NerdWallet’s ratings for point-of-sale system providers reward companies whose products and services are priced well and work in a variety of payment scenarios, among other criteria. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including cost, system capabilities, contract requirements, customer service and integrations and add-ons. QuickBooks POS is a natural choice for businesses dedicated to the company’s suite of accounting and payroll products. Clients with QuickBooks Desktop can sync POS data with their chart of accounts, so data doesn’t have to be input manually. On the upside, QuickBooks POS clients don’t have to worry about monthly software payments.

You also get access to exclusive premium apps such as LeanLaw, HubSpot, DocuSign, Bill.com, Salesforce, and more. Simple Starts includes all the features from the Self-employed Plan but adds a range of helpful additions covering everything from how to prepare a balance sheet for a startup company basic bookkeeping to budgeting. This is available for just $15 per month and supports a single user. QuickBooks Online Essentials has all of the features included in Simple Start, with extra functionality for businesses with more needs.

• The QuickBooks Online Advanced plan is designed for larger businesses.
• Some of these best-in-class picks pack in valuable perks, including $0 stock and ETF commissions.
• QuickBooks Online Self-Employed works very well for people who work for themselves in a service industry and report their business income on Schedule C of their personal income tax return.
• All Simple Start features for up to three users, plus bill management and the ability to add employee time to invoices.
• QuickBooks Online — often considered the industry standard for accounting software — is fairly user-friendly, but some basic accounting knowledge will help you get started.

Though cloud-based accounting software is becoming more popular, the POS system only integrates directly with QuickBooks Desktop, not QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks markets its POS system to small retail businesses, clothing stores, jewelry stores, sporting goods or bike shops, furniture stores and home improvement-related businesses. Because it charges extra monthly fees for its e-commerce integration, shops that do most of their business online should explore alternatives. NerdWallet’s roundup of POS systems for small business lays out some of the best options. While QuickBooks Online does have its own free mobile app—which allows you to enter transactions, record expenses, invoice customers, and send reports—the app cannot access QuickBooks Live features.

QuickBooks Desktop Pro

QuickBooks pricing varies quite a bit depending on which product you choose, as well as on how many users you need. QuickBooks Online Payroll offers more features and is cheaper than QuickBooks Desktop Payroll. However, QuickBooks Desktop Payroll is the best option for businesses paying over 150 employees and those who are tied to the QuickBooks Desktop service. If you’re VAT registered and use accrual accounting (recording income and expenses when you get a bill or send an invoice) Simple Start is the right product for you. If you’re not registered for VAT and use cash accounting (recording income and expenses when you receive or pay money) go for QBSE.

QuickBooks Advanced is for larger businesses requiring up to 25 users and more advanced reporting and support. Although QuickBooks Self-Employed cannot be configured for other business types/tax forms, you can leverage IRS resources or work with an accounting professional if you are unsure of your filing requirements. If these needs apply to your business, consider a different subscription level. QuickBooks Premier is ideal for small businesses looking for industry-specific features. You can purchase QuickBooks Premier Plus or have access to built-in payroll with QuickBooks Premier Plus + Payroll.

Can I cancel at any time? Is there a cancellation fee?

Your bookkeeper will go over your reports to help you understand your financial situation, but may not provide financial or business advice (even if they’re a credentialed CPA). Because your bookkeeper can’t represent your business before the IRS, they can’t give tax advice or guidance. Your bookkeeper brings your past financials up-to-date and sets up your bank connections and chart of accounts. If you want to use your software anywhere you have an internet connection, you’ll likely want to focus on QuickBooks Online or pay more to add remote access through hosting to QuickBooks Enterprise. QuickBooks Pro Plus is the most basic version of QuickBooks Desktop.

How much does QuickBooks Self-Employed cost?

QuickBooks Enterprise is one of Intuit’s most robust business accounting products and offers a host of additional services, like access to more than 200 report templates and priority 24/7 customer support. Plans support up to 40 users and business owners can purchase varying levels of cloud access. The prices listed above apply to local access plans only; annual pricing rises with more users and cloud access. Throughout your engagement with QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping, your bookkeeper will manage your books for you and provide you with month-end reports.

QuickBooks Live User Reviews

If these needs apply to your business, consider subscribing to Advanced. QuickBooks Desktop software is as an annual subscription that will auto-renew with your credit card on file, so there’s no service interruption. If you purchased Desktop software via retail, make sure to place your credit card on file for uninterrupted service.

FreshBooks tailors its plan tiers to business type, making it easier to navigate your options. Reasonable monthly pricing makes FreshBooks an affordable option for self-employed and freelance workers. Like QuickBooks, FreshBooks offers a free 30-day trial of its product or the option to receive a discounted price for the first several months.

There is a $25 chargeback fee and PCI compliance service costs $9.95 per month. QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping is real-time, live bookkeeping support from a QuickBooks-certified bookkeeper (also known as a QuickBooks ProAdvisor). QuickBooks Online Advanced is slightly better than Plus and the other QuickBooks Online plans in A/P and A/R because of its batch invoicing and expense management features.

Preferential rates offered to new QuickBooks Payments customers only as long as they maintain an active QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions Full Service Plan (FSP). If FSP account becomes inactive rates will be switched to the then current pay-as-you-go plan rates (currently 2.4% swiped/3.5% keyed). Ability to accept credit card and ACH through Intuit Payment Network may require separate application.

Pricing is based on the average of your monthly expenses over a three-month period. When you sign up for QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping, you are connected with a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, which is a bookkeeper certified by QuickBooks. You can contact your bookkeeper anytime to schedule a live video chat or to discuss questions or concerns about your bookkeeping.