It is expensive.  I only have 3 employees and only use the calculations from Quickbooks for payroll.  I do not pay through QB.  I don't invoice, direct deposit, track inventory, link bank accounts, download or upload anything, etc.  I have paid $1280 to date.  It will be a bit more by the end of the year due to the monthly cost per employee fee.  We have been a customer since the 90's and are very stuck with QB.  We used to just pay the license fee every 3 years and an annual payroll fee.  That was very appropriate for our usage and needs.  There really should be tiered pricing.