Software Comparison
QuickBooks Payroll vs SimplePay - Irish Payroll Software Compared
Choosing between QuickBooks Payroll and SimplePay is one of the most common decisions Irish businesses face when evaluating payroll software. This comparison breaks down everything an Irish SME needs to know, from Revenue integration and GDPR data residency to pricing and ease of use.
Last checked: 07 Sept 2026data estimated for at least one vendor - confirm with the vendorMethodology
Quick Verdict
QuickBooks Payroll falls short for the typical Irish SME because it lacks confirmed PAYE Modernisation support, Revenue integration, Irish IBAN support, and Irish-based customer support, making it a risky choice for any employer that needs to file payroll data directly to ROS.
Where QuickBooks Payroll and SimplePay actually differ
- SimplePay publishes a starting price; QuickBooks Payroll is quote-based, so budget a sales conversation to get a comparable figure.
- Data residency differs: QuickBooks Payroll stores data in EU and US data centres, SimplePay in EU data centres. For GDPR-sensitive Irish organisations this can decide the shortlist on its own.
- SimplePay offers Irish business-hours support; QuickBooks Payroll does not.
QuickBooks Payroll vs SimplePay - Feature Comparison
| Feature | QuickBooks Payroll | SimplePay |
|---|---|---|
| PAYE Modernisation and Revenue Integration | Not supported. Irish PAYE Modernisation and ROS submission are not available. | Full PAYE Modernisation support. Retrieves RPNs automatically and submits payroll to ROS with a single click. |
| Irish Tax Calculations (PAYE, PRSI, USC) | Irish tax logic is region-dependent and not confirmed for Ireland. | PAYE, PRSI, and USC are calculated automatically on every pay run. |
| SEPA Payment File Export | No SEPA XML compatibility confirmed for Irish banks. | Native SEPA payment file export compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB. File is downloaded after each pay run and uploaded to the bank portal. |
| Irish IBAN Support | Not supported. | Supported. Irish IBANs accepted for employee bank payment details. |
| GDPR Data Residency | Data may be held in the EU or outside it depending on account configuration. | Data held within the EU. |
| Irish Customer Support | No dedicated Irish support presence. | Irish-based support included. A dedicated legal team monitors Irish legislative changes and updates the platform automatically. |
| Irish Bank Feeds | Not available. | Not available. Bank payments require manual upload of the SEPA payment file to the bank portal. |
Irish Compliance and Pricing Matrix
A side-by-side data comparison of pricing and Irish regulatory compliance for QuickBooks Payroll and SimplePay. Values are derived from each vendor's published data and verified weekly.
| Requirement | QuickBooks Payroll | SimplePay |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | From €4/employee/month |
| Pricing model | Monthly flat rate | Monthly flat rate |
| EUR pricing guaranteed | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free trial | ✓ | ✓ |
| Irish Compliance | ||
| Revenue (ROS) integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| PAYE Modernisation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Irish bank feeds | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bank compatibility | None listed | AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB |
| SEPA direct debit | ✗ | ✗ |
| Irish IBAN support | ✗ | ✓ |
| VAT handling | ✗ | ✗ |
| EU data residency (GDPR) | EU and US | EU only |
| Irish support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Revenue-approved | ✗ | ✗ |
| CBI regulated | ✗ | ✗ |
Pricing notes
QuickBooks Payroll: Pricing varies by region. Ireland availability and pricing require direct confirmation with Intuit. - Source
SimplePay: From EUR4.00 per active employee per month, exclusive of VAT. Per active employee model: no charge for admin users. Free 30-day trial with all features and full support included. - Source
Irish Compliance Comparison
For Irish businesses, compliance with Revenue, GDPR, and local banking standards is non-negotiable. Here is how QuickBooks Payroll and SimplePay compare on the requirements that matter most to Irish SMEs.
Revenue Integration
SimplePay supports full Revenue Online Service (ROS) integration for VAT returns and tax submissions, while QuickBooks Payroll does not offer native Revenue integration. If direct Revenue filing is important to your workflow, SimplePay has the edge here.
PAYE Modernisation
SimplePay includes full PAYE Modernisation support with real-time payroll submissions to Revenue. QuickBooks Payroll does not have native PAYE Modernisation - if you choose QuickBooks Payroll, you will need a separate payroll solution to handle your PAYE obligations. This is a critical consideration for any Irish employer.
Irish Bank Feeds
QuickBooks Payroll supports no Irish banks directly. SimplePay supports AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB. SimplePay has broader Irish bank compatibility, which matters if you bank with AIB or Bank of Ireland or PTSB - you will get automatic bank feeds or SEPA payment file support that QuickBooks Payroll cannot offer.
GDPR Data Residency
SimplePay stores data exclusively in EU data centres, giving Irish businesses straightforward GDPR compliance. QuickBooks Payroll uses eu and us data centres (configuration required), which means you may need to specifically request or configure EU data residency. For businesses handling sensitive Irish customer data, SimplePay offers greater peace of mind on data sovereignty.
SEPA and IBAN Support
Neither QuickBooks Payroll nor SimplePay offers native SEPA Direct Debit support. This is less relevant for payroll tools, but if you need to process euro payments, ensure your accounting or invoicing software covers SEPA compliance.
VAT Handling
Neither QuickBooks Payroll nor SimplePay handles Irish VAT directly. This is expected for payroll tools - your accounting software should manage VAT compliance.
Pricing Comparison
All prices below are in euro. Pricing can change - we verify vendor pricing weekly, but always confirm on the vendor's website before purchasing.
QuickBooks Payroll
Contact for quote
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: No - may fluctuate with exchange rates
SimplePay
€4/mo
- Pricing model: Flat rate
- Free trial: Yes
- EUR pricing guaranteed: Yes
QuickBooks Payroll does not publish entry-level pricing - request a quote directly. Total cost of ownership depends on users, plan tier, add-ons and features, so always calculate the full annual cost for your team size before committing.
Who Should Choose QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓Those who value: tight integration with quickbooks online accounting
- ✓Those who value: familiar brand for international users
- ✓Those who value: reasonable option for irish subsidiaries of uk or us groups already standardised on quickbooks
Who Should Choose SimplePay
SimplePay is the better fit if your business matches one or more of these profiles:
- ✓Businesses that need built-in payroll with PAYE Modernisation support
- ✓Companies that value Irish-based phone and email support
- ✓Businesses banking with AIB, Bank of Ireland, PTSB who want reliable bank feed or payment file support
- ✓GDPR-conscious businesses wanting guaranteed EU data residency
Our Verdict
QuickBooks Payroll falls short for the typical Irish SME because it lacks confirmed PAYE Modernisation support, Revenue integration, Irish IBAN support, and Irish-based customer support, making it a risky choice for any employer that needs to file payroll data directly to ROS. SimplePay, by contrast, submits payroll to ROS in a single click, calculates PAYE, PRSI, and USC automatically, supports Enhanced Reporting Requirements and My Future Fund auto-enrolment, and stores data within the EU, giving Irish employers the compliance foundation they need out of the box. SimplePay also exports native SEPA payment files compatible with AIB, Bank of Ireland, and PTSB, while QuickBooks Payroll has no confirmed SEPA XML output for Irish bank portals.
The one scenario where QuickBooks Payroll remains worth considering is an Irish subsidiary of a UK or US group already standardised on QuickBooks Online, where the accounting integration may outweigh the compliance gaps, though those gaps still need to be resolved before the first payroll run. Neither product offers a live Irish bank feed, so both require a manual upload step for bank payments. For any standalone Irish employer from a sole trader to a fifty-person team, SimplePay is the clear choice on Irish compliance, transparent EUR pricing, and day-to-day usability.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific business needs, team size, and priorities. We recommend taking advantage of free trials from both vendors before making your final decision. If you are working with an Irish accountant or payroll bureau, ask which platform they prefer - their familiarity with the software can save you significant time and hassle during setup and ongoing support.
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