Accounting · Head to head
QuickBooks Online vs FreeAgent: which is better?
Short answer
FreeAgent costs less in the first year ($456 vs $324). Pick QuickBooks Online for US small-business bookkeeping standard; pick FreeAgent for freelancers and small agencies.
| Fact | QuickBooks Online | FreeAgent | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | US small-business bookkeeping standard | Freelancers and small agencies | — |
| Free plan | No, 30-day trial | No | Tie |
| Entry plan | Simple Start: $38 / mo | FreeAgent: $27 / mo | FreeAgent |
| Mid plan | Essentials: $85 / mo | FreeAgent: $27 / mo | FreeAgent |
| Top plan | Advanced: $340 / mo | FreeAgent: $27 / mo | FreeAgent |
| 1st year | $456 | $324 | FreeAgent |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, QuickBooks Online or FreeAgent?
FreeAgent costs less in the first year ($456 vs $324).
| 1st year | QuickBooks Online | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $456 | $324 |
| Mid | $1,020 | $324 |
| Top | $4,080 | $324 |
Which has the better free plan, QuickBooks Online or FreeAgent?
Neither stands out: QuickBooks Online: No, 30-day trial; FreeAgent: No.
Should you pick QuickBooks Online or FreeAgent?
Pick QuickBooks Online if
- you want US small-business bookkeeping standard
- you can pay $38 / mo from day one
Pick FreeAgent if
- you want freelancers and small agencies
- you can pay $27 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online pricing | quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
| FreeAgent pricing | freeagent.com/us/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare