QuickBooks

QuickBooks is the leading small business accounting software developed by Intuit, used by millions of small businesses, freelancers, and accountants to manage bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, tax preparation, and financial reporting. Available in cloud-based (QuickBooks Online) and desktop (QuickBooks Desktop) versions, the software has been the dominant US small business accounting solution for decades, with a deep ecosystem of accountant familiarity and third-party integrations.

QuickBooks Online plans range from Simple Start (basic income and expense tracking for sole proprietors) through Plus and Advanced (for businesses with inventory, projects, and multiple users). Payroll is available as an add-on subscription. The cloud-based model enables access from any device, automatic bank transaction import, and real-time financial reporting that desktop accounting software can't match for distributed or mobile business operations.

QuickBooks' promotional model offers 50% off the first 3–12 months for new subscribers—a significant first-year savings that reverts to full pricing at renewal. Evaluating the full-price renewal cost before subscribing is essential for long-term budget planning. For very simple businesses, Wave Accounting (free) and FreshBooks provide alternatives at lower ongoing costs than QuickBooks for solopreneurs who don't need full accounting feature depth.