Account Plan Comparison

QuickBooks Online is easier to use than the desktop versions, but QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise have stronger features and accounting. This QuickBooks comparison explains the differences between each version. The downside of QuickBooks Online is that customer support is a bit lacking, and the subscription fee can be a bit expensive for smaller businesses in need of advanced features.

Some might want it to run their payroll, while others may want to use it for invoicing. You may end up purchasing the software for one tool and then discover its many other useful purposes. All QuickBooks plans—even plans limited to one user—include free accountant access. You can work directly with a certified QuickBooks accountant (a.k.a. QuickBooks ProAdvisor), but most accountants should be familiar with both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online. The QuickBooks cloud-based products are QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Self-Employed. This easy-to-use and feature-rich software is ideal if you have no bookkeeping experience and want top-notch customer support.

Pricing

The cheapest is a stripped-down option, Solopreneur, which is specifically for solo independent workers like freelancers or contractors. The others are Simple Start, Essentials, and Plus, followed by the costly Advanced plan, aimed at large operations. Common payment processing options include PayPal, Stripe, Square, and Authorize.Net. QuickBooks Online offers around 25 payment processors, or you can use QuickBooks Payments. Most integrations come with monthly subscription fees, so be sure to account for these extra costs when calculating your total costs for QBO. The QuickBooks Online Essentials plan costs $65/month and includes three users and more features.

You get access to the full functionality of the software, from tracking income and expenses to creating invoices and generating financial reports. It’s a risk-free way to get hands-on experience with the platform before committing to a paid plan. Picking the right accounting software is crucial for any business owner.

For a comprehensive overview of QuickBooks Online features and how they can benefit your business, take a look at their business solutions page. QuickBooks Online (QBO) and QuickBooks Self-Employed (QBSE) cater to different needs. QBO offers a comprehensive suite of accounting tools suitable for small businesses and includes features like in-depth reporting, sales tracking, and profit and loss statements.

QuickBooks Pricing FAQs

• QuickBooks suits those needing advanced reporting, payroll tools, and a robust app ecosystem, especially in North American countries like Canada and more.
• For businesses, financial agility and operational transparency are important when it comes to getting a competitive advantage.
• Plus allows you to assign classes and locations to transactions, providing insights into the performance of various divisions or locations.
• QuickBooks Desktop is software you download and install directly onto your computer.

Plus, QuickBooks Self-Employed syncs with TurboTax (which is also owned by Intuit) to make tax filing a little simpler. Past desktop users could choose between a one-time-purchase QuickBooks Desktop software (good for three years) or an annually renewing subscription. But as of 2022, QuickBooks Desktop’s single-purchase option has been discontinued.

Zoho Books: Best for small businesses

If you’re okay with the price and aren’t worried about working through technical problems by yourself, QuickBooks Online can help you get your finances in line. A complete overview of QuickBooks pricing tiers, additional costs, value for money, and how to pick the right plan for you. QuickBooks Online has more automation features, which might be a better fit for small businesses – the more tasks you can delegate to the software, the more efficient your business will be.

However, one drawback is that not all reports offer easy time period comparisons. You’ll need to double-check for a “Compare” option within each report to analyze trends over time. For more personalized support in setting up and managing your QBO reports, consider FinOptimal’s managed accounting services. QuickBooks Online is designed to streamline your financial processes, saving you time and reducing manual errors. Features like automated invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting free up your time to focus on growing your business. The ability to integrate with other business tools further enhances efficiency.

Streamtime is a project management tool that helps teams stay organized. It’s easy to use and connects well with QuickBooks to sync financial information like expenses and invoices. After testing it out, I found it great for managing tasks and time, but it doesn’t offer as many advanced financial features as some other tools. Streamtime is great for simple projects and financial management, but may not suit large finance teams. QuickBooks Online provides a 30-day free trial for all plans, allowing businesses to test out the software before committing. Additionally, new customers can get 50% off their subscription for the first three months if they skip the trial and choose to buy directly.

• For accounting firms interested in enhancing their QuickBooks expertise, FinOptimal offers a partnership program.
• These hours can be added by the manager manually, though the employee in question can also be given permission to add their hours themselves.
• I evaluated basic financial reports (such as a balance sheet, income statement, and general ledger) and common management reports (like A/R and A/P aging).
• The Essentials plan allows up to three users and includes time tracking, bill pay, and more robust reporting features.
• Explore the QuickBooks Online app store to discover integrations that can benefit your specific business needs.
• It covers up to 25 users and provides dedicated customer support and advanced reporting features.

QuickBooks Scalability and Team Size

Picking the right QuickBooks Online plan can feel overwhelming with so many options. By understanding your current business needs and anticipating future growth, you can choose a plan that supports your goals. Actionable tools, tips, and insights to help you deliver profitable client work. QuickBooks dominates in North America due to legacy use and advanced tools, while Xero is favored in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe for its real-time collaboration and user-centric design.

If a specific version of QuickBooks stood out to you, we recommend taking the software for a test run to make sure you love using it. If you want a happy medium, QuickBooks Mac Plus might be a good balance since its UI compare quickbooks online plans is easier to use without sacrificing advanced and customizable features. The type of business you run has a huge influence on which QuickBooks product is right for you.

Answer a few questions about what’s important to your business and we’ll recommend the right fit.

While Plus supports up to 5 users, Advanced accommodates up to 25 users, custom user permissions, batch transactions, and automated workflows. Advanced also provides exclusive benefits, like a dedicated account manager, premium support, and unlimited chart of accounts and classes. Businesses with multiple entities, advanced reporting needs, or a larger team should consider upgrading to Advanced, even at a higher monthly cost.

For a one-time fee (which is no longer publicly listed online, as of January 2025, but used to cost $50), QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping will set you up with an expert for one session. The Core plan can also be packaged with either the Simple Start accounting plan for $85 per month, plus $6 per employee, or the Essentials plan for $115 per month, plus $6 per employee. This plan is designed for freelancers who file a Schedule C IRS form to report their income as sole proprietor. Finally, the most exciting Payroll update of 2025 is the ability to reverse a direct deposit payment within five days, all from the platform itself and at no extra cost. QuickBooks is a great accounting solution, but it doesn’t offer everything.

The integration makes it easier to track expenses, send invoices, and manage project budgets, all in one place. When I first started using Wrike, I was impressed by how it blends project management with financial tracking. Whether it’s syncing expenses or invoicing clients, Wrike offers a smooth way to manage both project tasks and finances in one platform. QuickBooks Advanced is QuickBooks’ heftiest plan, and at $200 a month (that’s $2,400 a year), it’s well out of range for most small-business owners.

For more information, check out this helpful resource comparing QuickBooks Online vs. options for solopreneurs. QuickBooks Solopreneur is designed specifically for freelancers, contractors, and independent business owners who need streamlined accounting tools. The QuickBooks Solopreneur pricing plan starts at $20/month, offering essential features to manage finances efficiently. This includes tracking income, expenses, mileage, and tax deductions, making it easier to manage day-to-day operations.