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Jun 30, 2026
Filed under: Accounting, Bookkeeping, Invoicing
QuickBooks Online Pricing & Costs Explained
QuickBooks is a great accounting software option but how much will QuickBooks Online actually cost you? Our QuickBooks pricing guide covers costs, extra fees, plan differences, and more.
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WRITTEN & RESEARCHED BY
Editor & Senior Staff Writer
Last updated onUpdated
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REVIEWED BY
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Key Takeaways
- QuickBooks Online offers five pricing tiers, each catering to different business needs based on the features and number of users required.
- Beyond the base subscription, expect extra charges for add-ons like payroll services, bookkeeping support, tax forms, and integrations, which can increase the overall cost.
If you’re trying to figure out how much QuickBooks Online actually costs, you’re in the right place. QuickBooks has five main plans, each with different features and price points, plus a few add-ons you’ll want to know about before you sign up.
In this guide, we’ll break down what each plan includes, who it’s best for, and what extra costs to expect so you can choose the right version for your business.
Table of Contents
How Much Is QuickBooks Online?
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| QuickBooks Free | $0/month |
| QuickBooks Simple Start | $38/month |
| QuickBooks Essentials | $75/month |
| QuickBooks Plus | $115/month |
| QuickBooks Advanced | $275/month |
QuickBooks Online has five pricing plans, and each tier adds more features and additional user access. No matter which plan you choose, you’ll get the core QBO accounting tools, but some businesses may need extra add-ons to round things out.
Depending on your setup, that could include QuickBooks Workforce, Live Bookkeeping, or one of the many integrations available in the QuickBooks app marketplace.
QuickBooks Online Pricing Plans
QBO offers five subscription plans: Free, Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. These plans range from $0-$275/month. Each tier gives you access to more features and users. Payments are made monthly, and no annual contracts are required.
Here’s a complete breakdown of what’s included with each QuickBooks Online pricing plan.
QuickBooks Online Free
QuickBooks Online Free is a new addition to the QuickBooks lineup.
It supports one user and includes:
- Expense tracking
- Payments
- Up to 2 invoices per month
- 1 estimate per month
- Up to 2 receipt captures per month
- Mileage tracking for up to five trips
- Manual sales tracking
- Three reports
QuickBooks Online Simple Start Pricing
Simple Start supports one user.
Here are the features that come with the QuickBooks Online Simple Start plan:
- Guided setup
- Unlimited invoices and estimates
- Contact management
- Expense tracking
- Bill management
- Bookkeeping automation
- Receipt capture
- Live bank feeds
- Basic reports
- Mileage tracking
- Tax deductions
- Tax help with QuickBooks Live Tax (pay when you file)
- 750+ integrations
- Connect one online sales channel
- QuickBooks Checking
QuickBooks Online Essentials Pricing
The QuickBooks Online Essentials plan includes three users and more features.
With QuickBooks Online Essentials, you’ll get everything that comes with the Simple Start Plan, plus:
- Cash flow planning
- Accounting Agent
- Payments Agent
- Connect up to three online sales channels
- Automated sales & sales tax
- Recurring invoices
- Appointment scheduling
- Time tracking
- Multiple currencies
QuickBooks Online Plus Pricing
The QuickBooks Online Plus plan includes five users and advanced features.
QuickBooks Online Plus includes all the features of QuickBooks Online Essentials, plus:
- Connect unlimited sales channels
- Customer Agent
- AI-powered reconciliation
- Project management
- Job costing
- Inventory
- Class tracking
- Budgeting
- Contract uploads & signatures
QuickBooks Online Advanced Pricing
The QuickBooks Online Advanced plan is designed for larger businesses and supports up to 25 users.
This plan includes all of the features of QuickBooks Online Plus, as well as:
- Priority care customer support
- Data sync with Excel
- Batch invoices and expenses
- Automated workflows
- Automated revenue recognition
- Auto tracking of fixed assets
- Premium apps
- Custom user permissions
- Free online training classes
QuickBooks Online Fees & Extra Costs
| Extra QuickBooks Fees | Cost |
|---|---|
| QuickBooks Workforce | $50/month + $6.50/per person - $203/month + $10/per person |
| QuickBooks Live Full-Service Bookkeeping | Starts at $300/month |
| QuickBooks Live Assisted Bookkeeping | $59/month |
| QuickBooks Capital | Varies |
| QuickBooks Checking | Starts at $0/month |
| Tax Forms | Starts at $17.99 |
| Checks | Starts at $46.24 for 50 checks |
| Integrations | Varies |
| QuickBooks Payments | Starts at 2.5% |
QuickBooks Online add-ons can increase your monthly fees. Here’s a breakdown of additional products and services you might want to add to your account.
How To Save On QuickBooks Online Costs
Between the QuickBooks Online monthly fee and add-on costs, the monthly pricing of QuickBooks Online can add up quickly. Luckily, there are some ways that you can save. Here are our top tips for how to save money on QuickBooks Online.
Which QuickBooks Online Pricing Plan Is Right For Me?
| QuickBooks Free | QuickBooks Simple Start | QuickBooks Essentials | QuickBooks Plus | QuickBooks Advanced | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $0/month | $38/month | $75/month | $115/month | $275/month |
| Number Of Users | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 25 |
| Invoicing | 2 per month | ||||
| Contact Management | |||||
| Expense Tracking | |||||
| Tax Support | |||||
| Time Tracking | |||||
| Accounts Payable | |||||
| Project Management | |||||
| Inventory | |||||
| Advanced Reporting | |||||
| Custom User Permissions | |||||
| Priority Care Support |
When deciding which version of QuickBooks Online is best for your small business, it should come down to your business’s needs and budget. Ask yourself:
- Which features do I need to run my business?
- How many users do I need?
- How much can I afford to spend each month?
The answers to these questions should help you determine which plan is best for your business.
Here’s a quick breakdown when deciding which plan to choose:
- QuickBooks Free: Best for newer businesses that want to track income and expenses without paying a monthly fee
- QuickBooks Simple Start: Best for newer businesses that need basic accounting for one user and don’t need advanced features
- QuickBooks Essentials: Best for growing businesses that need time tracking and support for up to three users
- QuickBooks Plus: Best for businesses that want key features like inventory, project management, and support for up to five users
- QuickBooks Advanced: Best for larger businesses that need priority customer support, advanced reporting, and support for up to 25 users
QuickBooks Online plans are incredibly scalable, so you can start small and upgrade to a larger plan in the future.
How do you get the best deal on accounting software?
Chelsea KrauseLead Staff Writer
To get the best deal on accounting software, start by understanding which features you really need so that you can choose the right plan. You don’t want to overpay for features you won’t use. Check if your accounting software offers a discount for annual payments instead of monthly payments, and don’t forget to write off your accounting subscription on your taxes.
The Bottom Line On QuickBooks Online Pricing
At the end of the day, the cost of QuickBooks Online depends on your business’s needs.
When calculating the cost for QuickBooks Online, remember that the monthly plan is just part of the cost. Payroll can add to your costs, and features like bookkeeping, checks and tax forms, integrations, and payment processing costs can add even more to your final bill.
Hopefully, knowing the exact costs of QuickBooks Online will ease your mind and help you create a more realistic business budget. If you want to learn more about QuickBooks, read our complete QuickBooks Online review or get started with a free trial.
Erica Seppala
Editor & Senior Staff Writer at Merchant Maverick
Erica has been writing about small business finance and technology since 2008. She joined Merchant Maverick in 2018 and specializes in researching and reviewing business software, financial products, and other topics to help small businesses manage and grow their operations. Her expertise has been cited in MSN, Reader's Digest, Vox, U.S. News & World Report, and Real Simple. She is a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payroll, a graduate of Limestone University, and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina.
View Erica Seppala's professional experience on LinkedIn.
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