Compare
BlueSkies vs Bench vs Pilot vs QuickBooks Live vs a Local CPA
How the most common bookkeeping options stack up for a home service business, including where the others are a better fit than we are.
Side by side
| Option | Starting price | Tax returns included? | Built for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueSkies | From $247/mo, by revenue | Yes, through our partner CPA firm, quoted separately | Home service businesses only | Owners who want trade-specific books, job costing and a person who answers |
| Bench | $199/mo under $250K revenue; $399/mo standard | Only on the $649/mo plan | Any small business | Owners who want a known national brand and annual-plan discounts |
| Pilot | $99/mo for the AI-driven plan | No, from $1,000/yr extra | Startups and venture-backed companies | Funded startups |
| QuickBooks Live | About $300 to $700/mo plus QuickBooks (third-party reviews; Intuit does not list prices) | No tax filing or advice | Any QuickBooks user | Owners who want everything inside Intuit |
| 1-800Accountant | $299/mo billed annually; $469/mo with a bookkeeper | Yes | Any small business | Owners who want taxes and books in one annual contract |
| Merritt Bookkeeping | $250/mo flat | No | Any small business | Simple books, email-only contact, lowest hassle |
| Local bookkeeper or CPA | Varies; CPAs often $250 to $400/hr | Usually | Your area | Owners who want to meet in person |
| In-house bookkeeper | About $24/hr part-time; $50,670/yr median full-time | No | Your business | Larger teams with daily paperwork |
| Do it yourself | $38 to $340/mo for QuickBooks | No | Anyone | Businesses under $200K with time to spare |
Prices are from each company's own published pricing unless noted, checked October 2026. In-house pay is from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and ZipRecruiter. Prices change, so check before you decide.
Where each one wins
Bench
Publishes every price and includes current-year catch-up free on annual plans. Worth knowing: Bench shut down suddenly in December 2024 and was acquired by Employer.com days later.
Pilot
Excellent for funded startups that need investor-ready books. Tax prep is sold separately.
QuickBooks Live
Keeps everything inside Intuit. Intuit says it does not include tax filing or advice, and cleanup is priced in the first month.
1-800Accountant
Bundles taxes and books in one plan. Reviewers often mention the annual commitment and refund limits.
Merritt Bookkeeping
The simplest flat price we found, with a 3-month money-back guarantee. Contact is by email only.
A local CPA or bookkeeper
This is who we lose most deals to, and for good reason. If having your bookkeeper and CPA in the same office matters to you, that is a real advantage we cannot match.
Doing it yourself
Under about $200K in revenue, with clean accounts and some free evenings, DIY is often the cheapest sensible option.
Where BlueSkies is different
- ✓We only work with home service businesses: cleaning, janitorial, window washing, pressure washing, pool, landscaping, floor epoxy, construction and cabinetry.
- ✓Your chart of accounts is built for your trade, so you can see profit by job, crew or service line.
- ✓A US-based team in Nashville reviews every transaction. Software helps, people check.
- ✓Your price is set by revenue alone and published, so there are no surprise bills.
- ✓Cleanup is $79 when you start, however far behind you are.
- ✓We work with home service franchise systems, including franchisor rollup reporting.
More straight answers
Still have a question? See all frequently asked questions.
Not sure which fits? Ask us.
Book a 20-minute call and we will tell you honestly, even if the answer is someone else.
Book a Demo