These five accounting software solutions are strong alternatives to QuickBooks.
- Although QuickBooks is the industry leader in accounting software, there are other options available for your small business.
- There are several user-friendly accounting software options available in competition that also interface with payroll.
- Xero and Sage are a couple of the accounting software options that compete with QuickBooks.
- This guide is intended for small business owners looking at QuickBooks alternatives.
Among accounting software vendors, QuickBooks is well-known for its user-friendly design, powerful functionality, and wide range of third-party connectors. Your first thinking when considering software for your small business could be the QuickBooks accounting tool.
Although QuickBooks is now in an admirable position, the accounting software industry is becoming more competitive. This provides you a ton of possibilities to pick the best software package for the requirements of your business.
To assist you in choosing the finest solution for your company’s needs, we cover the top accounting software alternatives to QuickBooks in this post, along with their features and costs. You may export your results as a CSV or Excel file since we made sure that these alternatives don’t trap your data.
Also Read: International transit
Xero – beautiful software
The business calls its cloud-based technology “elegant,” although it is actually rather straightforward. The platform’s emphasis on minimalism was evident across its design, features, and procedures when we reviewed Xero.
Additionally, Xero avoids accounting and financial jargon, resulting in a short learning curve for new customers. It offers a comprehensive set of tools that are simple to use, covering several facets of financial reporting and administration for your company.
Features
The fundamental capabilities of Xero are comparable to those of QuickBooks and other accounting programmes. These more subtle conveniences, together with changes in information presentation, are what set them apart:
Easy-to-use dashboard:
Intuitive dashboards are available in both Xero and QuickBooks Online, and they both provide all pertinent data, including cash flow from all banks. Xero’s approach is more simplified, but QuickBooks’ is more complicated.
Bank accounts and reconciliation:
Similar to how it functions in QuickBooks, Xero features an advanced bank reconciliation functionality that can download massive batches of transactions to match your data, which you can subsequently affirm or deny.
Reports and customization:
While QuickBooks allows you to produce cash flow statements using either the direct or indirect technique, Xero only uses the direct way to generate reports. There are over 50 reports in all, including ones on planning, costs, sales, and cash flow. You may also personalize reports, and you can save your favourites for easy access.
Fixed assets management:
This feature is something competitors – like QuickBooks – don’t offer.
You can quickly record and track assets like automobiles, hardware, machinery, and office equipment using Xero’s fixed assets management, and you can always be aware of the worth of your company’s assets.
Plans and pricing
Xero costs between $11 and $62 per month, which makes it less expensive than QuickBooks. After your 30-day free trial is up, the organization provides three price options for you to select from. The quantity of bills, invoices, and quotations is different under each of these programmes.
As you advance through the levels of QuickBooks’ four possibilities, though, additional features and capability are added. The cost of the plans varies from $25 to $180 per month.
2. Sage – versatile package
If you want a cheap approach to run your small business, Sage is a great alternative to QuickBooks. In addition to bank reconciliations, balance sheets, inventory control, and cash flow management, it provides a full accounting package. It incorporates Microsoft 365 as well.
Features
Sage Cloud and Desktop offers a customizable accounting application with a rich feature set to run your business. You may manage your cash flow and accounts, generate invoices, and make payments using these tools.
Microsoft 365 integration:
This feature distinguishes this accounting programme from rivals. You can access contacts in Outlook, read reports in Excel, and backup data with OneDrive thanks to the integration of Microsoft 365. Once the data is in the cloud, you may access it all using your Microsoft account without having to download Sage on your computer.
Standard user interface:
Similar to QuickBooks, Sage leverages common navigational practices to make it simple for you to get started. However, the main page has all the crucial connections and is always being updated with new features.
Records and transactions:
In terms of records for customers, vendors, and inventories, Sage provides a thorough service. Additionally, it includes thorough templates for all the transactions you must manage, including sales, invoices, quotations, and purchase orders.
Reports and mobile:
Sage surpasses QuickBooks in terms of reporting customization since it allows for the creation of different filters. The programme offers interactive reports that let users click on entries to get more information. You may use a variety of mobile applications, including one that takes images of receipts and automatically enters data, on it as well.
Plans and pricing
Despite not being the most economical option available, Sage offers greater value for the money because to its high level of customer support and unlimited transactions.
You get a number of features with the basic $25/month accounting package, including unlimited users, inventory tools, and cash flow predictions. Other companies like QuickBooks could charge far higher prices for these functionalities.
Sage even provides a starter package with income and spending account management for for $10 a month. A 30-day free trial is available for both options.
3. Zoho Books – affordable software
At a fraction of the price of QuickBooks, full-featured software like Zoho Books offers great accounting capability, cutting-edge features, and robust invoicing. The application allows you access to some of the most coveted features you would only find in more costly options, despite its modest cost.
In our study of zoho Books, we discovered that the programme was user-friendly and straightforward. Time tracking, project management, and fixed asset management are among its regular accounting functions. Additionally, it has strong security protections to safeguard your data.
In addition to being easier to use than QuickBooks, Zoho is also cheaper and has all the advanced capabilities as well as superior mobile apps.
Features
When it comes to bookkeeping features like tracking time and projects, sales and purchases, and inventory, Zoho Books virtually outperforms competing software like QuickBooks. Additionally, it offers improved support tools, which are frequently necessary to finish accounting chores.
Excellent navigation and help:
The Zoho Books user interface is clear, simple, and appealing, with quick connections to Sales, Purchases, Documents, Reports, Dashboard, and Banking in the side pane. Along with a variety of support resources including forums, FAQs, and documentation, there are also several methods to get in touch with specialists, including via phone, email, and chat.
Impressive reporting:
Sales, purchases, receivables, and payables are just a few of the categories in which this programme generates data. You may schedule reports by date and time and send them over email in a variety of formats thanks to the extensive filters it offers.
Mobile access:
Similar to its browser-based counterpart, Zoho Books performs superbly on Android and iOS applications. The app has sophisticated capabilities like Contact records in addition to all the conventional functionality found on a multi-screen dashboard.
Plans and pricing
Zoho Books is an adaptable accounting programme that supports a range of users. Without having to deal with the complications and expensive prices entailed with other products like QuickBooks, your firm might profit from the sophisticated capabilities.
A 14-day free trial and three price tiers based on the quantity of users, clients, vendors, and features are provided by Zoho Books. Starting at $9 per month, the pricing provides value on par with QuickBooks’ Start plan, which costs $25.
4. Wave Accounting – best free alternative
Nothing beats a free option when it comes to considering your alternatives. Wave is free accounting software that attempts to assist you in handling the finances of your business. It is excellent software that is easy to use and has great accounting and invoicing functions.
Despite the possibility of additional expenses, the application has all the basic functions you could find in other pricey accounting software, making it a more affordable option. Additional prices may apply based on your business demands.
Features
With Wave Accounting, you have safe access to your account and all of its features from any location. Along with modification possibilities to increase its functionality, you will discover the basic bookkeeping features.
Invoicing: Wave’s invoice customization function, which enables you to put your logo and branding to invoices, is its most striking feature. Additionally, you gain access to a selection of templates and the option to build a new one from scratch.
Transactions: Wave lists all the entries with date, description, and status and gives you everything your business needs in terms of transactions on a single page. Other free accounting software struggles to match Wave’s adaptable transaction management capabilities.
Simple operations and a dashboard: Wave’s user interface and navigation are designed similarly to those of its rivals, such as QuickBooks. For ease of access, all the significant components are shown through a number of tabs The dashboard is great for small enterprises, including single proprietorships and freelancers, because it is straightforward and functional.
Plans and pricing
The biggest appeal of Wave Accounting is its free subscription that covers all the basic accounting features that other companies like QuickBooks offer – with a price.
You can, however, purchase additional features like payroll services for $35 per month and $6 per contractor or employee.
5. FreshBooks – best for self-employed
FreshBooks is a well-liked invoicing and bookkeeping programme that works excellently as a QuickBooks substitute. It is now a feasible solution for your business or solo enterprise due to its recent addition of double-entry bookkeeping.
The accounting software provides you with an all-in-one platform for your accounting needs by offering simple-to-use features like project management, configurable invoicing, and cost monitoring.
Features
Exceptional usability and smart selection of features make this accounting solution ideal for your small business or self-employment gig.
Effective user interface: The programme includes a strong onboarding procedure that makes account creation simple. The dashboard works well because it gives you a chart-based summary of your company’s financial situation. All the key components—invoices, payments, reports, time tracking, add-ons, and clients—are simply accessible.
Tools for project management: This programme outperforms its rivals in terms of project management functionality. You may bill on a set or hourly rate, add services, costs, and invoices to the projects, and assign them to team members or outside clients.
Mobile applications: You can access crucial work areas like producing invoices and client data, as well as project and report tools, to keep current on your accounting while you’re on the move, with FreshBooks’ apps for Android and iOS.
Plans and pricing
The monthly fees for FreshBooks’ three price tiers range from $15 to $55, depending on the number of clients and features needed. It also offers huge organizations a tailored package. The business occasionally runs discount specials as well, making its pricing levels available for up to 50% less than the sticker price.
The pricing and plans of FreshBooks are quite comparable to those of QuickBooks, which has greater features and capabilities. FreshBooks, on the other hand, is simpler to use and provides excellent customer service, making it a good option for a small business with simple requirements.
After learning about some of the top QuickBooks alternatives, you can select the best option by considering the needs and size of your company. The majority of them provide a free trial period so you may evaluate your alternatives before choosing one.