Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to me at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. We review these products after doing a lot of research, we check all features and recommend the best products only.

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!

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *