QuickBooks Desktop Payroll vs Toast Payroll

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Our analysts compared QuickBooks Desktop Payroll vs Toast Payroll based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Payroll Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Software Tool
Toast Payroll Software Tool

Product Basics

QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is a subscription-based labor management solution that offers robust functionalities, including tax penalty protection, automated payrolls, expert support, direct deposits and detailed reports.

The product covers essential aspects of workforce regulation like payroll deductions and approvals, tax liabilities, workers' contributions, holiday tracking and more. It offers group health benefits, scalable subscription plans, smart integrations and support resources for an enhanced user experience. Same-day direct deposits save time and notifications help stay up-to-date with business processes.
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Toast Payroll is a cloud-based solution that helps businesses streamline payroll operations and facilitate efficient workforce management. It offers dynamic functionalities like tax compliant updates, employee profiles, time tracking, wage calculations, digital onboarding, automated tip distribution and more.

The product helps users manage workload with the help of timesheets, calculation tools, computation options, regulatory compliance and other business-specific benefits. It offers prompt customer support channels, a self-service platform that helps employees enroll for programs and benefits and real-time information syncs to the company POS to reduce manual operations.
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$61 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
$110 Monthly
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Tailored to your specific needs
Small
Medium
Large
Small
Medium
Large
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Manageable: Tack contributions for insurance, retirements, time-off and bonuses to ensure smooth administration through a software wizard. 
  • Automated Compliance: Ensure timely tax payments, regulatory compliance and error-free calculations with automated compliance services. 
  • Time-Saving: Give employees access to personal information to save time and fast-track key payroll processes without third-party intervention. 
  • Real-Time Tracking: Calculate and track company benefits such as contributions towards paid leaves, retirement and insurance, and process payments using an in-built wizard.  
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  • Time Savings: Automate payroll calculations and tax filings, freeing up valuable hours for your HR team.
  • Accuracy: Minimize errors with precise, automated calculations, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
  • Compliance: Stay up-to-date with ever-changing labor laws and tax regulations, ensuring your business remains compliant.
  • Employee Self-Service: Empower employees to access their pay stubs, tax forms, and personal information through a user-friendly portal.
  • Integration: Seamlessly connect with other Toast products and third-party applications, creating a unified system for your business operations.
  • Scalability: Easily manage payroll for a growing workforce, whether you have a small team or multiple locations.
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduce administrative overhead and potential penalties from payroll errors, leading to significant cost savings.
  • Data Security: Protect sensitive employee information with robust security measures and encryption protocols.
  • Real-Time Reporting: Access detailed payroll reports and analytics to make informed business decisions quickly.
  • Employee Satisfaction: Improve employee morale by ensuring timely and accurate paychecks, fostering a positive workplace environment.
  • Customizability: Tailor payroll settings to fit the unique needs of your business, from pay schedules to benefit deductions.
  • Support: Benefit from dedicated customer support to resolve any payroll issues promptly and efficiently.
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  • Time Management: Build employee schedules, track work hours, assign job functions, regulate shifts, create invoices, edit timesheets, oversee projects, change job codes and more on a fully-integrated system. 
  • Reporting: Review business finances and analyze employee performance using insightful reports based on company data. Review taxes, track loans, calculate payments, summarise earnings, understand costs and more. 
  • Benefits Management: Track vacations, sick leaves, paid time offs, medical insurance, retirement plans, cash advances and more for employees on a single platform. Use the pay-as-you-go workers’ compensation service to process total payments on payday automatically. 
  • Direct Deposits: Process payments into U.S. bank accounts or edit employees’ banking information before the paycheck date to save time and effort spent in making in-person bank visits. 
  • Integrations: Leverage powerful integrations to automatically complete key payroll processes without manual entries or technical work hassles. 
  • Compliance: Reduce the hassle of tax penalties with automated compliance services for changing government regulations and federal, state and local laws. Perform accurate calculations and file tax returns to avoid errors and missed deadlines. 
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  • POS integration: Sync employee data to the POS system and automate data entry. Check employee timesheets, track employee hours, record tips, monitor wages, onboard new employees and more without manual hassles. 
  • Law-Compliant Operations: Manage job rates, conform to new labor laws, handle payroll taxes and comply with state and federal laws. Meet minimum wage requirements using business protection tools to minimize non-compliance risks. Comply with state and national labor laws using robust tools and HR modules. 
  • Labor Management: Track work hours and add new time entries to manage employee activity. Review breaks, approve timesheets, calculate overtime and record paid leaves with the help of accurate time tracking tools. View open shifts and make accurate payments on a coherent platform. 
  • Online Functionalities: Create employee schedules, access in-depth reports for crucial business insights, manage enrolments and offer plans, simplify HR operations and more on a centralized, time-efficient payroll system. 
  • Self-Service: Allow employees to view and manage benefit plans, make changes, report payroll deductions and more with self-service options. 
  • Reporting: Review team performance, see top-performing employees, identify loopholes, optimize business operations and more using informative reports based on real-time data. Create customized reports and analyze employee performance, HR processes and business finances. 
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Product Ranking

#90

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Payroll Software

#135

among all
Payroll Software

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Accurate Calculations: Users praise QuickBooks Desktop Payroll for its precise tax calculations, ensuring compliance and reducing errors.
Direct Deposit: The direct deposit feature streamlines payroll processing, making it convenient for both employers and employees.
Reporting Capabilities: QuickBooks Desktop Payroll offers comprehensive reporting options, providing valuable insights into payroll expenses and employee data.
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Seamless Integration: Toast Payroll is tightly integrated with the Toast POS system, as well as scheduling software and tip management tools. This is particularly beneficial for restaurants already using the Toast ecosystem, as it streamlines operations and reduces the need for separate systems.
Automated Payroll: The software offers automation features that save time and reduce errors. For example, employee punches from the POS system can be synced directly to payroll, automating the process of calculating hours worked.
User-Friendly Design: Toast Payroll is designed with a user-friendly interface that is generally easy to navigate. The platform also offers ample training resources, making it easier for new users to get up to speed.
Restaurant-Specific Tools: Toast Payroll includes features specifically designed for the restaurant industry, such as tip management and scheduling tools. These features cater to the unique needs of restaurants, simplifying processes like tip allocation and shift management.
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Outdated Interface: Many users find the interface clunky and outdated compared to modern cloud-based payroll solutions.
Limited Mobile Functionality: Users seeking robust mobile access for tasks like approving time-off requests or running payroll on-the-go may find the mobile app lacking.
Technical Issues: Some users report encountering technical glitches and errors, leading to frustration and wasted time.
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High Cost: Toast Payroll's subscription fees are higher than many other payroll software options, and the lack of a free trial makes it difficult to assess its value before committing.
Customer Service Issues: Users frequently report long wait times and unhelpful interactions with Toast Payroll's customer support team, making it difficult to resolve issues promptly.
Compliance Concerns: Some users have reported that Toast Payroll's software does not comply with specific state payroll regulations, potentially leading to legal and financial headaches.
Technical Glitches: Users have encountered technical problems with Toast Payroll, including issues with tip management, payroll syncing, and inaccurate reports, which can disrupt operations and create extra work.
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Is QuickBooks Desktop Payroll truly a "quick" book to payroll mastery, or does it leave users feeling like they're stuck in a rut? User reviews from the last year suggest that QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is a powerful and reliable tool for managing payroll, but it may not be the best fit for every business. Users praise its ease of use, particularly for those already familiar with QuickBooks Desktop, and its affordability compared to other payroll software like Gusto or ADP. However, some users have reported that the software can be slow and clunky, especially when dealing with large amounts of data. A key differentiating factor for QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is its tight integration with other Intuit products, such as QuickBooks Desktop accounting software. This integration allows for seamless data transfer and eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving businesses time and reducing errors. However, this integration can also be a drawback for businesses that don't use other Intuit products, as it can limit flexibility and make it difficult to switch to other software in the future. Overall, QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses that are already using QuickBooks Desktop for their accounting needs and are looking for a reliable and affordable payroll solution. Businesses with complex payroll needs or those looking for a more modern and user-friendly interface may want to consider other options.

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Is Toast Payroll the best thing since sliced bread, or does it leave a bad taste in your mouth? User reviews over the last year present a mixed bag. While Toast Payroll shines in its seamless integration with Toast POS, simplifying tasks like syncing employee punches and managing time off, it's not without its pitfalls. Users praise its user-friendly interface and efficiency, particularly those already familiar with Toast POS. This integration is a key differentiator, as one user notes, "I love that in this one app I can do everything that I need to do for human resources." However, several users report compliance issues, especially with California law, and hiccups with W2 processing. Customer service, unfortunately, emerges as a sore point. Unlike the integrated experience with Toast POS, support for Toast Payroll is handled separately, often leading to confusion and delays. One user laments, "Our service hasn't been great from their side....we wait longer than expected on items to happen or to even hear back from team members on certain things." Additionally, discrepancies between Toast POS and Toast Payroll, while seemingly counterintuitive given their close relationship, require meticulous attention to detail. Overall, Toast Payroll is a good fit for businesses already entrenched in the Toast ecosystem, especially those prioritizing ease of use and streamlined operations. However, businesses with intricate payroll needs or those operating in regions with stringent compliance regulations might find Toast Payroll's shortcomings difficult to swallow. For those businesses, exploring alternative solutions might be the best recipe for success.

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