Inova Payroll vs QuickBooks Payroll

by Gralio Feb 05, 2025

Inova Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll are both cloud-based payroll solutions catering to US-based businesses. Inova Payroll offers a broader suite of HR tools, while QuickBooks Payroll emphasizes simplicity and integration with QuickBooks accounting. Inova's superior customer support and user-friendly interface make it appealing for businesses focused on HR efficiency, whereas QuickBooks Payroll suits those prioritizing accounting integration and ease of use.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 1435 reviews and 40 websites, saving 8 hours, 18 minutes of reading.

About

Inova Payroll is a cloud-based HR and payroll software designed for mid-sized businesses in various industries across the US. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools, including payroll, HR, benefits administration, time and attendance tracking, recruiting and onboarding, and compliance reporting, all within a single platform. Inova Payroll focuses on automating tasks, improving efficiency, and providing excellent customer support. It stands out for its user-friendliness, flexibility, and transparency, allowing businesses to manage their HR and payroll processes more effectively.
QuickBooks Payroll is a cloud-based payroll software designed for small to medium-sized businesses in the USA. It aims to simplify payroll processing with features like automated tax calculations and filings, direct deposit, and integrated time tracking. QuickBooks Payroll also offers additional tools like HR support, workers' compensation administration, and health benefits options. It stands out with its tax penalty protection, promising to cover penalties incurred due to errors within the software.

Summary

Main difference
Inova Payroll offers a more comprehensive and integrated HR and payroll solution, ideal for mid-sized businesses needing robust HR functionalities. QuickBooks Payroll, integrated with QuickBooks accounting software, is a better fit for smaller businesses prioritizing simplicity and tight integration with their accounting processes.

Relative strengths of Inova Payroll (compared to QuickBooks Payroll)

  • More comprehensive HR features

  • Better customer support

  • More user-friendly interface for HR tasks

Relative weaknesses of Inova Payroll (compared to QuickBooks Payroll)

  • Limited accounting integration

  • Potentially higher cost

  • More complex initial setup

Who should use Inova Payroll VS. QuickBooks Payroll

Inova Payroll offers a comprehensive HR and payroll solution for mid-sized businesses. Users praise its user-friendly interface for core payroll functions and responsive customer support. However, some find navigation challenging in certain areas and initial setup complex. Ideal for businesses seeking an integrated platform for HR, payroll, and benefits management.

QuickBooks Payroll simplifies payroll for US-based SMBs. It automates taxes, direct deposit, and offers HR support. Users praise its ease of use and integrations but dislike issues with paystubs and customer support. Consider QuickBooks if you need an integrated payroll and accounting solution but be prepared for potential customer service challenges.

  • Best fit for mid-sized businesses.

  • Suitable for various sectors, particularly professional services, healthcare, and education.

  • Best for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the US.

  • Suitable for most industries, including Healthcare, Finance, Retail, and more.

Inova Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll features

Supported
Partially supported
Not supported
Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need
  • Mobile payroll
    Supported

    Employees can access payroll information on their mobile devices, but the app availability and user experience may vary.

    Supported

    QuickBooks Payroll allows employees to access payroll information via a mobile app.

  • Payroll integration
    Supported

    Inova Payroll integrates time tracking data with its payroll systems using a unified platform.

    Supported

    QuickBooks Payroll supports integration of time tracking data with payroll systems, especially with Premium and Elite plans that include QuickBooks Time. This feature automates time mapping to payroll items, reducing manual entry and increasing accuracy.

  • Tax compliance
    Supported

    Inova Payroll manages and submits payroll taxes, ensuring compliance.

    Supported

    QuickBooks Payroll supports managing and submitting payroll taxes. It automates tax calculations, files taxes with relevant agencies, provides tax penalty protection, and ensures compliance with the latest tax laws.

  • Payroll System Integration
    Partially supported

    Inova Payroll integrates with accounting systems but does not explicitly confirm integration with external payroll processing systems.

    Supported

    QuickBooks Payroll supports integration with external payroll processing systems through various methods, including direct integration with QuickBooks Accounting, importing data from external systems, and integrating with HRIS and other workforce management tools.

Qualities

  • Value and Pricing Transparency
    +1
    Strongly positive sentiment
    -0.5
    Rather negative sentiment
  • Customer Service
    +0.94
    Strongly positive sentiment
    -0.43
    Rather negative sentiment
  • Ease of Use
    +0.72
    Strongly positive sentiment
    +0.45
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Reliability and Performance
    +0.58
    Rather positive sentiment
    +0.13
    Neutral sentiment
  • Ease of Implementation
    -0.17
    Neutral sentiment
    +0.33
    Rather positive sentiment
  • Scalability
    +1
    Strongly positive sentiment
    No data
Inova Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll Pricing
No data

User sentiment

Strongly positive
+1
We couldn't find a pricing page for Inova Payroll.
QuickBooks offers three pricing plans for their payroll and bookkeeping services, each bundled with different QuickBooks Online plans. The prices listed are monthly fees. Each plan can be purchased with a 50% discount for the first three months. Each plan also has an additional fee per employee that is not subject to the discount.
Plans

User sentiment

Rather negative
-0.5

See full Pricing page

Inova Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll review insights

1435 reviews analysed from and

Users love

  • Responsive and helpful customer support, consistently praised.
  • User-friendly interface for basic payroll functions.
  • Flexible system with customizable options.
  • Comprehensive features covering HR, payroll, and benefits.
  • Accurate and reliable payroll processing.
  • Easy to use and set up
  • Automated tax calculations and filings
  • Direct deposit
  • Integrates with QuickBooks Online

Users dislike

  • Difficult to navigate certain areas of the platform.
  • Occasional system latency, especially around holidays.
  • Initial setup can be complex.
  • Limited integrations with other accounting software.
  • Some reporting features require specific training or assistance.
  • Taxable benefits do not show up on employee paystubs
  • Paystubs cannot be altered in any way, missing legal requirements
  • Support is basically non-existent
  • Difficult to edit payroll and employee details aside from very basic aspects

Inova Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll Ratings

  • Glassdoor
    4.3/5
    (51)

Company health

Employee growth

9% increase in the last year
No data

Web traffic

19% decrease in the last quarter
No data

Financing

August 2017 - $1M
No data

How do Inova Payroll and QuickBooks Payroll compare in ease of setup and ongoing administration?

Inova Payroll is noted for its user-friendly interface for basic payroll functions, but some users find certain areas of the platform difficult to navigate and the initial setup complex. QuickBooks Payroll is also considered easy to use and set up initially, but users report difficulty editing payroll and employee details beyond basic information. Both have potential administrative challenges, with Inova having occasional system latency and QuickBooks having poor customer support.

Which product offers better integration with existing accounting software or platforms?

QuickBooks Payroll offers significantly better integration with existing accounting software, especially since it is designed to work seamlessly with QuickBooks Online. Inova Payroll, on the other hand, has limited integrations with other accounting software, which could be a drawback for businesses already using different accounting platforms.

What are the advantages of Inova Payroll?

Inova Payroll offers a comprehensive suite of HR and payroll tools within a single platform, including benefits administration, time and attendance, and recruiting, creating a more unified experience. Users praise Inova for its user-friendly interface, flexibility in configuration, and highly responsive customer support. Inova also demonstrates strong value and pricing transparency.

What are the disadvantages of Inova Payroll?

Inova Payroll's disadvantages include occasional system latency, especially around holidays. The initial setup can be complex and some reporting features require specific training or assistance. It also has limited integrations with other accounting software, potentially creating workflow challenges for businesses relying on external accounting tools. Some users find certain areas of the platform difficult to navigate.

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Page co-authored by
MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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