QuickBooks Online has 4 tiers ranging from $18/month (Simple Start) to $76/month (Advanced). The right plan depends on whether you need payroll, inventory tracking, or multi-user access. This guide makes the choice clear.
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QuickBooks Pricing Plans
- 1 user
- Income & expense tracking
- Unlimited invoices
- Basic reports
- Receipt capture
- 3 users
- Bill management
- Multi-currency
- Time tracking
- All Simple Start features
- 5 users
- Inventory tracking
- Project profitability
- Budgets
- Class tracking
- 25 users
- Business analytics
- Batch transactions
- Custom user roles
- Smart reporting (Fathom)
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
- Payroll is separate: QuickBooks Payroll is not included in any plan. It starts at $50/month + $6/employee/month for Core, or $80/month + $8/employee for Premium.
- Introductory pricing ends: QuickBooks often advertises 50% off for the first 3 months. After the discount period, the full price applies automatically.
- Add-ons: QuickBooks Payments (credit card processing, 2.5–3.5% fee), QuickBooks Time (time tracking, $20/mo+), and QuickBooks Checking are each sold separately.
- Price increases: QuickBooks has increased its prices multiple times in recent years. Expect incremental increases even mid-contract.
Frequently Asked Questions About QuickBooks Pricing
Is there a free version of QuickBooks?
QuickBooks Online does not have a permanent free plan. New users can get 30 days free on any plan (no credit card required). The closest free option is Wave Accounting — a direct QuickBooks Simple Start competitor.
What QuickBooks plan do most small businesses use?
Essentials ($27/month) covers most small businesses with employees. Plus ($38/month) is the most popular upgrade for businesses selling physical products (requires inventory management).
Does QuickBooks include payroll?
No — payroll is a paid add-on starting at $50/month. QuickBooks Payroll Core ($50/mo + $6/employee) handles auto-payroll, tax filings, and direct deposit. The full-service plan ($80/mo + $8/employee) includes HR support.
Can I use QuickBooks for free as a sole trader?
QuickBooks Self-Employed ($7.50/month) is designed for freelancers tracking mileage, quarterly taxes, and basic invoicing. It’s cheaper than Simple Start but more limited — it can’t track assets or inventory.