Product status, November 2026: QuickBooks Self-Employed is closed to new customers. Intuit says existing subscribers can continue or upgrade to QuickBooks Solopreneur, and the old Self-Employed page now redirects there. For the wider choice, see Xero vs QuickBooks.
How much does QuickBooks Self-Employed charge?
New customers can't buy QuickBooks Self-Employed, and Intuit no longer publishes a price for it. Our May 2026 review listed $20/month, which we could not confirm from Intuit in November, so check your own billing if you are an existing subscriber. If you are choosing today, Intuit's self-employed plans are Free ($0), Lite ($10/month as shown on 1 November 2026) and Simple Start ($38/month).
Last verified 1 November 2026 · Feebite Editorial · Independent fees calculator
quickbooks.intuit.com/solopreneur
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.0/5 for existing subscribers. New customers can't buy it.
Best for: existing subscribers who rely on features that don't switch across yet, such as quarterly tax estimates.
Not ideal for: anyone starting today. Choose between the plans below instead.
Fees & Pricing — The Full Picture
The real pricing question has moved from one flat subscription to which of Intuit's current plans you need. These are US prices shown on Intuit's Solopreneur page on 1 November 2026, before any sales tax.
| Plan | Monthly price | Intro offer shown | First-year cost* | Main limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | No credit card needed | $0 | 1 user, 2 invoices, 2 receipts and 5 mileage trips a month, 1 contractor, no accountant access |
| Lite | $10 | 50% off for 3 months | $105 | 1 user, unlimited invoices, receipts and mileage, 3 contractors, no accountant access |
| Simple Start | $38 | 50% off for 3 months | $399 | 1 user with accountant access, general reports, unlimited contractors |
*Our arithmetic: 3 months at the discounted price, then 9 months at the monthly price shown.
Lite pricing is not settled
Treat the Lite price with care, for two reasons:
- A notice built into Intuit's page says it is testing new pricing, and that Lite is $10/month for 3 months, then $20/month. On that pricing, the first year would cost $210, not $105.
- Intuit's terms say the Lite plan may be offered for a limited time. If it ends, Intuit says it will give notice and offer comparable plans.
Go by the price at checkout, including what you will pay after the intro period.
The wider QuickBooks Online range
If you outgrow the solo plans, these are the US prices shown on Intuit's main pricing page on the same date. Each was shown with 50% off for 3 months.
| Plan | Monthly price | Users |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $38 | 1 |
| Essentials | $85 | 3 |
| Plus | $140 | 5 |
| Advanced | $340 | 25 |
Key Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Accounting |
| Pricing | Self-Employed price no longer published; current plans run from $0 to $38/month for solo users |
| Free plan | Not on Self-Employed; yes on the current Free plan |
| Open to new customers | No |
| HQ | Intuit is based in Mountain View, California, USA |
| Best feature | Mileage tracking and quarterly tax estimates, for existing subscribers |
| Worst limitation | Closed to new customers, and not all of your data moves to Solopreneur |
What QuickBooks Self-Employed Actually Does Well
For existing subscribers, QuickBooks Self-Employed still solves a real problem: keeping freelance finances organized without turning accounting into a second job.
Its strongest features remain the practical ones:
- Mileage tracking for freelancers who drive regularly for client work
- Quarterly tax estimates to help avoid nasty surprises at tax time
- Exporting data to TurboTax for U.S. sole proprietors preparing taxes
- A relatively approachable interface compared with heavier accounting systems
This is not full-featured bookkeeping software for growing teams. It is closer to a tax-aware organizer for one-person businesses.
Switching to QuickBooks Solopreneur: What Moves
Intuit can switch your subscription and most of your data automatically. Read this list first, because Intuit's help article recommends waiting if you need something that doesn't move yet.
| Data | Status |
|---|---|
| Customers, trips, products and services, bank connections, receipts | Moves automatically |
| Invoices | Moves only on accounts with the new invoice experience |
| Transactions | Up to 3 years move |
| Rules and quarterly tax estimates | Not yet; Intuit says these will be supported later |
| Third-party app connections (such as Etsy, Uber and Amazon), tags and vendors | Can't be switched over |
Download your records first. Intuit warns that you won't be able to access your old account after the upgrade is complete, so save your reports, transactions, mileage logs, receipts and invoices before you start.
How It Compares
| Name | Fee | Best For | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Self-Employed | Not published; closed to new customers | Existing subscribers only | Fine to stay on for now, but plan your exit |
| QuickBooks Free | $0 | Very light use | Try this first if you send a couple of invoices a month |
| QuickBooks Lite | $10/mo as shown; price under test | Solo workers who need unlimited invoices, receipts and mileage | The likely default, but confirm the ongoing price |
| QuickBooks Simple Start | $38/mo | Solo workers who need an accountant to have access | Worth it mainly for accountant access and fuller reports |
| FreshBooks | Varies | Service freelancers needing invoicing and client-friendly workflows | Usually stronger for invoicing-focused solo businesses |
Pros
- Existing subscribers can stay rather than being forced to move today
- Mileage tracking is genuinely useful for freelancers who drive often for work
- Quarterly tax estimates help solo workers plan for U.S. tax obligations
- Easier to learn than more complex small-business accounting platforms
Cons
- Closed to new customers, so it isn't an option if you are choosing software today
- No published price, which makes it hard to compare
- Quarterly tax estimates, rules, tags, vendors and app connections don't switch to Solopreneur today
- Too lightweight for businesses that need fuller accounting or growth-ready features
Who Should Use QuickBooks Self-Employed
Perfect for: existing U.S. subscribers whose workflow depends on something that doesn't switch to Solopreneur yet.
Skip it if: you are new to QuickBooks, because you can't buy it. Start with the Free or Lite plan instead.
How to Get Started
- If you are new, skip Self-Employed. Start from Intuit's Solopreneur page, and try the Free plan if its limits suit you.
- Check the price after the intro period. Discounts last 3 months, so look for what you will pay from month 4.
- If you are an existing subscriber, check your bill. Compare what you pay now with the current plans.
- Download your records before switching. Intuit warns that the old account closes to you once the upgrade completes.
Is QuickBooks Self-Employed Still Worth It in 2026?
If you already use it and it works, there is no rush, because Intuit says you can continue. Check first that you aren't paying more than the current plans cost, and start planning your exit, since nobody should build on a product that is closed to new customers.
If you are starting today, the question doesn't apply. Compare the Free, Lite and Simple Start plans above, along with Xero if you need more than solo bookkeeping.
Sources checked (November 2026)
- QuickBooks Solopreneur plans: Free, Lite and Simple Start prices, limits, intro offers and the Lite price-test notice and terms
- QuickBooks US pricing: QuickBooks Online plan prices, users and intro offer
- QuickBooks Solopreneur vs. QuickBooks Self-Employed: new customers and existing subscribers. Published by Intuit in July 2024, so its Solopreneur price is out of date.
- Switch from QuickBooks Self-Employed to QuickBooks Solopreneur: what moves and what doesn't (updated by Intuit in August 2026)
- Prices are US prices in USD, checked on 1 November 2026. Intuit can change prices and offers at any time, so confirm them at checkout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does QuickBooks Self-Employed cost in 2026?
Intuit no longer publishes a QuickBooks Self-Employed price, because new customers can't buy it. Existing subscribers keep their subscription and should check their own billing. New customers choose from the self-employed plans Intuit sells now: Free at $0, Lite at $10/month as shown on 1 November 2026, and Simple Start at $38/month. Intuit says it is testing Lite pricing, so go by what checkout shows.
Can I still sign up for QuickBooks Self-Employed?
No. Intuit says current subscribers can continue or upgrade to QuickBooks Solopreneur, while new customers choose from its other products. The old Self-Employed page now redirects to the Solopreneur page.
Is QuickBooks Self-Employed being discontinued?
It is closed to new customers, but Intuit says existing subscribers can continue. We found no end date for existing subscribers on the Intuit pages we read. Intuit offers an automatic switch to Solopreneur, but quarterly tax estimates, rules, tags, vendors and third-party app connections don't move across today.
What does the free QuickBooks plan include?
The $0 Free plan covers 1 user, income and expense tracking, top reports and accepting payments. It limits you to 2 invoices, 2 receipt uploads and 5 mileage trips a month, and 1 contractor. There is no accountant access. It does not need a credit card.
This review was last updated November 2026. Fees and availability may change — always check Intuit's website for the latest information.