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The best QuickBooks alternative is Zoho Books, with our research noting that it provides the more core accounting features than any other platform. That, combined with its modern and intuitive interface and competitive pricing, make Zoho Books a clear choice for users looking for the best accounting software that isn’t QuickBooks.
There are a lot of QuickBooks alternatives out there that can handle your accounting needs, though. Xero is one option that provides more financial planning and forecasting features, while FreshBooks is a good choice for those in need of 24/7 customer support.
In this guide, we’ll showcase some of the best QuickBooks alternatives out there, highlighting their accounting features, pricing options, and overall usability, so you can make the right decision for your business.
| Starting price | Free trial | Best for | Pros | Cons | Try now | ||
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| 30 days | 14 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | ||
| Advanced customization | Real-time financial management | Integrations | Forecasting and prediction tools | Help & support | Businesses with complex tax needs | ||
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| Try QuickBooks | Try Zoho Books | Try Xero now | Get Quotes | Try FreshBooks | Get Quotes |
Best Alternatives to QuickBooks
Below, we’ve thoroughly reviewed each QuickBooks alternative to help you decide which one is best for your business. Click the links below to jump to one of the providers listed, or keep scrolling to get the whole picture.
- Zoho Books – Best for real-time financial management
- Xero – Best for third party integrations
- FreeAgent – Best for forecasting and prediction tools
- FreshBooks – Best for help & support
- Clear Books – Best for businesses with complex tax needs
Zoho Books – Best for Real-Time Financial Management
Starting price: $15 per month
Free plan: Yes
Check out our Zoho Books vs QuickBooks guide to learn more
Pros
- Extensive data import/export features built in
- Time tracking tools with billable hours conversion for invoicing
- Highly effective transaction documentation
Cons
- Higher than average transaction fees
- No customer support outside business hours (no weekends)
- Limited third party integrations outside of Zoho
- Standard: $15/month
- Professional: $40/month
- Premium: $60/month
- Elite: $120/month
- Advanced: $240/month
- 14-day free trial
Zoho Books pricing
Zoho Books offers five different pricing plans, as well as a free forever plan that can get you started at no charge. Here’s how much those pricing plans cost, and make sure to keep scrolling to see a how they match up against each other on features and other functionalities.
- Standard (3 users) – $15 per month
- Professional (5 users) – $40 per month
- Premium (10 users) – $60 per month
- Elite (10 users) – $120 per month
- Advanced (15 users) – $240 per month
Zoho Books is quite comparable to QuickBooks when it comes to pricing, with both offer five different pricing plans that are all only a few dollars off from each other. Zoho Books has a slightly more affordable starting price at only $15 per month compared to $20 per month. On the other hand, QuickBooks has the more affordable enterprise-level plans, with the Plus and Advanced plans from QuickBooks slightly undercutting the Elite and Advanced plans from Zoho Books.
Check out our Zoho Books pricing guide to learn more
| Price | Users | Automatic bank reconciliation | Inventory management | Set up recurring bills | Track expenses | Record payments in multiple currencies | Client database | Advanced analytics | Custom reports | ||
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Xero – Best for Third Party Integrations
Starting price: $20 per month
Free plan: No
Check out our Xero vs QuickBooks guide for more information
Pros
- Over 1,000 third party integrations available
- Useful client portal for clients to access financial information
- Robust fixed asset tracking functionality with depreciation values
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced features like work flows
- Outdated, poorly designed interface with difficult navigation
- Must give one-month notice before cancellation
- Early: $20/month
- Growing: $47/month
- Established: $80/month
Xero pricing
Xero has three different pricing plans, and it offers a 30-day free trial that allows you to test out some of the features of the platform before you buy. Check out how much these plans cost below, and keep scrolling to compare on them on features, users, and more.
- Early – $20 per month
- Growing – $47 per month
- Established – $80 per month
Xero is also currently offering a special deal that allows you to get 90% off your first three months. That means the Early plan will be only $2 per month for 90 days, which could be a good way to save some money in the early stags.
Most notably, Xero allows for unlimited users on all its plans, unlike QuickBooks, which has specific user allotments for each of its plans. QuickBooks and Xero both start at $20 per month, but Xero’s most expensive plan is only $80 per month, while QuickBooks comes in at $235 per month, which is a big jump.
Check out our Xero Invoice pricing guide for more information
Pros
- Simple, low cost pricing options for businesses
- Built-in tax forecasting tools for future financial planning
- Helpful cash flow alerts for surpluses and shortfalls
Cons
- Overly complex and unhelpful support options
- Difficult to navigate for basic feature usage
- Distracting call-to-action buttons everywhere
- Billed monthly: $27/month
- Billed annually: $270/year
- 30-day free trial
FreeAgent pricing
FreeAgent keeps it’s pricing pretty simply. The accounting software offers only one pricing plans, which costs $27 per month. You can save a bit of money by opting for a yearly contract instead, which will cost you $270 per year. There’s also a 30-day free trial to let you try it out before you make a financial commitment.
FreeAgent pricing is quite different from QuickBooks obviously. Whereas FreeAgent keeps it simple with only one plan, QuickBooks offers a huge range of pricing options, allowing larger businesses to potential scale along with the platform. Smaller businesses will enjoy the more budget-conscious pricing of FreeAgent, as long as they won’t need to upgrade to a more advanced plan in the future.
FreshBooks – Best for Help & Support
Starting price: $19 per month
Free plan: No
Check out our FreshBooks vs QuickBooks guide for more information
Pros
- Intuitive, easy to use interface for beginners
- Time tracking features with invoice compatibility
- 24/7 customer support options for platform help
Cons
- Limited functionality in mobile app
- No forecasting or budgeting features for future analysis
- No multi-currency invoicing available for users
- Lite: $19/month
- Plus: $33/month
- Premium: $60/month
FreshBooks pricing
FreshBooks offers four different pricing plans, as well as a 30-day free trial that can get you started before you need to actually sign up with your credit card. Here’s how the various FreshBooks pricing plans match up against each other:
- Lite (1 user) – $19 per month
- Plus (1 user) $33 per month
- Premium (1 user) – $60 per month
- Select (3 users) – Custom
If you want to add team members to the platform, you’ll have to pay an additional $11 per user, per month, so make sure to factor that in if you have a larger team. You can also save 10% on your plan if you opt for a yearly contract over the monthly option.
FreshBooks is definitely more affordable than QuickBooks, undercutting it on the starting price and the more expensive plans as well. For value, though, QuickBooks is definitely the better option for accounting features, so make sure you’re willing to part with some advanced functionality if you really need to save money.
Check out our FreshBooks pricing guide to learn more
Pros
- Modern, intuitive interface for beginners
- User-friendly search button for simple information location
- Extensive functionality for different tax types
Cons
- Unhelpful and unavailable customer support
- No cash flow projection tools
- Limited customization for dashboards and reports
- Small: $16/month
- Medium: $34/month
- Large: $43/month
Clear Books pricing
Clear Books offers three different pricing plans, as well as a 30-day free trial that allows you access to the platform before you buy it. You will have to provide a credit card to utilize the free trial, though, so make sure to set a reminder if you end up wanting to cancel. Here’s how the pricing plans from Clear Books compare.
- Small – $16 per month
- Medium – $34 per month
- Large – $43 per month
If you’re willing to sign up for a longer contract, you can save quite a bit with Clear Books. By opting for a yearly plan, you can save 10% across all plans, while a two-year plan can save you 20% on all plans.
Clear Books is another accounting platform that clearly undercuts QuickBooks on pricing, with a starting plan that is $4 less per month and expensive plans that are more affordable across the board. Even more notable, Clear Books actually clears QuickBooks when it comes to core accounting features, but it does fall short for projection functionality and operational efficiency, so it’s ideal for smaller businesses on a budget that only need accounting tools and nothing more.
Should You Choose QuickBooks Anyway?
We know you came here looking for a QuickBooks alternative, but we have to tell you: Our research shows that QuickBooks is the best accounting software available right now.
Simply put, it offers the most features, scoring 10 out of 10 in all major categories, the most robust analytics, with a 10 out of 10 in financial reporting, the best support, with a 9.3 out of 10, and a 30-day free trial that lets you try it before you buy. From expense tracking and payroll processing features to Office 365 integration and email support, there’s not a lot to say about QuickBooks other than it’s the best for a reason.
The only sticking point for QuickBooks is probably the price. With the lowest plan at $15 per month, it’s definitely more expensive than the average competitor, which hovers around $10 per month. Still, you’re getting more than enough bang for your buck, so if you can afford it, it’s certainly worth the investment.
Take a look at some of the pricing plans for QuickBooks below to get a better idea of just how much comes with this high-quality accounting software.
Pros
- Extensive analytics template customization
- Automatic alerts for mismatched balances
- Built in cash flow projection tools
Cons
- Steep learning curve for advanced functionality
- Limited customer support resources for self-help
- No time tracking features
- Solopreneur: $20/month
- Simple Start: $35/month
- Essentials: $65/month
- Plus: $99/month
- Advanced: $235/month
- 50% off for first 3 months
| Price | Users | Bookkeeping Does it include bookkeeping functions? | Accounts payable Does it include a range of accounts payable functions? | Accounts receivable Does it include a range of accounts receivable functions? | Project accounting Does it offers tools to track different projects? | Financial reporting Does it offer financial reporting tools? | Budget & forecasting Does it offer budgeting and forecasting tools? | ||
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Free Alternatives to QuickBooks
If you’re looking for something to replace QuickBooks, there’s a good chance you’re doing so because of the price. While the alternatives we mentioned above a great, many of them still cost money (except for Wave and Kashoo, which both offer free plans).
Subsequently, if you’re on a really tight budget and need to save some serious money, there are some free accounting software providers out there. Brands like Lendio and ZipBooks all offer accounting features that can get you by in a pinch without you having to even look at your wallet.
However, it’s worth noting that free accounting software is often lacking in some pretty important areas. You often won’t be able to use features like payroll, reporting, forecasting, inventory, and invoicing, which are considered key features are the average small business.
All this to say that accounting software is really one of those business resources worth paying for. After all, when it comes down to it, what’s important than effectively tracking your finances, right?
Methodology: How We Test QuickBooks Alternatives
At Tech.co, we take our impartial research and analysis seriously, so you can have complete confidence that we're giving you the clearest, most useful recommendations.
After conducting an initial investigation to identify the most relevant, popular, and established accounting tools in the market, we conducted further research, including testing six major accounting software platforms.
Based on years of market and user needs research, we've established an accounting software testing methodology that scores these platforms against six main categories, and 25 subcategories - with a total of 1512 areas of investigation being considered overall.
We also put the platforms through their paces with hands-on testing to gain a deeper grasp of their average user experience. We dedicated 57 hours to carrying out 37 user tests, with a total of 555 tasks being completed in total.
Our main testing categories for accounting software are:
- Core accounting features - We check how adept a platform will be at managing accounting tasks, focusing on key bookkeeping features like invoicing, tax preparation, journal entry, time tracking, financial transactions, and payment support.
- Operational efficiency - We determine how capable a system is at ensuring day-to-day processes run seamlessly, paying close attention to third-party integrations, collaboration tools, AI automation, and customization options.
- Financial planning - We assess how capable a system will be at measuring income, profits, and losses. Specifically, we check for the presence and quality of forecasting and budgeting, inventory management, reporting, and compliance tools.
- Help and support - We asses how useful and reliable a platform's support system is, focusing on support options, whether it's 24/7, knowledge center accuracy, as well as cloud backup, and security safeguards.
- Pricing - We compare the overall cost of each platform, taking factors like monthly costs, set-up fees, hidden fees, and free plans into account. We also measure how strict contracts are, and how much it would cost for a business to terminate them early.
- User experience - An overall judgment of how easily users can interact with the platform. We tested each accounting platform and got our team to report how easy they were to use, how they felt when they were using them, and how likely they were to recommend the platform to another business.
When it comes to calculating a product's final score, not all testing areas are weighted evenly, with factors like ‘core accounting features’ and ‘operational efficiency’ being prioritized for small businesses, while sector-specific features are valued more highly for businesses across different industries.
We understand that accounting software is always evolving. That’s why at Tech.co, we have full-time product researchers to re-run this testing process regularly. It’s the only way to ensure our results remain reflective of the present day.
Learn more about our research.
Verdict: Is QuickBooks the best choice?
We’ve done some pretty extensive research on the subject, and it’s true: QuickBooks is the best accounting software available today. It offers an unparalleled feature catalog, robust reporting, expert support, and a generally customizable platform that can improve any business. Plus, it comes with a 30-day free trial, so you can try it out before you commit.
However, it can get a bit expensive, particularly for small businesses, so we understand the desire for some viable alternatives. As we mentioned, FreshBooks is the best alternative to QuickBooks, as it comes at a lower price while still offering a lot of great features.
The accounting software industry is always evolving and staying on top of the latest developments can make a big difference. Take a look at our handy comparison guide to get even more information about this helpful business software.
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