VendorVS
QuickBooks Online logo

QuickBooks Online

The small business accounting standard

vs
ZipBooks logo

ZipBooks

Free accounting and invoicing

QuickBooks Online vs ZipBooks Comparison

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

The bottom line

QuickBooks Online and ZipBooks 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 ZipBooks's 62/100. Both are equally user-friendly (8/10 each). On pricing, ZipBooks offers a free tier while QuickBooks Online requires a paid plan from $20/mo. ZipBooks rates higher for value for money (8/10 vs 7/10), making it a better pick if budget is a concern.

At a glance

QuickBooks OnlineZipBooks
Our score84/10062/100
Starting price$20/moFree
Free tierNoYes
Best forThe small business accounting standardFree accounting and invoicing

Pricing comparison

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

ZipBooks logo

ZipBooks

Free tier available
StarterFree
Smarter$15/mo
Sophisticated$35/mo

Pricing verified 2026-03-19

Calculate your cost

QuickBooks Online logo
QuickBooks OnlineSolopreneur
$17/mo
$204/yr
ZipBooks logo
ZipBooksStarter
Free/mo
Free/yr
Cheaper— save $204/yr

Feature comparison

core

FeatureQuickBooks OnlineZipBooks
InvoicingYesYes
Expense trackingYesYes
Bank reconciliationYesYes
Financial reportsYesYes

advanced

FeatureQuickBooks OnlineZipBooks
PayrollAdd-onNo
InventoryPlus+No
Multi-currencyEssentials+No
Tax filingAdd-onNo

integrations

FeatureQuickBooks OnlineZipBooks
StripeYesYes
PayPalYesNo
ShopifyYesNo
ZapierYesNo

Ratings breakdown

QuickBooks Online

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

ZipBooks

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

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

Choose ZipBooks if...

  • You want a free tier to get started
  • You value an intuitive, easy-to-use interface
  • Getting strong value for money is a priority
Try ZipBooks free

Frequently asked questions

Is QuickBooks Online or ZipBooks better?

QuickBooks Online scores 84/100 compared to ZipBooks's 62/100 on VendorVS. However, the best choice depends on your needs — QuickBooks Online excels at ease of use (8/10) while ZipBooks scores 8/10.

How much does QuickBooks Online cost compared to ZipBooks?

QuickBooks Online starts at $20/mo. ZipBooks starts at free (free tier available). ZipBooks is the more affordable option.

Does QuickBooks Online or ZipBooks have a free plan?

ZipBooks offers a free tier. QuickBooks Online does not — its cheapest plan starts at $20/mo.

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