I evaluated all five QuickBooks Online plans — SolopreneurSimple StartEssentialsPlusand Advanced — which range from $20 to $275 per month. This comparison outlines their featurespricingand ideal use cases to help you determine which tier aligns best with your business needs.
- QuickBooks Solopreneur: Best for one-person businesses
- QuickBooks Online Simple Start: Best for small businesses needing basic accounting tools
- QuickBooks Online Essentials: Best for businesses billing time and expenses
- QuickBooks Online Plus: Best for growing businesses with inventory and project management
- QuickBooks Online Advanced: Best for established businesses with complex workflows
I have several years of experience in accounting software evaluation and providing small businesses with reliableexpert insights.
Leveraging my accounting and bookkeeping expertiseI rigorously assess software using our internal case study that objectively scores key features while upholding editorial independence.
My commitment is to deliver accurateclearand authoritative answers in line with our Fit Small Business Editorial Policy.
QuickBooks Online plans comparison chart: Pricing & features
The QuickBooks Online comparison chart below highlights some of the key features of the five plans. We include in-depthside-by-side comparisons of each plan against its next-level tier in the sections that follow.
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3.73 ★ | 3.81 ★ | 4.61 ★ | 4.69 ★ | ||
$20 | $38 | $75 | $115 | $275 | |
Users included | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 25 |
Chart of accounts | Up to 250 | Up to 250 | Up to 250 | Unlimited | |
Number of sales channels that can be connected | 0 | 1 | 3 | All | All |
Connect bank accounts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Send invoices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Accept payments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Manage expenses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Create estimates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track mileage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Capture receipts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Print balance sheet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Double-entry Accounting | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Print checks | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Run payroll | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Make contractor payments | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
File 1099s | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track sales tax | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Use modern view reports | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Manage bills | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track time & add to invoices | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track delayed charges | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Set recurring transactions | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Use multicurrency | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track expenses by customer | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Create budgets | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track inventory & COGS | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Track activity by projectclass & location | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Revenue recognition | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
Import & send batch invoices | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Fixed asset accounting | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Add enhanced custom fields | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Automate workflows | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Data restoration | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Batch enter or edit data | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Data sync with excel | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
24/7 support & training | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
When to use each
AI-powered bookkeeping with Intuit Assist
Intuit Assist functions as Intuit’s generative AI financial assistant inside QuickBooks Onlineusing your live financial data and Intuit’s AI models to automate everyday accounting and cash flow tasks. It works as an embedded helper that answers natural-language questions while handling back-office work through specialized AI agents. Its core purpose is to reduce manual bookkeeping so business owners can focus more on operations.
The level of AI capability increases with each plan:
- Simple Start: Core Intuit Assist onlycovering basic Q&Asimple invoicing helpand light suggestions
- Essentials and Plus: Additional AI agents for paymentscustomer follow-upremindersand basic operational or cash flow support
- Advanced: Higher-level agentssuch as Finance and Project Managementfor deeper reportingforecastingand project workflows
The primary limitations in lower tiers involve missing AI agents and advanced scenario- intelligencenot the baseline conversational assistant. Because Intuit continues to update availability by region and planchecking the in-product plan comparison for the specific country remains the most reliable way to confirm current access.
Fit Small Business case study
The Fit Small Business internal case study compares the four standard QuickBooks Online plans for small businesses across major accounting categories and functions to help you decide which one fits your needs. I excluded QuickBooks Solopreneur because it’s not a double-entry accounting system.
QuickBooks Online comparison interactive chart
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Simple Start $38 per month
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Essentials $75 per month
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Plus $115 per month
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Advanced $275 per month
Simple Start performs well on everyday tasks like bankinginvoicingand tax basicsbut it dips once features get more complex. Essentials and Plus strengthen those weaker areasespecially in A/Preporting depthand inventory needsmaking them better fits for growing businesses. Advanced levels everything out with consistently high performance across almost all categoriesreflecting tools built for companies that need stronger controlsricher reportingand more sophisticated workflows.
QuickBooks Solopreneur vs QuickBooks Online Simple Start
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|---|---|---|
3.73 ★ | ||
$20 | $38 | |
Users included | 1 | 1 |
Bank feeds | ✓ | ✓ |
Create & send estimates | ✓ | ✓ |
Create & send invoices | ✓ | ✓ |
Accept partial customer payments | ✓ | ✓ |
Prepare for Schedule C (Form 1040) | ✓ | ✓ |
Track mileage | ✓ | ✓ |
Manage cash flow | ✓ | ✓ |
Capture & attach receipts to transactions | ✓ | ✓ |
Generate profit & loss | ✓ | ✓ |
Estimated tax projections | ✓ | ✓ |
Record & track bills and expenses | Expenses only | ✕ |
Set up recurring payments | ✕ | ✓ |
Get paid with no fees | ✕ | ✓ |
Print full financial statements | ✕ | ✓ |
Make contractor payments or file Form 1099 | ✕ | ✓ |
Print checks | ✕ | ✓ |
Sales tax tracking | ✕ | ✓ |
Customize chart of accounts | ✕ | ✓ |
QuickBooks Solopreneur suits one-person businesses that need straightforward income and expense tracking with invoicingestimatesmileage trackingand Schedule C tax filing. Simple Starton the other handis built for small businesses that are beginning to growadding capabilities like payroll processingautomated sales taxand 1099 contractor trackingthough it offers less of the simplicity solo operators often prefer.
Solopreneur can produce a profit and loss reportbut it does not generate a balance sheetwhich limits a full assessment of a business’s financial position.
Advantages of QuickBooks Online Simple Start
- Manage and pay bills directly through QuickBooks Bill Pay
- Track unpaid bills and process selected payments efficiently
- Run payroll with a QuickBooks Payroll add-on for automated taxes and direct deposits
- Track assets and liabilities through double-entry accounting
- Monitor payroll liabilities automatically when using QuickBooks Payroll
- Record and categorize payments to 1099 contractors
- Generate and print 1099 formswith e-filing available through QuickBooks Payroll
QuickBooks Online Simple Start vs Essentials
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|---|---|---|
3.73 ★ | 3.81 ★ | |
$38 | $75 | |
Users included | 1 | 3 |
Number of built-in reports available | 20-plus | 40-plus |
Recurring transactions | ✕ | ✓ |
Record billable time and add to invoices | ✕ | ✓ |
Supports multiple currencies | ✕ | ✓ |
Control what users can access | ✕ | ✓ |
General ledger report | ✕ | ✓ |
Assign billable expenses to customers | ✕ | ✓ |
Time-tracking | ✕ | ✓ |
Simple Start works well for small businesses that need core accounting tools like invoicingsales tax automationbill managementand 1099 contractor tracking. Essentials adds more operational depth with features like time tracking and access for up to three usersmaking it a stronger fit for teams or businesses with more complex financial workflows.
Advantages of QuickBooks Online Essentials
- Track billable hours by job and assign them to specific customers
- Add billable time directly to invoices for service-based billing
- Access 20+ Simple Start reports plus 20+ additional Essentials reports
- Analyze A/P and A/R agingexpenses by vendorand uninvoiced charges in detail
- Review outstanding invoices and unpaid bills for clearer financial insight.
QuickBooks Online Essentials vs Plus
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|---|---|---|
3.81 ★ | 4.61 ★ | |
$75 | $115 | |
Users included | 3 | 5 |
Class & location tracking | ✕ | ✓ |
Profit & loss by project | ✕ | ✓ |
Inventory management | ✕ | ✓ |
Create budgets | ✕ | ✓ |
Track purchases of products/services | ✕ | ✓ |
Purchase orders (POs) | ✕ | ✓ |
Import & send batch invoices | ✕ | ✓ |
Simple Start is a strong entry point if your small business needs essential features like invoicingsales tax automationbill managementand 1099 contractor tracking. Howeverif you have employees or need more control over their financesI recommend upgrading to Essentialswhich adds time tracking and supports up to three users.
If you manage inventoryprojectsor a growing teamPlus is the logical next step. It includes job costinginventory trackingand access for up to five usersmaking it a better fit for more operational complexity.
Advantages of QuickBooks Online Plus
- Track inventory with FIFO to monitor stock levels and calculate COGS
- Create and send purchase orders that convert seamlessly into bills
- Assign classes and locations to analyze P&L by division or area
- Monitor project incomeexpensesand wages to assess profitability
- Manage job costs with clear visibility into labor and material spending
QuickBooks Online Plus vs Advanced
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|---|---|---|
4.61 ★ | 4.69 ★ | |
$115 | $275 | |
Users included | 5 | 25 |
Maximum classes & locations | 40 | Unlimited |
Maximum chart of accounts | 250 | Unlimited |
Batch invoicesbillschecks & expenses | ✕ | ✓ |
Customize access by roles | ✕ | ✓ |
Dedicated success manager | ✕ | ✓ |
Training for staff | ✕ | ✓ |
Advanced reporting | ✕ | ✓ |
Manage fixed assets | ✕ | ✓ |
Compare estimated vs actual project costs | ✕ | ✓ |
Consolidate multicompany files into a single report | ✕ | ✓ |
QuickBooks Advanced builds on the features of Plus with tools designed for larger businesses or those managing more complex workflows. While Plus supports up to five usersI appreciate that Advanced accommodates up to 25 seatsoffers custom user permissionsbatch transactionsand automated workflows.
It also provides exclusive benefits I find valuablesuch as a dedicated account managerpremium supportand unlimited chart of accounts and classes. If your business has multiple entitiesadvanced reporting needsor larger teamsI recommend considering Advanced despite its higher monthly cost.
Advantages of QuickBooks Online Advanced
- Create multiple invoices at once using batch invoicing
- Record and categorize expenses in bulk with batch expensing
- Build customizable reports with filtersdashboardsand Spreadsheet Sync
- Access Priority Circle for dedicated support and faster assistance
- Track fixed assets with automated depreciation schedules
- Compare estimated and actual project costs to spot profitability issues
How I evaluated QuickBooks Online plans
My QuickBooks Online comparison is based on the Fit Small Business internal case studyexplained below. As mentioned earlierQuickBooks Solopreneur is excluded from my assessment since it’s not a double-entry accounting software.
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We first determined a pricing score by assessing the software’s price for onethreeand five users. We also considered whether there was a free trialmonthly pricingand a discount for new customers. After determining the pricing scorewe assigned a value score based on the pricing score and the solution’s total score across all categories except Value.
5% of Overall Score
We evaluated general features like the flexibility of the chart of accountsthe ability to add and restrict the rights of usersand how your information can be shared with an external bookkeeper. We also searched for ways to provide more granular information like class and location tracking and custom tags.
10% of Overall Score
This assessed the ability to print checksestablish live bank feedsand import bank transactions from a file. We also looked closely at the bank reconciliation feature. We wanted to see the ability to reconcile bank accounts with or without imported bank transactions and a list of book transactions that have not yet cleared the bank.
10% of Overall Score
In addition to the basics of issuing invoices and collecting customer paymentswe evaluated the software’s ability to create customized invoices. We also assessed whether it could handle non-routine transactions like short paymentscredit memosand the refund of credit balances in customer accounts.
10% of Overall Score
The A/P score consisted of the basics like tracking unpaid billsrecording vendor creditsand short-paying invoicesbut it also included some more advanced features—such as paying bills electronicallycreating recurring expensesand working with purchase orders. Receipt capture and the ability to automatically generate bills from captured receipts were also part of our A/P evaluation.
10% of Overall Score
For basic inventory featureswe looked for the ability to track unitsper-unit costs (using either FIFO or average cost)and the automatic recording of COGS upon a sale. Advanced features included the ability to adjust inventory on hand for shrinkage with an automatic expense recorded and the option to choose from either FIFO or average cost to value inventory.
10% of Overall Score
At the very leastwe looked for software that could create multiple projects and separately assign income and expenses to those projects. We also searched for the ability to create estimates and assign those estimates to projects. Ideallythe program would then compare the actual expenses to the costs on the original estimate.
5% of Overall Score
Software should be able to track sales tax for multiple jurisdictions with varying tax rates. It’s helpful to have a function to easily record the remittance of the sales tax by jurisdiction. The very best tool will also help determine which jurisdictions sales are taxable to based on the address of the customer or delivery.
10% of Overall Score
I evaluated basic financial reports (such as a balance sheetincome statementand general ledger) and common management reports (like A/R and A/P aging).
5% of Overall Score
Ideallya mobile app should have all the same features as the computer platformincluding the ability to capture receiptssend invoicesreceive paymentsenter and pay billsand view reports.
5% of Overall Score
While it’s nice to have as many integrations as possiblewe focused our evaluation on the four integrations we believe are most critical for small businesses: payrollonline payment collectionsales tax filingand time tracking.
10% of Overall Score
The largest component of usability is the ability to find bookkeeping assistance when users have questions. This could be in the form of a bookkeeping service directly from the software provider or from independent bookkeepers familiar with the program. Other components of usability include customer service and ease of use.
5% of Overall Score
Our user review score is the average user review score reported by Capterra and G2. Other review sites might be used if a score from Capterra or G2 is unavailable.
When to consider a QuickBooks Online alternative
QuickBooks Online isn’t always the perfect fit for every business. Here are some situations where an alternative might be better:
- If you want free accounting software: Managing your finances on a budget is possible. Check out our top-recommended free accounting software for the best options and their features.
- If you need parts inventory management: While QuickBooks Online has strong inventory management featuresit can’t track parts and inventory assemblies. See our best accounting software for small manufacturing businesses for options.
- If you prefer desktop-based software: If your business has limited internet connectivityQuickBooks Desktop may be the better choice. Our QuickBooks Online vs Desktop comparison highlights the differencesincluding features in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprisethe only available desktop version.
- If you need better scalability: As your business growsQuickBooks Online may struggle with higher transaction volumesmore usersor complex operations. Explore our list of the leading small business accounting software for scalable solutions.
- If you require industry-specific features: QuickBooks Online is versatile but may not meet all industry-specific needs. If you rely heavily on workarounds or third-party integrationsconsider specialized software. Check out our buyer’s guides for tailored solutions:
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Yesyou can. Howevernote that there’s no direct data migration option available from QuickBooks Solopreneur to any higher version of QuickBooks Online. This means you must first cancel your Solopreneur subscription and then sign up for the QuickBooks Online version you wish to upgrade to.
QuickBooks Online is better than QuickBooks Desktop if you prefer cloud-based accounting software to a locally installed one. QuickBooks Online’s biggest advantage is its ability to be accessed from anywhere with an internet-enabled device. Learn about all the differences in our QuickBooks Online vs Desktop comparison.
The QuickBooks Online Plus tier is the most popular plan among small to midsize businesses. It offers robust featuressuch as inventory trackingproject profitability trackingbudgetingand class/location trackingmaking it ideal for businesses with diverse needs. It also supports up to five userswhich is perfect for growing teams.
YesQuickBooks Online offers a mobile app that allows you to access your accounttrack expensescreate and send invoicesand moreall from your smartphone or tablet.