Patriot Software vs. QuickBooks Workforce: 2026 Payroll Compare

QuickBooks costs more than Patriot Software for full-service payroll. Patriot's Full Service Payroll is $37/month + $5 per worker paid, while QuickBooks' entry-level Workforce Payroll plan is $50/month + $7 per worker, making Patriot the lower-cost option for most small businesses.

For example, here's how the monthly cost breaks down based on team size:

In this example, small businesses with 5 - 50 employees save $23 - $113/month with Patriot, which adds up to $276 - $1,356 in annual savings.

Patriot's accounting and payroll is less expensive than QuickBooks. With Patriot, full-service payroll plus native accounting starts at $57/month + $5 per worker paid, while QuickBooks Workforce Payroll and Simple Start is $88/month + $7 per worker.

A 10-person business pays about $107/month with Patriot for payroll and accounting together, versus about $158/month with QuickBooks Workforce Payroll plus QuickBooks Online Simple Start.

Patriot Software backs its tax filing accuracy with a reliability guarantee. QuickBooks only offers its Tax Penalty Protection (up to $25,000/year) on the Elite plan, which costs $134/month + $17 per worker.

Yes, both offer time tracking, but at different price points. Patriot Software offers a native time tracking add-on starting at $6/month + $2 per worker paid on any plan. QuickBooks only includes time tracking with its Premium ($88/month + $13 per worker) and Elite plans; it is not available on the entry-level Workforce Payroll plan.

Patriot offers an HR add-on for $6/month + $2 per worker paid on any payroll plan, and the HR Experts & Training add-on available for an additional $45/month. QuickBooks includes HR support resources with its Premium plan and a personal HR advisor with its Elite plan only, so accessing HR help means upgrading to a payroll plan that costs $88 - $134/month before per-worker fees.

Patriot Software offers a Basic Payroll plan starting at $17/month + $4 per worker paid that lets you self-file payroll taxes and save money. QuickBooks does not offer a self-filing option; all of its payroll plans include tax filings and deposits.

Patriot offers a 30-day free trial plus 50% off for the first three months (you get both). QuickBooks makes you choose between either a 30-day free trial or 50% off for three months, but not both.

Yes. Both include one state and charge $12/month per additional state, although QuickBooks only waives the multi-state fee on its Elite plan ($134/month + $17 per worker).

Patriot Software is often considered the best choice for small businesses due to its affordability and ease of use.

Yes, Patriot Software is a strong alternative to QuickBooks, offering similar features at a lower price point, plus providing free USA-based support.

Patriot Software may be the better choice for small businesses that want full-service payroll at a lower price, a tax filing guarantee you don’t have to upgrade to receive, affordable time tracking and HR add-ons without a plan upgrade, and unmatched USA-based support. Even businesses that want payroll and accounting from one provider pay less with Patriot, whose accounting software starts at $20/month compared to QuickBooks Online at $38/month. Patriot also lets you combine a 30-day free trial with a three-month discount, offers a Basic Payroll option for self-filers, and carries a far higher Trustpilot rating. The best payroll software for small business depends on your specific needs, but Patriot's combination of lower pricing, bundled accounting, and highly rated support makes it a strong option for most small businesses.