Why Startups and SMBs Are Switching from Pilot to RemoteBooksOnline
Pilot built its reputation serving fast-growing, venture-backed startups. But many small and midsize businesses that start with Pilot eventually find themselves paying more than necessary for features they don’t need-and missing the personalized support they do.
Download Our Free Brochure →That’s why an increasing number of startups and service-based SMBs are switching from Pilot to RemoteBooksOnline. Here’s what they’re saying, and why the change is making a measurable impact.
What Pilot Offers-and Why It’s Not for Everyone
Pilot is known for:
- Integrating tightly with QuickBooks Online
- Offering CFO-level insights and support for startups
- Handling bookkeeping, tax, and financial strategy in one bundled platform
But many SMBs realize Pilot may not be the best fit if they:
- Aren’t venture-funded
- Don’t need strategic forecasting or CFO support
- Prefer flat-rate pricing over tiered monthly fees
- Want real human support rather than platform-driven workflows
Why SMBs Choose RemoteBooksOnline Instead
RemoteBooksOnline focuses on clean, CPA-reviewed bookkeeping-not dashboards, not investor decks, not bundled tax services you may never use.
Clients switch to RBO for:
- Flat-rate monthly pricing with no surprise fees
- Dedicated support from real people, not just platform bots
- Catch-up services for businesses behind on books
- Monthly reports reviewed by a CPA
- Compatibility with both QuickBooks and Xero
For many small businesses, that’s exactly what they need-and nothing they don’t.
Test Case: SaaS Consultant in Salt Lake City
A solo SaaS consultant signed on with Pilot after seeing it recommended by startup peers. The monthly fee started at $499, but quickly climbed due to add-ons and growth-based pricing.
After four months, the consultant had:
Download Our Free Brochure →- Paid over $2,000
- Never accessed the CFO dashboard
- Still needed to explain their business model each month
- Received no CPA-reviewed reports
They switched to RemoteBooksOnline and within 30 days:
- Reconciled all accounts
- Reduced monthly bookkeeping costs by 50%
- Received CPA-reviewed financials
- Regained confidence in their numbers
They no longer felt like a startup trying to fit into a model that wasn’t built for them.
Is Pilot Right for Your Business?
If your business is:
- Venture-backed
- In fundraising mode
- Preparing for M&A
- Needing strategic advisory built into monthly support
Pilot may be a good fit.
But if you’re:
- Running a service business
- Focused on day-to-day operations and taxes
- Looking for affordable, accurate, and audit-ready books
- Not in the startup or investor space
Then RemoteBooksOnline will serve you better, faster, and more affordably.
FAQs
Does RemoteBooksOnline offer the same dashboards as Pilot?
No. We focus on clean, CPA-reviewed books. Our clients typically don’t need advanced financial modeling or dashboards.
Can I switch mid-year from Pilot to RBO?
Yes. We handle the transition, clean up your books, and maintain continuity.
Does RBO work with startups?
Yes. We serve many early-stage businesses-but we don’t charge you like a VC-backed firm.
Does RBO do taxes?
No, but all your reports are tax-ready and CPA-reviewed, making it easy for your tax preparer to file confidently.
Conclusion
Pilot is built for high-growth, investor-focused startups. RemoteBooksOnline is built for real-world small businesses that value clean books, consistent support, and flat pricing.
If you’ve outgrown the startup ecosystem-or simply never needed all the bells and whistles-RemoteBooksOnline offers a simpler, more effective solution.
Stay organized and tax-ready year-round with our flat-rate monthly bookkeeping services.
If you’re behind on your books, our catch-up bookkeeping services can help you get current fast-no stress, no mess.
RemoteBooksOnline vs Pilot: Which Bookkeeping Service Is Better for Growing Small Businesses?
