Patriot Software vs QuickBooks Online2026
Patriot Software
Accounting & Finance
Affordable US payroll and accounting software designed for small businesses.
QuickBooks Online
Accounting & Finance
The world's most widely used small business accounting software for bookkeeping, payroll, and tax.
Our Verdict
Patriot Software has the pricing advantage ($17/mo vs $35/mo).
Choose Patriot Software if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose QuickBooks Online if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | Patriot Software | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $17/mo | $35/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 6 | 12 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 2012 | 1992 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
Patriot Software
SubscriptionQuickBooks Online
SubscriptionPatriot Software
$17/moQuickBooks Online
$35/moPatriot Software
QuickBooks Online
Patriot Software
30 daysQuickBooks Online
30 daysRatings & Reviews
Patriot Software
No reviews yetQuickBooks Online
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
Patriot Software
small to mid-sized businessesQuickBooks Online
small to mid-sized businessesPatriot Software
6QuickBooks Online
12Company
Patriot Software
2012QuickBooks Online
1992Patriot Software
QuickBooks Online
Key Differences
Patriot Software
$17/mo✓
QuickBooks Online
$35/mo
Patriot Software
6 tracked features
QuickBooks Online
✓12 tracked features
Patriot Software is best for…
Strengths
- Very affordable payroll and accounting
- Handles all payroll tax filings
- US-based customer support
- Simple easy-to-learn interface
QuickBooks Online is best for…
Strengths
- Industry standard — every accountant knows it
- Most comprehensive feature set
- 750+ integrations
- Strong inventory management
Pricing Comparison
Patriot Software
From $17/mo
Basic Payroll from $17/month plus $4/employee. Accounting from $20/month.
QuickBooks Online
From $35/mo
Simple Start from $35/month. Frequent discounts for new customers.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in Patriot Software
- Direct Deposit
- Contractor Payments
Both tools
- Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Payroll Processing
- Automatic Tax Filing
Only in QuickBooks Online
- Bank Reconciliation
- Financial Reporting
- Inventory Management
- Multi-Currency Support
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- API Access
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
Alternatives & More Comparisons
Alternatives to Patriot Software
Alternatives to QuickBooks Online
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between Patriot Software and QuickBooks Online?
- Patriot Software has the pricing advantage ($17/mo vs $35/mo). Choose Patriot Software if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose QuickBooks Online if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is Patriot Software cheaper than QuickBooks Online?
- Patriot Software is cheaper at From $17/mo vs From $35/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from Patriot Software to QuickBooks Online?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from Patriot Software to QuickBooks Online with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. QuickBooks Online offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling Patriot Software.
- Does Patriot Software or QuickBooks Online offer a free trial?
- Both Patriot Software (30 days) and QuickBooks Online (30 days) offer free trials. Try both before committing.
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