QuickBooks Simple Start Reviewed and Compared: What’s Your Best Option?

After spending years crunching numbers using manual processes (like 82.9% of businesses who have relied on spreadsheets, often with subpar results), you’re ready to give QuickBooks a try. 

But with four different pricing tiers—Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced—how do you know which one is right for you?

In this article, we’ll zero in on QuickBooks Simple Start, the most affordable tier, and compare it to the higher-level plans—Essentials, Plus, and Advanced. By the end, you’ll have a clear picture of what each plan offers and which one is the best fit for your business today and as you grow.

Let’s explore which plan is the best option for you!

QuickBooks Online Overview: Four Tiers, One Solution

QuickBooks Online is like a Swiss Army knife for your business finances. No matter your business size, one of its four pricing tiers is designed to help you manage your books with ease:

• Simple Start: The entry-level plan, perfect for freelancers and small business owners who need basic bookkeeping tools.
• Essentials: A step up, adding multi-user access and bill management for growing businesses.
• Plus: Ideal for businesses that need inventory tracking and project profitability reports.
• Advanced: Built for larger operations, offering advanced reporting, custom user roles, and dedicated support.

Despite their differences, all QuickBooks Online plans share some common ground. 

They’re cloud-based, so you can access your data anytime, anywhere. You’ll also enjoy a clean, user-friendly interface and mobile app, making it easy to manage your business finances on the go. 

Plus, each plan includes core features like income and expense tracking, invoicing, and basic financial reporting.

QuickBooks Simple Start: A Closer Look

If you’re new to managing your business finances or just want a simple, no-frills solution, QuickBooks Simple Start is a great place to begin. As the most affordable plan in the QuickBooks Online lineup, it covers all the basics you need to keep your financials in check without overwhelming you with extra features.

Who Should Use Simple Start?

QuickBooks Simple Start is perfect for:

• Freelancers managing a few clients.
• Solopreneurs running side gigs or small ventures.
• Very Small Businesses with straightforward financial needs, like tracking income and sending invoices.

If your business doesn’t require multiple users or advanced features like inventory tracking, Simple Start provides everything you need to stay on top of your finances.

Key Features of Simple Start

Here’s what you get with Simple Start:

• Income & Expense Tracking: Keep a close eye on where your money is coming from and where it’s going. 
• Invoicing: Create and send professional invoices in minutes. Track payment statuses, so you’ll know who’s paid and who still owes you.
• Basic Financial Reports: Generate essential reports like profit and loss statements and balance sheets to understand your business’s financial health.
• Sales Tax Tracking: Automatically calculate sales tax and stay compliant when it’s time to file.
• Mileage Tracking: Record your business miles with the mobile app, making tax deductions a breeze.

Pros and Cons of Simple Start

QuickBooks Simple Start vs. Other Plans

1. QuickBooks Essentials: Stepping Up from Simple Start

As your business grows, so do your financial needs. That’s where QuickBooks Essentials comes in. It builds on the foundation of Simple Start by adding features designed to help small businesses handle more complex operations, like managing team contributions and keeping track of bills.

Comparison with Simple Start

Here’s what you gain by upgrading:

• Collaborative Access: Unlike Simple Start’s single-user limit, Essentials allows up to 3 users, making it ideal for small teams.
• Vendor Bill Management: Easily track what you owe and pay vendors without juggling spreadsheets or manual tracking.
• Improved Time Tracking: Bill clients accurately by linking employee hours directly to invoices.

QuickBooks Essentials provides the additional functionality growing businesses need without overcomplicating the process. If you’ve outgrown Simple Start, Essentials could be your next best move.

Who Should Use Essentials?

Essentials is a great fit for:

• Small Businesses that rely on multiple users to manage financial tasks.
• Teams that need to track and manage hours worked for billing purposes.
• Businesses that deal with vendor payments and need an easy way to organize and pay bills.

If your business operations involve more than just basic bookkeeping, Essentials offers the tools to keep everything running smoothly.

2. QuickBooks Plus: For Growing Businesses

When your business starts to expand, you’ll likely need more than just basic bookkeeping and bill management. QuickBooks Plus is designed for growing businesses that need to handle inventory, track project profitability, and collaborate with a larger team.

Comparison with Essentials and Simple Start

Here’s what you gain by upgrading:

• Inventory Management: Not available in Simple Start or Essentials, crucial for businesses with physical products.
• Project Profitability Insights: Easily track which projects are making or losing money, a feature missing in lower tiers.
• More User Access: While Essentials offers up to 3 users, Plus allows 5, making it ideal for slightly larger teams.

QuickBooks Plus combines advanced tracking and reporting features, making it the go-to option for businesses ready to take their operations to the next level.

Who Should Use Plus?

Plus is perfect for:

• Retailers and Wholesalers that need to manage inventory efficiently.
• Project-Based Businesses like construction and field service businesses like HVAC companies, where tracking project costs and profits is crucial.
• Growing Teams that require more users to access the system.

If your business is expanding and you’re juggling inventory or managing multiple projects, Plus has the tools to keep everything organized and profitable.

Additional Resources

Starting an HVAC business? We’ve written an ultimate guide to starting and growing an HVAC business in the U.S.–check out the following articles:

• HVAC Licenses and Certifications
• HVAC Terms: A Glossary of Industry Lingo
• HVAC Tools and Equipment
• HVAC Marketing: 19 Fresh Ideas
• HVAC Training: The Best Courses and Schools
• HVAC Apprenticeship: Guide to Hiring New HVAC Pros

3. QuickBooks Advanced: Enterprise-Grade Features for Larger Businesses

For businesses operating at scale, basic accounting tools just won’t cut it. That’s where QuickBooks Advanced comes in, offering a robust set of features designed to handle the demands of larger operations. With more customization, deeper insights, and enhanced support, Advanced is built for businesses with complex financial needs.

Comparison with Plus

Here’s what you gain by upgrading:

• Custom User Roles: Unlike Plus, Advanced lets you assign highly specific permissions, perfect for larger teams with varied responsibilities.
• Enhanced Reporting: Dive deeper into your financial data with customizable reports and insights not available in Plus.
• Priority Support: Access a dedicated account team and priority support, ensuring quick solutions for any issues.
• Scalability: While Plus supports up to 5 users, Advanced expands access to 25, making it ideal for larger organizations.

QuickBooks Advanced is designed to meet the needs of complex, high-volume businesses, offering the tools, flexibility, and support to keep your operations running smoothly at scale.

Who Should Use Advanced?

Advanced is ideal for:

• Larger Businesses requiring more detailed reporting and analytics.
• Teams with Specialized Roles that need tailored access to specific data.
• Enterprises Seeking Premium Support to ensure smooth operations and quick problem resolution.

If your business has grown beyond the capabilities of lower tiers, Advanced offers the tools and support to manage complex financial operations effectively.

Comparing QuickBooks Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced

Choosing the right QuickBooks plan depends on your business’s unique needs. Each tier offers specific tools to help you manage your finances, and understanding what’s included can make your decision much easier.

To help you make the right choice, you can start with this comparison table:

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Here’s a breakdown of the core features and when they become essential:

• Income & Expense Tracking: Available in all plans; essential for any business to monitor cash flow.
• Invoicing: Included in every tier, helping you bill customers and track payments.
• Multi-User Access: Starts with Essentials (up to 3 users) and scales to Advanced (up to 25 users). Critical as your team grows.
• Bill Management: Available from Essentials onward; important for businesses managing multiple vendor payments.
• Time Tracking: Included in Essentials and higher, ideal for businesses billing clients by the hour.
• Inventory Tracking: Only in Plus and Advanced; a must for retail or product-based businesses.
• Project Profitability: Begins with Plus, great for tracking costs and revenue for individual projects.
• Advanced Reporting & Custom Permissions: Exclusive to Advanced; essential for larger businesses needing detailed insights and secure access control.

Use Cases for Each Tier

Simple Start: Best for freelancers and solopreneurs with straightforward bookkeeping needs, like tracking income and expenses or sending invoices.

Essentials: Ideal for small businesses with a few employees who need multi-user access and the ability to manage vendor bills and time tracking.

Plus: Perfect for businesses managing inventory or projects, such as retailers, wholesalers, or project-based firms like construction or design companies.Advanced: Designed for larger businesses or enterprises with complex financial operations, requiring detailed reporting, custom user roles, and premium support.

Cost Analysis: What Do You Get for Your Money?

Selecting the right QuickBooks Online plan involves balancing your business needs with your budget. Let’s break down the pricing for each plan, evaluate the value they offer, and highlight any available discounts.

Pricing Breakdown

QuickBooks Online offers four main plans, each with its own set of features and pricing:

Note: Prices are subject to change and may vary by region.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Understanding what each plan offers can help you determine which provides the best value for your business:

• Simple Start: At $19/month, it covers basic accounting needs like income and expense tracking, invoicing, and basic reporting. Ideal for freelancers or sole proprietors with straightforward finances.
• Essentials: For $28/month, you get everything in Simple Start, plus bill management, time tracking, and multi-user access (up to 3 users). Suitable for small businesses that need to manage bills and collaborate with a small team.
• Plus: Priced at $40/month, it includes all Essentials features, along with inventory tracking and project profitability. Best for businesses handling inventory or multiple projects.
• Advanced: At $76/month, it offers all Plus features, plus advanced reporting, custom user permissions, and dedicated support. Designed for larger businesses with complex accounting needs.

Special Offers and Discounts

QuickBooks frequently provides discounts for new subscribers. For instance, they often offer 50% off the monthly price for the first three months.

Additionally, some promotions may include extended discount periods or bundled services at reduced rates. It’s advisable to check QuickBooks’ official website or authorized partners for the latest deals.

How to Decide: Questions to Ask Yourself

Choosing the right QuickBooks plan can feel overwhelming, but asking the right questions can simplify the decision-making process. Here are some key considerations to help narrow down your options:

1. How many users will need access?

• Are you a solo entrepreneur, or do you have a team that requires access to your financial data?
• If it’s just you, Simple Start might be enough. If you have a team, consider Essentials, Plus, or Advanced.

2. Do I need inventory tracking or advanced reporting?

• If you manage physical products or track project profitability, Plus or Advanced will be more suitable.
• For detailed analytics and customized reporting, Advanced is your best bet.

3. What’s my budget?

• Think about what you’re willing to spend monthly and balance that with the features you truly need.
• Start with a lower plan and upgrade as your business grows, if necessary.

Decision-Making Guide: Quick Quiz

Answer the following to pinpoint the best plan:

1. Do you need more than one user to access your books?

• Yes → Skip Simple Start, consider Essentials or higher.
• No → Simple Start may be sufficient.

2. Are you tracking inventory or managing multiple projects?

• Yes → Plus or Advanced is necessary.
• No → Essentials might meet your needs.

3. Do you need in-depth reporting and advanced support?

• Yes → Advanced is the way to go.
• No → Essentials or Plus should suffice.

4. What’s your monthly budget for accounting software?

• Under $20 → Simple Start ($19/month).
• $20–$40 → Essentials ($28/month) or Plus ($40/month).
• $50+ → Advanced ($76/month).

Getting Started with QuickBooks Simple Start

Starting with QuickBooks Simple Start is easy and quick. Follow these steps to get your business finances in order without the hassle.

Step-by-Step Guide to Signing Up and Setting Up Simple Start

1. Visit the QuickBooks Website: Head over to QuickBooks Simple Start and select “Simple Start.”

2. Sign Up for an Account: Enter your email, create a password, and follow the prompts to set up your account.

3. Choose Your Subscription: Start with the 30-day free trial or jump straight into the $19/month plan.

4. Enter Your Business Details: Fill in your business name, industry, and type of business (e.g., sole proprietorship, LLC).

5. Connect Your Bank Accounts: Link your business bank account and credit cards to automatically import transactions.

6. Customize Your Preferences: Set up your invoicing templates, tax preferences, and payment methods to match your business needs.

Tips for Making the Most of Simple Start’s Features

• Connect Your Bank Accounts: Automatically track income and expenses, saving time on manual entry.
• Set Up Custom Categories: Tailor income and expense categories to fit your business, making reports more meaningful.
• Use the Mobile App: Track mileage, send invoices, and check reports on the go.
• Run Basic Financial Reports: Use profit and loss or balance sheet reports to get a clear view of your business’s health.
• Automate Recurring Invoices: For regular clients, set up recurring invoices to ensure you never miss a billing cycle.

Take Your Business to the Next Level with Workyard

If you’re in the construction or field service industry, you know that accurate time tracking is critical for billing and payroll. That’s where Workyard comes in. Designed specifically for your line of work, Workyard smoothly integrates with QuickBooks, making invoicing a breeze.

What sets Workyard apart? Our automatic clock-in feature. Workers are automatically clocked in when they arrive at a geofenced job site and clocked out when they leave their last geofenced location—eliminating manual errors and ensuring accurate time tracking. 

Unlike QuickBooks Time, which requires manual entries, Workyard streamlines the entire process for you.

Ready to make time tracking and invoicing effortless? Try Workyard for free today and experience the difference for yourself.

Additional Resources

Workyard also has a built-in labor compliance feature so your team can focus on completing projects on time while staying compliant with state laws. For more information about state-specific laws and regulations, check out the following: 

• Alaska Labor Laws
• Wyoming Labor Laws
• California Break Laws
• West Virginia Labor Laws
• Kentucky Labor Laws
• North Carolina Labor Laws
• Virginia Labor Laws