Quickbooks is undoubtedly the most popular accounting software for small businesses these days. However, if you are looking for accounting software that can automate your tasks and possesses advanced features like:
Barcode Scanning
IoT Tracing
eCommerce Scanning
Design Templates and more.
You might be looking for something better than QuickBooks.
If yes! Go with the Flow
This blog post will help you discover the paid and free QuickBooks alternatives for better outreach of capabilities.
So, stay tuned and hang on till the end.
Choosing the Best QuickBooks Alternatives for Your Small Business
1. Xero
If you are an accountant, a bookkeeper, or own a small business, Xero can play a crucial role in maintaining your accounts. It is one of the sophisticated QuickBooks alternatives that can help you perform your to-do tasks seamlessly.
Xero helps you keep track of your business expenses and automates everything with the Xero accounting app.
From managing invoices to synchronizing finances with your bank, from customizing operations to collaborating online, Xero encompasses all your needs on one unified platform.
Unlike QuickBooks, Xero is a robust cloud-based accounting software that offers scalable features with extensive integration opportunities.
Key Features
Keep track of your bills
Supports claiming expenses
Allows inventory tracking
Supports over 160 countries
Bank reconciliation
Manages contact
Captures data automatically
Smooth project management
Pros
Offers seamless automation options
User-friendly interface
Offers free trial
Affordable alternative to QuickBooks
Cons
Need to pay extra for Payroll services
Basic inventory management
Offers advanced features in higher-tier plans
Pricing Plans
Starter: $14.50/month
Standard: $23/month
Premium: $31/month
2. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a popular alternative to QuickBooks online. It is a cloud-based software that caters to your accounting needs. FreshBooks is primarily designed for freelancers and small businesses.
With FreshBooks, you can streamline accounting tasks like tracking expenses, invoicing, time tracking, etc. Thus, its impressive features help you focus on serving customers with less effort in maintaining books.
Additionally, Freshbooks offers a 30-day free trial, just like QuickBooks. If you need small business accounting automation, you can opt for this QuickBooks alternative.
Key Features
Offer detailed financial reports.
Ensure accuracy
Proven compliance
Manage books with advanced accounting features
Supports mobile app in Android and iOS
Faster categorization of expenses
Automatically import expenses from your bank
Pros
A flexible tool that grows with your growing accounting needs
Offers free trial
No credit card is required
Customizable chart of accounts
Bills organization
Ensures accuracy
Cons
Expensive
No built-in payroll solution
Pricing Plans
Lite: $5.70/month
Plus: $9.90/month
Premium: $18.00/month
Select: Talk to Sales
3. Sage 50 Accounting Software
Sage 50 is also one of the most powerful QuickBooks desktop alternatives for seamless business accounting operations.
Although Cloud-based accounting software is revolutionizing the market, Sage 50 offers a smooth desktop solution, keeping you free from relying on an internet connection.
The best part is that it is highly reliable and affordable for business owners seeking an easy to use software for their accounting needs.
Unlike QuickBooks Enterprise subscription, Sage 50 pricing plans are less costly and incorporate industry-specific reports.
Key Features
Manages and analyzes cash flow
Pay Now invoice feature for instant payments
Easy customizations
Automates Payments and Banking
Easy account 8
Advanced inventory management
Offers more than 150 reports
Offers Sage Security Shield
Pros
Specialized reports for manufacturing, construction, distribution, and more
Direct payments and eFile forms
Offers chat and phone support
Cons
Audit trails are available only in higher-tiers
Pricing Plans
Pro Accounting: $595/year (1 User)
Premium Accounting: $970/year (1 User)
Quantum Accounting: $1610/year (1 User)
4. Zoho Books
One significant reason to rely on Zoho Books as a QuickBooks alternative is its affordability. If you already use Zoho products, Zoho Books integrates seamlessly within the Zoho ecosystem. It offers cohesive business management.
However, it may lack extensive third-party integrations. Zoho Books offers a robust set of features at an affordable price. This makes it a compelling alternative to QuickBooks.
Its higher-tier plans offer workflow automation and the ability to track project profitability. Such features are ideal for businesses looking to streamline their operations.
Zoho Books compatibility with Zoho's CRM, Expense, and Inventory apps ensures comprehensive functionality for business needs.
Key Features
Customized Invoicing
Manages inventory
Schedule Reports
E-invoicing
Streamlines cashflow
Manages vendor bills
Simplify expense tracking
Quick transaction creation
Seamlessly manages GST
Pros
Streamline transactions
Excessive options beyond billing and accounting
Easy integration within the Zoho ecosystem
Offers free plan
Automation and Customization options
Cons
Eligible at most for 15 users only
The free plan has limitations
Overall, the ecosystem is a bit complicated
Pricing Plans
Free Plan: Free
Standard: $8.98/month
Professional: $17.98/month
Premium: $35.97/month
5. Wave Accounting
Wave accounting is one of the best free QuickBooks alternatives. It is a free software ideal for freelancers and small businesses with basic accounting needs.
You can perform all the business operations on a unified platform, making it an all-in-one suite for money management.
It is user-friendly, cost-effective, and great for invoicing but lacks advanced features for complex inventory or extensive reporting.
Key Features
User-friendly dashboard
Double-entry accounting solution
Automatic credit card processing
Seamless invoicing
Easily set recurring invoices
Pros
Provides coaches for payroll, bookkeeping, accounting
Convenient payments
Hassle-free tracking of expenses & income
Free version available
Cons
Lacks audit trials
Lacks third-party integration
Customer service is available only in higher-tier plans
Pricing Plans
Starter Plan: $0
Pro Plan: $16/month (billed annually)
6. Quicken
Quicken is an amazing choice for monitoring expenses and managing personal finances. This makes it the best alternative to QuickBooks.
Although it lacks payroll and time-tracking features, it offers robust budgeting tools and scenario-planning features. Multiple subscription plans are available with a diverse range of features tailored to businesses.
With Quicken, you can create budgets, track financial goals, and simulate “what-if” scenarios for better financial planning.
It excels at expense tracking, allowing you to efficiently separate personal and business expenses. This feature is particularly useful for those managing rental properties.
While Quicken leans more towards personal finance management, it can be a good choice for small business owners. Overall, Quicken offers a comprehensive suite of tools for tracking expenses and managing finances.
Key Features
Unparalleled budgeting options
Easy and automated data import
Manage finances beyond just credits
Customize transactions
Supports mobile app & Webapp
Pros
Easy to use
Real estate options
Affordable
Tracks many types of expenses
Cons
Best accounting software for managing home expenses
Supports only Windows
Cannot accept online payments
Pricing Plans
Quicken Simplifi: $2.99/month
Quicken Classic: $5.99/month
Quicken Classic Business & Personal: $6.59/month
7. Oracle NetSuite
Oracle NetSuite is among the top choices under QuickBooks alternatives. It is best suited for large businesses and those expecting rapid expansion.
NetSuite offers enterprise-level accounting software with cloud-based accessibility. Unlike QuickBooks' enterprise solution, which typically requires local installation or additional fees for cloud access, NetSuite provides real-time access to financial data from anywhere.
In addition to robust accounting features, NetSuite includes Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Human Resources (HR) solutions. It also includes payroll management.
This comprehensive suite allows businesses to centralize their software needs. Hence, it streamlines operations and enhances efficiency.
Key Features
Unified platform for financial management
Automates repetitive tasks
Absolute customer process
Automates billing & invoicing process
Real-time visibility
Intuitive dashboard
Project management
Expense management
Automates revenue recognition
Pros
Offers complete financial management solution
Customizable dashboard
Strong compliance management
Automate tasks
Best suited for enterprise and mid-sized businesses
Cons
Extra setup fees
Steep learning curve
Pricing structures are non-transparent
Pricing Plans
Starts at $99 per month.
8. Manager
Manager is a free alternative to QuickBooks. It is a robust desktop accounting software available for Windows, Linux, and Mac systems.
Manager provides an alternative to cloud-based tools. This makes it a preferred choice for businesses that prioritize offline work.
It is a free accounting software accessible across multiple operating systems. It supports multiple companies and unlimited invoicing. Manager offers a full suite of accounting features, including sales quotes, billable time tracking, and inventory management.
Additionally, Manager gives you multiple reporting options such as profit and loss statements, aged receivables, and balance sheets. These enable you to gain valuable insights into their financial performance.
Key Features
Free accounting software
Supports Windows, Mac, and Linux
Offers both desktop and cloud version
Feature-rich accounting package
Universal database format
Pros
Offers smooth email support
Unlimited invoices
Easy Report analytics
Free desktop accounting software
Cons
Steep learning curve
Complicated to use the Cloud version
Bank statements have to be imported manually
Pricing Plans
Free forever
9. Odoo Accounting
Odoo accounting software is another amazing one among all the QuickBooks alternatives for small businesses. It streamlines invoicing and online payments, making it a reliable choice for small businesses.
With Odoo, you can add a professional touch to your business interactions, similar to QuickBooks. You can seamlessly track invoice progress and automate payment reminders.
The software seamlessly manages point-of-sale transactions, expenses, and inventory. This makes it an all-in-one solution for small businesses and freelancers.
While Odoo is free for a single user, it offers options to upgrade for additional users. Hence, this is a scalable solution for growing businesses. Moreover, for those seeking comprehensive and free accounting software, Odoo is a top choice.
Key Features
Worldwide compatibility
Support mobile apps for Android and iOS
AI-powered invoice digitization
Real-time consolidation reports
Get all the subsidiaries under one subscription
Automate business flows
Pros
Offers free plan
Automatic regular testing
Unlimited user usage
Performs tasks under 90 milliseconds
Cons
Limited live customer service
Pricing Plans
One App Free: $0
Standard: $6.96/user/month
Custom: $10.67/user/month
10. Akaunting
Akaunting is a small business accounting software designed to be used online for free. It aims to streamline your financial management.
With Akaunting, you can easily create invoices, track expenses, and accept online payments, all within a user-friendly interface.
The software offers a range of features, including open-source accounting, secure deposits and transfers, vendor management, and robust reporting capabilities.
While Akaunting is completely free, accessing advanced features may require downloading multiple third-party apps, which could incur additional costs. Despite this, Akaunting remains a valuable option for small businesses seeking a comprehensive and cost-effective accounting solution.
Key Features
Easily manage finances
Keep track of expenses
Unlimited bank and cash accounts
Manage finances of multiple companies
Detailed financial reports
Open-free
Bulk payments
Pros
Unified platform
Intuitive interface
Supports multiple currencies
Easy to navigate
Supports multiple languages
Cons
Steep learning curve
Upgrading to the Client version requires technical proficiency
Pricing Plans
On-Premise: Free
Cloud: $8/month
11. ZipBooks
ZipBooks is user-friendly accounting software tailored to enhance business efficiency. It incorporates powerful accounting features you need to automate several operations, making It a top choice among others.
It encompasses some similar features to QuickBooks. However, its simplicity and robust features make it a unique QuickBooks alternative.
ZipBooks empowers businesses to streamline book balancing, gain insightful analytics, and simplify accounting tasks with auto-categorization and user-friendly reports.
With data-driven intelligence and actionable insights, ZipBooks helps businesses make informed decisions and optimize performance for success.
Key Features
Dead-simple accounting solution
One-time & recurring Billings
Smart & automated expense tracking
Offers a complete suite of reports & insights
Pros
Easy to use
Provides free plan
Direct integration with payment gateways
Seamless vendor management
Cons
Lacks live customer support
The free plan allows only single-user
Pricing Plans
Free: Free Plan
Smarter: $15/month
Sophisticated: $35/month
Accountant: Custom Pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on your needs, several alternatives, such as Zoho Books, Wave Accounting, and FreshBooks, can be better than QuickBooks.
Yes, there are free alternatives to QuickBooks, such as Wave Accounting, Akaunting, and ZipBooks.
Yes, QuickBooks faces competition from several other accounting software providers, such as Xero, Zoho Books, FreshBooks, and Wave Accounting.
QuickBooks offers a free trial, but the full version requires a paid subscription.
In a Nutshell: The Best Alternative to QuickBooks
QuickBooks can be your go-to solution for accounting operations, but opting for its alternatives might give you significant exposure to other reliable features.
The above-mentioned alternatives to QuickBooks can be helpful for you in many diverse ways. However, now it's your task to identify which one suits you the best based on affordability and traits.
Empower yourself with the best accounting software to attain diverse financial needs for your business.
Happy Accounting!
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