Last updated: September 22, 2026
Intuit has launched QuickBooks Free, a $0-per-month plan with no end date, aimed at solo business owners. TechRepublic reported the launch on September 19. The plan comes with strict monthly limits, and it does not let you add an accountant or bookkeeper to the account.
The short answer
QuickBooks Free costs $0 a month and has no end date. It includes one bank connection, two invoices and one estimate a month, two manual receipt uploads, one 1099 contractor, five mileage trips and three reports. It is limited to one user, and you can’t invite an accountant. That makes it a starter plan for very low-volume businesses. If your accountant works in your books, it won’t work for you.
What happened
Intuit describes QuickBooks Free as a permanent $0 plan with monthly caps for solo owners. According to Fit Small Business, you don’t need a credit card to sign up, and the next tier up, QuickBooks Lite, costs $20 a month.
QuickBooks Free limits at a glance
| Feature | QuickBooks Free limit |
|---|---|
| Users | 1 (no accountant/bookkeeper access) |
| Connected bank accounts | 1 |
| Invoices | 2/month (unlimited if you set up QuickBooks Payments) |
| Estimates | 1/month |
| Manual receipt uploads | 2/month |
| 1099 contractors | 1 |
| Mileage trips | 5/month |
| Reports | 3 (profit and loss, balance sheet, quick account report) |
| Not included | Payroll, bill management, inventory, integrations, advanced tax features |
Sources: Intuit; Fit Small Business review.
Why it matters
Free accounting software isn’t new. Wave, Zoho Books and ZipBooks have offered free tiers for years. What’s different is that QuickBooks is the software most accountants already use. A free entry plan could bring solo owners into QuickBooks early, and Intuit expects some of them to upgrade later.
One detail stands out. Invoices are capped at two a month unless you set up QuickBooks Payments, and then they’re unlimited. That means the free plan is also a way to get owners onto Intuit’s payment processing, where Intuit earns a fee on each transaction.
How it compares
| Free plan | Notable strength | First paid tier |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Free | Uses the same system most accountants already work in | QuickBooks Lite, $20/mo |
| Wave Starter | Unlimited invoicing | Wave Pro, $19/mo |
| Zoho Books Free | Lets your accountant work in the account | Standard, $20/mo |
| ZipBooks Starter | Unlimited invoices, one bank feed | Smarter, $15/mo |
Source: Fit Small Business.
What this means for solo owners and freelancers
- It fits if you send only a few invoices a month, use one business bank account, and do your own year-end work or give your preparer a P&L.
- It doesn’t fit if your bookkeeper or CPA works directly in your file. Because the plan has no accountant access, you would end up exporting reports every month.
- Two receipt uploads a month isn’t enough for good records. If you have more deductible receipts than that, store them somewhere else in an organized way. The IRS expects you to support deductions, not just record them.
- Plan for growth. If you expect to add payroll, inventory or a second bank account within a year, compare the paid tiers now. Moving your books to another system later costs more time than you save by starting free.
- Keep business and personal money separate. The single bank connection should be a dedicated business account. Free software won’t fix bookkeeping problems caused by mixing personal and business spending.
FAQ
Is QuickBooks Free really free?
Yes. It costs $0 a month, has no end date, and doesn’t require a credit card to sign up. It does have monthly usage limits.
Can my accountant access QuickBooks Free?
No. The plan supports one user and doesn’t let you invite an accountant or bookkeeper.
Does QuickBooks Free include payroll?
No. Payroll, bill management, inventory and integrations are not included.
How many invoices can I send with QuickBooks Free?
Two a month. Invoicing becomes unlimited if you set up QuickBooks Payments.
What is the next plan up?
According to Fit Small Business, the next tier is QuickBooks Lite at $20 a month.
The bottom line
QuickBooks Free is a real $0 plan, but it is built to get very small businesses started, not to run a growing business’s books. It suits side businesses and very new solo owners. If you already work with a bookkeeper, the lack of accountant access means you should look at a paid plan instead.
