QuickBooks Online 🧾 Service

What you get

QuickBooks Online is Intuit's cloud accounting software for small businesses, widely used by US bookkeepers and accountants. Plans on the US pricing page:

• Free: $0, one user, no credit card required.
• Simple Start: $38 a month, one user.
• Essentials: $85 a month, three users.
• Plus: $140 a month, five users.
• Advanced: $340 a month, 25 users.

Who qualifies

US small businesses; the prices above are from the US site.

Good to know

• On the day we checked, paid plans were 50% off for three months (Simple Start $19, Essentials $42.50, Plus $70, Advanced $170), and the page listed a 30-day free trial for paid plans.
• The checkout states no annual contract and cancel any time.
• Promotional prices end after three months, so budget for the full price.
• Because so many US bookkeepers and CPAs work in QuickBooks, it is easy to find help or switch providers later.
• Simple Start covers one user; if a co-founder and a bookkeeper both need access, you will need Essentials or a higher plan.
• Check which features you actually need (bills, multiple users, project tracking) before you upgrade, as the jump from Simple Start to Essentials more than doubles the price.
• Export your data before cancelling; moving books between systems later takes time.

Verdict

QuickBooks Online is the safe default for a US startup that wants books any accountant can pick up. Start on the free plan or Simple Start and move up when you need more users or features.

1. Open the QuickBooks pricing page and choose Free or a paid plan.
2. Start the free trial or take the promotional price.
3. Create your company file and connect bank and card accounts.
4. Invite your accountant or bookkeeper as a user.
5. Review categorised transactions each month.