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If you’re shopping for QuickBooks as a small-business accounting solution, first decide whether you’d like online, cloud-based software or a desktop product that locally stores your information. QuickBooks pricing varies quite a bit depending on which product you choose, as well as on how many users you need.
While cost is an important consideration, it shouldn't be the only deciding factor when evaluating your accounting software options. Each version has its pros and cons, so factor in ease of use and key features before making a final decision.
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QuickBooks
QuickBooks Online
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QuickBooks Online pricing
Best for: Most small businesses across a variety of industries, particularly those that work with accountants on a regular basis or are in need of a solution that can grow with their business.
Plan name | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Simple Start | $30/month. | Basic accounting tools on a single-user license. |
Essentials | $60/month. | All Simple Start features for up to three users, plus bill management and the ability to add employee time to invoices. |
Plus | $90/month. | All Essentials features for up to five users, plus project tracking and inventory tracking. |
Advanced | $200/month. | All Plus features for up to 25 users, plus a dedicated account team, advanced business analytics, employee expense management, batch invoicing, workflow automation and more. |
QuickBooks Online is one of the company’s most popular accounting software choices for small-business owners. QuickBooks Online pricing is based on a monthly subscription model, and each plan includes a specific number of users. It is compatible with PCs, Macs, tablets and phones. First-time QuickBooks Online users can typically receive a free 30-day trial or a discount for the first few months of service. Users can switch plans or cancel without having to pay termination fees. Customer support includes 24/7 live chat help as well as daytime phone assistance every day of the week, including weekends.
Read our full QuickBooks Online review.
QuickBooks Self-Employed pricing
Best for: Self-employed freelancers, contractors and sole proprietors.
Plan name | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Self-Employed | $20/month. | Quarterly tax estimates, mileage tracking and tools for separating personal and business expenses. |
Self-Employed Tax Bundle | $30/month. | All Self-Employed features, plus the ability to pay quarterly estimated taxes online through QuickBooks and transfer info to TurboTax. |
Self-Employed Live Tax Bundle | $40/month. | All Self-Employed Tax Bundle features, plus access to CPAs. |
QuickBooks Self-Employed is a “lite” version of the Online product that’s ideal for people who earn income from a variety of sources and helps to separate personal and business finances. Customer support includes 24/7 help from a virtual assistant (chat bot) as well as live phone and chat support during daytime hours, Monday through Saturday.
Read our full QuickBooks Self-Employed review.
QuickBooks Desktop pricing
Best for: Businesses that need to forecast revenue and expenses for the future.
Plan name | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Premier Plus | Starts at $799/year for one user. | Locally installed basic bookkeeping tools, including invoices, industry-specific reports, time tracking, inventory management and more. |
QuickBooks Desktop pricing is based on an annual subscription model. Unlike QuickBooks Online plans, which each come with a set number of users, QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus comes with one user license. Business owners must pay extra for each additional license. QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus includes a full list of basic bookkeeping tools and features. Plans for up to five users are available and payroll can be added for an extra $500/year, plus $5/employee each month. Daytime live chat and phone support are available during weekdays.
Read our full review of QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus.
Did you know...
QuickBooks has begun decreasing its desktop product offerings and encouraging businesses, where appropriate, to move to using one of its online products. For example, the QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus plan is no longer available to new QuickBooks users.
QuickBooks Enterprise pricing
Best for: Medium- to large-size businesses with more in-depth accounting needs.
Plan name | Price | Features |
|---|---|---|
Silver | Starts at $1,410/year for one user. | Available in industry-specific editions; includes inventory management, advanced reporting, job costing, priority customer service and more. |
Gold | Starts at $1,830/year for one user. | All Silver features, plus payroll. |
Platinum | Starts at $2,250/year for one user. | All Gold features, plus advanced inventory, advanced pricing rules and workflow approvals. |
Diamond | Starts at $4,400/year for one user (only offered as a monthly subscription). | All Platinum features, plus Assisted Payroll to handle federal and state payroll taxes filings for $1/employee each pay period. Users can also add a Salesforce CRM connector for $150/month and QuickBooks Time Elite for $5/employee each month. |
QuickBooks Enterprise is one of Intuit’s most robust business accounting products and offers a host of additional services, like access to more than 200 report templates and priority 24/7 customer support. Plans support up to 40 users and business owners can purchase varying levels of cloud access. The prices listed above apply to local access plans only; annual pricing rises with more users and cloud access.
Read our full QuickBooks Enterprise review.
» MORE: NerdWallet's best accounting and bookkeeping apps
Alternatives to QuickBooks
If QuickBooks pricing is out of your budget or if the complexity of its plans and pricing structures has your head spinning, here are a few alternative accounting software solutions to consider.
Our Nerdy Picks
Xero | FreshBooks | Sage 50 | |
Best for | Businesses with simple accounting needs and a smaller budget for software. | Freelancers and other self-employed people. | Businesses that prefer a desktop system. |
Monthly plan pricing* |
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Why we like it | Compared with QuickBooks, Xero’s plans and pricing structure are simpler and less expensive. Like QuickBooks, Xero offers a free 30-day trial or discounted pricing for the first few months of use. You can cancel your subscription at any time. | FreshBooks tailors its plan tiers to business type, making it easier to navigate your options. Reasonable monthly pricing makes FreshBooks an affordable option for self-employed and freelance workers. Like QuickBooks, FreshBooks offers a free 30-day trial of its product or the option to receive a discounted price for the first several months. | For businesses that prefer locally installed software, Sage offers a few different plan options with pricing that’s relatively comparable to QuickBooks Desktop pricing. While Sage does not offer a free trial, the company does allow you to cancel your subscription at any time and offers a full refund within 60 days. |
Customer support | Unlike QuickBooks, customer support is only offered through an online messaging system, though the company will call customers in response to support submissions if necessary. | Phone support is available during weekday business hours. | Live customer support is available for extended weekday hours, and all plans include a single customer representative dedicated to your account. |
Read our full comparison of Xero vs. QuickBooks Online. | Read our full comparison of FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks Online. | Read our full comparison of Sage 50 vs. QuickBooks Online. |
* (Pricing does not include promotions or discounts, which vary.)
NerdWallet's List of Best QuickBooks Alternatives
Explore our full list of recommended alternatives to QuickBooks.
» MORE:Best QuickBooks Alternatives
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QuickBooks
QuickBooks is an accounting software developed by Intuit. It offers various products and pricing options to cater to different business needs. QuickBooks provides solutions for small businesses, self-employed individuals, and medium to large-size businesses. The software allows users to manage their finances, track income and expenses, create invoices, and generate financial reports.
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based version of QuickBooks that allows users to access their financial data from anywhere with an internet connection. It offers different pricing plans with varying features and user limits. QuickBooks Online is suitable for most small businesses across different industries and provides features like basic accounting tools, bill management, project tracking, inventory tracking, and more.
QuickBooks Self-Employed
QuickBooks Self-Employed is a version of QuickBooks specifically designed for self-employed individuals, freelancers, contractors, and sole proprietors. It helps separate personal and business finances, track mileage, estimate quarterly taxes, and provides tools for managing business expenses. QuickBooks Self-Employed offers different pricing plans with varying features.
QuickBooks Desktop
QuickBooks Desktop is a locally installed version of QuickBooks that offers more advanced features and is suitable for businesses that require forecasting revenue and expenses for the future. It provides industry-specific reports, time tracking, inventory management, and other bookkeeping tools. QuickBooks Desktop pricing is based on an annual subscription model, and additional fees may apply for multiple users and payroll services.
QuickBooks Enterprise
QuickBooks Enterprise is a robust accounting solution designed for medium to large-size businesses with more complex accounting needs. It offers advanced features such as inventory management, advanced reporting, job costing, payroll, and more. QuickBooks Enterprise supports multiple users and provides priority customer service. The pricing for QuickBooks Enterprise varies based on the plan and additional services required.
Alternatives to QuickBooks
If QuickBooks doesn't meet your needs or budget, there are alternative accounting software solutions available. Some popular alternatives include Xero, FreshBooks, and Sage 50 Accounting. These alternatives offer different pricing plans and features tailored to specific business requirements. It's important to evaluate each alternative based on your specific needs and preferences.
Please note that the information provided above is based on general knowledge about QuickBooks and its alternatives. For specific details and the most up-to-date information, it's recommended to visit the official websites of the respective software providers.
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