Small business payroll software ranges from an accounting suite with payroll attached to focused programs for printing checks and filing forms. QuickBooks Online Essentials 2018 is the natural fit if you want payroll alongside invoices and synced bank activity, while ezPaycheck 2026 offers broader payroll controls for different worker types and pay schedules. For businesses that need room to add companies and workers, Print Checks Payroll stands out for its stated unlimited company and employee capacity.
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My ranking weighs the practical job each product can do, not just the number of features in its description. The key tradeoff is between an integrated accounting workflow and dedicated payroll flexibility: QuickBooks ties payroll to bookkeeping, while ezPaycheck and Print Checks focus more directly on wages, checks, and tax forms. These listings also vary in age, delivery format, employee limits, and filing arrangements, so buyers should verify current compatibility and subscription terms before choosing.
Key Takeaways
- QuickBooks Online Essentials is the strongest fit here for owners who want payroll connected to invoices, bills, and bank transaction syncing, but the listed payroll subscription covers only one employee.
- ezPaycheck 2026 is the most flexible dedicated payroll choice in this group for mixed W-2 and 1099 workforces, multiple pay periods, and multiple companies.
- Print Checks Payroll supports unlimited companies and employees or contractors per company, but requires Windows 10 or 11 and an internet connection; federal e-filing has an additional charge.
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2018 combines bookkeeping and payroll on a Windows PC, yet its included Payroll Enhanced term is one year and covers only one employee.
- The products differ in delivery and upkeep: ezPaycheck ships on USB, Print Checks ships on CD with download directions, and the QuickBooks listings are dated 2018 editions.
| QuickBooks Online Essentials 2018 with Payroll for Small Business (PC Download) |  | Best Overall for Connected Bookkeeping | Subscription: One year | Included payroll employees: One | Additional employees: Available for an additional fee | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| ezPaycheck 2026 Payroll Software for Small Businesses |  | Best for Flexible Payroll Runs | Version: 2026 | Supported workers: W-2 and 1099 | Pay types: Salary, hourly, commission, tips, and customized wages | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| Print Checks Payroll Software for Windows 10/11, CD with 12-Month License |  | Best for Growing Headcount and Multiple Companies | Platform: Windows 10 or Windows 11 | License: 12 months from activation | Format: CD-ROM with download directions included | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2018 with Payroll Enhanced for Small Business (PC Download) |  | Best for Windows Owners Who Prefer Installed Accounting | Platform: PC download | Supported operating systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7 | Payroll subscription: One-year prepaid Payroll Enhanced subscription | VIEW LATEST PRICE | See Our Full Breakdown |
| small business payroll software | Included payroll employees | Additional employees | Payroll functions | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online Essentials 2 | One | Available for an additional fee | Payroll tax filing and W-2 access | — |
| ezPaycheck 2026 Payroll Softwa | — | — | — | — |
| Print Checks Payroll Software | — | — | — | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2018 wi | One | Available for a monthly fee | Employee pay and payroll tax filing | PC download |
More Details on Our Top Picks
QuickBooks Online Essentials 2018 with Payroll for Small Business (PC Download)
QuickBooks Online Essentials 2018 is my lead pick for a small business that wants payroll in the same working routine as bills, invoices, bank transactions, and reports. Its clearest advantage over the dedicated payroll programs here is the accounting connection: recurring invoices and automatic bank and credit card transaction syncing can keep everyday bookkeeping close to payroll records. Access from any device also makes it a better fit than QuickBooks Desktop Pro for an owner who does not want the work tied to one installed PC.
The payroll offer is much narrower than the accounting feature set suggests. The listed one-year subscription includes payroll for one employee, with extra employees potentially requiring an added fee. That makes this a reasonable match for an owner-operator or a business with a single employee, but a poor default for a growing team. By comparison, ezPaycheck explicitly supports W-2 and 1099 workers, multiple pay periods, and multiple companies; Print Checks lists unlimited employee and contractor capacity per company. Those programs are more payroll-centered when workforce variety matters.
The product description names payroll tax filing and W-2 access, which can help keep routine year-end tasks connected to payroll. Still, this is a 2018 edition listing, and its stated Windows and Mac versions are old. I would verify current service access, supported systems, tax-year coverage, and the details of the additional-employee charge before relying on it for a live payroll operation. Its strongest case is convenience across basic accounting and payroll—not broad payroll capacity or future-proof compatibility.
Choose it when linked bookkeeping and device access matter more than payroll customization. Skip it if you need to pay several employees, manage multiple companies, or want a dedicated payroll program with a wider range of pay schedules. Compared with Desktop Pro, it is the more flexible access model; compared with ezPaycheck and Print Checks, it is the more accounting-oriented choice.
Pros:- Combines payroll with invoices, bills, and business reports
- Access is described as available from any device
- Automatic bank and credit card transaction syncing can reduce manual bookkeeping
- Includes payroll tax filing and W-2 access for the listed one-employee payroll subscription
Cons:- The included payroll subscription covers only one employee; additional employees may carry a fee
- The listing is for a 2018 edition and names older operating-system versions
- Less payroll-specific flexibility is stated than in ezPaycheck or Print Checks
Best for: A solo owner or very small business with one payroll employee that wants invoicing, bill management, synced transactions, and payroll within one workflow.
Not ideal for: Businesses with multiple payroll employees, complex pay schedules, multiple entities, or a need for a currently verified operating-system and tax-year setup.
- Subscription:One year
- Included payroll employees:One
- Additional employees:Available for an additional fee
- Accounting tools:Invoices, bills, bank transactions, and reports
- Transaction syncing:Automatic bank and credit card syncing
- Payroll functions:Payroll tax filing and W-2 access
- Supported Windows versions:Windows 7 and Windows 8
- Supported Mac versions:Mac OS X 10.8, 10.9, and 10.10
Our verdict“I would choose QuickBooks Online Essentials for connected basic accounting and one-employee payroll, but not as the first choice for a growing or payroll-complex team.”
ezPaycheck 2026 Payroll Software for Small Businesses
ezPaycheck 2026 is the most payroll-focused option in this lineup for owners who need choices in how workers are paid. It supports W-2 and 1099 workers, salary, hourly wages, commissions, tips, and customized pay, alongside daily through monthly pay periods. That breadth gives it a different role from QuickBooks Online Essentials, whose clearest strength is the accounting connection and whose included payroll capacity is just one employee.
Its tax and document coverage also speaks directly to routine payroll work. The software calculates federal and state payroll taxes across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and it supports forms including 940, 941, 943, W-2, and W-3. It can print employee paychecks, vendor checks, and pay stubs using blank stock or preprinted checks. Support for multiple companies and network users is a practical advantage for bookkeepers or owners managing more than one business, whereas QuickBooks Online is the more natural selection when synced transactions and invoices are the priority.
That flexibility comes with a less polished delivery story in the supplied details. The product ships on a USB disk, and email delivery requires contacting support. A buyer also needs a new license key for the 2027 version, so the 2026 edition should not be treated as a perpetual route to next-year payroll. The listing includes live chat, email, and remote access support, which may help with setup, but I would confirm the exact upgrade terms and current tax-year coverage before making it the core payroll system.
Compared with Print Checks, ezPaycheck spells out a particularly broad range of pay periods and worker compensation types, while Print Checks makes its unlimited employee and company limits more explicit and supports NACHA file creation. I would pick ezPaycheck for a small business with varied pay arrangements or multiple companies; I would skip it if cloud access, direct deposit workflows, or automatic bookkeeping integration are non-negotiable.
Pros:- Supports W-2 and 1099 workers with salary, hourly, commission, tips, and custom wages
- Offers daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly pay schedules
- Handles federal and state tax calculations and prints several payroll forms
- Supports multiple companies and network users, with live chat, email, and remote access support
Cons:- A new license key is required for the 2027 version
- The product ships on USB, and email delivery requires contacting support
- Its description does not establish cloud access or direct deposit support
Best for: Small businesses, bookkeepers, or multi-entity operators who need varied pay frequencies, W-2 and 1099 support, check printing, and network access.
Not ideal for: Owners who want cloud-first access, payroll integrated with synced accounting transactions, or a clearly included upgrade path into the next tax year.
- Version:2026
- Supported workers:W-2 and 1099
- Pay types:Salary, hourly, commission, tips, and customized wages
- Pay periods:Daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly
- Tax coverage:Federal taxes, all 50 states, and the District of Columbia
- Tax forms:940, 941, 943, W-2, and W-3
- Check printing:Blank stock and preprinted checks
- Company and user support:Multiple companies and network users
- Included support:Live chat, email, and remote access
Our verdict“I would choose ezPaycheck when pay types, schedules, and multiple companies matter more than a cloud-based accounting connection.”
Print Checks Payroll Software for Windows 10/11, CD with 12-Month License
Print Checks Payroll is the capacity pick. Its stated allowance of unlimited companies and unlimited employees or contractors per company makes it a stronger fit than either QuickBooks listing for a business expecting workforce growth or several entities. It also handles W-2 employees and 1099-NEC contractors, calculates federal, state, and local taxes, and supports configurable deductions. That combination is more appropriate for a payroll operation with varied staff than the one-employee QuickBooks subscriptions.
The workflow centers on output and filing preparation: the software creates checks and direct deposit files, generates payroll tax forms, and supports salary, hourly pay, bonuses, and tips. NACHA file creation gives businesses a route to prepare direct deposits through a compatible bank process. Optional federal e-filing and state e-filing in some states are available, but buyers should not mistake those options for included filing; federal e-filing has an additional charge. In contrast, QuickBooks Online describes payroll tax filing within its package, though it has a much tighter included employee limit.
Setup and access are the main compromises. This is a Windows 10 or 11 product with an internet connection requirement, and its 12-month license starts at activation. The listed format is a CD-ROM, with download directions included for computers that lack a drive. That is less convenient than QuickBooks Online’s any-device access and can create friction on newer PCs. Buyers should also confirm how tax calculations, e-filing availability, and state coverage apply to their location before selecting it.
I would put this ahead of ezPaycheck when explicit workforce capacity, direct deposit file creation, and support for multiple entities are the deciding factors. ezPaycheck is clearer about its numerous pay periods and includes several support channels; Print Checks is more explicit about unlimited headcount and NACHA files. Choose this option for a Windows-based business that values capacity and check output, not for a Mac user or anyone who expects a fully included, hands-off filing service.
Pros:- Lists unlimited companies and unlimited employees or contractors per company
- Calculates federal, state, and local taxes with configurable deductions
- Creates checks, direct deposit NACHA files, and payroll tax forms
- Supports salary, hourly pay, bonuses, and tips
Cons:- Requires Windows 10 or 11 and an internet connection
- Federal e-filing costs extra, and state e-filing is available only for some states
- CD-ROM delivery may require using the included download directions
Best for: A growing small or medium-sized business using Windows 10 or 11 that needs multiple companies, employee and contractor payroll, check output, and NACHA file creation.
Not ideal for: Mac users, businesses without internet access, or owners who want federal e-filing included without an added charge.
- Platform:Windows 10 or Windows 11
- License:12 months from activation
- Format:CD-ROM with download directions included
- Internet connection:Required
- Company limit:Unlimited
- Employee and contractor limit:Unlimited per company
- Supported forms:W-2, W-3, 1099-NEC, 940, 941, and 941-B
- Direct deposit:NACHA file creation supported
- E-filing:Optional federal e-filing; state e-filing available for some states
Our verdict“I would choose Print Checks for a Windows business that needs room to add companies and workers, provided its internet, media, and filing conditions fit.”
QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2018 with Payroll Enhanced for Small Business (PC Download)
QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2018 with Payroll Enhanced combines core bookkeeping tasks and payroll in an installed Windows program. It can import spreadsheet data, create invoices, track expenses, pay employees, and file payroll taxes. For a small business already organized around desktop accounting, that joined-up workflow may be more appealing than using a dedicated payroll program beside a separate bookkeeping system. Step-by-step tutorials and instant W-2s at year end also provide practical help for owners handling routine tasks themselves.
Its close competitor in this roundup is QuickBooks Online Essentials. Desktop Pro is the more clearly PC-centered option, while Online Essentials is described as accessible from any device and adds bank and credit card syncing, recurring invoices, and bill management. The desktop edition may suit someone who wants a locally installed workflow; it is less compelling for an owner who needs to work across devices or wants the listed online bookkeeping conveniences. Compared with ezPaycheck and Print Checks, both QuickBooks products put accounting integration ahead of broad payroll capacity.
The biggest limitation is easy to overlook: the one-year prepaid Payroll Enhanced subscription includes one employee, and additional employees are available for a monthly fee. The named product is also a 2018 edition, and the supported systems are Windows 7, 8.1, and 10. Specific hardware requirements are not provided. I would confirm whether the included payroll service and tax filing are available for the intended tax year, whether the software runs on the target PC, and what added employees will require before purchasing.
This is a narrower recommendation than the other payroll-first choices. It makes sense for a Windows-based owner-operator who wants bookkeeping and payroll together, values tutorials, and can work within the included employee allowance. It is not my pick for a growing team: Print Checks offers substantially more stated employee capacity, while ezPaycheck supports a wider range of pay periods and multiple companies. Buyers who want current, device-independent accounting should compare the QuickBooks Online listing carefully, while remembering its own one-employee limit.
Pros:- Combines accounting tools and payroll in one installed program
- Imports data from spreadsheets and supports invoicing and expense tracking
- Includes step-by-step tutorials for self-directed setup and routine work
- Provides instant W-2s at year end and payroll tax filing
Cons:- The one-year Payroll Enhanced subscription includes only one employee
- Additional employees require a monthly fee
- The 2018 listing names older Windows versions and does not specify PC hardware requirements
Best for: A Windows-based owner-operator who prefers installed bookkeeping and needs payroll for one employee alongside invoicing and expense tracking.
Not ideal for: Growing teams, users on unsupported or newer systems without compatibility confirmation, and businesses that need multi-device access or broader payroll flexibility.
- Platform:PC download
- Supported operating systems:Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and Windows 7
- Payroll subscription:One-year prepaid Payroll Enhanced subscription
- Included payroll employees:One
- Additional employees:Available for a monthly fee
- Accounting functions:Spreadsheet import, invoicing, and expense tracking
- Payroll functions:Employee pay and payroll tax filing
- Year-end documents:Instant W-2s
- System requirements:Processor, RAM, hard disk, and video card requirements are not specified
Our verdict“I would choose Desktop Pro for one-employee payroll tied to installed Windows bookkeeping, but growing businesses have better capacity options in this lineup.”
How We Picked
I ranked these options by how well their stated capabilities serve the day-to-day needs of a small business: running payroll, handling taxes and forms, accommodating the workforce, and fitting into existing accounting routines. I gave extra weight to clear support for different worker types and pay schedules because a payroll tool can become restrictive quickly when a business adds contractors, changes pay frequency, or operates more than one company.
I also compared the operational tradeoffs rather than treating every feature as an equal benefit. Integrated QuickBooks tools can reduce the need to move between bookkeeping and payroll, but the listed packages limit included payroll to one employee and carry older edition dates. The dedicated programs offer more payroll-specific controls or higher stated capacity, but introduce constraints such as Windows-only compatibility, physical media, internet requirements, and separate e-filing charges. I have not assumed that a listed feature means a current service is available: buyers should confirm supported tax years, subscription status, operating-system compatibility, and filing terms before purchasing.
The order reflects those differences. QuickBooks Online earns the overall lead for businesses that value connected accounting and access across devices; ezPaycheck follows for payroll flexibility; Print Checks is the capacity pick for organizations that need room to add workers and entities; and QuickBooks Desktop suits owners who prefer installed bookkeeping software. The last position is not a judgment that it cannot run payroll—it reflects the narrower employee allowance and the age of the named edition.
| small business payroll software | Additional employees | Payroll functions | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online Essentials 2 | Available for an additional fee | Payroll tax filing and W-2 access | — |
| ezPaycheck 2026 Payroll Softwa | — | — | — |
| Print Checks Payroll Software | — | — | Windows 10 or Windows 11 |
| QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2018 wi | Available for a monthly fee | Employee pay and payroll tax filing | PC download |
Factors to Consider When Choosing Small Business Payroll Software
For small business payroll, I would start with the way you run the business rather than with a checklist of features. Decide whether you want payroll attached to bookkeeping, whether you need to support more than one worker or company, and how much of the tax filing process you expect the software to handle. These four listings make those differences especially visible.
Choose integrated accounting or dedicated payroll
QuickBooks Online Essentials and Desktop Pro combine payroll with accounting tasks, so they suit owners who want invoices, expenses, or bills close to payroll. Online Essentials has the stronger access story in the supplied description, with any-device access and automatic transaction syncing. Desktop Pro is instead a PC download for owners who favor an installed Windows workflow. ezPaycheck and Print Checks emphasize payroll operations more directly, including wage types, tax forms, check printing, and workforce flexibility. I would favor integration if bookkeeping is the daily pain point; I would lean toward a dedicated payroll product if pay schedules, contractors, or several entities define the workload.
Check the employee limit before choosing
Both QuickBooks listings include payroll for one employee, with extra employees available for a fee. That may suit an owner paying one staff member, but the limitation can shape the total cost and workflow as the team grows. Print Checks states that employee and contractor capacity is unlimited per company, and ezPaycheck supports W-2 and 1099 workers and multiple companies. Those descriptions make the dedicated options more suitable for expansion, although you should confirm licensing terms and any practical limits directly. Match the product to the workforce you expect to pay, not only the headcount you have today.
Match pay schedules and worker types
Businesses with hourly staff, commission, tips, or irregular pay may need more than a basic payroll run. ezPaycheck lists the widest specific range of pay periods: daily, weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, and monthly. It also names salary, hourly, commission, tips, and customized wages, plus W-2 and 1099 workers. Print Checks supports salary, hourly pay, bonuses, tips, and 1099-NEC contractors, but its supplied details do not enumerate the same range of pay periods. QuickBooks descriptions are less specific about pay types. If your payroll rules vary by employee or entity, verify the exact calculation and reporting options before selecting a package.
Understand what tax handling includes
Tax calculations, tax forms, tax filing, and e-filing are different services. The QuickBooks descriptions mention payroll tax filing, and ezPaycheck lists federal and state calculations plus forms such as 940, 941, W-2, and W-3. Print Checks names federal, state, and local tax calculations and several forms, but describes federal e-filing as optional and separately charged; state e-filing is available for some states. Do not assume a form generator files a return. Before purchase, confirm the applicable tax year, state coverage, filing fees, deadlines, and whether submissions are electronic or prepared for you to file.
Account for device, delivery, and edition details
Compatibility can decide the purchase before features do. Desktop Pro names Windows 7, 8.1, and 10, while the Online Essentials listing names older Windows and Mac versions. Print Checks requires Windows 10 or 11 and an internet connection. ezPaycheck ships on USB; Print Checks is listed on CD-ROM with download directions; the QuickBooks Desktop product is a PC download. Each listing has an edition or term detail to check: the QuickBooks products are 2018 editions, ezPaycheck is version 2026 and needs a new key for 2027, and Print Checks has a 12-month license from activation. Confirm current compatibility, service availability, and renewal or upgrade conditions before relying on any listing.
Compare the full operating workflow, not one feature
Payroll software has to fit the steps around payday: collecting hours, calculating wages and deductions, preparing employee payments, documenting taxes, and producing year-end forms. Print Checks can create checks and NACHA files; ezPaycheck can print checks, pay stubs, vendor checks, and listed tax forms. QuickBooks can keep payroll close to invoicing and expenses, which may reduce bookkeeping handoffs. Ask where the work will happen: an owner working across devices may prefer the Online Essentials model, while a bookkeeper supporting several companies may value ezPaycheck’s network and multi-company support. A feature is useful only when it fits the way your business sends payments and records the results.
Verify recurring charges and included support
The descriptions identify several terms that deserve a direct confirmation before buying. QuickBooks Desktop includes a one-year prepaid Payroll Enhanced subscription and charges for additional employees; Online Essentials also lists a one-year subscription and an additional fee for more employees. Print Checks describes a 12-month license and an added charge for federal e-filing. ezPaycheck says a new license key is needed for the 2027 version and lists live chat, email, and remote access support. Ask what renews, what expires, and what costs extra, including employee additions, tax filing, upgrades, and support. This is especially relevant when a product edition is dated or its tax-year coverage is not explicit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which option is best if I want accounting and payroll together?
I would start with QuickBooks Online Essentials if you value access from any device, recurring invoices, bill management, and automatic bank and credit card syncing alongside payroll. QuickBooks Desktop Pro also combines bookkeeping and payroll, but it is a Windows PC download rather than the any-device option described for Online Essentials. Both listings include payroll for only one employee, so a business with a larger team should compare ezPaycheck or Print Checks instead.
Which product is better for multiple employees or companies?
Print Checks is the clearest choice for stated capacity because its listing allows unlimited companies and unlimited employees or contractors per company. ezPaycheck also supports multiple companies and network users, and it handles W-2 and 1099 workers. The QuickBooks listings include payroll for one employee, with additional employees available for a fee. I would still verify license terms and any practical limits with the provider before moving a larger workforce onto a product.
Can these products handle contractors as well as employees?
ezPaycheck explicitly supports W-2 and 1099 workers, while Print Checks names employees and 1099-NEC contractors. The supplied QuickBooks descriptions focus on employee payroll and do not give the same contractor detail. If contractor payments are central to your business, I would confirm how the specific edition classifies workers, prepares the required forms, and handles tax reporting before choosing it.
Does every option include electronic payroll tax filing?
No. The QuickBooks descriptions mention payroll tax filing, while ezPaycheck specifies tax calculations and supported forms. Print Checks lists optional federal e-filing for an additional charge and state e-filing only for some states. I would distinguish tax calculations and form generation from actually submitting returns, then confirm current tax-year support, state availability, fees, and who is responsible for filing.
What should I check before buying an older software edition?
Confirm that the edition can run on your current computer, that payroll service or license access is still available, and that the product supports the tax year you need. Here, the QuickBooks products are 2018 listings with older operating-system details, and ezPaycheck 2026 requires a new license key for 2027. Check subscription length, renewal and upgrade terms, employee fees, support availability, and whether physical media such as USB or CD-ROM will work with your setup.
Conclusion
My recommendation depends on the work you need the software to do. Choose QuickBooks Online Essentials for one-employee payroll connected to bills, invoices, and synced transactions, especially if access across devices matters. Choose ezPaycheck when you need varied pay schedules, wage types, multiple companies, and explicit W-2 and 1099 support. Pick Print Checks if you use Windows 10 or 11 and want stated unlimited company and workforce capacity plus check and NACHA file creation, while accounting for its internet requirement and extra federal e-filing charge.
QuickBooks Desktop Pro fits a Windows owner-operator who prefers installed accounting and can work within the one-employee payroll allowance. For any of these products, I would confirm current compatibility, tax-year coverage, subscription or license terms, and filing responsibilities before purchase. Those checks matter most here because the listings include older editions, limited included payroll capacity, and different approaches to delivering software and tax services.
