Square Payroll
Compare Square Payroll to Gusto, TriNet Zenefits, and QuickBooks Payroll. Includes a detailed review, pricing, key information, and FAQs.
Updated on May 16th, 2024
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Square's online payroll solution, Square Payroll, makes it easy for businesses of all sizes to manage their payroll processes online. Users of the software can pay their employees and keep up with state and federal employment taxes.
Also Consider
Gusto Payroll Software
Set up an account free.
Try GustoNo extra fees.
Made for mobile.
Auto tax filing and digital paystubs.
At-a-Glance:
Feature | Pay Contractors Only | Pay Employees & Contractors |
---|---|---|
Price | $6.00 /contractor /mo. | $35.00 /mo. +$6.00 /employee /mo. |
Unlimited payroll | ✓ | ✓ |
Pay 1099 contractors | ✓ | ✓ |
Pay W-2 employees | x | ✓ |
Automated federal tax | x | ✓ |
Automated state tax | x | ✓ |
Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
Individual online accounts | ✓ | ✓ |
Direct deposit | ✓ | ✓ |
Automated payroll | x | ✓ |
Benefit deductions | x | ✓ |
Review:
Square Payroll is a user-friendly, competitively priced solution suitable for small businesses looking for a simple and convenient way to pay their employees and contractors. It has all of the expected standard payroll features, such as automated taxes, compliance management, payroll reports, vacation tracking, and phone and email support.
Pros:
- Both of Square's plans include unlimited pay runs per month and can be canceled at any time.
- The full-service payroll plan includes automatic payroll tax calculations, all tax filings, and multistate payroll.
- Built-in timesheets make it easy for users to log and track work hours.
- The software integrates with the Square POS system as well as multiple accounting and time-tracking platforms.
- Customers can get live support from payroll services specialists to assist with account setup.
Cons:
- Square Payroll does not have an employee database where employee information can be recorded and managed.
- The platform does not feature onboarding tools to make it easier to add new employees to a payroll system.
Reputation:
Square, Inc. is widely respected in the world of financial services for its leading software solutions, particularly Square POS, which is a favorite among small business owners. Square has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau but there are several complaints from customers regarding the poor quality of Square's customer service.
On TrustRadius, Square Payroll has a 6.1-star rating based on almost a dozen reviews. While users generally found the software easy to use and lauded some of the automated features, some found that the reporting feature needs improving. On G2, more than 25 users gave the platform a 4.2-star rating.
Pricing:
Plan | Monthly Pricing |
---|---|
Pay Contractors Only | $6.00 /contractor. |
Pay Employees & Contractors | $35.00 +$6.00 /employee. |
Square Payroll vs. Gusto:
Square Payroll is slightly more affordable than Gusto, starting at $35.00 per month +$6.00 per employee per month, but of the two sites, only Gusto has a 1-month free trial. While Square Payroll only has one full-service payroll plan, Gusto offers three full-service packages for different business needs.
Comparison Between Square Payroll and Gusto:
Feature | Square Payroll | Gusto |
---|---|---|
Full payroll price | $35.00 /mo +$6.00 /mo. /employee. | From $40.00 /mo +$6.00 /mo. /employee. |
Unlimited pay runs | ✓ | ✓ |
Tax filings | ✓ | ✓ |
Multistate payroll | ✓ | ✓ |
Direct deposit | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee database | x | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x | ✓ |
Payroll reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Square Payroll vs. TriNet Zenefits:
Square Payroll, TriNet Zenefits charges separately for payroll per employee whereas the former includes payroll in the base monthly price. Of the two, Square Payroll is the more cost-effective option for small to mid-sized businesses, but only TriNet Zenefits features an employee database and lifetime accounts.
Comparison Between Square Payroll and TriNet Zenefits:
Feature | Square Payroll | TriNet Zenefits +Essentials |
---|---|---|
Full payroll price | $35.00 /mo +$5.00 /mo. /employee. | From $10.00 /mo +$6.00 /employee /mo. |
Unlimited pay runs | ✓ | ✓ |
Tax filings | ✓ | ✓ |
Multistate payroll | ✓ | ✓ |
Direct deposit | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee database | x | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x | ✓ |
Payroll reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Square Payroll vs. QuickBooks Payroll:
Like Square Payroll, QuickBooks Payroll is available as a standalone solution. QuickBooks Payroll is the costlier option of the two services, starting at $45.00 per month +$6.00 per employee per month. However, it offers features that Square Payroll lacks, such as year-round record-keeping and an employee database.
Comparison Between Square Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll:
Feature | Square Payroll | QuickBooks Payroll |
---|---|---|
Full payroll price | From $35.00 /mo +$5.00 /mo. /employee. | From $45.00 /mo +$6.00 /employee. |
Unlimited pay runs | ✓ | ✓ |
Tax filings | ✓ | ✓ |
Multistate payroll | ✓ | ✓ |
Direct deposit | ✓ | ✓ |
Employee database | x | ✓ |
Lifetime accounts | x | x |
Payroll reports | ✓ | ✓ |
Key Information:
Legal Name | Square, Inc. |
Founder | |
Founding Date | Feb 01, 2009 |
Address | 1455 Market St., Ste. 600, San Francisco, CA 94103 |
Number of Employees | 5477 |
Number of Customers | 30000000 |
Telephone | |
Website |
FAQs:
What is Square Payroll?
Square Payroll is an online solution offered by Square, Inc. that businesses can use to pay their employees and contractors.
How much does it cost to use Square Payroll?
Square Payroll's pricing starts at $35.00 per month +$6.00 per employee for the full-service payroll solution.
Does Square Payroll pay taxes?
Yes, Square Payroll withholds and remits all taxes on behalf of your business.
How do I set up Square Payroll?
Visit the Square Payroll home page and click on "Get started" to create your account.
How do I get my paystubs from Square?
Square Payroll provides employee accounts that your workers can use to access their paystubs and other important payroll information.
Does Square offer payroll?
Yes, Square Payroll is a popular online payroll tool for businesses of all sizes.
Does Square Payroll integrate with QuickBooks?
Yes, you can sync Square Payroll with QuickBooks from within your Square online account. This can be done by going to "Settings" and clicking on "Connect".
How long does Square direct deposit take?
It can take up to five business days for direct deposits to employees to be processed.
Can employees clock in on Square?
Yes, employees can log in to track time and log hours for you from any location.