QuickBooks Pricing (2026): Simple Start vs Essentials vs Plus vs Advanced
QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software for small businesses. But the pricing can be confusing with multiple tiers, per-user costs, and frequent changes. Here’s what you actually pay in 2026.
QuickBooks Online Pricing (2026)
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Price (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $30/mo | $20/mo |
| Essentials | $60/mo | $40/mo |
| Plus | $90/mo | $60/mo |
| Advanced | $200/mo | $120/mo |
All plans include a 30-day free trial or 50% off for 3 months.
Simple Start: $30/month
Simple Start is for solo businesses.
What you get:
- Income and expense tracking
- Invoice and payment acceptance
- Receipt capture
- Tax deductions
- Basic reports (20+)
- 1 user + 1 accountant
- Bank connection
What’s limited:
- 1 user only
- Basic reports
- No bill management
- No time tracking
- No inventory tracking
Best for: Solo entrepreneurs and freelancers who need basic accounting.
Essentials: $60/month
Essentials adds bill management and time tracking.
What you get (beyond Simple Start):
- 3 users + 1 accountant
- Bill management and payment
- Time tracking
- Enhanced reports (40+)
- Multi-currency support
Best for: Small businesses that need bill management and time tracking.
Plus: $90/month
Plus adds inventory and project tracking.
What you get (beyond Essentials):
- 5 users + 1 accountant
- Inventory tracking
- Project profitability tracking
- Budget vs actual reporting
- Custom user permissions
Best for: Product-based businesses and project-based businesses.
Advanced: $200/month
Advanced is for growing businesses.
What you get (beyond Plus):
- 25 users + 3 accountants
- Custom roles and permissions
- Batch invoicing
- Automated workflows
- Advanced reporting
- Data restoration
- Dedicated account manager
- Training
Best for: Growing businesses that need advanced features and support.
Hidden Costs
Per-user limits
Each plan has user limits. Adding users beyond the limit requires upgrading to a higher plan.
Payroll
QuickBooks Payroll is an additional cost:
- Core: $45/month + $5/employee
- Premium: $75/month + $8/employee
- Elite: $125/month + $10/employee
Payment processing
Credit card payments: 2.9% + $0.25 per transaction ACH: 1% per transaction (max $10)
QuickBooks Time
Time tracking for teams is an additional $20-40/month per user.
QuickBooks vs Xero
| Feature | QuickBooks Plus ($90) | Xero Growing ($39) |
|---|---|---|
| Users | 5 | Unlimited |
| Inventory | Yes | Yes |
| Reports | Good | Good |
| Accountant access | Good | Excellent |
| Mobile app | Good | Good |
| Integrations | Excellent | Good |
QuickBooks wins on: US market dominance, accountant familiarity, payroll integration.
Xero wins on: Unlimited users, lower price, better accountant collaboration.
Verdict: QuickBooks is the safe choice for US businesses. Xero is better value for businesses that need unlimited users.
QuickBooks vs FreshBooks
| Feature | QuickBooks Essentials ($60) | FreshBooks Plus ($33) |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | Excellent | Good |
| Invoicing | Good | Excellent |
| Time tracking | Built-in | Built-in |
| Reports | Good | Basic |
| Ease of use | Good | Excellent |
QuickBooks wins on: Accounting features, reports, accountant collaboration.
FreshBooks wins on: Invoicing, ease of use, price.
Verdict: QuickBooks is better for businesses that need full accounting. FreshBooks is better for service businesses that prioritize invoicing.
Who Should Choose QuickBooks?
Choose Simple Start ($30) if: You’re a solo business that needs basic accounting.
Choose Essentials ($60) if: You need bill management and time tracking.
Choose Plus ($90) if: You need inventory or project tracking.
Choose Advanced ($200) if: You need advanced features and multiple users.
Choose Xero instead if: You want unlimited users and a lower price.
Choose FreshBooks instead if: You prioritize invoicing and ease of use.
The Bottom Line
QuickBooks is the safe choice for US small businesses. At $60/month (Essentials), it covers most small business needs. The user limits are restrictive, and payroll costs extra, but the ecosystem of accountants and integrations makes it the default choice.
If you’re an accountant evaluating QuickBooks for your clients, the wholesale pricing through the ProAdvisor program makes it significantly cheaper than retail pricing. You can offer clients a discount while still maintaining your workflow. For firms managing multiple clients, the accountant-specific tools in QuickBooks Online Accountant are free and provide a centralized dashboard.
One thing to watch: QuickBooks frequently runs promotional pricing for the first 3-6 months. The regular prices listed above are what you’ll pay after the promotion ends. Factor in the long-term cost, not just the introductory offer, when comparing against alternatives like FreshBooks or Xero.
Related reading: FreshBooks Pricing (2026) · Xero Pricing · Best AI Tools for Accountants · AI for Bookkeepers · AI for Tax Preparators
Not an accountant? See AI tools for teachers or AI tools for lawyers.
FAQ
Is QuickBooks really $30/month?
Simple Start is $30/month, but most businesses need Essentials ($60) or Plus ($90) for useful features. Payroll is an additional $45-125/month.
Does QuickBooks have a free trial?
Yes, 30-day free trial or 50% off for 3 months. Enough time to test the features.
Can QuickBooks handle inventory?
Yes, the Plus plan ($90/month) includes inventory tracking. Lower plans don’t include inventory.
Is QuickBooks good for small businesses?
Yes, QuickBooks is the most widely used accounting software for small businesses. The ecosystem of accountants and integrations is unmatched.
How does QuickBooks compare to Wave?
Wave is free but has fewer features and limited support. QuickBooks costs more but offers better features, integrations, and accountant collaboration. For serious businesses, QuickBooks is worth the investment.