# Pilot vs Lopifi: AI bookkeeping for startups, compared

> Pilot pairs an AI accountant with US-based bookkeepers in QuickBooks Online, priced by monthly expenses. How it compares with Lopifi, and when to pick Pilot.

Source: https://lopifi.com/compare/pilot
Part of: Lopifi — US GAAP books on autopilot, reviewed by a CPA (https://lopifi.com)

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Pilot now leads with an AI accountant, backed by human bookkeepers on its Core plan and up. Here is what it publishes, side by side with what Lopifi does.

**The short answer.** Pilot is the more complete back office today: human bookkeepers, tax, CFO services, priced by your monthly expenses. Lopifi does less, at a flat $200 a month: accrual books on US GAAP in your own QuickBooks Online or Xero file, closed continuously and reviewed by a CPA every quarter.

## Side by side

| Question | Pilot | Lopifi |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | An AI accountant, with a US-based bookkeeper from the Core plan up. ([Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17) | AI agents categorize, reconcile and close as transactions happen. Anything that needs judgment waits for your sign-off. |
| Ledger | A QuickBooks Online file Pilot provisions and manages. ([Pilot AI Accountant](https://pilot.com/platform/ai-accountant), checked 2026-10-17) | Your own QuickBooks Online or Xero file, synced both ways. Set up for you if you have none. |
| Basis | Cash only on Essentials; cash or accrual on Core and above. ([Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17) | Accrual, US GAAP, with a lead schedule behind every balance and a monthly close you sign. |
| Price | Essentials $99/mo up to $100K monthly expenses; Core priced by expenses, billed annually. ([Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17) | $200 a month, flat. Planned price; not open yet. |
| Tax returns | Sold with Pilot bookkeeping; C-corps from $2,450/yr. ([Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17) | Not included. Deadlines are tracked, and a closed year goes to your tax preparer. |
| CFO services | From $1,750/mo, billed annually. ([Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17) | Not offered. The output is closed books and statements, not a finance team. |

## Two kinds of AI bookkeeping

Pilot and Lopifi both put AI on a QuickBooks Online ledger. The difference is what surrounds it. Pilot is a full back office that grows into tax, CFO work and payroll administration, priced as your expenses grow.

Lopifi is narrower on purpose: the books, closed on US GAAP as transactions happen, a lead schedule proving every balance, and a CPA review each quarter, at one price. If you want one vendor for everything, that narrowness is a cost.

## Whose file it is

If you already have QuickBooks Online or Xero with history in it, ask any provider whether they work in that file or start a new one. Lopifi works inside the one you have; your CPA, investors and tax preparer keep opening the same books.

## When Pilot is the better choice

- You need your books kept this month. Lopifi is a waitlist and lets companies in a few at a time.
- You want tax returns filed by the same company that keeps your books.
- You want CFO services, R&D credit work or payroll administration from the same provider.
- You are cash basis and under $100,000 a month in expenses, and the $99 Essentials plan is enough.

## When Lopifi is the better choice

- You want to stay in the QuickBooks Online or Xero file your CPA and investors already open. Lopifi works inside it and syncs both ways.
- You use Xero. Pilot's published ledger is QuickBooks Online.
- You want accrual books on US GAAP with a lead schedule behind every balance, closed as transactions happen rather than weeks after month end.
- You want one flat price: $200 a month, reviewed by a CPA every quarter.

## What we checked about Pilot

- Pilot's AI Accountant handles categorization, reconciliation and vendor identification, and Pilot provisions and manages the customer's QuickBooks Online file with a standard chart of accounts. Source: [Pilot AI Accountant](https://pilot.com/platform/ai-accountant), checked 2026-10-17.
- Pilot's partner FAQ says Pilot works with QuickBooks Online as the core ledger. Source: [Pilot partner FAQ](https://partners.pilot.com/Partner%20Hub/pages/faq.html), checked 2026-10-17.
- Pilot's Essentials plan is $99 a month for up to $100,000 in monthly expenses, on a cash basis. Core adds a US-based bookkeeper, supports cash or accrual and is priced by monthly expenses, billed annually. Source: [Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17.
- Pilot sells tax preparation only with Pilot bookkeeping (C-corps from $2,450 a year) and CFO services from $1,750 a month, billed annually. Source: [Pilot pricing](https://www.pilot.com/pricing), checked 2026-10-17.

## Common questions

### How much does Pilot cost?

Pilot's pricing page lists Essentials at $99 a month for up to $100,000 in monthly expenses, on a cash basis. Core, which adds accrual and a US-based bookkeeper, is priced by monthly expenses and billed annually; Custom is quoted by sales.

### Does Pilot use my existing QuickBooks file?

Pilot says it provisions and manages a QuickBooks Online file for you with a standard chart of accounts, and its Custom tier offers keeping your existing QuickBooks account. Check which applies to your plan if you already have a file with history in it.

### What is the difference between Pilot and Lopifi?

Both use AI on a QuickBooks Online ledger. Pilot adds human bookkeepers, tax preparation and CFO services, priced by expenses. Lopifi works in your existing QuickBooks Online or Xero file at a flat $200 a month, keeps accrual books with a lead schedule behind every balance, and has a CPA review them quarterly.