QuickBooks Online review

QuickBooks Online is the ledger most small contractors already use, and every construction add-on on this list connects to it. Simple Start costs $38 per month for one user, Essentials $85 for three, Plus $140 for five and Advanced $340 for 25, with half off for the first three months on the date we checked. For construction work, Plus is the realistic starting point because it adds project profitability tracking, budgets, classes and locations, so you can follow income and costs job by job. Advanced lists a construction financials solution and advanced project financials, plus AI that creates projects and allocates costs. Below Advanced, AIA pay applications, retainage billing and WIP schedules are not listed as plan features, which is why many contractors pair QuickBooks with Knowify, JobTread or Contractor Foreman. A 30-day free trial is available.

Who it is for

Small contractors and trades that want familiar books their accountant knows, with project profitability on Plus.

Price

Simple Start $38 per month for 1 user; Plus $140 per month adds project profitability; intro discounts for 3 months.

Simple Start For starting small $38 $19 / mo 50% off for 3 months*
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Project profitability tracking on Plus and Advanced
• Construction financials solution and advanced project financials on Advanced
• Classes and locations for tracking by job or division
• Budgets and comprehensive reports
• Large ecosystem of construction add-ons such as Knowify and JobTread

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Most accountants already know it
• Strength: 30-day free trial and month-to-month plans
• Strength: Construction tools such as Knowify, JobTread and Contractor Foreman sync with it
• Weakness: Project profitability starts on Plus at $140 per month
• Weakness: AIA pay apps and retainage usually need an add-on below Advanced
• Weakness: Simple Start allows only 1 user

Key facts

• Plans: Simple Start $38, Essentials $85, Plus $140, Advanced $340 per month
• Users: 1, 3, 5 and 25
• Free trial: 30 days

Where it ranks

QuickBooks Online is No. 5 in our Best Accounting Software for Construction verdict and No. 6 in Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits and No. 1 in Best Accounting Software for Small Business.