With over 7 million users, QuickBooks is one of the most popular accounting platforms for small and mid-sized businesses. Although it still offers a desktop version, the majority of business owners favor the cloud-based QuickBooks platform, which can be accessed on practically every device. Coupled with easy accessibility, this accounting platform also has various plans available, depending on the size and needs of your business.
Intuit Quickbooks
at a Glance
9.5
Products
Accounting, bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, time tracking
Integrations
Over 650 integrations
Promotions
3+ month discount of 50% or more + 30 day free trial
Features
Accounts payable automation, billing management, estimate sending, inventory management, payments, mileage tracking
Customer Support
Live chat 6am to 6pm Monday to Friday (PT) and 6am to 3pm on Saturday, or call Monday to Friday 6am to 6pm
Key Points
QuickBooks Online is a popular cloud-based accounting software for small to medium businesses, offering ease of use and comprehensive features.
It seems likely that its strengths include extensive integrations and a user-friendly interface, but it may be pricier than some competitors.
Research suggests it’s suitable for businesses needing robust financial management, though user limits per plan could be a drawback for larger teams.
General Overview
QuickBooks Online, developed by Intuit, is a cloud-based accounting software tailored for small and medium-sized businesses. It provides a suite of tools for bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and more, accessible from any internet-connected device.
With over six million subscribers globally, it stands as a leading choice in the accounting software market, known for its ease of use and comprehensive features.
Pros and Cons
The platform has several advantages and some drawbacks, as outlined below:
Pros
- User-Friendly Interface: It is widely regarded as intuitive, making it accessible for users without accounting backgrounds.
- Extensive Integrations: Over 750 app integrations, including CRM, e-commerce, and payroll systems, enhance its versatility.
- Mobile Accessibility: A capable mobile app allows on-the-go management, rated highly for mobile features.
- Customer Support: Offers phone and chat support Monday through Saturday for all plans, with 24/7 support for the Advanced plan.
Cons
- Higher Cost: It’s more expensive compared to competitors like Xero ($20-$80/month) and FreshBooks ($19-$60/month), with prices ranging from $35 to $235/month.
- Limited Users: User limits per plan (1-25 users) may require upgrades for larger teams, a noted drawback.
- Price Increases: Frequent price hikes, such as Simple Start increasing by $5 and Advanced from $200 to $235 since October 1, 2023, to December 2, 2024, have been reported.
Usability and Setup
QuickBooks Online is designed for ease of use, with an intuitive interface that simplifies navigation. The setup process involves signing up online, selecting a plan, and inputting business details, such as connecting bank accounts and customizing invoices.
Tutorials and webinars, available through the official platform, assist new users, ensuring a smooth start. Reviews emphasize its focus on ease of use, particularly for UK small business owners, published in March 2025.
Pricing and Plans
The pricing structure is tiered to meet varying business needs, as follows:
| Plan | Price/Month | Users | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $35 | 1 | Income/expense tracking, invoicing, basic reporting |
| Essentials | $65 | 3 | Adds bill management, time tracking, multi-currency support |
| Plus | $99 | 5 | Includes inventory, project profitability, purchase orders |
| Advanced | $235 | 25 | Batch invoicing, custom permissions, 24/7 support, workflow automation |
Customer Service
The team at QuickBooks is available via chat and phone 12 hours per day during the week and between 6 am and 3 pm PCT on Saturday. All level accounts come with unlimited customer service, and the advanced plans come with a dedicated account manager.
Along with technical support services, there’s a detailed FAQ page with questions ranging from payroll to backing up data. If you’re a visual learner, there are countless tutorial videos both on the company’s official website and YouTube.
Main Features and Integrations
QuickBooks Online offers a robust set of features, detailed on the official features page QuickBooks Online Features, with an editor’s score of 9.4/10:
Bank Reconciliation: Automatic bank feeds and smart tools for matching transactions, pulling vendor names, and creating banking rules.
Automation: Automates payment reminders, recurring invoices, bill payments, and data backups, with machine learning for expense organization.
AI Capabilities: Intuit Assist analyzes finances, answers questions, automates invoicing, categorizes receipts, and matches transactions.
Invoicing: Mobile-optimized, with payment buttons for QuickBooks Payments, PayPal, Square, estimate creation, and progress invoicing.
Inventory Management: Plus and Advanced plans include tracking stock, vendors, purchase orders, and reorder alerts.
Mobile App: Provides an overview of business activity, invoice creation, payment acceptance, and transaction reconciliation, rated 9.5/10.
Reporting: Offers built-in reports like aged receivables, profit-and-loss, and custom reports with automatic scheduling and email options.
Security: Bank-grade security with two-factor authentication, user permissions, and an audit log for tracking logins and file changes.
Integrations: With over 750 third-party apps, it syncs with POS systems, online stores, CRM software, and project management tools, rated 9/10 for integration capabilities.
A detailed plan comparison shows the feature set available in each plan:
| Plan | Solo | Simple | Essentials | Plus | Advanced |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit Small Business Rating | Not Rated (not double-entry) | 3.73 ★ | 3.81 ★ | 4.61 ★ | 4.69 ★ |
| Monthly Pricing | $20 | $35 | $65 | $99 | $235 |
| Users Included | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 25 |
| Chart of Accounts | Fixed (predefined, IRS Schedule C) | Up to 250 | Up to 250 | Up to 250 | Unlimited |
| Sales Channels Connected | 0 | 1 | 3 | All | All |
| Double-entry Accounting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connect Bank Accounts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Send Invoices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accept Payments | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manage Expenses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Create Estimates | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Mileage | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Capture Receipts | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Print Balance Sheet | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Print Checks | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Run Payroll | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Make Contractor Payments | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| File 1099s | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Sales Tax | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use Modern View Reports | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Manage Bills | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Time & Add to Invoices | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Delayed Charges | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Set Recurring Transactions | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use Multicurrency | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Expenses by Customer | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Create Budgets | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Inventory & COGS | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Track Activity by Project, Class & Location | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Import and Send Batch Invoices | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Fixed Asset Accounting | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Add Enhanced Custom Fields | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Automate Workflows | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Revenue Recognition | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Data Restoration | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Batch Enter or Edit Data | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Data Sync with Excel | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| 24/7 Support & Training | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
Support Options
Support is comprehensive, as outlined on the official support page QuickBooks Online Support:
Phone and chat support available Monday through Saturday for all plans, with 24/7 support for the Advanced plan.
Extensive online resources, including step-by-step tutorials, live webinars, and a community forum, as mentioned on the official site QuickBooks How It Works.
User feedback highlights pleasant phone support experiences, as seen in UK reviews, published in April 2025.
Conclusion
QuickBooks Online is a powerful accounting solution, likely suitable for businesses seeking a user-friendly, feature-rich platform with extensive integrations. Its strengths include ease of use, mobile accessibility, and robust support, making it ideal for small to medium enterprises. However, its higher cost and user limits may pose challenges for larger teams or budget-conscious businesses.
For those needing advanced features, the Advanced plan offers significant value, while basic needs might be met with Simple Start. Given its scalability and comprehensive offerings, it’s a strong contender for your comparison website, especially for businesses prioritizing financial management efficiency.
About the Author
Software Expert
More about Davy
Davy van Bokhoven is a digital entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience in online marketing, SEO, and building comparison websites. As co-founder of Top10.Compare, Davy combines his passion for clear communication with deep knowledge of online tools — from VPNs to financial software.
Having used dozens of accounting platforms, security tools, and productivity apps over the years, Davy is focused on helping readers find the right solution for their needs, not just the most popular one.
📌 Expertise: SEO, affiliate marketing, software testing, small business tools
This page was created in collaboration with Ricky van Bokhoven