The 8 Best QuickBooks Alternatives for Small Businesses
QuickBooks Online is one of the most popular accounting software options for small businesses, but what if it isn’t right for you?
What to look for in a great QuickBooks Online alternative
If you’re looking for a QuickBooks Online alternative, keep these things in mind.
1. Ease of use
Take advantage of the free demos that many of these apps provide; there’s nothing like trying out a product for yourself to see if it’s right for you.
2. Price point
It can be expensive to get all of the features you want at a price you can afford, so make sure the lowest level plan includes everything you need before purchasing it, and if you do need to upgrade, make sure the cost is within your budget.
3. Support
If you’re a computer newbie, make sure any product you’re considering has support options that suit you; if you’re tech savvy, you might be able to get by with online support or a comprehensive knowledge base; but if you’re a seasoned user, in-person support may be necessary.
Our top 8 picks for QuickBooks Online alternatives
QuickBooks Online is a fantastic small business accounting program, but it isn’t for everyone. If you’re looking for QuickBooks alternatives, take a look at some of these options.
1. Best for tech novices: FreshBooks
FreshBooks recently added double-entry accounting functionality to the application, which also includes good expense management, client invoicing, time tracking, and the ability to record customer payments. FreshBooks also includes free toll-free customer support, as well as email support.
3. Best for growing businesses: Sage 50cloud Accounting
The scalable Quantum plan can support up to 40 users, and tech support is good, with telephone, email, and chat support available. Sage 50cloud Accounting is best suited for small and growing businesses, with good customer management, sales tracking, purchase orders, and inventory management.
4. Best for fast onboarding: Sage Business Cloud Accounting
Sage Business Cloud Accounting is a good option for small businesses that sell products, but it’s not suitable for growing businesses. It’s optimized for freelancers and sole proprietors, with an easy-to-use interface suitable for even the tech novice.
5. Best for desktop systems: AccountEdge Pro
AccountEdge Pro is a robust accounting application for tech-savvy business owners, with four plans ranging from Basic for very small businesses to Priority ERP. The product includes free email support, and you can subscribe to the telephone support plan for $199 per year.
6. Best for sole proprietors: Kashoo
The new Inbox feature provides a central location for all transactions, and Kashoo 2.0 includes all of the features found in the previous version, with everything completely updated. Kashoo offers a single plan for $19.95 per month, or $199 per year, which includes an unlimited number of users.
7. Best integration options: Xero
The true strength of Xero is in its apps, or rather the apps that it can integrate with, which include CRM, e-commerce, time tracking, practice management, payroll, and point of sale. Pricing starts at $9 per month, though features are limited.
8. Best for freelancers: Zoho Books
Zoho Books has a long list of features that are normally only found in more comprehensive accounting software, as well as excellent integration with e-commerce apps for those selling products online. The Basic plan costs $9 per month, while the Standard plan costs $19.
Which QuickBooks Online alternative is right for your business?
All eight of these apps are better than QuickBooks Online, but they’re all different, and sometimes that’s exactly what your business needs. Some of the alternatives are better in specific areas, while others may offer a feature not available in QuickBooks Web-based.
Is QuickBooks still the best?
QuickBooks is also highly rated, with over 18,000 user reviews on Capterra giving it a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for every small business.
Is QuickBooks better than Intuit?
The two payroll software programs work best in complementary roles and are a popular combination for small and medium-sized business owners across the country. While Intuit Online Payroll manages the payroll side of your business, QuickBooks handles basic accounting functions.
Is QuickBooks and intuit the same?
If you already use QuickBooks, QuickBooks Online Payroll could be a useful add-on. Intuit offers a stand-alone online payroll service as well as a package that bundles it with QuickBooks accounting and bookkeeping software.
Is QuickBooks still owned by Intuit?
QuickBooks and Quicken are financial management software owned by Intuit and H.I.G. Capital, respectively. QuickBooks is a full-featured business and management suite with all the tools a small business needs, but it’s also more expensive.
Is there anything easier than QuickBooks?
FreshBooks: Best for self-employed people. YNAB: Best for financial reporting. Xero: Best overall QuickBooks alternative. Sage: Most versatile QuickBooks alternative.
What are the disadvantages of QuickBooks Online?
The Drawbacks or Drawbacks of QuickBooks Online
- Limited reports
- some customers found that reporting in the desktop version is far superior to reporting in the online version.
- Difficult to learn.
- Limited inventory management.
- Wrong/Missing entries.
- Syncing issues.
What is the best version of QuickBooks?
The most popular online version of QuickBooks, according to Intuit, is Plus, which supports up to five users and includes the same features as Essentials and Simple Start, as well as the ability to track inventory and project profitability. A Plus subscription costs $35 per month.
What is the most basic QuickBooks?
QuickBooks Simple Start is the most basic of all QuickBooks plans; it’s best for startups, gives a single user access, and meets basic bookkeeping needs. QuickBooks Essentials is best for businesses with a lot of accounts payable, and it gives three users access at the same time.
Do I have to buy QuickBooks every year?
Pricing: QuickBooks Online is a monthly subscription that includes a set number of users, whereas QuickBooks Desktop does not include customer service unless you pay for it annually.
Do I need an Intuit account for QuickBooks?
Intuit recently announced that every QuickBooks Company file will now require an Intuit Account (i.e., an Intuit Login).
Is Intuit owned by Microsoft?
Microsoft agreed to buy Intuit, the software company that owns Quicken, the world’s most popular personal finance manager (PFM), in October 1994 for $2.3 billion, giving Microsoft 70 percent of the emerging PFM market.
Is QuickBooks worth the money?
Despite these flaws, QuickBooks Online has a lot going for it, including strong reporting, customizable invoices, inventory capabilities, multiple currencies, and over 650 integrations. Many customers believe QuickBooks Online’s sheer mobility makes it well worth the upgrade.
Does QuickBooks share info with IRS?
Yes, when you submit a Merchant application, QuickBooks Payments will cross-reference the information you provided on the application with IRS records.
Is Intuit a good company?
Intuit Inc. employees rate it as a great place to work 95% of the time, compared to 59% of employees at a typical U.S. company.