QuickBooks Alternatives

As a complex accounting product, Quickbooks has become essential in this populated niche. A niche no company or freelancer can avoid and can live without. This is much for anybody who wants to do business now and in the future. The good thing about it is that with time systems such as QuickBooks develop more automation that makes our lives easier.

While QuickBooks has a vast pool of customers in the United States, approximately 2.7 million of them to be more exact, and QuickBooks payrolls about 1.4 million, other products in the market claim that they can do a similar job or even better than QuickBooks. So I say let’s challenge them and see if this is it.

Alternatives to Quickbooks are plenty to suit everybody, but can they measure it, or are they just a temporary solution? To answer these questions, we have to look at the Quickbooks alternatives regarding features, integrations, and pricing.

Now, if you are really in the market for a cloud-based accounting system and you are looking for a QuickBooks alternative, there are a few things you should consider before searching:

One of QuickBooks’s most compelling selling points is how easy it is for someone with a non-accounting background to set up and get started with the software. Moreover, the software provider also aced the tutorial game and taught new users how to be comfortable with their products. So, before choosing a cloud-based accounting software, make sure it comes with all the tools to make it easy for you to start.

QuickBooks is not the cheapest accounting software on the market, but 2.7 million businesses still prefer it. This must make you wonder why when you can find free alternatives to QuickBooks and cheaper products.

Probably one of the most overlooked features when looking for an accounting system and, ironically enough, one of the ones you need the most. Our advice is to do against your intuition and don’t take this for granted, especially if you plan to do the bookkeeping and taxes yourself. Trust us; you will need this feature more than anything.

Read the review more than ever. Thinking about the consequences of choosing the wrong accounting tool might have for you, maybe you should consider using software vouched for by other companies.

Best Quickbooks Alternatives

Before we compare Quickbooks competitors, QuickBooks comes with 650 integration possibilities rare in the market. It is not number one in the USA for no reason; they have a lot to bring to the table even though they are pricy. With this being said, let’s move on to the comparison and give you a better understanding of what makes each one of the great and whatnot.

Quicken vs. QuickBooks

What is Quicken?

Quicken is a personal finance management tool that, funny enough, was formally part of Intuit, a company that is currently owning Quickbooks. Quicken is a software dedicated to individuals that want to track their investments and personal finances.

Now that this is settled, I guess it is reasonably clear that the two products are somewhat complementary, not QuickBooks competitors.

QuickBooks vs. Quicken

Even at first glance, it is evident that Quicken and QuickBooks are not competitors, and due to their somewhat similar features, they can be considered alternatives. However, don’t get fooled by appearances. Quicken vs. QuickBooks makes no sense and should not be compared.

In conclusion, if you are looking for a personal finance or family budgeting tool, Quicken is the tool for you; however, if you are looking for an accounting tool, QuickBooks is the solution.

QuickBooks vs. FreshBooks

FreshBooks is one of the newest cloud-based and desktop accounting systems that pose a real threat to QuickBooks. The product focuses on small and medium-sized businesses and comes with a fantastic UI/UX experience and a competitive price.

However, even if the two products are very similar in features and QuickBooks comes at a higher price, FreshBooks has more limitations, especially if you have very high plans for your organization.

Pay close attention to your needs and where you would like your organization. to be in a couple of years. Both companies offer migration services with accounting and taxing. It would be recommended that you make a choice and stick to it for the long term.

Check out the FreshBooks review for more in-depth information about the tool.

Xero vs. QuickBooks

What is Xero?

Xero is fully cloud-based accounting software for small and medium-sized companies. However, larger companies appreciated the software for its versatility, customer service, and usability.

QuickBooks vs. Xero

Now moving on to Xero vs. Quickbooks, let’s look at the different features and pricing packages.

Now, as mentioned above, Xero comes only with a cloud-based version. Therefore, we will be looking only at the QuickBooks Online alternative.

Above all, the two Saas products are highly similar, so similar that we could say that Xero is the Australian continent’s version of QuickBooks. Xero has an easy-to-use interface and some attractive plans starting from $11/ month. However, in contrast to QuickBooks, the New Zealand-based company offers inventory and fixed assets management in all its programs and also, above all, unlimited use for all its plans. While we do love Quickbooks online, we have to say that it comes with a cap of 25 users for its most expensive online version Advanced.

As it is a matter of perspective, at the end of the day with this too, both have the same features available overall, yet Xero offers more for less cost, and for that reason alone, we can say it adds more value for money for their clients. Also, in the Xero vs. QuickBooks battle, Xero has no limitations regarding users, which means scalability for a long time.

However, Xero comes only with an online version and does not offer a desktop alternative like QuickBooks. So, if you are interested in a desktop version, Xero can not accommodate your needs.

In conclusion, we do find Xero a very competitive product and probably the best alternative to QuickBooks.

Wave vs. QuickBooks

What is Wave?

Wave Accounting is a Toronto-based accounting-based software that became fast popular due to its free accounting app.

QuickBooks vs. Wave Accounting

So, yes, Wave is the free alternative to QuickBooks. If you are at the beginning of your entrepreneurial journey and looking for a way to start, Wave might be what you are looking for. While Wave has a free accounting feature, the optional payments and payroll are paid.

However, depending on how many transitions you have with Wave, you will have to pay 2,9% plus $0.30 for each change and a base fee of $35 for a full-service payroll or a $20 monthly fee for the more hands-on of you guys for the self-service payroll.

If you are looking to grow your business and for a solution for the long term, Wave Accounting might not be the optimal solution for you, but if you are looking for a QuickBooks alternative and you are on a tight budget, then Wave is for you.

The software is reliable, proven by the 3.5 million companies that use it for their taxes and bookkeeping but not the correct calling.

But in conclusion, we must say thatis you couldn’t ask for more of a free alternative to QuickBooks.

Sage vs. QuickBooks

What is Sage?

Sage50cloud Accounting is a cloud-based software for creating financial reports, business management, and bookkeeping. The software is UK-based and primarily focuses on small and medium-sized businesses.

QuickBooks vs. Sage50

Very closely related to QuickBooks, Sage offers similar features and capabilities. However, in contrast to others, Sage comes with a competitive amount of integrations compared to other tools.

However, QuickBooks is more appreciated amongst users for its learning modules and friendliness to non-accountant users. Furthermore, Sage comes with a friendlier starting pricing package above the three months free. For small businesses, the starting point is at $10/month with a relatively generous package of options.

In conclusion, from a features and integrations perspective Sage is the perfect alternative to QuickBooks. However, the software can be more affordable for small businesses.

Gusto vs. QuickBooks

What is Gusto?

Gusto is a payroll and HR software dedicated to small to medium-sized businesses. The software is preferred and chosen by several companies for their UI/UX and support.

Pros and Cons Gusto vs. QuickBooks

Gusto is the preferred alternative to QuickBooks payrolls amongst Americans. While very similar to QuickBooks, Gusto has a few features included in the price for which QuickBooks charges extra. With the most common being:

Missing features such as:

Gusto also comes with multiple integrations, including Xero and even QuickBooks, and a lower price point.

There isn’t such a big difference between Gusto vs. QuickBooks, and it all depends on preferences. Above all, if you are already using QuickBooks for your accounting, the best option would still be QuickBooks payroll, regardless of the price difference. If you are wondering why? Think about all the time and energy you will save by not learning a new accounting system. Meaning QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Payrolls use the same interface.

It all depends on you and your team and how technical you are at the end of the day. The more specialized you are, the easiest it will be to change systems. Let’s not lie to each other and pretend to get great support to quit the software. They would rather waste their energy onboarding new clients, which is normal. Now, don’t get us wrong. We are not trying to point out a flaw in the customers’ service of QuickBooks but rather the hassle of changing systems and the importance of a technically savvy team for this process.

QuickBooks vs. PayChex

What is PayChex?

PayChex Flex is a payroll and HR solution for small and medium-sized businesses, as they say. However, after quickly looking at the PayChex software and the review left by several of its users, we can confidently say that the software is highly recommended for larger businesses. Regarding QuickBooks vs. PayChex, we can start by saying that QuickBooks Online integrates with PayChex.

Pros and Cons QuickBooks vs. PayChex

Furthermore, the main difference between the two is that they cater to different businesses. QuickBooks focuses on smaller companies and freelancers with higher budgets, while PayChex was developed more for companies with dedicated accountants, HR, and payrolls. Thus, some of the difference between the two is given from a security perspective and the different needs.

For example, while QuickBooks is supported by cloud servers and can be easily accessed from anywhere with nearly complete functionality, PayChex data is hosted on the company’s servers. This is a non-issue, and to be fair, it is just a different approach, and it depends on what you prefer.

Moreover, PayChex has a less friendly and harder-to-learn interface, so we recommend it for experienced users to compensate for the technical support aspect. PayChex is also more rigid and corporatist in its approach to employees by not allowing self-reporting of worked hours; however, we can’t say that QuickBooks is too friendly as if you would like to add that feature, you will have to pay extra.

QuickBooks Alternatives Conclusion

To sum up, QuickBooks is a great tool with many alternatives and competitors offering very similar services. However, the top three best alternatives to QuickBooks after our review are, in our humble opinion:

Now, while the software is similar, the difference lies in the subtilities and fine additions that each one of them brings to the table; for example, some entrepreneurs prefer to do their accounting, or some business are at the beginning and budgets are tight therefore they look for an easy to use and affordable solution.

Finally, think about what you need, your budget, and where you see your business in a few months, then decide.