reviews, pricing information, and what features they offer." source_url: "https://www.capterra.com/p/174981/QuickBooks/alternatives/" page_type: "alternatives" language: "en" publication_date: "2026-09-28" --- # QuickBooks Payroll alternatives Last updated on September 28th, 2026 The best QuickBooks Payroll alternatives are Rippling (best overall), Deel (best budget option), and Gusto (most reviewed). Together they hold 13,433 verified Capterra reviews, with overall ratings from 4.6 to 4.9 out of 5. QuickBooks Payroll itself holds 4.5 out of 5 across 997 reviews. ### QuickBooks Payroll - Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (997 reviews) - Ease of use: 4.4 out of 5 - Starting price: $3.50 /mo - Key features: 7 of 11 top category features --- ## Top alternatives QuickBooks Payroll alternatives compared | Product | Rating difference | Ease of use | Starting price | Key features | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/) — 4.5 out of 5 (1,776 reviews) | Rated the same as this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) — 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) | Rated 0.1 higher than this product | 4.6 out of 5 | $49.00 /mo | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Paycom](https://www.capterra.com/p/130949/Paycom/) — 4.4 out of 5 (1,400 reviews) | Rated 0.1 lower than this product | 4.4 out of 5 | Not available | 6 of 11 top category features | | [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) | Rated 0.1 higher than this product | 4.7 out of 5 | $10.00 /user/mo | 10 of 11 top category features | | [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) — 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) | Rated 0.3 higher than this product | 4.7 out of 5 | $17.00 /mo | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) | Rated 0.4 higher than this product | 4.9 out of 5 | CA$8.00 /user/mo | 6 of 11 top category features | | [Paylocity](https://www.capterra.com/p/86714/WebPay/) — 4.3 out of 5 (1,977 reviews) | Rated 0.2 lower than this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | | [Deel](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,316 reviews) | Rated 0.4 higher than this product | 4.8 out of 5 | $5.00 /user/mo | 9 of 11 top category features | | [Paycor](https://www.capterra.com/p/133745/Paycor-Perform/) — 4.3 out of 5 (3,079 reviews) | Rated 0.2 lower than this product | 4.3 out of 5 | Not available | 11 of 11 top category features | | [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/) — 4.6 out of 5 (1,574 reviews) | Rated 0.1 higher than this product | 4.6 out of 5 | Not available | 10 of 11 top category features | --- ## Top alternatives with AI capabilities The QuickBooks Payroll alternatives with the strongest AI features are Workday HCM, Paycom, and BambooHR, based on verified feature data and Capterra reviews. ### [Workday HCM](https://www.capterra.com/p/66908/Workday-HCM/) — 4.5 out of 5 (1,776 reviews) - AI features: AI Avatar, AI Candidate Scoring ### [Paycom](https://www.capterra.com/p/130949/Paycom/) — 4.4 out of 5 (1,400 reviews) - AI features: AI, AI Job Description, AI Text Generation, AI Text Summarization, Chatbot, Embedded AI / Machine Learning ### [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) - AI features: AI Copilot, AI/Machine Learning, AI Summarization, AI Text Generation, AI Text Summarization, Chatbot, Generative AI --- ## Top Free alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll The best free alternatives to QuickBooks Payroll are Gusto, BambooHR, and Patriot Software — all three offer a free plan alongside paid tiers. ### [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) — 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) - Free options: Free trial - Starting price: $49.00 /mo ### [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) - Free options: Free trial - Starting price: $10.00 /user/mo ### [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) — 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) - Free options: Free trial - Starting price: $17.00 /mo --- ## Top alternatives for SMBs Among reviewers from companies with 1-200 employees, the highest-rated QuickBooks Payroll alternatives are Patriot Software (4.8), Deel (4.8), and Gusto (4.6). ### [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) - 2,915 SMB reviewers say - Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 across 2,915 SMB reviews - Ease of use: 4.7 out of 5 across 2,913 SMB reviews > "They have been very responsive and professional with any questions and problems I have encountered." — Diana A., Office Manager Accountant (February 16, 2026) ### [Deel](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/) - 2,553 SMB reviewers say - Overall rating: 4.8 out of 5 across 2,553 SMB reviews - Ease of use: 4.8 out of 5 across 2,553 SMB reviews > "Fast and simple, as employee i can manage really easy and straight foward my contracts, i didnt have to face with issues at the moment of upload the documentation for the contract and redemption or balance so im very happy with the service, my money has value" — Jennifer Andrea S., Permitting coordinator (December 8, 2025) ### [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) - 3,203 SMB reviewers say - Overall rating: 4.6 out of 5 across 3,203 SMB reviews - Ease of use: 4.7 out of 5 across 3,199 SMB reviews > "Super simple and straightforward." — Greg R., Customer Success Manager (November 7, 2025) --- ## Why do teams switch from QuickBooks Payroll? Of the 237 Capterra reviewers who reported switching away from QuickBooks Payroll, the most common destinations were Patriot Software, Gusto, RUN Powered by ADP, and Rippling. ### What users preferred ### [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) - 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) — 158 reviewers switched here > "Quickbooks had an issue with my payroll tax payments and talking to someone about the problem and getting it resolved was challenging at best." — Cheryl K., Owner and Benefits Consultant (March 2, 2026) ### [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) - 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) — 46 reviewers switched here > "QBO payroll is terrible and support is outsourced offshore." — Todd R., President (June 26, 2025) ### [RUN Powered by ADP](https://www.capterra.com/p/185859/RUN/) - 4.6 out of 5 (1,574 reviews) — 19 reviewers switched here > "We switched from QuickBooks Payroll to RUN Powered by ADP because we needed a more comprehensive payroll and HR platform that could grow with our business. ADP offers better employee management, onboarding, timekeeping, and payroll integration. One of the biggest benefits has been having a dedicated implementation team and direct access to knowledgeable support. Instead of searching for answers on our own, we have real people we can contact who are familiar with our account and can quickly help us resolve questions or issues. That level of support has made the transition smooth and given us much more confidence in our payroll process." — Cassidy T., Office Manager (July 30, 2026) ### [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) - 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) — 14 reviewers switched here > "We wanted more integration and more apps in one place" — Adam S., CEO (April 2, 2025) --- ## Find software for your specific use case ### Payroll - [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) — 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) - [BambooHR](https://www.capterra.com/p/110968/BambooHR/) — 4.6 out of 5 (3,653 reviews) - [Patriot Software](https://www.capterra.com/p/116050/Patriot-Software/) — 4.8 out of 5 (3,966 reviews) ### Direct Deposit Payroll - [Deel](https://www.capterra.com/p/205015/Deel/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,316 reviews) - [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) — 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) - [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) ### Time Tracking - [Tempo Timesheets](https://www.capterra.com/p/190126/Tempo/) — 4.4 out of 5 (226 reviews) - [Gusto](https://www.capterra.com/p/131882/Gusto/) — 4.6 out of 5 (4,231 reviews) - [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) ### Benefits Administration - [Randstad RiseSmart](https://www.capterra.com/p/173114/Outplacement/) — 5.0 out of 5 (1 reviews) - [Thatch](https://www.capterra.com/p/10021249/Thatch/) — 5.0 out of 5 (1 reviews) - [Rippling](https://www.capterra.com/p/172127/Rippling/) — 4.9 out of 5 (4,886 reviews) ---