Decimal vs Pilot: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of Decimal and Pilot — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: it's a tie on our scorecard — pick on fit, not score.
| Scored on | Decimal | Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 8 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 8 | 8 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 6 |
| Customer support | 7 | 7 |
| Features | 9 | 9 |
| Basic Bookkeeping | From $500/mo (quoted) | — |
| Tax Filing Add-on | Varies by complexity | — |
| Onboarding/Cleanup | Custom one-time fee | — |
| Bookkeeping (Core) | — | From $499/mo |
| Bookkeeping (Select) | — | From $849/mo |
| Tax Preparation | — | Quote required (est. $2k+) |
| R&D Tax Credit | — | Varies by claim size |
Decimal in one paragraph
Decimal is a powerhouse for modern, tech-forward businesses that want to fully outsource their back office and stop playing 'tech support' for their own accounting software.
Skip it if: Skip it if you are a micro-business making under $200k or a company that relies heavily on manual, paper-based cash transactions.
Pilot in one paragraph
Pilot is the gold standard for tech-focused startups that need GAAP-compliant books and R&D tax credits, provided they don't mind the QuickBooks-only ecosystem.
Skip it if: Skip it if you use Xero, manage heavy physical inventory, or have monthly expenses under $5,000.
Frequently asked questions
Who should skip Decimal?
Skip it if you are a micro-business making under $200k or a company that relies heavily on manual, paper-based cash transactions.
Who should skip Pilot?
Skip it if you use Xero, manage heavy physical inventory, or have monthly expenses under $5,000.