QuickBooks vs Relay: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for QuickBooks and Relay side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, QuickBooks leads on higher user rating; Relay leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
QuickBooks
Small business accounting software
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard
Relay
Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Relay | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $38/mo, billed monthly Simple Start plan | Free plan, paid from $30/mo, billed monthly Grow plan |
Category | Accounting Invoicing | Finance Accounting |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 405 reviews | 4.2/5 G2 4.2 31 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | 50% introductory discount expires after 3 months, doubling your bill overnight | n/a |
Choose QuickBooks or Relay?
Choose QuickBooks if
- You want industry standard
- You want easy to use
- You work in accounting, not finance
Choose Relay if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want good for small business
- You want no hidden fees
- Budget matters ($30/mo, billed monthly vs $38/mo, billed monthly)
- You work in finance, not accounting
In-Depth Analysis
QuickBooks
Small business accounting software
Watch out
50% introductory discount expires after 3 months, doubling your bill overnight
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Great integrations
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be expensive
- Con: Learning curve for advanced features
Key features
Relay
Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
Relay's pricing is quite generous, especially with a robust free 'Starter' tier offering 20 checking accounts and 1.03% APY on savings.
Strengths
- Pro: Good for small business
- Pro: No hidden fees
- Pro: Multiple accounts
- Pro: Profit First friendly
- Pro: Good mobile app
Weaknesses
- Con: Fewer features than Mercury
- Con: Limited integrations
- Con: No interest on checking
- Con: Smaller startup focus
- Con: Some limitations
Key features
Plans and prices: QuickBooks vs Relay
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks |
| quickbooks.intuit.com read Sep 29, 2026 |
| Relay |
| relayfi.com/pricing read Oct 30, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on QuickBooks pricing and Relay pricing.
Key Takeaways
QuickBooks
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 4.2/5
Relay
- Lower entry price: $30/mo, billed monthly vs $38/mo, billed monthly
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, QuickBooks leads on higher user rating; Relay leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- QuickBooks has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 405 reviews for QuickBooks, 4.2/5 from 31 reviews for Relay).
- Relay has the lower entry price: $30/mo, billed monthly (Grow) against $38/mo, billed monthly (Simple Start) for QuickBooks.
- Only Relay has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do QuickBooks and Relay compare in 2026?
On the data below, QuickBooks leads on higher user rating; Relay leads on lower entry price and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. QuickBooks has the higher user rating (4.4/5 from 405 reviews for QuickBooks, 4.2/5 from 31 reviews for Relay). Relay has the lower entry price: $30/mo, billed monthly (Grow) against $38/mo, billed monthly (Simple Start) for QuickBooks. Only Relay has a free plan.
What are QuickBooks and Relay used for?
QuickBooks: Small business accounting software. Relay: Online business banking for clear cash flow, meticulous organization, and financial control.
What does QuickBooks cost vs Relay?
QuickBooks's cheapest paid plan is Simple Start at $38/mo, billed monthly. Relay's cheapest paid plan is Grow at $30/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 30, 2026.
What's the main difference between QuickBooks and Relay?
QuickBooks's main strength: industry standard. Relay's main strength: good for small business.