Canny Picks / Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping software for a shop of five
QuickBooks is the default, and the default has gotten expensive. For five users the gap between it and the alternatives is about $1,000 a year.
Prices checked October 5, 2026 on each company's own pricing page. Written by Canny Software, Palm Desert.
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Zoho Books, $50 a month for five users
The Professional plan includes five users at $50 a month, or $40 a month billed annually. The Standard plan is $20 with three users. A sole proprietor under $50,000 in yearly revenue can use the free plan. Extra users are $3 each.
Xero, $59 a month
The Growing plan is a flat $59 with no per-user fees, and plenty of accountants know it. Ignore the $27 Early plan: it stops at 20 invoices and 5 bills a month.
QuickBooks Online Plus
At $140 a month for five users it costs almost three times the pick. Buy it only if your accountant insists, and ask whether they would work in something else first.
What five people actually pay
| Tool | Entry price | Five users | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Books | $0, or $20 a month | $50 a month ($40 yearly) | Free plan ends at $50,000 revenue. Fewer US accountants use it. |
| Xero | $27 a month | $59 a month | Entry plan caps invoices at 20 a month. Promo discounts end after a few months. |
| QuickBooks Online | $38 a month, 1 user | Plus, $140 a month | User caps force upgrades: 1, then 3, then 5. |
| Wave | $0 | $19 a month | Lighter on inventory and project tracking. |
Per-month prices in US dollars before tax. Annual-billing prices are shown as the monthly equivalent where the company lists them that way.
How to decide in two minutes
Call your accountant before you switch. If they only work in QuickBooks, their time costs more than the software you would save.
If they are flexible, Zoho Books is the value pick. If you are a one-person business with simple books, start on Wave for free.
Common questions
Is there a free version of QuickBooks?
There is a limited free plan for one user with 2 invoices a month unless you turn on QuickBooks Payments. Most businesses end up on a paid plan.
How hard is it to switch accounting software?
Plan it for the start of a quarter or year. Export your chart of accounts, customers and open invoices, and have your accountant check the opening balances.
Is this accounting advice?
No. It is a price and feature comparison. Check with your own accountant before changing systems.
Paying for more than one of these?
List everything on the stack audit page and see a free draft of what to cut.