Finance & accounting · Ranked by price to features
10 Best Online Bookkeeping Services of 2026
By the Rankozo research desk · Updated November 10, 2026 · Next review December 25, 2026
Bench is the best online bookkeeping service for small businesses in 2026, with Bookkeeping Light at $199 a month for companies under $250K in revenue and a bookkeeper you can call. Pilot suits businesses with high spend, at $99 a month for up to $100,000 in monthly expenses, and Fincent is the cheapest at $55 a month billed annually for quarterly books.
- Tools ranked
- 10
- With free plan
- 1
- Cheapest paid plan
- Fincent, $55
- per month
By the numbers
- $1,200The median cost per hire for nonexecutive roles at US organizations was $1,200 in 2025, down 27% since 2017, according to SHRM benchmarking of its members.SHRM
- $10,625The median cost per hire for executive roles in the US reached $10,625 in 2025, up 113% from 2017 and 21% from 2022, per SHRM.SHRM
- £3,500UK employers reported a median cost of £3,500 to recruit a senior manager or director in CIPD's 2026 survey.CIPD
- 39 daysThe median time to fill a nonexecutive position at US organizations fell to 39 calendar days in 2026, according to SHRM.SHRM
- 63.0 millionUS employers made 63.0 million hires in 2025, 1.5 million fewer than in 2024, according to BLS annual JOLTS estimates.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 200%Gallup estimates replacing a leader or manager costs around 200% of their salary.Gallup
Comparison table
| Tool | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bench | 01 | 8.7 | 8.6 | $199per month | No |
| Pilot | 02 | 8.6 | 8.8 | $99per month | No |
| Inkle | 03 | 8.4 | 8.6 | $99per month | Yes |
| Fincent | 04 | 8.2 | 8.8 | $55per month | No |
| Bookkeeper360 | 05 | 8.0 | 7.4 | $400per month | No |
| Merritt Bookkeeping | 06 | 8.0 | 8.4 | $250per month | No |
| 1-800Accountant | 07 | 7.7 | 7.2 | $469per month | No |
| Kruze Consulting | 08 | 7.5 | 6.6 | $650per month | No |
| inDinero | 09 | 7.3 | 6.2 | $750per month | No |
| Decimal | 10 | 7.1 | 6.0 | Check price | No |
Click a column to sort. Prices are the cheapest paid plan quoted from each vendor's US pricing page; "Check price" means the US price check is pending.
How this ranking works
One method for every tool. We compared documented features and published prices; we did not run hands-on tests. Value carries the most weight.
Full methodThis list is for small business owners who want to hand the books to someone else and need to know what that costs at their volume. Outsourced bookkeeping is priced in different ways: some services charge one flat fee, others step up by monthly expenses, transaction count or revenue. We compared documented features and published prices from each vendor's own pages in November 2026 and noted the volume limit behind each starting price. Rankozo scores value at 40%, features at 35% and ease of use at 25%, so a low published fee ranks well and a quote-only price counts against a service.
The verdict
Bench gives most small businesses the best mix of price, clarity and access: $199 a month for businesses under $250K in revenue, $399 above that, and a bookkeeper reachable by phone or video. Pilot charges $99 a month for up to $100,000 in monthly expenses, but its entry plan is AI-led with in-app support. Inkle also starts at $99 with a stated 30-transaction limit, and Fincent is the cheapest at $55 a month if quarterly books are enough. Merritt Bookkeeping's flat $250 fee is the easiest to budget at any volume. Bookkeeper360, 1-800Accountant, Kruze, inDinero and Decimal cost more and suit businesses that need weekly closes, tax bundles, accrual books for investors or a controller team.
- 01Top value
Bench
8.7/10Online bookkeeping service with a dedicated bookkeeper, its own software and optional business tax filing.
Price
$199per month
Bookkeeping Light $199 per month for businesses with $250K or less in revenue; Bookkeeping $399 per month; 20% off on a 12-month plan
“Reliable bookkeeping for your micro business.* *For businesses doing $250K a year or less in revenue. $199 /mo” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.6
- Features (35%)
- 8.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 9.0
Best forSmall businesses that want flat monthly bookkeeping with a bookkeeper they can call, priced by revenue band.
Bench ranks first because it publishes a complete price list and ties it to a clear size band. Bookkeeping Light costs $199 a month for businesses doing $250K a year or less in revenue, and the standard Bookkeeping plan costs $399 a month with no revenue cap stated. Both include accurate books, year-end tax-ready financials and unlimited access to a bookkeeper by phone, message and video call. Paying for 12 months up front cuts the price by 20%, to $1,910 a year for Light and $3,830 for Bookkeeping. Bookkeeping + Tax at $649 a month adds licensed tax professionals, end-to-end business tax filing and up to four advisory calls a year. If you already like your QuickBooks Online file, the fractional bookkeeper option works inside it at $55 an hour plus a $1,200 onboarding fee. The main plans keep your books in Bench's own software, so check how you would export them if you leave.
- ✓Every plan price is published, including annual totals
- ✓Light plan at $199 a month for businesses under $250K revenue
- ✓Catch-up for the current year is free with an annual plan
- ✕Light plan is capped at $250K in annual revenue
- ✕Main plans run in Bench software rather than your own ledger
- ✕Monthly Bookkeeping + Tax pricing requires a 12-month commitment
- Cheapest plan:
- Bookkeeping Light, $199 per month
- Volume limit:
- $250K or less in annual revenue on Light
- Annual discount:
- 20% on a 12-month plan
- Tax filing:
- Bookkeeping + Tax at $649 per month
- Catch-up:
- Free for this year's books with an annual plan
Bottom line: The clearest published pricing for outsourced books, with a $199 tier for smaller businesses. Pick it if you want a bookkeeper on call and are happy to work in Bench's software.
- 02
Pilot
8.6/10Bookkeeping, tax and CFO service that pairs AI categorization with US-based bookkeepers on higher plans.
Price
$99per month
Essentials $99 per month for up to $100,000 in monthly expenses; Core and Custom plans priced by sales
“Essentials $99 /month Up to $100,000 in monthly expenses” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.8
- Features (35%)
- 8.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.8
Best forSmall businesses and startups with high monthly spend that want low-cost books and room to add tax and CFO work.
Pilot has the most generous volume allowance at the entry price. Essentials costs $99 a month and covers up to $100,000 in monthly expenses, which is far more spend than most entry plans allow. The trade-off is how the work gets done: on Essentials, AI categorizes transactions, reconciles accounts and closes the books monthly, using data from your bank and credit cards, with support through in-app messaging and a year-end package for your tax preparer. Core adds a US-based bookkeeper who reviews and explains the books, cash or accrual accounting that pulls from payroll, AP, inventory and payment platforms, a custom chart of accounts and reports on the 10th business day, but its price comes from sales. Custom can keep your existing QuickBooks file and adds AR, AP and payroll administration. Tax filing starts at $1,000 a year for single member LLCs and must be bought with Pilot Bookkeeping, and CFO plans start at $1,750 a month billed annually.
- ✓$99 a month covers up to $100,000 in monthly expenses
- ✓Easy upgrade path to accrual books, tax and CFO services
- ✓Instant AI answers about past transactions and cash flow
- ✕Essentials support is in-app messaging, with no dedicated bookkeeper
- ✕Core and Custom prices are not published
- ✕Tax plans must be purchased with Pilot Bookkeeping
- Cheapest plan:
- Essentials, $99 per month
- Volume limit:
- Up to $100,000 in monthly expenses on Essentials
- Accounting basis:
- Cash on Essentials; cash or accrual on Core
- Reports:
- 10th business day on Core, 6th on Custom
- Tax filing:
- From $1,000 a year for single member LLCs
Bottom line: The lowest price per dollar of spend on this list, at $99 for up to $100,000 in monthly expenses. Choose Core if you want a human bookkeeper, but expect to talk to sales for the price.
- 03
Inkle
8.4/10Bookkeeping and US tax service for startups and small businesses, with a free accounting software tier.
Price
$99per month
Bookkeeping from $99 per month billed monthly for up to 30 transactions; price rises with monthly expenses; free Basic software plan
“Monthly $ 99 /month Billed monthly. Cancel anytime.” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- Yes
- Value (40%)
- 8.6
- Features (35%)
- 8.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.4
Best forVery small businesses with low transaction counts that want a dedicated bookkeeper at a low entry price.
Inkle ties its bookkeeping price directly to volume, which makes it easy to see when you will pay more. The pricing page asks for your monthly expenses, and the $99 monthly tier covers $0 to $2.5k in expenses with up to 30 transactions a month on cash-basis accounting, billed monthly with cancel-anytime terms. Above 30 transactions it becomes a full-service plan with a dedicated bookkeeper, monthly review calls, accrual accounting, monthly payroll entries and warnings for state compliance, sales tax and quarterly estimated taxes. Owners who want to do their own books can use the free Basic software plan, which covers up to 2 banks, cash financials, invoicing and bank reconciliation, or Standard at $30 a month for accrual financials and AI receipt matching. Business tax returns start at $850 a year. The limit is that $99 only fits very low volume, so a business with a few hundred transactions should read the price for its own expense band before signing.
- ✓Monthly billing with cancel-anytime terms
- ✓Price scales with your monthly expenses on a published slider
- ✓Business tax filing from $850 a year in the same account
- ✕The $99 starter tier is limited to 30 transactions a month
- ✕Prices above the starter tier depend on your expense band
- ✕Free software plan connects up to 2 banks only
- Cheapest plan:
- $99 per month, billed monthly
- Volume limit:
- Up to 30 transactions a month on the starter tier
- Free plan:
- Yes, Basic accounting software
- Software upgrade:
- Standard at $30 per month or $300 per year
- Tax filing:
- Business returns from $850 a year
Bottom line: A low entry price with a clear volume rule: up to 30 transactions a month for $99. Good for very small businesses, but check the slider price once you grow.
- 04
Fincent
8.2/10Bookkeeping service built on its own finance software, with plans priced by your monthly expenses.
Price
$55per month
Basic from $55 per month billed annually with quarterly bookkeeping; Pro from $189 per month billed monthly; 10% off annual billing
“Basic Plan Starting at $55 /Mo Billed annually” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.8
- Features (35%)
- 7.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forEarly-stage businesses with low annual spend that can live with quarterly bookkeeping to save money.
Fincent is the cheapest way on this list to get a dedicated bookkeeper, as long as quarterly work is enough. Basic starts at $55 a month billed annually and covers businesses with expenses up to $100,000 a year, with quarterly dedicated bookkeeping, cash-basis books and 4 bank or card connections. Pro starts at $189 a month billed monthly and moves to a monthly bookkeeper, cash or accrual books, QuickBooks integration and one call a month, for up to $25K a month in expenses. Advanced starts at $389 a month and adds unlimited bookkeeper calls, project tracking and business tax filing. Fincent's pricing page uses an expense slider and says Pro and Advanced pricing updates automatically, so higher spend raises the price. The add-on table is unusually detailed: invoicing at $39, AP and AR help at $49, 1099 forms at $15 each and quarterly tax at $450 a quarter. Note that the QuickBooks integration requires its own QuickBooks license.
- ✓Lowest starting price on this list at $55 a month
- ✓Published add-on prices, including tax filing and 1099 forms
- ✓Support replies within 24 hours on paid tiers above Basic
- ✕Basic closes books quarterly, not monthly
- ✕Pro and Advanced cover up to $25K a month in expenses at the listed price
- ✕QuickBooks integration needs a separate QuickBooks license
- Cheapest plan:
- Basic, from $55 per month billed annually
- Volume limit:
- Expenses up to $100,000 a year on Basic
- Monthly bookkeeping:
- Pro, from $189 per month
- Bank connections:
- 4 on Basic, 20 on Advanced
- Annual discount:
- 10%
Bottom line: The lowest published entry price at $55 a month, with quarterly books. Move to Pro at $189 when you need monthly closes.
- 05
Bookkeeper360
8.0/10US-based bookkeeping, tax, payroll and fractional CFO firm with its own reporting software.
Price
$400per month
Bookkeeping from $400 per month; tax from $1,200 a year; month-to-month and annual options
“Bookkeeping Monthly & weekly books, done for you. From $400 / month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.4
- Features (35%)
- 8.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forSmall businesses that want weekly or monthly books plus tax and payroll from one US team.
Bookkeeper360 suits businesses that want more than monthly books from a single US team. Bookkeeping starts at $400 a month and includes a dedicated US-based accounting team, cash or accrual books closed monthly or weekly, profit and loss and balance sheet reporting, the Bookkeeper360 software with app integrations and unlimited support from your account team. All plans run month-to-month or annually, with no long-term commitment. The add-on list is long and priced: business tax returns from $1,200, individual returns from $550, sales tax from $125 a month, payroll administration from $200 a month, and setup or prior-period cleanup from $1,000. A fractional CFO starts at $1,600 a month. Pricing scales with the size and complexity of your organization, and the exact plan is set in a consultation, so the $400 figure is a floor rather than a quote. For a simple business with low volume, Pilot, Inkle or Fincent cost less.
- ✓Weekly closes available, which few services here offer
- ✓Month-to-month terms with no long-term commitment
- ✓Broad add-on menu with published starting prices
- ✕Starting price is four times Pilot's or Inkle's entry tier
- ✕Exact monthly price comes from a consultation
- ✕Cleanup and setup work start at $1,000
- Cheapest plan:
- From $400 per month
- Close frequency:
- Monthly or weekly
- Contract:
- Month-to-month or annual
- Tax returns:
- Business from $1,200, individual from $550
- Payroll admin:
- From $200 per month
Bottom line: Weekly closes and a full menu of tax, payroll and CFO add-ons from one US team. The $400 starting price is high for simple books.
- 06
Merritt Bookkeeping
8.0/10Flat-fee QuickBooks bookkeeping service with plain-English monthly reports.
Price
$250per month
$250 per month flat, no tiers or contracts; catch-up work at $200 per month behind
“$250 per month No pricing tiers No Contracts No hidden fees” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 8.4
- Features (35%)
- 7.2
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.6
Best forSmall businesses that want one flat price with no tiers or contracts, whatever their volume.
Merritt Bookkeeping is the simplest price to budget on this list. It charges one $250 monthly fee with no pricing tiers, no contracts and no hidden fees, and it does not publish any transaction cap that would push you to a higher price. Your books are kept in QuickBooks, but you never have to open it: after each month, Merritt moves the data into a spreadsheet that guides you through reviewing its work. Reports come as Fundamental Business Insights, 10 insight reports that each open with a one-sentence summary, followed by standard financial statements for your accountant. If you are behind, catch-up work costs $200 per month behind, or $100 for months that need fewer than 20 transactions entered. Merritt offers a full refund if you are not satisfied within the first 3 months. The limits are scope and access: it lists no tax filing or payroll, and it says it keeps its client roster small, so you may have to wait for an opening.
- ✓Same price at any transaction count, with no contracts
- ✓Full refund if you are not satisfied within the first 3 months
- ✓You do not need to use QuickBooks yourself
- ✕No tax filing, payroll or CFO services listed
- ✕Merritt keeps its client roster small, so openings can be limited
- ✕Single plan offers no extra tiers for complex books
- Price:
- $250 per month
- Volume limit:
- None stated, one flat fee
- Contract:
- None
- Guarantee:
- Full refund within the first 3 months
- Catch-up:
- $200 per month behind, $100 for mostly complete months
Bottom line: A flat $250 a month with no tiers, contracts or volume limits stated. Best for owners who only want monthly books and clear reports.
- 07
1-800Accountant
7.7/10Tax-led accounting firm for small businesses that adds full-service bookkeeping on its top package.
Price
$469per month
Bookkeeping included in Business Complete at $469 per month billed annually; tax-only plans from $209 per month
“$469 /mo *Billed Annually Everything in the Starter plan Full-service bookkeeping with a dedicated bookkeeper starting at 75 monthly transactions” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 7.2
- Features (35%)
- 8.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 8.0
Best forOwners who mainly want tax filing and planning and would like bookkeeping in the same annual package.
1-800Accountant is a tax firm first, and its pricing shows it. The two lower packages, Tax Advisory at $209 a month and Starter at $299 a month, cover a dedicated accountant, year-round tax advice and, on Starter, filing of the personal and business return for one entity, but they do not include done-for-you bookkeeping. That arrives with Business Complete at $469 a month billed annually, which adds full-service bookkeeping with a dedicated bookkeeper starting at 75 monthly transactions, payroll set up and run for the owner, and quarterly estimated taxes. Starter and above also include a ClientBooks software subscription. For an owner who would otherwise pay separately for a tax preparer and a bookkeeper, the bundle can make sense. If you only need books, it is expensive next to Bench or Merritt, and the annual billing means a full-year commitment. The page says 1-800Accountant has served over 100,000 businesses in the last decade.
- ✓Bookkeeping, tax filing and owner payroll in one price
- ✓Dedicated accountant and year-round tax advice
- ✓Add-ons for entity formation and registered agent
- ✕Bookkeeping only comes with the $469 top package
- ✕All three packages are billed annually
- ✕Bookkeeping is framed as starting at 75 monthly transactions, so higher volume may cost more
- Plan with bookkeeping:
- Business Complete, $469 per month
- Volume:
- Starting at 75 monthly transactions
- Billing:
- Annual
- Tax-only plans:
- From $209 per month
- Clients served:
- Over 100,000 businesses in the last decade, per the vendor
Bottom line: Best treated as a tax package with bookkeeping included, at $469 a month billed annually. Owners who only need books will pay less elsewhere.
- 08
Kruze Consulting
7.5/10CPA firm that does accrual bookkeeping, tax and finance work for venture-backed startups.
Price
$650per month
Basic $650 to $850 per month based on complexity; Founder Timesaver $850 to $1,500 per month; Premium by quote
“Based on Complexity $650 - $850 per month” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 6.6
- Features (35%)
- 8.4
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.6
Best forVenture-funded startups that need accrual books ready for investor due diligence.
Kruze Consulting is the right shape for a funded startup and the wrong shape for most local small businesses. Basic costs $650 to $850 a month depending on complexity and already includes accrual-basis bookkeeping, a dedicated accounting manager and a monthly call, with tax services available. Founder Timesaver, at $850 to $1,500 a month, adds GAAP compliant revenue recognition support and optional class or department tracking, and Premium is quoted and can handle multiple entities and consolidation. The firm says its clients have collectively raised over $15 billion in venture funding, and the pages focus on preparing books for due diligence. Publishing a price range is more than many startup firms do, and accrual books by default save a later conversion. For a business that just needs cash-basis books and a tax-ready year end, though, Kruze costs several times what Bench, Pilot or Merritt charge, and its strengths will go unused.
- ✓Accrual books by default, which investors expect
- ✓Published price ranges for two of three plans
- ✓Tax services available on every plan
- ✕Most expensive published entry price after inDinero
- ✕Revenue recognition is not on Basic
- ✕Built around VC-backed startups, not local small businesses
- Cheapest plan:
- Basic, $650 to $850 per month
- Accounting basis:
- Accrual on all plans
- Revenue recognition:
- Founder Timesaver and Premium
- Multi-entity:
- Available on Premium
- Pricing basis:
- Complexity
Bottom line: Accrual books and startup finance know-how from $650 a month. Worth it if investors will read your financials, overkill if not.
- 09
inDinero
7.3/10Outsourced accounting firm with a dedicated controller team for established and growing companies.
Price
$750per month
Essential from $750 per month; Growth from $1,250 per month; Executive custom
“Starting at $750 per month Essential Perfect for simple financial structures and processes” Quoted from the pricing page, November 10, 2026.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 6.2
- Features (35%)
- 8.6
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.4
Best forEstablished companies with complex books that want a controller team in QuickBooks Online or NetSuite.
inDinero sells a finance department rather than a bookkeeper. Essential starts at $750 a month for simple financial structures, and Growth starts at $1,250 a month with accrual accounting managed by experienced controllers and the option to scale on QuickBooks Online or NetSuite. Executive is custom and adds revenue recognition and budget analysis. Every plan is customized around a dedicated controller and team, monthly reconciliations, AR and AP processing, employee reimbursements, inventory reconciliation, payroll support, cash flow statements and forecasts, and multi-entity consolidation. Its FAQ says you do not need to leave QuickBooks, since inDinero works as a companion to your QuickBooks Online account, and it offers monthly, quarterly and annual payment options. Senior controllers and CFOs can add board reports, financial models and capital raise support. That depth is the reason it ranks low here: for a small business with a few hundred transactions a month, $750 is a high floor and the price is set by quote.
- ✓Works as a companion to your existing QuickBooks Online file
- ✓Monthly, quarterly and annual payment options
- ✓CFO-level help with projections, budgets and capital raises
- ✕Highest entry price on this list at $750 a month
- ✕Exact price comes from a quote
- ✕More than most very small businesses need
- Cheapest plan:
- Essential, from $750 per month
- Next tier:
- Growth, from $1,250 per month
- Ledgers supported:
- QuickBooks Online or NetSuite
- Payment options:
- Monthly, quarterly or annual
- Multi-entity:
- Yes, with consolidation
Bottom line: A controller-led accounting team with NetSuite support from $750 a month. Choose it when your books have outgrown a single bookkeeper.
- 10
Decimal
7.1/10Outsourced bookkeeping, bill pay, payroll and tax firm that works in QuickBooks Online for a fixed monthly fee.
- Free plan
- No
- Value (40%)
- 6.0
- Features (35%)
- 8.0
- Ease of use (25%)
- 7.6
Best forMulti-location and service businesses that want a fixed monthly fee set by transaction volume and scope.
Decimal is the most direct about how volume sets the price, but it does not publish the price itself. Its bookkeeping FAQ says cost depends on your transaction volume, how many accounts and entities you have, and which services you need, and that it charges a fixed monthly fee for that scope with no hourly billing. The service includes a monthly close, bank and credit card reconciliation matched and verified daily, journal entries and accruals, a P&L, balance sheet and cash flow report reviewed by your team, a dedicated accounting team and a client portal. Decimal works in QuickBooks Online and offers a conversion if you are on another platform, and it can add bill pay, expense management, invoicing, payroll support and tax. It also has industry pages for ecommerce, home services, dental practices and multi-location businesses. Without a public price you need a sales call to compare it, which is why it ranks last on value.
- ✓Fixed monthly fee with no hourly billing
- ✓Daily reconciliation rather than month-end only
- ✓Industry focus pages for ecommerce, home services, dental and multi-location
- ✕No published prices
- ✕Fee depends on transaction volume, accounts and entities
- ✕Works in QuickBooks Online, so other ledgers need a conversion
- Pricing model:
- Fixed monthly fee based on scope
- Price drivers:
- Transaction volume, accounts, entities and services
- Ledger:
- QuickBooks Online
- Reconciliation:
- Daily
- Clients:
- 1,000+ per the vendor
Bottom line: Daily reconciliation and a fixed fee set by your transaction volume, with no public price list. Book a call only if you want a QuickBooks Online team with industry depth.
What to check before you pay
Find out what volume each price covers
Starting prices only mean something next to the volume they allow. Inkle's $99 tier covers up to 30 transactions a month, Pilot's $99 Essentials covers up to $100,000 in monthly expenses, Fincent Basic at $55 covers expenses up to $100,000 a year, and Bench Light at $199 is for businesses with $250K or less in yearly revenue. 1-800Accountant describes its bookkeeping as starting at 75 monthly transactions. Merritt Bookkeeping charges $250 with no tiers at all.
Price your own month
Count last month's bank and card transactions and total expenses, then read each pricing page at that level. A business with 40 transactions and $8,000 in expenses has outgrown Inkle's starter tier but still fits Pilot Essentials, Fincent Pro and Bench Light. Fincent and Inkle use expense sliders, so their price changes as you move up. Decimal, Kruze and inDinero set fees by volume and complexity in a quote.
Decide who you need to talk to
Some low prices come with less human contact. Pilot Essentials uses AI to categorize and reconcile, with support through in-app messaging, and a US-based bookkeeper starts on Core. Fincent Basic works quarterly and Pro includes one call a month. Bench includes unlimited access to your bookkeeper by phone, message and video call from its $199 tier.
Check the ledger and the extras
Merritt, Decimal and inDinero work in QuickBooks, and inDinero also supports NetSuite. Bench keeps its main plans in its own software. If you also need a tax return, compare bundles: Bench Bookkeeping + Tax costs $649 a month, Fincent Advanced at $389 includes business tax filing, and 1-800Accountant includes bookkeeping only in its $469 package. Catch-up work is billed separately at most firms, though Bench catches up the current year free with an annual plan.
FAQ
How much does an online bookkeeping service cost per month?
Published starting prices on this list run from $55 a month at Fincent, billed annually, to $750 a month at inDinero. Pilot and Inkle start at $99, Bench at $199, Merritt Bookkeeping at $250 and Bookkeeper360 at $400. Each starting price carries a volume limit, such as 30 transactions a month at Inkle or $250K in yearly revenue on Bench Light.
Does transaction volume change the price of outsourced bookkeeping?
Usually, yes. Inkle, Fincent and Pilot raise prices with monthly expenses or transactions, Bench sets its Light plan by revenue, and Decimal says its fixed fee depends on transaction volume, accounts and entities. Merritt Bookkeeping is the exception, with one $250 fee and no pricing tiers.
What is the cheapest online bookkeeping service?
Fincent Basic starts at $55 a month billed annually for businesses with expenses up to $100,000 a year, but it closes the books quarterly. For monthly bookkeeping, Pilot Essentials and Inkle both start at $99 a month, with different volume limits.
Do online bookkeeping services file taxes?
Several do, for an added fee. Bench Bookkeeping + Tax costs $649 a month, Fincent Advanced at $389 a month includes business tax filing, Inkle business returns start at $850 a year and Pilot tax filing starts at $1,000 a year for single member LLCs. Merritt Bookkeeping lists no tax filing.
Can I keep using QuickBooks with an outsourced bookkeeper?
Yes, with the right provider. Merritt Bookkeeping and Decimal work in QuickBooks, inDinero works as a companion to your QuickBooks Online account, and Bench offers a fractional bookkeeper inside your QuickBooks Online file at $55 an hour plus onboarding. Pilot keeps your existing QuickBooks account on its Custom plan.
Questions or corrections: editorial@rankozo.comSee our disclosure. Prices change; confirm on the vendor page before buying.
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