Quick answer
Yes, but only for very light use. QuickBooks Free costs $0 and allows 1 user, 2 invoices and 2 receipts a month, and 1 contractor. Paid plans start at $20 a month for Lite and $38 for Simple Start, with a 30-day free trial. Prices checked 11 November 2026.
How we compared: every price and plan limit on this page was read from the vendor’s own US pricing page on 11 November 2026, and QuickBooks figures were cross-checked against a second published source. We have not run hands-on tests of these products for this article, so we do not describe how they feel to use. Tax rules are summarised from published guidance and the IRS. This is general information, not tax or financial advice. See our editorial policy.
Is QuickBooks free?
There is a free QuickBooks plan, but it is limited. Intuit’s plans page lists a Free plan at $0 with “no credit card required”, aimed at solo businesses and people just starting out. Every other QuickBooks plan is paid, and the paid QuickBooks Online plans start at $38 a month at list price. Below is what you get for nothing and where you hit the limits.
| QuickBooks Free | QuickBooks Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per month | $0 | $20 ($10 for the first 3 months) |
| Users | 1, no accountant access | 1, no accountant access |
| Invoices | 2 a month (unlimited with QuickBooks Payments enabled) | Unlimited |
| Receipts | 2 a month | Unlimited |
| Mileage trips | 5 a month | Unlimited |
| Contractors | 1 | 3 |
| Reports | Top 3: profit and loss, balance sheet, account quick report | Everything in Free plus more features |
| Extras | Accepts PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, card and ACH payments | Mobile app, automated bill pay, automated sales tax, instant deposit, Expert Assisted Tax |
Who is the free plan good for?
Intuit describes the Free plan as best for solo businesses and people just starting out, with income and expense tracking and a few invoices. It suits a side income with a handful of invoices, or a trial period while you decide on a paid plan. It does not suit a business that sends several invoices a month and does not want to use QuickBooks Payments, or one that wants its accountant to log in.
What does the free trial give you?
Intuit’s pricing page lists a free trial for 30 days on paid QuickBooks Online plans and says there is no annual contract and you can cancel at any time. Intuit also shows 50% off for 3 months. The page does not say which plans the trial covers, and it does not say whether the trial needs a payment card. Confirm both at sign-up. A discount is not free, so do not treat 50% off as a trial.
What do the paid plans cost?
| Best for | Software | From (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo user above the free limits | QuickBooks Lite | $20 ($10 for 3 months) |
| One user, full bookkeeping | Simple Start | $38 ($19 for 3 months) |
| 3 users | Essentials | $85 ($42.50 for 3 months) |
| 5 users | Plus | $140 ($70 for 3 months) |
Our QuickBooks pricing guide has every plan, the first-year arithmetic and what costs extra.
What free alternatives are there?
Other tools advertise free plans, but their limits and fees change, and we did not verify them for this article. If you want to compare prices rather than free plans, our FreshBooks vs QuickBooks guide shows what FreshBooks charges, from $23 a month at list price, including an offer of 80% off for 4 months and a 30-day free trial with no card needed. We will add verified free alternatives in a dedicated guide.
What are the hidden costs of free?
- Payment fees: The Free plan lifts its invoice cap when QuickBooks Payments is enabled, but payment processing has fees. Check Intuit’s current rates.
- Your time: With only 2 receipts a month, you may do more of the bookkeeping by hand or upgrade quickly.
- Switching later: Move to Lite or Simple Start before you have a large history if you expect to outgrow the free limits.
Do you need to report contractors?
If you pay contractors, the 1099-NEC reporting threshold for payments made in 2026 is $2,000, up from $600, according to CPA Practice Advisor. Confirm on the IRS Form 1099-NEC page or with your accountant. QuickBooks Free manages 1 contractor and Lite manages 3, and Advanced lists free 1099 e-filing.
Frequently asked questions
Is QuickBooks really free?
QuickBooks has a $0 Free plan, but with tight limits: 1 user, 2 invoices a month (unlimited if you use QuickBooks Payments), 2 receipts and 5 mileage trips a month, and 1 contractor. It has no accountant access. Full QuickBooks Online starts at $38 a month.
Is there a free trial of QuickBooks Online?
Intuit’s pricing page lists a free trial for 30 days and says there is no annual contract. Intuit also offers 50% off for 3 months as an alternative. Only the Free plan says ‘no credit card required’, so ask at sign-up what the trial needs.
What is the difference between QuickBooks Free and Lite?
Lite lists at $20 a month, with 50% off for 3 months on Intuit’s page. It removes the monthly caps on invoices, receipts and mileage, raises contractors from 1 to 3, and adds a mobile app, automated bill pay, automated sales tax and instant deposit.
Can I use QuickBooks Free as a freelancer?
Only if you send very few invoices. The Free plan allows 2 invoices a month, though Intuit says unlimited invoices are available when QuickBooks Payments is enabled. If you invoice more than 2 clients a month and do not want to use QuickBooks Payments, look at Lite or a free alternative.
Does QuickBooks Free include accountant access?
No. Intuit’s page lists 1 user and no accountant access for the Free plan. Simple Start and above include access for 2 accountants. If your accountant needs to log in, price a paid plan.
What should I pay for if I outgrow the free plan?
If you are a solo user, Lite at $20 a month is the next step. If you need full bookkeeping, Simple Start is $38. If you invoice 5 or fewer clients, FreshBooks Lite at $23 a month may suit you better, as we compare in our FreshBooks vs QuickBooks guide.
Update log: 11 November 2026. Prices and plan limits read from Intuit’s and FreshBooks’ own US pages. Next check: December 2026.
Sources: QuickBooks Free and Lite plans, QuickBooks pricing, CPA Practice Advisor: 1099 rules, FreshBooks pricing. Prices checked 11 November 2026.