QuickBooks Online wins on more features overall (7 vs 3, 9 tied). Below is the full feature-by-feature breakdown.
| Feature | Clear Books | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan |
✗ No
30-day trial
|
✗ No
30-day trial only
|
| Entry paid plan |
— Paid add-on
From ~AU$15/mo
|
— Paid add-on
AU$33/mo Simple Start, AU$49/mo Essentials
|
| Download PDF without signup |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Feature | Clear Books | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited invoices |
— Limited
|
— Limited
Simple Start caps at 20 invoices/month
|
| Custom logo & branding |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Recurring invoices |
✓ Yes
|
— Paid add-on
Essentials plan and above
|
| Email invoices to clients |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Multi-currency |
✓ Yes
|
— Paid add-on
Plus plan only
|
| Client management |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Clear Books | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| ATO-compliant GST invoices |
— Limited
UK VAT focused
|
✓ Yes
|
| ABN field built in |
— Limited
Custom field workaround
|
✓ Yes
|
| Australian-focused support |
✗ No
|
— Limited
US-headquartered, AU support via partner network
|
| Feature | Clear Books | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Bank reconciliation |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Expense tracking |
— Limited
|
✓ Yes
|
| Payroll |
✗ No
|
— Paid add-on
+AU$5/mo per employee
|
| Inventory tracking |
✗ No
|
— Paid add-on
Plus plan only
|
| Feature | Clear Books | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe payments |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Mobile app |
— Limited
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Clear Books | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time |
— Limited
Account signup required
|
✗ No
30+ minute guided setup
|
Neither tool fits your invoicing-only workflow? Try InvoiceSonic — free for unlimited ATO-compliant tax invoices, no signup required.
Create a free invoice now →Clear Books starts at From ~AU$15/mo; QuickBooks Online starts at AU$33/mo (Simple Start). Clear Books offers 30-day trial. QuickBooks Online offers 30-day free trial.
For ATO-compliant GST: Clear Books = limited, QuickBooks Online = yes. For native ABN field: Clear Books = limited, QuickBooks Online = yes. If you operate in Australia and either tool falls short here, InvoiceSonic handles both natively — and it's free.
Most freelancers want fast invoicing without paying for full accounting. Between these two, QuickBooks Online wins more categories overall. But if you're a freelancer who just wants ATO-compliant tax invoices for free, InvoiceSonic is purpose-built for that workflow.
Do not assume a one-click migration. Confirm each product's current export and import formats, then test contacts, opening balances, unpaid invoices, tax codes, attachments and reconciliations before cancelling the old account. Keep statutory records outside both systems.
Both tools include more than invoicing. If invoicing is your only need, a dedicated generator can be faster and more focused than a full accounting subscription.
Yes — InvoiceSonic lets you create and download an invoice without signup. Its account plans have separate limits and pricing, so compare current official plans before deciding.