QuickBooks Online Simple Start: Features, Pricing, and Best Business Fit

If you’re a small business owner tired of complicated accounting tasks, QuickBooks Simple Start might just be the solution you need. This user-friendly software is designed to help businesses like yours manage finances effectively without the headache of traditional accounting systems. Let's dive into what QuickBooks Simple Start offers, who it serves best, and the pricing details you should know.

What is QuickBooks Simple Start?

QuickBooks Simple Start is a cloud-based accounting program that simplifies how small businesses handle their finances. With its intuitive design, you can track income, manage expenses, and create professional invoices all in one platform. Even individuals with no accounting experience can use it successfully.

For example, a freelance graphic designer can log client payments and expenses seamlessly. This means spending less time on bookkeeping and more time focusing on creative projects. Small business owners can also benefit from the program’s features, which are vital for tracking their financial health.

QuickBooks Simple Start interface on a laptop

Features Included in QuickBooks Simple Start

QuickBooks Simple Start packs essential features that most small businesses will find valuable. Some of the standout functions include:

• Income and Expense Tracking: Easily categorize transactions and keep a close eye on your cash flow. For instance, a coffee shop owner can track daily sales and supplies effortlessly.

  
  

• Invoicing: Create and manage professional invoices that help you get paid quicker. Statistics show that businesses using well-designed invoices can reduce their payment collection time by up to 30%.

  
  

• Financial Reporting: Access key financial reports like profit and loss statements and balance sheets, which help you understand your business’s performance at a glance.

  
  

• Tax Preparation: The software keeps your financial data organized and generates necessary reports, making tax season less stressful.

  
  

• Mobile Access: Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can check your finances through your mobile device, perfect for busy entrepreneurs and freelancers.

  
  

These features combine to create a straightforward solution for small businesses, allowing you to manage finances without any hassle.

Using QuickBooks Simple Start on a tablet

Best Suited Businesses for QuickBooks Simple Start

QuickBooks Simple Start shines brightest for several types of businesses:

• Freelancers: Whether you're a writer, designer, or consultant, you can easily manage invoices and expenses. A study showed that freelancers using Simple Start reported saving an average of 5 hours per week on financial tasks.

  
  

• Sole Proprietors: Solo business owners benefit from the simplicity, allowing them to focus more on their work.

  
  

• Startups: New businesses looking to minimize costs while still having robust accounting tools find this software crucial.

  
  

• Small Service-Based Businesses: If your business mainly offers services, you can utilize the invoicing and expense-tracking features effectively.

  
  

Overall, QuickBooks Simple Start is a perfect fit for businesses that need straightforward, functional accounting capabilities without being overwhelmed by features they won’t use.

Pricing for QuickBooks Simple Start

When it comes to pricing, QuickBooks Simple Start is quite reasonable. Currently, the retail price is around $38 per month. This subscription includes all the crucial features, making it an affordable option for many small businesses.

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/

If you buy QuickBooks Simple Start through a QuickBooks Accountant or ProAdvisor, you could save more. A discount of 30% reduces the monthly price to approximately $26.60. This is a great deal for businesses that want essential financial tools at a lower cost.

QuickBooks Simple Start Dashboard on Laptop

Final Thoughts

In summary, QuickBooks Simple Start is an ideal choice for small businesses, freelancers, and sole proprietors looking for an uncomplicated accounting solution. With its user-friendly interface, essential features, and budget-friendly pricing, it equips you with the tools necessary to manage your finances effectively.

Over the next few blog posts, we will explore the advanced tiers of QuickBooks and highlight how they can take your financial management to the next level. Stay tuned to learn how you can elevate your accounting game!

Pricing as of August 2025: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/#

	PROGRAM	Simple Start
	PRICE: Retail	$38/mo Retail
	PRICE: Wholesale (with 30% ProAdvisor Discount)	$26.60/mo
Intuit Assist
	Smart expense organization (NEW)	✅
	Accounting Agent New	➖
	Payments Agent New	➖
	Customer Agent Beta	➖
	Finance Agent New	➖
	Project Management AgentBeta	➖
Accounting
	Expert Assisted Try bookkeeping help FREE for 30 days*	✅
	Expert Tax File your business taxes with expert help	✅
	Automated bookkeeping	✅
	Tax deductions	✅
	Automated bank feeds	✅
	Accounting AgentNew	➖
	AI-enabled expert collaborationNew	➖
	Multiple currencies	➖
	AI-powered reconciliationBeta	➖
	Anomaly detection and resolutionNew	➖
	Revenue recognition	➖
	Auto-track fixed assets	➖
Expenses & Pay Bills
	5 free ACH bank transfers/mo for billsNew	✅
	Pay billsNew	✅
	Auto-match transactionsNew	✅
	Auto-generated bills	✅
	Receipt capture	✅
	Bill management	✅
	Mileage tracking	✅
	Contractors	✅
Sales & Get Paid
	Auto-generated invoices and reminders	✅
	Estimates	✅
	Invoice and payments	✅
	Connect sales channels	1
	Sales and sales tax	Basic
	Payments AgentNew	➖
	Recurring invoices	➖
Lending
	Business checking with 3.00% APY	✅
	Lending marketplace	✅
	Access capital	✅
Customer Hub
	Customer managementNew	✅
	Notes and tasks managementNew	✅
	Reputation managementNew	➖
	Appointment schedulingBeta	➖
	Customer AgentBeta	➖
	Lead managementNew	➖
	Contract upload and e-signatureNew	➖
Time
	Enter time	➖
Project Management
	Project profitability	➖
	Job costing	➖
	Project Management AgentBeta	➖
Inventory
	Inventory Tracking	➖
	Purchase orders	➖
	Sales orders	➖
	Shipping labels	➖
Business Intelligence
	Cash flow planning	➖
	Budgeting	➖
	AI-powered profit & loss insightsBeta	➖
	AI-powered balance sheet insightsBeta	➖
	Finance AgentNew	➖
	Forecasting	➖
	Custom report builder	➖
	Data sync with Excel	➖
	KPI scorecardBeta	➖
Connected Platform
	Users	1
	Automatic business feedNew	✅
	Mobile app	✅
	Integrate with hundreds of apps	✅
	Reports	Basic
	User management and permissions	➖
	Custom Fields	➖
	Class and location tracking	➖
	Workflow automation	➖
	Batch invoices and expenses	➖
	Backup and restore	➖
	Support and training	➖

https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/#

Frequently asked questions

about QuickBooks Online

Is QuickBooks online, or do I download software?

There is no need to download QuickBooks Online because it is connected to the cloud, which means you can access online accounting from any device with an internet connection. You can download the QuickBooks Online mobile app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Can I upgrade between plans?

Yes, you can upgrade to another plan from any version of QuickBooks Online.

I use QuickBooks Desktop. How do I know if QuickBooks Online is right for me?

QuickBooks Online is great for businesses who need access to their business data from anywhere and real-time collaboration. Move your accounting online to take advantage of automatic data backup, live insights from your accountant, automated workflows to reduce errors and increase efficiency, and reports that are tailored to your business.

Do I have to pay extra for Intuit mobile apps?

No. QuickBooks comes with free mobile apps that help you run your business on the go—anytime, anywhere.

I'm switching from another payroll provider. Can you transfer my payroll data?

We'll transfer your data for you with QuickBooks Payroll Elite. With QuickBooks Payroll Premium, you'll transfer your own data but we'll review to make sure everything is correct.

What's included in QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted?

QuickBooks-certified bookkeepers are available to give you guidance and answer questions you have on topics like:

Categorization

Automation

Reconciliation

Reporting

Workflow management

You can request a callback anytime when you need a little extra help. Bookkeepers are available Monday - Friday 6AM - 6PM PT.

What's not included in QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted?

Live Expert Assisted doesn’t include cleanup of your books or a dedicated bookkeeper reconciling your accounts and maintaining your books for you. Live Expert Assisted also doesn’t include any financial advisory services, tax advice, facilitating the filing of income or sales tax returns, creating or sending 1099s, or management of payroll.