10 QuickBooks Alternatives to Consider

What is QuickBooks?

QuickBooks is one of the best accounting software solutions for freelancers, small businesses and growing companies. It helps users manage income, expenses, invoicing, payments, tax deductions and other day-to-day financial tasks. Many businesses choose QuickBooks for its broad feature set, multiple pricing tiers, extensive integrations and the option of either a 30-day free trial or introductory discounts for new users. 

“It’s the go-to name in accounting software for a reason,” said Danish Soomro, founder and CEO of Devi AI. “It’s familiar, widely used and built with deep functionality that suits traditional accountants and firms. It has solid integrations and lots of support.”

Stephanie Smith, owner of New Light Financial Solutions, noted that part of QuickBooks’ appeal is its continual improvement and innovation. “Because of their size and market share, they are able to invest in their software,” Smith explained. “They are constantly making improvements and updates, as well as incorporating innovative ideas into the technology.”

10 alternatives to QuickBooks

Despite its popularity, QuickBooks may not be the best solution for your business. Here are 10 top alternatives to consider.

1. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is a well-regarded QuickBooks rival and an excellent choice for small business owners who want cloud-based accounting software with a broad range of essential financial tools.

FreshBooks includes specialized tools such as software integrations, time tracking, contract management and double-entry accounting. Your team can access the software from anywhere with an internet connection.

As we noted in our FreshBooks review, it’s a strong all-in-one alternative to QuickBooks, especially for businesses that want straightforward pricing, strong invoicing tools and an easy-to-use mobile app.

Key features of FreshBooks

• Excellent customer service
• Over 100 integrations with third-party apps
• Good mobile app interface
• Double-entry accounting on most plans
• Time tracking, client management and report management tools
• Excellent invoicing options and flexibility
• Comprehensive selection of accounting tools

FreshBooks pricing

• Lite: $23 per month
• Plus: $43 per month
• Premium: $70 per month
• Select: Custom pricing

Note that introductory discounts are often offered, and discounted annual pricing is available.

2. Wave Accounting

Wave Accounting offers a free starter plan, making it a great budget-friendly choice for freelancers, solopreneurs and small businesses. However, you’ll need to pay for the platform’s credit card payment processing and payroll features. There’s also a low-cost Pro plan with additional capabilities.

Wave is easy to use and provides essential accounting features, invoicing tools, e-commerce checkout capabilities and a dedicated Etsy integration. However, this platform isn’t the best choice if you need project management solutions, time tracking or third-party integrations. If these functions are important to you, you’ll likely need to explore Wave accounting software alternatives.

Key features of Wave Accounting

• E-commerce checkout tools
• Accounting toolkit
• Etsy integration
• Intuitive and streamlined user interface
• Accounting support materials and tutorials
• Optional credit card payment processing upgrade
• Optional payroll software upgrade

Wave Accounting pricing

• Starter: Free
• Pro: $19 per month (or $190 per year)

3. Xero

Xero is a New Zealand-based accounting software company with over 4.6 million subscribers worldwide. Its accounting solution is built for small businesses but comes packed with comprehensive features that make it a genuinely versatile platform.

As we note in our detailed Xero review, all Xero controls and tools — including inventory management, invoicing, billing tools and payroll integrations in supported markets — are accessible from an intuitive dashboard, making the platform especially easy to navigate.

Xero offers mobile apps for iOS and Android, and new customers get a 30-day free trial.

Key features of Xero

• Mobile and desktop apps
• Many accounting and invoicing features
• International invoicing
• Payroll integrations in supported markets
• Intuitive dashboard to control all your tools
• Tax calculation software

Xero pricing

• Early: $25 per month
• Growing: $55 per month
• Established: $90 per month

Check Xero’s website to learn about current introductory discounts.  

4. Patriot Accounting

Patriot Accounting is an affordable accounting platform with plans that start as low as $20 per month. It also offers a 30-day free trial. This platform’s features include 1099 preparation, CPA firm special pricing, business bank account reconciliation, billing and invoicing tools and invoice management. You can customize your professional invoices and handle invoicing entirely online.

Patriot Accounting is an excellent choice for freelancers, solopreneurs and small businesses that need affordable accounting software without a steep learning curve.

Key features of Patriot Accounting

• Some tax assistance
• Accounts receivable
• Aging tracking
• Bank reconciliation
• Billing and invoicing
• Invoice customization
• Check writing
• Cash management
• Expense tracking

Patriot Accounting pricing

• Accounting Basic: $20 per month
• Accounting Premium: $30 per month

Check the Patriot Accounting website for current introductory discounts. 

5. Zoho Books

Zoho Books is the accounting software offering in the broader Zoho ecosystem. It integrates seamlessly with Zoho CRM (considered among the best CRM software platforms), though each product requires a separate subscription. Top features include invoicing, accounts payable, time tracking, bank reconciliation and estimate tools.

Smith said Zoho Books is a great alternative to QuickBooks and noted that users appreciate its tie-in to the larger Zoho suite. “They want the seamless integration [of] all of their tools into one platform,” Smith explained. “This includes things like their CRM, inventory management and expense management. We have also found that Zoho can be very accommodating if you need new features or functionality.”

As we highlight in our Zoho Books review, it offers many of the same features as QuickBooks at a lower entry price. Businesses on a tight accounting budget may find everything they need with this software.

Key features of Zoho Books

• Tax support and bank reconciliation tools
• Contact management, accounts payable and estimate tools
• Report and invoice production
• Time tracking tools
• Good customer support through live chat, email and more
• Chart of accounts management

Zoho Books pricing 

• Free: $0
• Standard: $20 per month ($15 per month when paid annually)
• Professional: $50 per month ($40 per month when paid annually)
• Premium: $70 per month ($60 per month when paid annually)
• Elite: $150 per month ($120 per month when paid annually)
• Ultimate: $275 per month ($240 per month when paid annually)

6. Oracle NetSuite

Oracle NetSuite is cloud-based accounting software that also functions as a full enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution, making it a great option for larger businesses and enterprises. It offers robust planning tools, reporting features and customizable workflows that extend beyond accounting to support inventory, order management, HR and other core business functions.

“NetSuite is a robust ERP solution for mid-market and larger enterprises that provides a full suite of CRM, ERP, financial management and operations features for a range of service-based and product-based businesses,” explained Eric Jozwiak, former owner of Keystone Business Services.

As we explain in our comprehensive review of Oracle NetSuite, these features are available on NetSuite’s intuitive dashboard. Multiple users can access the software simultaneously, and businesses can scale user access and permissions far beyond what QuickBooks typically supports. Because pricing is quote-based and implementation can be more involved, Oracle NetSuite is best suited for companies with larger accounting budgets and more complex operational needs.

Key features of Oracle NetSuite

• Cloud-based software
• CRM features
• ERP software
• Customizable workflows and project management tools
• Report generation
• General ledger controls for financial planning
• Multiple customizable dashboards
• Simultaneous user access

Oracle NetSuite pricing

• Custom: Oracle NetSuite does not publicly publish its pricing; costs are quote-based and vary by business size and modules selected
• Additional per-user cost: Varies by configuration; contact Oracle NetSuite directly for a current quote

7. Plooto

Plooto isn’t a full accounting platform, but it’s an excellent option for businesses that need a better way to accept, send and manage payments. It’s a payment automation platform designed to streamline your business’s accounts receivable and accounts payable workflows.

Our detailed Plooto review explains that you can set up automated workflows that meet your business’s needs and help you get paid faster, as well as make vendor payments via online checks or pre-authorized debits. Plooto syncs with popular accounting software, including QuickBooks, making it a valuable tool in your financial management system.

Key features of Plooto

• Send and receive international payments
• Vendor payments via online check or pre-authorized debit
• Invoice management and cash flow tracking
• Federal payroll deductions and corporate tax payments
• Integration with accounting software, including QuickBooks, Xero and NetSuite

Plooto pricing

• Go (for accountants and their clients): $9 per month
• Grow: Starts at $32 per month
• Pro: Starts at $99 per month

8. Sage 50

Sage 50 is subscription-based accounting software that’s well-suited to midsize businesses. Its features include automated fee calculation, fraud prevention and discrepancy detection tools, project management software and invoice tracking.

However, as we explain in our detailed Sage 50 review, this platform is one of the more expensive accounting options. The cost depends on the number of users you add to your account, so the price can escalate quickly for large companies.

Key features of Sage 50

• Cloud-based accounting software with desktop flexibility
• Tax assistance and management tools
• Automated calculations for invoices, taxes and expenses
• Discrepancy detection tools for accounting accuracy
• Project management, team assignment and report generation tools
• Invoice tracking and exemptions

Sage 50 pricing

• Pro Accounting: $124.42 per month (or $1,362 per year)
• Premium Accounting: Starts at $169.33 per month for one user ($1,807 per year)
• Quantum Accounting: Starts at $253.42 per month for one user ($2,654 per year)

Note that Premium and Quantum tiers are priced by user. Premium allows one to five users, while Quantum accommodates one to 40 users. 

9. ZarMoney

ZarMoney is a cloud-based accounting platform you can test for free before committing. It’s also a very affordable platform with an impressive suite of features, including account tracking tools, bank reconciliation, account management and tax assistance. ZarMoney also supports ACH payment processing, so you can accept payments and instantly sync them with your records.

ZarMoney may be a good fit for small businesses, bookkeepers or teams that want guided onboarding and built-in accounting resources. It comes with a variety of tutorials and webinars with accounting tips that can help you understand smart accounting practices.

Key features of ZarMoney

• CPA and accountant support tools
• Tax assistance
• Bank reconciliation tools
• Check processing and writing, plus ACH payment processing
• Billing and invoicing
• Cash management tools
• Contact database management

ZarMoney pricing

• Small Business: $20 per month (includes two users; add $10 for each additional user)
• Enterprise: Starts at $350 per month (can accommodate 30-plus users)

10. Kashoo

If you’re a sole proprietor, Kashoo can be a strong fit if you want straightforward accounting software. It’s easy to set up, allows you to add tax details quickly, and the interface is simple to navigate.

You can manage and process transactions, send invoices, set up bills to pay and organize your contacts and accounts, all from a single dashboard. Kashoo can also provide tax assistance and generate reports to help you understand your business’s financial situation.

Key features of Kashoo

• Tax management and assistance
• Invoicing
• Bill management
• Report generation
• Account and contact tracking

Kashoo pricing

• $30 per month or $324 per year

QuickBooks alternatives compared

Switching away from QuickBooks — or simply evaluating your options — is more common than you might think. The good news is there’s no shortage of capable alternatives, each with its own strengths depending on your business size, budget and feature needs. Here’s how top options compare:

What are the pros and cons of QuickBooks?

If you’re considering a move away from QuickBooks, it helps to understand where the platform shines in terms of accounting software features and other aspects — and where competing accounting software may offer a better fit.

QuickBooks pros

QuickBooks is widely recognized as high-quality accounting software. “They are a leader in the space, and you know that you will get access to a quality product for the price,” Smith noted.

Some of the advantages of using QuickBooks include:

• It’s very easy to learn and navigate QuickBooks, making it a great choice for small business owners without accounting expertise.
• QuickBooks integrates with many other systems and third-party applications.
• It offers new users a choice between a 30-day free trial or introductory discounts on the first few months, along with entry-level plans designed for freelancers and small businesses.
• You can create a variety of accounting reports.
• QuickBooks is accessible through web browsers, desktop access and mobile apps.
• It’s easy to review customer records, payment history and past invoices.

QuickBooks cons

Even with its strengths, QuickBooks has some drawbacks that may lead growing businesses to question whether it’s still the right fit.

Some potential downsides include:

• QuickBooks can become pricey if you need to use all its features.
• It doesn’t have many industry-specific features, like barcode scanning and lot tracking.
• Support quality and response times can vary depending on your plan and the type of help you need.
• The number of users you can add depends on your plan, which may become limiting as your team grows.
• Some users report occasional performance slowdowns, syncing issues or unexpected outages.
• Invoice customization options are limited.
• Some users prefer having more direct control over data exports, backups and historical file storage.

Soomro also noted that QuickBooks can feel outdated and cumbersome, particularly for growing businesses with more complex needs. “The interface is clunky, hard for business owners to navigate, and even pros spend too much time clicking around,” Soomro said.

Smith feels that QuickBooks pricing may be one of the biggest catalysts causing businesses to look elsewhere. “I am finding more and more companies are moving away from QuickBooks due to the price.” Additionally, other platforms are part of bigger ecosystems with integrated tools. “One of the main reasons that our clients are using Zoho Books instead of QuickBooks is because of all the other software and technology that can be integrated with Zoho Books,” Smith added.

When should you look for new accounting software?

QuickBooks likely meets the needs of many new, growing and even established businesses. After all, it provides invoicing and basic accounting functions that let you track your expenses and income while helping you prepare for tax season.

However, it may eventually lack the specialization or advanced features your business needs. Smith advises seeking new accounting software when your current platform — whether QuickBooks or another solution — no longer suits your needs or budget.

“While most software does the same things, there are some differences that make each one unique,” Smith explained. “In addition to that, if cost is a problem, then a company may want to find a solution that better fits within their budget.”

You might consider switching platforms if any of the following apply to your business:

• Your team is growing, and you need more user access, permissions or collaboration tools.
• You require additional tools beyond accounting, such as project management, inventory tracking or workflow automation.
• You’ve outgrown basic features and need more advanced reporting or accounting capabilities.
• You’re looking for better customer support from your accounting provider.

Find the best accounting software for your business

If you’re new to accounting software, QuickBooks is a great starting point. It’s accessible for beginners and handles the day-to-day accounting tasks most business owners need. But as your business grows, you may find yourself needing more robust features, better integrations or a more budget-friendly solution.

All the software packages we’ve highlighted are strong QuickBooks alternatives. Start by identifying the features that matter most to your business, then compare your options carefully and choose the solution that best aligns with your goals and workflow.

Amanda Hoffman contributed to this article. Source interviews were conducted for a previous version of this article.