Which QuickBooks Online Option Is Right for Your Small Business?

QuickBooks Online has four major plans for businesses: Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. Finding the right fit means you get the best reporting and functional help for your business — without overpaying for features you don't need.

The Four QuickBooks Online Plans

Simple Start is the most basic plan and is usually used by freelancers and very small businesses. You can track income, send invoices, and manage expenses.

Essentials adds time tracking (to bill customers for time) and bill management, allowing accounts payable.

Plus adds inventory, project tracking, and up to 40 tracked classes and locations — allowing you to analyze the profitability of departments, product lines, or locations.

Advanced is typically for larger businesses and includes unlimited tracked classes and locations, custom fields, advanced automation, and expanded reporting capabilities.

QuickBooks Payroll Add-Ons

QuickBooks Online Payroll also has three tiers: Core, Premium, and Elite. Core is the entry-level plan with automated federal and state tax payments and direct deposit. Premium adds same-day deposit and employee time tracking via a mobile app. Elite adds project tracking, 24/7 product support, and tax penalty protections where QuickBooks assumes responsibility for penalties.

Need Help Deciding?

If you need any help deciding which plan is best for your business, I'm happy to help. By signing up with QuickBooks Online through me, you get a 30% discount on monthly services.