VendorVS
Patriot Software logo

Patriot Software

Affordable accounting and payroll

vs
QuickBooks Online logo

QuickBooks Online

The small business accounting standard

Patriot Software vs QuickBooks Online Comparison

Compare Patriot Software and QuickBooks Online side-by-side — pricing, features, scores, and which one is right for you.

The bottom line

Patriot Software and QuickBooks Online are both strong contenders in the accounting space, but they serve different needs. QuickBooks Online edges ahead with an overall score of 84/100 compared to Patriot Software's 64/100. Both are equally user-friendly (8/10 each). On pricing, neither offers a free tier — Patriot Software starts at $20/mo and QuickBooks Online at $20/mo. Patriot Software rates higher for value for money (8/10 vs 7/10), making it a better pick if budget is a concern.

At a glance

Patriot SoftwareQuickBooks Online
Our score64/10084/100
Starting price$20/mo$20/mo
Free tierNoNo
Best forAffordable accounting and payrollThe small business accounting standard

Pricing comparison

Patriot Software logo

Patriot Software

No free tier
Accounting Basic$20/mo
Accounting Premium$30/mo

Pricing verified 2026-03-19

QuickBooks Online logo

QuickBooks Online

No free tier
Solopreneur$20/mo
Simple Start$38/mo
Essentials$75/mo
Plus$115/mo
Advanced$275/mo

Pricing verified 2026-03-19

Calculate your cost

Patriot Software logo
Patriot SoftwareAccounting Basic
$17/mo
$204/yr
QuickBooks Online logo
QuickBooks OnlineSolopreneur
$17/mo
$204/yr

Feature comparison

core

FeaturePatriot SoftwareQuickBooks Online
InvoicingYesYes
Expense trackingYesYes
Bank reconciliationYesYes
Financial reportsYesYes

advanced

FeaturePatriot SoftwareQuickBooks Online
PayrollAdd-on ($17-37/mo + $4/employee)Add-on
InventoryNoPlus+
Multi-currencyNoEssentials+
Tax filingPayroll add-onAdd-on

integrations

FeaturePatriot SoftwareQuickBooks Online
StripeNoYes
PayPalNoYes
ShopifyNoYes
ZapierNoYes

Ratings breakdown

Patriot Software

Ease of use
8/10
Value for money
8/10
Features
5/10
Support
7/10

QuickBooks Online

Ease of use
8/10
Value for money
7/10
Features
9/10
Support
7/10

Choose Patriot Software if...

  • You're ready to invest from $20/mo
  • You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
  • Getting strong value for money is a priority
Visit Patriot Software

Choose QuickBooks Online if...

  • You're ready to invest from $20/mo
  • You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
  • You need enterprise-grade capabilities
Visit QuickBooks Online

Frequently asked questions

Is Patriot Software or QuickBooks Online better?

QuickBooks Online scores 84/100 compared to Patriot Software's 64/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — Patriot Software excels at ease of use (8/10) while QuickBooks Online scores 8/10.

How much does Patriot Software cost compared to QuickBooks Online?

Patriot Software starts at $20/mo. QuickBooks Online starts at $20/mo. Patriot Software is the more affordable option.

Does Patriot Software or QuickBooks Online have a free plan?

Neither Patriot Software nor QuickBooks Online offers a free tier. Patriot Software starts at $20/mo and QuickBooks Online at $20/mo.

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you sign up through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings or recommendations.

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