QuickBooks Online review (2026): pricing, fees and who it's for
Widely used double-entry accounting software with a limited free plan and paid tiers.
Good fit if
Businesses whose accountant already works in QuickBooks
Pick something else if
You need a cheap paid plan; Essentials costs $85/mo after the August 2026 increase.
What we like
- Free plan includes 1 bank connection and 2 invoices per month.
- Paid plans include automatic sales tax, mileage tracking and receipt capture.
- Simple Start lets 2 accountants access your books at no extra cost.
- Mobile app rated 4.7/5 from about 270,000 App Store ratings.
Watch out for
- Essentials and Plus rose to $85 and $140 per month in August 2026.
- US version has no Spanish interface; Spanish help uses an interpreter.
- Free plan has no accountant access and only 2 receipt scans monthly.
QuickBooks Online pricing
| Plan | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 2 invoices/month, 1 bank connection, 1 user |
| Simple Start | $38/mo | 50% off first 3 months; 1 user + 2 accountants |
| Essentials | $85/mo | 50% off first 3 months; 3 users, time tracking |
| Plus | $140/mo | 50% off first 3 months; 5 users, inventory, projects |
Prices as published on Oct 4, 2026. Confirm on their site; promotions change often.
The details
| Price | $0 (Free); paid from $38/mo |
|---|---|
| Free plan | 2 invoices/mo, 1 bank, 1 user, 2 receipts/mo, 5 trips/mo |
| Users | 1 user + 2 accountants (Simple Start) |
| Invoicing | Unlimited on paid plans; 2/mo on Free |
| Bank connection | Yes; Free plan limited to 1 bank |
| Receipt capture | Yes; 2/mo on Free |
| Mileage tracking | Yes, GPS in mobile app; 5 trips/mo on Free |
| Payroll add-on | Bundle from $88/mo + $6.50/employee (with Simple Start) |
| Sales tax | Automatic on paid plans; manual on Free |
| Time tracking | Essentials and up |
| Inventory | Plus and up |
| Accountant access | 2 accountants on paid plans; none on Free |
| 1099 contractors | Track and file 1099s; free e-file on Advanced |
| Online payment fees | Cards 2.99%; ACH 1% ($1 min); keyed 3.5% |
Before you sign up
You'll need
- Email address and business name
- Debit or credit card for paid plans (Free needs none)
- Online banking login to connect your bank
- SSN or EIN and bank account to accept card payments
Do this first: Open your business bank account first, then connect it so transactions flow in automatically.
What users say in public ratings
Seen on Oct 4, 2026. App store ratings mostly reflect the app; Trustpilot leans toward billing and support stories.
QuickBooks Online alternatives
- 8.8/10Zoho BooksNew low-budget businesses wanting full accounting free · Free plan QuickBooks Online vs Zoho Books
- 7.9/10FreshBooksSolo service providers who bill clients by invoice · From $23/mo QuickBooks Online vs FreshBooks
- 7.4/10WaveSolo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping · Free plan QuickBooks Online vs Wave
- 6.6/10XeroSmall teams that want unlimited users at one price · From $27/mo QuickBooks Online vs Xero
Questions
How much does QuickBooks Online cost?
Free: $0/mo; Simple Start: $38/mo; Essentials: $85/mo; Plus: $140/mo. Free trial: 30 days.
Does QuickBooks Online have a free plan?
Yes. Free costs $0/mo.
Does QuickBooks Online offer help in Spanish?
Spanish support.
What do I need to sign up for QuickBooks Online?
Email address and business name; Debit or credit card for paid plans (Free needs none); Online banking login to connect your bank; SSN or EIN and bank account to accept card payments.
Is QuickBooks Online good for a new business?
It fits businesses whose accountant already works in QuickBooks. Pick something else if you need a cheap paid plan; Essentials costs $85/mo after the August 2026 increase.
What are the alternatives to QuickBooks Online?
Zoho Books (New low-budget businesses wanting full accounting free); FreshBooks (Solo service providers who bill clients by invoice); Wave (Solo owners who want free invoicing and bookkeeping); Xero (Small teams that want unlimited users at one price).
Sources
- quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/
- quickbooks.intuit.com/online/simple-start/
- quickbooks.intuit.com/compare/quickbooks-free-vs-free-accounting-software/
- quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/
- quickbooks.intuit.com/payments/payment-rates/
- quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/account-management/quickbooks-in-spani
- quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/other-questions/agente-en-espa%C3%B1ol
- quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/other-questions/qbo-customer-service-h
- auditfriendly.co/answers/quickbooks-online-price-increase-2026
- apps.apple.com/us/app/intuit-quickbooks-for-business/id584606479
- play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.intuit.quickbooks
Checked Oct 4, 2026. Something out of date? Tell us. Our score is calculated from public facts; partners can't pay for a better one.