Starting price$38/moSimple Start, 1 user, regular price; Essentials $85 (3 users), Plus $140 (5 users)
Free trial / plan30-day trial; intro discount for new customers
Vettlo score87/100
G2 user rating4.0/53,900 reviews
QuickBooks Online Review (2026): Pricing, Pros and Cons
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Short answer
QuickBooks Online ranks #1 of 6 in our accounting tools ranking (87/100). Best overall for US small businesses. Paid plans start at $38/mo (Simple Start, 1 user, regular price; Essentials $85 (3 users), Plus $140 (5 users)).
What is QuickBooks Online?
QuickBooks Online is one of the most widely used small business accounting tools in the US. Simple Start covers one user with bookkeeping, invoicing and automated bill pay; Plus adds inventory tracking, project profitability and bill approval workflows for up to 5 users, and Advanced supports 25 users.
Who it's best for
US small businesses that want a tool their accountant or bookkeeper is likely to know already.
Why we rank it
It combines broad accountant familiarity and a large app ecosystem with plans that scale from one user to 25 on Advanced.
Pros and cons
Strengths
- Widely used by US accountants and bookkeepers
- Inventory, project profitability and bill approvals on Plus
- Up to 25 users on Advanced
Watch-outs
- Regular prices are high once the intro discount ends
- Simple Start is limited to one user
- Lowest G2 rating on this list (4.0/5)
Skip it if: You're a freelancer with a handful of clients; a simpler, cheaper tool will do.
QuickBooks Online pricing
Paid plans start at $38/mo (Simple Start, 1 user, regular price; Essentials $85 (3 users), Plus $140 (5 users)). Free plan or trial: 30-day trial; intro discount for new customers.
From QuickBooks Online's pricing page, checked on the date at the top of this review. See how it compares on price in our accounting tools pricing overview.
How we scored QuickBooks Online
Accounting score: 87/100
Core bookkeeping & reconciliation (25%)5/5
Invoicing & payments (15%)4.5/5
Bills & expenses (15%)4.5/5
Reporting & room to grow (15%)4.5/5
Ease of use (15%)4/5
Price & value (15%)3/5
Each criterion is rated 0 to 5 and weighted for the category. See our methodology.
How QuickBooks Online compares
| # | Tool | Best for | Starting price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuickBooks Online | Best overall for US small businesses | $38/mo | 87/100 |
| 2 | Xero | Teams that want unlimited users | $27/mo | 86/100 |
| 3 | Zoho Books | Best value, with a free plan | $15/mo | 86/100 |
| 4 | Sage Intacct | Mid-sized companies outgrowing QuickBooks | Pricing on request | 81/100 |
| 5 | FreshBooks | Freelancers and service businesses | $23/mo | 79/100 |
| 6 | Wave | Best free option for very small businesses | $19/mo | 75/100 |
Alternatives and comparisons
QuickBooks Online FAQ
How much does QuickBooks Online cost?
Paid plans start at $38/mo (Simple Start, 1 user, regular price; Essentials $85 (3 users), Plus $140 (5 users)). Free plan or trial: 30-day trial; intro discount for new customers.
Is QuickBooks Online worth it?
QuickBooks Online scores 87/100 in our accounting tools ranking, where it is best overall for US small businesses. It's a weaker fit if: you're a freelancer with a handful of clients; a simpler, cheaper tool will do.
Does QuickBooks Online have a free plan or trial?
30-day trial; intro discount for new customers.
What are the best QuickBooks Online alternatives?
In our accounting tools ranking, the closest alternatives are Xero, Zoho Books and Sage Intacct.