Best AI bookkeeping software for Canadian small businesses

In Canada, the questions that matter most are whether the software handles GST/HST, whether payroll works in your province, and what the maker lists in US dollars. QuickBooks Online answers the tax and payroll questions on its own Canadian page, Wave is the cheapest way in outside Quebec, and Xero and Dext are the other two we checked.

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The picks at a glance

ToolBest forStarting priceFree plan or trialChecked on
QuickBooks OnlineGST/HST tracking and payroll in any province, Quebec includedUS$38/mo (Simple Start, US plan). Canadian pricing30-day free trialOct 20, 2026
WaveLow-cost books outside QuebecUS$0 (Starter). Pro US$19/moFree Starter planOct 20, 2026
XeroOwners whose accountant uses XeroUS$27/mo (Early, US plan). Canadian pricingFree one-month trialOct 20, 2026
DextCapturing receipts for an accountant or bookkeeperSee Dext’s pricing pageFree trialOct 20, 2026

Prices are each maker’s regular list price in US dollars, read on the date shown. We never convert currencies. Intro offers aren’t included. For Dext, see Dext’s pricing page.

The Canadian details, side by side

QuickBooks OnlineWaveXeroDext
GST/HSTCanadian page says it tracks GST/HST and sales tax for CRA filingPages say "sales tax" onlyNot stated on the pages we checkedNot stated on the pages we checked
Payroll and provincesPaid add-on (see Canadian payroll page)Paid add-on (see Canadian payroll page)Paid add-on (see Canadian payroll page)No payroll in Canada
US dollar list priceYesYesYesSee Dext’s pricing page

1. QuickBooks Online: strongest on GST/HST and Quebec

Why it’s first. It’s the only one of the four whose Canadian page names GST/HST: it says it tracks GST/HST and calculates sales tax so you can file with the CRA. Its Sales Tax AI flags duplicates and suggests tax categories for you to review. QuickBooks Payroll handles remittances to both the CRA and Revenu Québec, prepares T4 and RL-1 forms, and helps you create ROEs. Workers’ compensation tracking is listed for Quebec, Ontario, and B.C. QuickBooks also notes that a GST/HST-registered business can claim input tax credits on its subscription.

Watch out. Payroll is a paid add-on; see the maker’s Canadian payroll page. The lowest plan leaves out both payroll and the Intuit AI tools. QuickBooks Payments only accepts credit card payments in Canadian dollars.

Visit QuickBooks Online Canada →

2. Wave: the low-cost choice outside Quebec

Why it’s here. Wave’s Pro plan is US$19/mo or US$190/yr, and Starter is free.

Watch out. Wave says its Canadian payroll isn’t offered in Quebec. Wave’s pages talk about tracking "sales tax" without naming GST/HST, so ask your accountant how they’d handle your returns.

Visit Wave →

3. Xero: Canadian pricing with Wagepoint payroll

Why it’s here. Xero’s US plans are US$27 a month (Early), US$59 a month (Growing), and US$97 a month (Established). Canadian pricing.

Watch out. The pages we checked don’t say how Xero handles GST/HST. Early (US plan) also stops at 20 invoices and 5 bills.

Visit Xero →

4. Dext: receipts in, clean records out

Why it’s here. Dext has a Canadian site; for prices, see Dext’s pricing page. Your team can send receipts by app, email, or WhatsApp, and Dext publishes them to your accounting software.

Watch out. Dext doesn’t replace your books or run payroll. The pages we checked don’t mention GST/HST handling.

Visit Dext →

How to choose

Questions people ask

Does QuickBooks Online handle GST/HST?
Its Canadian pricing page says it does. QuickBooks tracks GST/HST and calculates sales tax so you can file with the CRA, and its Sales Tax AI flags errors for you to review.

Can I run Wave payroll for staff in Quebec?
No. Wave says its Canadian payroll is offered in every province and territory except Quebec. QuickBooks Payroll handles Revenu Québec remittances and RL-1 forms.

Which bookkeeping software shows prices in Canadian dollars?
QuickBooks Online, Wave, and Xero list Canadian-dollar prices on their own sites. This page shows the US dollar list price instead, and we do not convert (checked October 2026). For Dext, see Dext’s pricing page.

Can I claim the GST/HST on my accounting software subscription?
QuickBooks says a GST/HST-registered business can claim input tax credits on its subscription. Ask your accountant how that applies to you and to the other tools.

Related pages

Questions or a correction? hello@momandbot.com

Sources (all checked Oct 20, 2026)