QuickBooks Price Hikes in 2025: What It Means for Your Small Business—and How to Manage Costs

The Sticker Shock Is Real

If you've recently checked your QuickBooks subscription renewal notice, you might have done a double-take. You're not imagining things—Intuit is rolling out significant price increases across their QuickBooks product line in 2025, and small business owners are feeling the pinch.

As your trusted accounting partner, we want to break down exactly what's happening with these price hikes, what they mean for your bottom line, and most importantly, how to navigate these changes without derailing your business budget.

Breaking Down the 2025 QuickBooks Price Increases

Let's get straight to the numbers. Here's what you can expect to see changing in your QuickBooks subscriptions:

QuickBooks Online Plans

• Simple Start: Increasing from $25 to $38 per month—a whopping 52% jump

• Plus: Rising from $70 to $115 per month—that's a 64% increase over five years

• Advanced: Climbing from $150 to $275, representing an 83% increase since 2020

QuickBooks Payroll

• Monthly base fees are increasing by 3-8%

• Per-employee fees will jump by 9-11%

For Accounting Professionals

• QuickBooks Desktop Accountant: Brace yourself for a massive 50% price increase

• Premier ProAdvisor Bundle: Going from $999 to $1,499 annually

Other Products

• Various increases for Enterprise solutions and integrated payroll services

Why Is Intuit Raising Prices?

Intuit's official stance points to continued investment in AI-driven features and platform improvements. They're emphasizing how these enhancements will:

• Automate tedious bookkeeping tasks

• Improve accuracy in financial reporting

• Provide deeper integration with third-party business tools

• Create more customizable workflows

• Enable better collaboration between business owners and their financial professionals

While these improvements sound promising, the reality is that these increases far outpace inflation and represent some of the steepest hikes we've seen in the accounting software market.

The Real Impact on Your Small Business

For a small business watching every dollar, these increases are significant. Let's put this in perspective:

A business using QuickBooks Online Plus will pay $540 more annually than they did in 2020. That's equivalent to:

• A month of marketing expenses for many small businesses

• Several months of utilities

• A part-time employee for a week

• A new computer or essential office equipment

For businesses with employees, the payroll fee increases compound the impact, adding hundreds or even thousands to annual operating costs depending on your team size.

7 Smart Strategies to Manage QuickBooks Cost Increases

While these price hikes might seem daunting, you have options. Here are practical ways to manage the impact:

1. Audit Your Current Subscription

Are you on the right plan for your needs? Many businesses pay for features they never use. Consider:

• Downgrading if you don't need all the features in your current plan

• Removing unused add-ons or integrations

• Consolidating multiple subscriptions if possible

2. Pre-pay for Longer Terms

If you have the cash flow, consider:

• Locking in current rates with annual billing before prices increase

• Looking for promotional offers that might offset some costs

3. Negotiate with Intuit

Especially for long-term customers or those with multiple products:

• Contact customer service to discuss loyalty discounts

• Ask about special rates for non-profits or seasonal businesses

• Inquire about bundle discounts if using multiple Intuit products

4. Explore Alternative Solutions

The accounting software market has evolved significantly:

• Xero offers competitive features at potentially lower price points

• FreshBooks might suit service-based businesses with simpler needs

• Wave provides free accounting software for very small businesses with basic needs

5. Optimize Your Workflows

Get more value from what you're paying for:

• Take advantage of automation features to save time

• Use report templates to streamline financial analysis

• Leverage bank feeds and rules to reduce manual data entry

• Set up recurring transactions for regular expenses and income

6. Consider Hybrid Approaches

You might not need to abandon QuickBooks entirely:

• Use QuickBooks for core accounting but switch to more affordable solutions for payroll

• Maintain QuickBooks for financial reporting but use free tools for invoicing or expense tracking

7. Work with a ProAdvisor

As a QuickBooks Online Trainer, I can help you:

• Optimize your QuickBooks setup to ensure you're getting maximum value

• Train your team to use features efficiently

• Streamline your processes to save time and money

• Evaluate if QuickBooks remains the right solution for your business

The Hidden Opportunity in These Price IncreasesT

While nobody likes paying more, these price hikes create an excellent opportunity to:

1. Reassess your financial systems: Are they truly serving your business needs?

2. Eliminate redundancies: Many businesses pay for overlapping software solutions

3. Upgrade your financial literacy: Understanding your numbers better means you can make smarter decisions, regardless of the tools you use

4. Build more resilient systems: Diversifying your financial tools can protect you from future price shocks

   
   

How Your Business Accountant Can Help

As these changes roll out, we're here to support you through the transition. Our services include:

• QuickBooks Health Checks: We'll review your current setup and identify optimization opportunities

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: We'll help you determine if the new pricing justifies the benefits for your specific business

• Migration Assistance: If you decide to switch platforms, we can help ensure a smooth transition

• One-on-One Training: Maximize your efficiency with personalized training on QuickBooks or alternative platforms

• Strategic Planning: We'll help you adjust your financial workflows to accommodate these changes without disrupting your business

Making the Right Decision for Your Business

Every business is unique, and there's no one-size-fits-all solution to these price increases. Consider:

• How central is QuickBooks to your current operations?

• What would the learning curve be to switch platforms?

• How much time do your team members currently spend in QuickBooks?

• Are there features you absolutely can't live without?

• How will these increases affect your profitability in the coming year?

Next Steps: Don't Wait Until the Last Minute

With price increases looming, now is the time to evaluate your options:

1. Review your current QuickBooks subscription and identify exactly what features you're using regularly

2. Calculate the actual impact of these increases on your annual budget

3. Schedule a consultation with us to discuss your specific situation

4. Explore alternatives if the new pricing structure doesn't align with your budget

5. Make a transition plan well before your renewal date to avoid rushed decisions

The Bottom Line

QuickBooks price increases are significant, but with proper planning, they don't have to derail your business finances. Whether you choose to stay with Intuit, explore alternatives, or adopt a hybrid approach, the key is making an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and budget.

At Your Business Accountant, we're committed to helping you navigate these changes with confidence. Reach out today to discuss your options and ensure your financial systems continue to support your business success—without breaking the bank.

Ready to review your QuickBooks strategy? Contact us for a personalized consultation.