QuickBooks Pricing 2026
QuickBooks Online is the leading cloud-based accounting software for small businesses, self-employed professionals, and freelancers. It provides invoicing, expense tracking, financial reporting, tax preparation, and optional payroll integration. Three paid tiers scale from basic invoicing to multi-user accounting with unlimited users.
Quick Pricing Summary
- Simple Start: $30/month (invoicing, expense tracking, basic reports)
- Plus: $80/month (advanced reports, up to 3 users, budget tracking)
- Advanced: $180/month (unlimited users, custom roles, API access)
- Discount: 50% off first 3 months (new customers)
- Payroll add-on: $45–$315/month depending on employee count
- Best for: Small business accounting, freelancers, service-based businesses
QuickBooks Pricing Plans (2026)
| Plan | Price | Max Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $30/mo | 1 | Invoicing, expense tracking, basic profit/loss, tax prep, mobile app |
| Plus | $80/mo | 3 | Simple Start + advanced reports, budget tracking, time tracking, 1099 prep |
| Advanced | $180/mo | Unlimited | Plus + unlimited users, custom roles, API access, automation builder |
Monthly Cost by Business Type
| Business Type | Recommended Plan | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer/Solo | Simple Start | $30/mo | $360/yr |
| Small team (2–3 people) | Plus | $80/mo | $960/yr |
| Growing business (4+ staff) | Advanced | $180/mo | $2,160/yr |
| + Payroll (5 employees) | Advanced + Payroll | $360/mo* | $4,320/yr* |
Cost Optimization Tips
- Take the 50% New Customer Discount: New QuickBooks customers get 50% off the first 3 months. That's $15/mo for Simple Start, $40/mo for Plus, or $90/mo for Advanced.
- Start with Simple Start: If you're just invoicing and tracking expenses, Simple Start at $30/mo is sufficient. Upgrade to Plus only when you need multi-user access or advanced reporting.
- Use Built-in Tax Prep Tools: All QuickBooks plans include tax report preparation. This saves accountant fees ($1,000+/year).
- Integrate with Your Bank: QuickBooks auto-reconciles with your bank account, saving hours on manual bookkeeping.
- Avoid QuickBooks Desktop: QuickBooks Desktop is being phased out. QuickBooks Online is cheaper and more feature-rich ($30/mo vs. $180+ one-time purchase).
How QuickBooks Compares
| Accounting Software | Entry Plan Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | $30/mo | Complete accounting, tax prep, invoicing |
| FreshBooks | $15/mo | Invoicing + expense tracking (less accounting) |
| Wave | Free | Basic invoicing + expense tracking (free forever) |
| Xero | $13/mo | Cloud accounting (European alternative) |
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