Quicken vs Paylocity
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Quicken
Quicken is a personal finance and small business accounting tool with decades of history. It helps small business owners track income, expenses, invoices, and taxes with a desktop-first approach.
Paylocity
Paylocity is a modern HR and payroll platform designed for mid-market businesses. It combines payroll processing with employee engagement tools, learning management, and workforce analytics. Paylocity stands out for its strong mobile experience and focus on building connected, engaged workplaces.
Pros
- ✓Long track record and trusted brand
- ✓Good for very small businesses and sole traders
- ✓Strong personal finance features
- ✓One-time or annual pricing
- ✓Desktop and mobile access
Cons
- ✗Feels dated compared to cloud-native tools
- ✗Desktop-first approach limits collaboration
- ✗Not suited for growing businesses
- ✗Limited integrations
Pros
- ✓Strong employee engagement and communication tools
- ✓Excellent mobile app for both managers and employees
- ✓Modern UI with good user adoption rates
- ✓Robust payroll with strong compliance features
Cons
- ✗Pricing requires a sales call and is not published online
- ✗Implementation can be complex for larger organizations
- ✗Some advanced features require additional modules at extra cost
Quicken vs Paylocity: Side by Side
| Factor | Quicken | Paylocity |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Custom pricing |
| Best For | Sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking | Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees |
| Our Pick | — | — |
Quicken Features
- ✓Personal finance
- ✓budgeting
- ✓investment tracking
- ✓bill management
- ✓tax planning
- ✓reporting
Paylocity Features
- ✓Payroll
- ✓benefits
- ✓talent management
- ✓workforce management
- ✓analytics
- ✓employee self-service
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose Quicken if sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Best For
Sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking
Best For
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees
Also Consider
If neither Quicken nor Paylocity is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Quicken and Paylocity?
Quicken is best for sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking. Paylocity is best for mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
Which is better, Quicken or Paylocity?
Choose Quicken if sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking. Choose Paylocity if mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees.
How much does Quicken cost?
Visit Quicken website for current pricing.
How much does Paylocity cost?
Paylocity starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Quicken?
Sole traders and very small business owners wanting a simple trusted tool for basic bookkeeping and personal finance tracking
Who should use Paylocity?
Mid-market businesses with 20-1000 employees