Head to head

QuickBooks Payroll vs SurePayroll

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

QuickBooks Payroll

$88/mo + $6.50/employee Free trial

US payroll inside QuickBooks. Workforce Payroll plus Simple Start is $88/mo plus $6.50 per employee.

Where QuickBooks Payroll fits

US SMBs already on QuickBooks Online
Owners who want ADP-style tax filing without leaving Intuit
Teams adding 401(k) and health benefits later
Companies that will pay $6.50 per employee on top of $88

SurePayroll

$29/mo + $7/worker

Full-service small-business payroll. Small Business is $29/mo plus $7 per worker.

Where SurePayroll fits

US small employers that want full-service taxes
Single-state teams starting at $29 plus $7 per worker
Households paying a nanny on the $39 plan
Owners who will add $9.99 for a second state

At a glance

Detail	QuickBooks Payroll	SurePayroll
Starting price	$88/mo + $6.50/employee	$29/mo + $7/worker
Free tier	–No	–No
Free trial	Yes	Not on record
MCP server	–No	–No
Public API	–No	–No
Listed under	Payroll	Payroll

Where they pull apart

QuickBooks Payroll

Stands out: Full-service tax filing next to the books you already keep in QuickBooks, with optional Payroll AI prep.

Watch out: The $88 figure is the regular bundle, not the 50 percent intro. Per-employee fees stack on top. Background checks via Checkr start at $29.99 per report.

Not the right fit for

Employers outside the US
Teams that skip Intuit as the system of record

SurePayroll

Stands out: A $29 base with tax filing in the product, plus a $9.99/mo add-on for extra states.

Watch out: Free months are a promo, not a numbered trial. Multi-state payroll is $9.99/mo extra. Nanny plan is $39/mo.

Not the right fit for

Companies that need a global EOR
Teams that want a 14-day labeled trial

Pros and cons

QuickBooks Payroll

$88/mo plus $6.50 per employee
Full-service US tax filing
Lives next to QuickBooks books

Intro 50% off is temporary
Per-employee fees on every plan
US-only payroll

SurePayroll

$29/mo plus $7 per worker
Full-service tax filing
Extra state only $9.99/mo

Promo months are not a numbered trial
US small business only
Per-worker fees on every run

What each one costs

QuickBooks Payroll

$88/mo + $6.50/employee

Workforce Payroll + Simple Start is $88/mo + $6.50/employee (intro 50% off for 3 months is $44). Essentials bundle $125 + $6.50. Premium $203 + $10/employee. The starting price is the regular rate, not the intro. Try-free is offered without a printed day count. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

SurePayroll

$29/mo + $7/worker

Small Business is $29/mo + $7/worker, first state included. Multi-state add-on $9.99/mo. Nanny and Household is $39/mo including one employee. Promo free months are not a numbered trial. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 19 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is QuickBooks Payroll cheaper than SurePayroll?

SurePayroll starts lower, at $29/mo + $7/worker against $88/mo + $6.50/employee for QuickBooks Payroll. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.

Can you try QuickBooks Payroll or SurePayroll for free?

Neither carries a free tier on our listing. QuickBooks Payroll offers a free trial.

Not the pair you wanted?

All QuickBooks Payroll alternatives All SurePayroll alternatives Every Payroll tool

Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 19 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?