QuickBooks Online: plans, costs & trade-offs
Understand where QuickBooks Online fits before choosing a subscription.
The published starting point
Simple Start is listed at $38 per month in the US pricing snapshot. 1 user; accountant access. Free tier also available with narrower limits. These are standard prices, excluding introductory promotions, tax, payment processing and optional services. Confirm the live quote before subscribing.
What to test in a trial
Build a sample week using your own transaction types, without importing sensitive production data. Check whether you can edit a miscategorized expense, match a bank deposit, issue a credit and export the resulting reports. Record the plan selected during the trial: a premium trial can conceal limits of a cheaper subscription.
Where the budget can change
Separate the accounting subscription from payroll, payment processing, additional users and connected apps. Ask whether the advertised price applies to one organization. If you run two businesses, model two subscriptions until the vendor confirms otherwise. Keep a dated quote alongside your comparison.
Before committing
Invite the person who will maintain your books and review their access. Verify whether required reports and exports remain accessible after cancellation. Trial the full cycle from invoice creation to bank reconciliation; an attractive invoice screen is only one part of the decision.
Put it into practice
- Confirm the US edition and billing interval
- Identify the minimum tier covering your workflow
- Check renewal price and cancellation terms
- Save a sample report and transaction export
Sources & scope
Published plan facts were checked against the official vendor pricing page ↗ on October 17, 2026. Prices and terms can change.
We have not performed hands-on product benchmarks. Read our research method or report a correction.