QuickBooks Self-Employed remains supported in Canada, and QuickBooks Lite launched in July 2026 as Intuit’s newer plan for freelancers and sole proprietors. Canadian users are no longer limited to moving from QBSE into a full small-business QuickBooks Online plan.
Last reviewed: September 20, 2026. Confirm current availability, migration options, and prices with Intuit before changing subscriptions.
The current QuickBooks choices
Intuit currently describes these Canadian options:
- QuickBooks Self-Employed: Still supported for existing customers.
- QuickBooks Lite: The newer Canadian plan for a business of one, with invoicing, bank feeds, expenses, receipts, mileage, sales tax, and basic reports.
- QuickBooks EasyStart: A broader QuickBooks Online plan for businesses that need features beyond Lite.
- QuickBooks Solopreneur: Not available in Canada.
Read Intuit’s Canadian self-employed plan comparison before assuming an older migration article is still current.
Reasons to stay within QuickBooks
QuickBooks Lite is the direct place to start if you want:
- Automatic bank feeds and transaction reconciliation
- A conventional chart of accounts and balance sheet
- Canadian sales-tax tracking
- Invoicing, receipt capture, and mileage in the same system
- An upgrade path to larger QuickBooks Online plans
Lite starts at about $20 CAD per month before temporary promotions. It does not include accountant access or payroll.
When Accountly is the alternative
Accountly is designed around the recordkeeping and T2125 workflow of a Canadian sole proprietor. It costs $8 CAD per month when billed annually and includes receipt capture, invoicing, mileage, GST/HST records, T2125 categories, and accountant invitations.
The tradeoff is material: Accountly does not offer bank feeds, automatic platform imports, payroll, or a conventional full-ledger accounting system. Choose it when direct T2125 organization and a simpler workflow matter more than automated bank reconciliation.
Review Accountly’s receipt capture, mileage tracking, and reporting workflow. If the tradeoff fits your business, start the 30-day trial before moving your records.
Plan a complete switch
Do not assume that starting from the switch date is enough. A complete tax year still needs all income, expenses, sales taxes, mileage, invoices, and supporting documents from before and after the change.
Before cancelling the old product:
- Export transaction, invoice, receipt, mileage, and tax reports.
- Retain copies in a format you can access without the subscription.
- Reconcile the export to bank and platform records.
- Decide how prior transactions will appear in the new system.
- Confirm record-retention requirements with your accountant.
Frequently asked questions
Is QuickBooks Self-Employed closed in Canada?
Intuit currently says the product remains supported. QuickBooks Lite is its newer recommended plan for Canadian freelancers and sole proprietors.
What replaced QuickBooks Self-Employed in Canada?
QuickBooks Lite is the closest current Canadian option. It launched in July 2026 and is part of the QuickBooks Online platform.
Can Canadians use QuickBooks Solopreneur?
No. Intuit says Solopreneur is US-only. QuickBooks Lite is the Canadian plan aimed at a business of one.
Is Accountly a full QuickBooks replacement?
Not for every business. Accountly is narrower and lacks bank feeds, payroll, and full-ledger accounting. It is an alternative for sole proprietors who prioritize T2125 categories, receipts, mileage, and accountant-ready reports.
Can I discard my old QuickBooks records after switching?
No. Export and retain the records needed to support prior returns and the current tax year, even after the subscription ends.
The information in this guide is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as accounting, tax, business, or legal advice. Accountly does not provide professional services or act as your accountant, tax advisor, or lawyer. No client relationship is created by your use of this material. Always seek advice from qualified professionals who understand your particular circumstances before acting on any information contained herein.