A note before you read: ABFI is neither company and has no affiliate deal with either. We offer outsourced accounting ourselves, so we've kept to each company's own description and named, dated reviews, and put our option in a short section near the end.
Side by side
| Pilot | Bookkeeper360 | |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Startups and growing companies [1] | Small and growing businesses broadly [2] |
| Core service | Bookkeeping, plus tax and CFO services [1] | Monthly bookkeeping, plus add-ons such as payroll and advisory [2] |
| Software | Pilot's team and platform; ask how your ledger is kept [1] | QuickBooks Online or Xero [2] |
| Pricing model | Tiers by monthly expenses, per NerdWallet [3] | Several monthly plans plus add-ons, per NerdWallet [4] |
| Accrual, investor-ready books | A main focus [1][3] | Available; confirm which plan includes it [2] |
| Best for | Funded startups wanting one provider | Small businesses wanting bookkeeping with optional extras |
Who Pilot fits
- Startups raising money, or preparing to, where investors expect accrual books
- Founders who want bookkeeping and their other finance needs handled by one startup-focused provider
- Teams that are comfortable with pricing that moves as spending grows
Who Bookkeeper360 fits
- Small businesses already on QuickBooks Online or Xero who want to stay there
- Owners who want to start with bookkeeping and add payroll or advisory later
- Businesses that like choosing a plan level rather than being priced by spending
The real differences, in plain terms
Who they're thinking about. Pilot's materials speak to founders. Bookkeeper360's speak to small business owners in general. Neither is better; they have different customers in mind, and that shapes everything from reports to the questions they'll ask you.
How price moves as you grow. An expense-based tier rises when you spend more, even if your books don't get more complicated. A plan-based price rises when you choose a bigger plan or add services. Price both at your current size and at where you expect to be next year. For a broader view of what outsourcing costs, see outsourced accounting cost.
Where the books live. If your books are in your own QuickBooks Online or Xero file, your CPA, lender or next provider can log in directly. Ask either company exactly how your ledger is kept and how you'd export it.
Cash or accrual. Startups with investors usually need accrual books. Many small businesses run on cash basis for day-to-day management. Know which you need before you choose a plan: accrual vs cash accounting.
Questions to ask both on the sales call
- Who exactly works on my books, and who reviews their work each month?
- Which day of the month will I get final statements?
- Do you pay bills and send invoices, or only record them?
- What's included, what's an add-on, and what would my price be at twice my current volume?
- If I leave, what do I get back, and in what format?
More questions: questions to ask an outsourced accountant.
If you need more than bookkeeping
Some businesses need an accounting department rather than a bookkeeping service: someone to run payables and receivables, handle job costing, client profitability or inventory, and review a locked close every month. ABFI does that inside your own QuickBooks Online on flat monthly plans, with CFO-level help available. ABFI does not prepare taxes; we work alongside your CPA. If that sounds closer to your needs, compare us with others in best outsourced bookkeeping services.
Keep reading
Sources
- Pilot, company website, pilot.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- Bookkeeper360, company website, www.bookkeeper360.com. Checked November 6, 2026.
- NerdWallet, "Pilot Bookkeeping Review: Pricing, Features, Alternatives", www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/learn/pilot-bookkeeping. Checked November 6, 2026.
- NerdWallet, "Bookkeeper360 Review: Pricing, Features, and Top Alternatives", www.nerdwallet.com/business/software/learn/bookkeeper360. Checked November 6, 2026.
Questions owners ask
What's the main difference between Pilot and Bookkeeper360?
Pilot focuses on startups, with services bundled by one provider and pricing by monthly expenses. Bookkeeper360 serves small businesses broadly, in QuickBooks Online or Xero, with add-ons.
Which is better for a startup?
Funded startups often lean toward Pilot because investor-ready books are its focus. A startup that isn't raising money may be well served by either.
Does Bookkeeper360 work with Xero?
Yes. Bookkeeper360 says it works in QuickBooks Online or Xero.
Which is cheaper?
It depends on your spending and the plan you need. Price both at your current size and at next year's.
Can I switch from one to the other?
Yes. Switch at the start of a month, get a full export and supporting documents, and confirm opening balances before the new provider posts anything.
Need someone to run the books, not just record them?
ABFI runs payables, receivables and a reviewed monthly close for growing businesses. Start with a complimentary Business Accounting Diagnostic.