QuickBooks Online (QBO) is Intuit’s cloud-based accounting platform, first launched in 2001 and now serving approximately 7.5 million subscribers in the United States alone. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, payroll (via add-on), inventory management, financial reporting, and tax preparation in one connected system. It is the most widely used small business accounting software in the US and the platform most US accountants and bookkeepers are trained on — a non-trivial advantage when hiring professional help.
Pricing covers five tiers as of mid-2026. Solopreneur at $20/month is simplified bookkeeping for one-person businesses — not double-entry accounting, limited to freelancers and gig workers with no employees. Simple Start at $38/month is the true entry-level tier with double-entry bookkeeping, one user, unlimited invoices, and bank reconciliation. Essentials at $75/month adds bill management, three users, and time billing. Plus at $115/month — the most popular plan — adds inventory tracking, project profitability, and 1099 management for up to five users. Advanced at $275/month supports up to 25 users with workflow automation, a free Fathom analytics subscription, and Priority Circle support.
QBO prices have increased every year since 2020, with the acceleration most pronounced since 2023. The Plus plan alone has risen from $70/month in 2020 to $115/month in 2026 — a 64% increase in six years. Intuit ran a further 15–25% increase across all tiers effective May 1, 2026. Users report consistent annual hikes of 11–17%, and financial planning should account for this trajectory. Payroll is not included in any base plan: Core Payroll adds $50/month plus $6.50/employee, Premium adds $88/month plus $8/employee, and Elite adds $134/month plus $11/employee. Payment processing via QuickBooks Payments charges 2.9% + $0.25 per transaction. Time tracking adds $20–$40/month plus $8–$10/user.
The main weakness beyond cost escalation is in-app upsell saturation — users across Trustpilot and Capterra report persistent upsell prompts throughout the interface. Intuit is also phasing out QuickBooks Desktop: Desktop 2023 support ended May 2026, and Desktop 2024 is the final version released. Desktop users should plan migration to QBO now.