I made a spreadsheet last week that made me angry.
I've been using QuickBooks for my consulting business since 2020. Like most people, I signed up, entered my credit card, and tried not to think about the monthly charge. It's just "the cost of doing business," right?
Then I got the email. Another price increase. My "Simple Start" plan was going from $35/month to $38/month. That's when I finally did what I should have done years ago: I calculated the real cost.
The Spreadsheet That Changed Everything
Here's my actual QuickBooks billing history over 5 years:
| Year | Monthly Rate | Annual Cost | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $25/month | $300 | — |
| 2021 | $30/month | $360 | +20% |
| 2022 | $35/month | $420 | +17% |
| 2023 | $37/month | $444 | +6% |
| 2024 | $38/month | $456 | +3% |
| 5-Year Total | $1,980 | +52% | |
Let that sink in. QuickBooks increased my rate by 52% in 5 years. My $25/month "deal" turned into $38/month—and there's no reason to think it will stop.
But Wait, It Gets Worse
That $1,980 is just for Simple Start—the most basic plan. Here's what happens if you need more features:
If You Need Multi-Currency
Simple Start doesn't include multi-currency. You need Plus, which is currently $90/month ($1,080/year). Over 5 years with similar increases? You're looking at $5,000+.
If You Have Multiple Businesses
QuickBooks charges per company. Two businesses? Double the cost. Three businesses? Triple. I have a friend with 4 LLCs who pays $152/month just for basic accounting.
If You Need Payroll
Payroll is extra. The cheapest option is $50/month + $6 per employee. A 5-person company pays an additional $80/month ($960/year) on top of their accounting subscription.
The 12-Year Projection (This Is The Scary Part)
I projected out what QuickBooks will likely cost over 12 years, assuming they continue their historical 8-10% annual increases:
| Timeframe | QuickBooks (projected) | With Price Lock |
|---|---|---|
| Years 1-3 | $1,500 | $897 |
| Years 4-6 | $1,900 | $897 |
| Years 7-9 | $2,300 | $897 |
| Years 10-12 | $2,800 | $897 |
| 12-Year Total | $8,500+ | $3,588 |
12-Year Savings with Price Lock
That's money that could go toward growing your business, not enriching Intuit shareholders.
Why Does QuickBooks Keep Raising Prices?
Simple: because they can.
Once you're in QuickBooks, switching feels painful. Your data is in their cloud. Your accountant uses it. Your workflows depend on it. They know you're unlikely to leave, so they raise prices every year and you pay it.
This is the subscription trap. And it's working—Intuit's revenue from QuickBooks has grown 15-20% annually, largely from price increases on existing customers.
Fun fact: Intuit's CEO made $24 million in 2023. Your subscription increases helped pay for that.
What I Did About It
After staring at my spreadsheet, I started looking for alternatives. My requirements were simple:
- Full double-entry accounting (I'm not going back to spreadsheets)
- Multi-currency support (I have international clients)
- Ability to import my QuickBooks data
- Price stability (no more annual increases)
I found a few options, but one stood out: BizBooks Pro offers a 12-year price lock guarantee. The price you pay when you sign up is your price for 12 years. It's in writing.
Their Basic plan is $299/year. If I stay for 12 years, I'll pay exactly $3,588 total. Compare that to my projected $8,500+ for QuickBooks.
The Switch Was Easier Than Expected
I'll be honest—I expected the migration to be a nightmare. It wasn't.
- Exported my QuickBooks data as an IIF file (took 2 minutes)
- Imported into BizBooks Pro (took 5 minutes)
- Verified my chart of accounts and balances (took 10 minutes)
Total switching time: about 20 minutes. I spent more time making that angry spreadsheet.
The Bottom Line
If you're using QuickBooks, I challenge you to do what I did: add up what you've actually paid over the years. Then project forward another 10 years with 8-10% annual increases.
The number will probably make you angry too.
The good news is you have options. Whether it's BizBooks Pro, Xero, Wave, or something else—you don't have to accept endless price increases as "just the cost of doing business."
Your business deserves better. Your budget deserves better.
Ready to Lock Your Price for 12 Years?
Try BizBooks Pro free for 30 days. Import your QuickBooks data and see the difference.
Start Free TrialFrequently Asked Questions
Is the 12-year price lock real?
Yes. It's a binding commitment. The rate you sign up at is your rate for 12 years, guaranteed in writing.
What if BizBooks Pro raises prices for new customers?
New customers pay the new rate. Your rate stays locked. That's the whole point.
Can I really import my QuickBooks data?
Yes. BizBooks Pro imports QuickBooks IIF files, which include your chart of accounts, customers, vendors, and transactions.
What if I need help switching?
Email support is included. They'll help you with the migration at no extra charge.