2026 Comparison Guide

CogniFlow Books vs QuickBooks for Contractors

QuickBooks is built for accountants. CogniFlow Books is built for contractors. See why plumbers, electricians, HVAC technicians, and home service businesses are making the switch.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

See exactly what you get with CogniFlow Books vs QuickBooks Online.

Feature	CogniFlow Books	QuickBooks
AI-Powered Estimates Describe a job and get a full estimate with line items, scope of work, and pricing generated by AI.
Price Check Technology Verify profit margins on every estimate before sending to customers.
Custom Payment Schedules Built-in 50/40/10, 50/30/20, deposit billing, and fully custom schedules.
Scope of Work Documents AI generates professional scope of work documents attached to estimates.
Job Costing Track labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs per project.
Professional Invoices Branded invoices with payment tracking and automatic reminders.
Employee Payroll CogniFlow Books includes payroll. QuickBooks charges $45-$125/mo extra.		Paid Add-on
Timesheet Management Built-in timesheets with overtime calculations included free.		Paid Add-on
Document Attachments Attach contracts, photos, permits to estimates and invoices.
AI Business Assistant CFB Assist provides revenue forecasting, expense analysis, and financial recommendations.
Mobile-Friendly Create estimates and invoices from your phone on the job site.
Accounts Receivable/Payable Track aging invoices and manage vendor bills.
Bank Transaction Import Import and categorize bank transactions automatically.
Financial Reports P&L statements, expense reports, revenue analysis, and more.
Multi-State Payroll Taxes Calculate federal and state payroll taxes for all 50 states.		Paid Add-on
Contractor-Specific Design Every feature built specifically for contractors and home service businesses.

5 Reasons Contractors Switch from QuickBooks to CogniFlow Books

QuickBooks Is Overkill for Most Contractors

QuickBooks was built for accountants and large businesses. Contractors need fast estimates, simple invoices, and job tracking — not journal entries and complex chart of accounts setup.

Hidden Costs Add Up Fast

QuickBooks charges $30-$200/mo for the base plan, then $45-$125/mo for payroll, plus fees for time tracking, payments, and more. CogniFlow Books includes everything for $49-$89/mo.

No AI Features in QuickBooks

CogniFlow Books uses AI to generate estimates, write scope of work documents, check pricing margins, and provide business recommendations. QuickBooks has nothing comparable.

Setup Takes Minutes, Not Days

Most contractors spend days setting up QuickBooks with an accountant. CogniFlow Books is ready to use in under 2 minutes with no accounting knowledge required.

Built by Contractors, for Contractors

CogniFlow Books was designed by people who understand contracting workflows. Every feature makes sense for how contractors actually work in the field.

Pricing: CogniFlow Books vs QuickBooks

CogniFlow Books includes everything. QuickBooks charges extra for essentials.

CogniFlow Books

Simple$59/mo

Unlimited estimates & invoices
Unlimited customers
AI estimates & Price Check
Employees & payroll
Bank transactions
Up to 3 users

Advanced$89/mo

Everything in Simple
Document uploads & management
Accounts receivable/payable
Advanced reports
CFB Assist AI
Unlimited users
Priority support

QuickBooks Online

Simple Start$30/mo

Income & expense tracking
Invoicing
Basic reports
1 user only
No estimates

Plus$85/mo

Everything in Simple Start
Estimates
Up to 5 users
Project profitability
Inventory tracking

Payroll Add-on+$45-$125/mo

Tax calculations
Direct deposit
W-2s
Required for any payroll

Ready to switch from QuickBooks?

Join contractors who are saving time and money with CogniFlow Books. Set up in under 2 minutes.

Set up in under 2 minutes.

See why CogniFlow Books is rated #1 for contractors