Find a plan that’s right for you

The best QuickBooks plans for small businesses are designed to scale with your needs, from solo operations to growing teams.

Choose the plan that fits your current business stage:

• EasyStart: Ideal for sole proprietors and freelancers. It provides essential tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting for one user.
• Essentials: Best for small teams of up to 3 users. This plan adds the ability to manage bills (accounts payable), track time, and handle transactions in multiple currencies.
• Plus: The most popular choice for small businesses with employees or inventory. It supports up to 5 users and includes project profitability tracking.

For growing or mid-sized businesses that require more than just bookkeeping, QuickBooks Online Advanced is our most robust financial management solution. It is designed to help you scale while keeping your financial data organized and accessible to your team.

QuickBooks Online Advanced includes:

• Expanded access: Support for up to 25 users with customizable permissions, allowing you to control exactly who sees sensitive financial data.
• Workflow automation: Minimize manual tasks by setting up automated triggers for invoice reminders, approvals, and batch transactions.
• Advanced insights: Customize KPI dashboards and generate deep financial reports to monitor your business health in real-time.
• Business analytics: Use built-in tools for cash flow forecasting and trend analysis to make data-driven decisions for your future growth.
• Priority support: Access a dedicated account team and priority technical support to keep your operations running smoothly.

If your business needs capabilities beyond accounting, such as a CRM or advanced project management, QuickBooks Online integrates seamlessly with hundreds of platforms to support your business as you scale.

The primary difference is how you access your data and the level of automation available. While both versions help you manage your books, they are designed for different business needs.

• QuickBooks Online: This cloud-based version is accessible from any device and features automatic updates and secure backups. It uses Intuit AI to automate workflows, connects to over 450 apps, and allows your accountant to access your records remotely to keep everything organized.
• QuickBooks Desktop: This version is installed locally on a computer. It offers specialized inventory and job costing features for specific industries but requires manual updates and offers limited remote collaboration.

For most Canadian small businesses, QuickBooks Online is the recommended choice—especially if you value flexibility or need to collaborate with an accountant in real-time.

QuickBooks Desktop is no longer available for new subscribers in Canada. While existing users with an active subscription can still access their software, support for QuickBooks Desktop 2023 and older versions will officially end after May 31, 2026.

If you are currently on QuickBooks Desktop, now is the time to transition to QuickBooks Online. Our built-in migration tool makes it straightforward to move your data and ensures your business remains organized in the cloud.

Yes. QuickBooks Online offers a free 30-day trial so you can explore features before committing to a paid plan.

To help you choose the best way to get started, keep these details in mind:

• No credit card required: You can sign up and start using the platform immediately without providing any billing information.
• Discount trade-off: Large promotional discounts (like 50% off for the first few months) are only available if you select the "Buy Now" option. These savings cannot be applied if you choose the free trial first.
• Onboarding support: The complimentary 45-minute onboarding session with a QuickBooks specialist is reserved for users who start a paid subscription.

If you are ready to explore the platform, select the "Free 30-day trial" toggle on the pricing page.

Yes. QuickBooks Online offers both monthly and annual billing. Choosing an annual subscription typically offers a discount compared to paying month-to-mont, often saving you approximately 10% over the full year.

A few things to note about choosing an annual plan:

• Plan-specific savings: The exact savings vary by plan. You can compare both options in the pricing table above to find the best value for your business.
• Simplified bookkeeping: You only have one invoice to organize and reconcile for the year, which helps reduce monthly administrative tasks.
• Budget stability: Paying annually helps you lock in your rate for 12 months, protecting your business from potential monthly price adjustments.

If you are committed to QuickBooks long-term, annual billing is usually the better value. Please note that this discount is generally not available if you are already using a "Buy Now" introductory monthly promotion.

Your QuickBooks subscription covers your core accounting and bookkeeping features. Depending on your business needs, you may choose to add specialized services:

• QuickBooks Payroll: Available as a monthly add-on; includes automated tax filings and direct deposits to keep your business CRA-compliant.
• Payment Processing: There is no monthly fee for QuickBooks Payments. You only pay a per-transaction fee when customers pay invoices online.
• User Limits: Each plan includes a specific number of users. If your team grows beyond your plan’s limit, you may need to upgrade to a higher tier to add more seats.
• QuickBooks Live: You can add professional bookkeeping services if you want a certified expert to manage or clean up your books for you.
• Third-Party Apps: While QuickBooks integrates with hundreds of apps, some (like specialized CRM or advanced inventory tools) may require their own separate subscriptions.

Yes. QuickBooks Online is a month-to-month service with no long-term contracts, giving you total flexibility to manage your subscription as your business needs change. You can upgrade, downgrade, or end your plan directly from your account settings at any time.

Here is how the process works:

• Switching plans: You can upgrade your plan immediately to access more features. If you choose to downgrade, the change will typically take effect at the start of your next billing cycle.
• Data retention: If you decide to cancel, you will retain read-only access to your business data for a period after your subscription ends. This allows you to view and export your reports or tax information for your records.
• Data ownership: Your data belongs to you. We recommend exporting your lists and reports before the read-only period expires to ensure your files remain accessible.

Yes, QuickBooks is built to scale alongside your business. You can adjust your plan at any time to ensure you have the right tools to keep your finances organized.

Here is how plan changes work:

• Upgrading: You can move to a higher-tier plan (e.g., from EasyStart to Plus) instantly. You will gain immediate access to advanced features like inventory tracking or additional user seats, and your billing will be prorated.
• Downgrading: You can move to a lower-tier plan, but the change typically takes effect at the start of your next billing cycle.
• Feature considerations: When downgrading, you may lose access to data or features exclusive to higher tiers. For example, moving from Plus to EasyStart will disable inventory tracking, project profitability tools, and access for additional users.

We recommend exporting any specific reports related to higher-tier features before you downgrade to ensure your records remain accessible.

Yes. QuickBooks Online allows you to invite one accounting professional (such as an external accountant or bookkeeper) to access your books at no extra charge.

Collaboration benefits include:

• Dedicated seat: Your accounting pro gets their own secure login. This seat is included for free and does not count toward the standard user limit of your specific plan.
• Real-time collaboration: Your accountant can review transactions, fix errors, and run reports without the need to export files.
• Total control: You stay in charge of your data. You can adjust your accountant's permission levels or remove their access at any time.

QuickBooks Payroll is not included in the base accounting plans by default. It is available as a paid add-on to your subscription or as a standalone service, offering three tiers (Core, Premium, and Elite) to fit your business size.

Why businesses add QuickBooks Payroll:

• Automated Tax Compliance: The system automatically calculates CPP, EI, and federal/provincial income tax deductions.
• Seamless Integration: Your payroll expenses, taxes, and liabilities are recorded directly in your books without manual entry, keeping your financial records organized in real-time.
• T4 & Year-End Reporting: Easily generate and file T4 slips for your employees and T4A slips for contractors at year-end.
• Direct Deposit: Most plans include next-day or same-day direct deposit, so your team gets paid faster.

Yes, phone support is included at no extra cost with all paid QuickBooks subscriptions and during your 30-day free trial. If you are on the Advanced plan, you receive priority access to our top-tier support team for faster resolutions to complex issues.

Yes. Since QuickBooks Online is a subscription service used exclusively for business operations, the cost is a fully deductible business expense in Canada.

Keep your subscription invoices on file, and QuickBooks can help you track this directly in your expense records.

Note: We recommend consulting with a tax professional to ensure you are maximizing all available deductions for your specific business structure.

Your purchase of a QuickBooks Online subscription includes a free, one-on-one onboarding session of up to 55 minutes with a QuickBooks expert. This call is designed to ensure your account is organized and optimized for your specific business needs from day one.

Note: To qualify, you must book your session within the first 30 days of your paid subscription. This service is only available for paid QuickBooks plans and is not included during the free trial period.

Yes, volume discounts may be available for business owners who need to manage multiple business entities. If you require several QuickBooks Online subscriptions, you may be eligible for a multi-company discount. Contact our Sales team at 1-888-908-3802 to discuss your options.

For most Canadian small businesses, the answer is yes. The monthly cost of a subscription is typically offset by the hours saved on manual administration and the reduction in professional accounting fees.

Core value benefits for your business:

• Administrative Efficiency: By automating bank reconciliation, receipt capture, and invoice follow-ups, you reduce the time required for manual data entry and repetitive bookkeeping tasks.
• Professional Collaboration: Providing your accountant with a dedicated seat ensures they have access to organized, real-time data. This reduces the time spent on manual cleanup and allows your expert to focus on higher-value tax planning.
• Consolidated Tech Stack: QuickBooks functions as an all-in-one platform for invoicing, mileage tracking, and expense management, often replacing the need for multiple separate software subscriptions.
• Tax and Compliance Readiness: Built-in tracking for GST/HST and automated anomaly detection help maintain accurate records throughout the year, ensuring your business stays CRA-compliant.
• Business Deductibility: As a dedicated business tool, your subscription is a tax-deductible expense in Canada. Additionally, GST/HST-registered businesses can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) for the tax paid on the subscription.

QuickBooks Online offers four distinct tiers designed to scale with your business. All plans include core features such as automated bank feeds, GST/HST tracking for the CRA, and the free mobile app.

Choose the plan that best fits your current business stage:

• EasyStart: Ideal for sole proprietors and freelancers. It focuses on the essentials: tracking income and expenses, sending professional invoices, and staying organised for tax time (1 user).
• Essentials: Best for service-based businesses that need to manage accounts payable. It adds bill management, multi-currency support, and time tracking (up to 3 users).
• Plus: Designed for businesses with physical products or complex workflows. It adds inventory tracking and project profitability tools (up to 5 users).
• Advanced: Our most robust solution for growing companies. It includes custom report building, workflow automation, and specialized Intuit AI insights (up to 25 users).

Every plan also includes a dedicated seat for your accounting professional at no extra cost, allowing you to collaborate in real-time.

QuickBooks Online is a monthly subscription service with tiered pricing designed to fit different business stages. The cost varies based on the features and user seats your business requires, ranging from the entry-level EasyStart plan for individuals to the robust Advanced plan for growing teams.

To ensure you get the best value for your business:

• Promotional Offers: New subscribers can typically choose between a limited-time "Buy Now" discount or a 30-day free trial to explore the software.
• Annual Savings: Opting for annual billing instead of a monthly subscription typically offers a discount of approximately 10% over the course of the year.
• Business Tax Deductions: As a business tool, the cost of your subscription is tax-deductible. Additionally, if your business is registered, you can claim Input Tax Credits (ITCs) for the GST/HST paid on your subscription.

For current rates and specific plan details, please refer to the pricing table at the top of this page.