Skip to main content
ShopTech Tools

The most widely supported small business accounting platform in North America.

4.3/5Editorial score — our assessment of fit and value

Some links on this website are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read our disclosure.

Best for
US and Canadian small businesses whose accountant works in QuickBooks
Less suitable for
Businesses wanting unlimited users on a low tier
Free option
Free trial

What QuickBooks Online is

QuickBooks Online is the accounting platform most North American accountants and bookkeepers work in, which is the single strongest practical argument for choosing it: your accountant already knows it.

It covers invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, sales tax, reporting and payroll as an add-on, with a very large ecosystem of connected apps.

Pricing tiers gate meaningful features — multi-currency, inventory, more users — so check which tier you actually need rather than the entry price.

Key features

  • Bank feeds and automated transaction matching
  • Invoicing with online payment collection
  • Sales tax handling by jurisdiction
  • Standard and custom financial reporting
  • Payroll available as an add-on
  • Large connected app ecosystem

The trade-off

Where QuickBooks Online helps, and where it costs you

What works well

  • Almost universal accountant support in North America
  • Comprehensive reporting
  • Extensive integrations

What to watch

  • User counts are limited by tier
  • Add-ons increase the real monthly cost
  • Interface is dense for first-time users

QuickBooks Online pricing

Starting price
Verify current pricing
Free option
Free trial
How it is charged
Monthly tiers with user limits, plus payroll and payments as separate charges. Promotional first-term pricing is common — check the standard rate.

Always confirm pricing on the vendor's own pricing page before you buy — rates vary by region, billing term and current promotion.

Alternatives

If QuickBooks Online is not the right fit

Other business tools options worth putting on the same shortlist.

All software
Xero logoBusiness Tools

Cloud accounting with unlimited users — strong in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Best for
UK, Australian and New Zealand businesses, and any team needing multiple users
Pricing
Verify current pricing · Free trial
Rating
4.3/5
FreshBooks logoBusiness Tools

Invoicing-first accounting aimed at freelancers and service businesses.

Best for
Freelancers, consultants and small service businesses billing time
Pricing
Verify current pricing · Free trial
Rating
4.0/5