Quick Answer
Last verified:

QuickBooks Online pricing varies by team size and features, ranging from $20 to $275 per month in 2026. Your actual cost depends on the tier you choose, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: No free tier available
  • Billing: Monthly and annual (save 15-20%)
  • Hidden costs: Add ~35% for implementation, support, and training
Last verified: January 2026 | Sources: 3 pricing pages and reviews
+40-60% above list price

Hidden Costs Breakdown

1

Payroll Core add-on: $50/month base + $6.50/employee/month for basic payroll processing

2

Payroll Premium add-on: $85/month base + $10/employee/month with same-day direct deposit

3

Payroll Elite add-on: $130/month base + $12/employee/month with tax penalty protection

4

Payment processing fees: 2.9% + $0.25 for credit card payments; 1% for ACH bank transfers

5

Additional users: Users beyond plan limits require upgrading to a higher tier

6

Annual price increases: Prices typically increase 10-17% annually in summer

7

Live Bookkeeping: Starting at $200/month for virtual bookkeeper assistance

8

QuickBooks Time: $10/month + $10/user for advanced time tracking

Example: True Cost for 25 Users

License (25 × $75 × 12) $22,500/yr
Implementation (one-time) +$15,000–$50,000
Premium Support (20%) +$4,500/yr
Training (25 × $500) +$12,500
Admin (part-time) +$15,000–$25,000/yr
Year 1 Total $58,750–$96,000
That's 1.8–2.5× the advertised license price.

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What hidden costs should I budget for with QuickBooks Online?

Beyond the license fee, budget for implementation ($5K-$100K+), training ($500-$2K per user), premium support (15-20% of license), and admin costs. Most companies see 40-60% higher total cost than the listed price.

02 Does QuickBooks Online charge for implementation?

QuickBooks Online doesn't include implementation in the license cost. Implementation is typically done by partners and costs range from $5,000 for basic setup to $100,000+ for enterprise deployments with customization.

03 How much does QuickBooks Online support cost?

Basic support is included, but premium support (faster response times, 24/7 availability) typically adds 15-20% to your annual contract. This can be thousands of dollars per year for larger deployments.

04 Are there storage costs with QuickBooks Online?

Most QuickBooks Online plans include limited storage. Once you exceed the included amount, you'll pay overage fees which can range from $50-$500+ per month depending on data volume.

05 What add-ons cost extra with QuickBooks Online?

Many features marketed as part of QuickBooks Online are actually add-ons: advanced reporting, API access, integrations, and specialized modules. Each can add $10-$100+ per user per month.

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