Looking for a QuickBooks alternative? Let’s make it easy for you. We’ve compiled a straightforward list of the best alternatives based on our own experiences and feedback from the thousands of founders we work with. Whether you find QuickBooks too complicated, it doesn’t meet your needs, or you’re searching for a free option, we’ve got you covered. 

We’re here to give you honest advice tailored to your needs, after all, we’re not an accounting software ourselves so no bias from us.

For those busy and looking to save time, here are the top 7 QuickBooks alternatives in 2024:

1. Xero - The most popular accounting alternative, simple to use, used by over 4 million people  - Exclusive Offer: 75% off your first 6 months
2. FreshBooks - Designed for small businesses and freelancers, FreshBooks offers user-friendly invoicing and expense tracking features.
3. Zoho Books - A comprehensive accounting solution that integrates seamlessly with other Zoho applications, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.‍
4. Bench - A solid choice for those seeking to automate their accounting processes with dedicated bookkeeping services.
5. Wave - A free accounting software perfect for small businesses and freelancers, offering essential features like invoicing and expense tracking.
6. Sage Intacct - A robust cloud-based financial management software tailored for larger organizations that require advanced reporting and automation.
7. NetSuite - An extensive ERP solution that combines accounting, CRM, and inventory management, making it suitable for medium to large businesses.

For those with more time, you’ll find our in-depth guide to the best Quickbooks alternative and similar accounting software options below.

Key factors to consider when choosing a Quickbooks alternative

When selecting the right QuickBooks alternative for your business, it’s essential to consider the key factors that can impact your accounting experience and needs. With many options available on the market, evaluating the various features, pricing structures, and levels of support each offers will give you a clearer understanding of which alternative may be the most suitable for you, ultimately helping you make an informed decision.

Here are some of the key factors you should consider:

• Usability - Let’s face it, you want an interface that is user-friendly and easy to navigate. Without this, you could face both frustration and challenges with the software. Consider how easy it is to find the right pages and features, how well it works with your team, and how easily it integrates with other software your business uses.
• Pricing - The cost of software is often a top consideration in decision-making. When evaluating prices, ensure that they cover all your needs and that there are no hidden fees.
• Features - You’ll need to make sure it has everything you’ll need out of an accountancy software, the key features typically are:some text
  • Invoicing and billing capabilities
  • Double entry feature
  • Expense tracking
  • Tax management
  • Bank reconciliation
  • Reporting and analytics tools
  • Integration with other software or platforms
  • Mobile app availability for on-the-go access
• Customer Support - There’s nothing more frustrating than being unable to get support when you need it, so be sure to check the available support options—whether it's via phone, email, or live chat—and ensure they match your preferences. Additionally, look for tutorials and help pages, both from the company and from external sources, such as YouTube. These resources can save you countless hours of learning.
• Scalability - Consider whether the alternative can grow with your business. As your company expands, you may need additional features or capabilities. Choose software that can cope with these new requirements so you don’t have to change again in the future.
• Security - Although this will be covered by the big companies, just keep in mind that you want to ensure the company meets industry standards for data security. If your company has specific requirements that you need software to have then check these too.
• User Reviews and Reputation - A final bit of research  you can do is to check the reviews of the software from customers, these will often highlight any issues but also the positives of the platform. 

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can select a QuickBooks alternative that best suits your business needs. Take the time to assess your specific requirements and how each option aligns with them. 

Ultimately you can then make an informed decision based on these factors, your company's specific needs and any other factors you want to take into account.

Free Quickbooks alternatives

You may have landed on this guide in search of free QuickBooks alternatives because you’re a small business owner or a solo entrepreneur who prefers a free option over a paid one. However, it’s important to keep in mind that most free options typically lack many features found in their paid counterparts, which could lead to spending significantly more time on the software, after all, time is money.

Here are a few of the free alternatives to Quickbooks:

1. FreshBooks - with a free plan which is suitable for solopreneurs and micro businesses you’ll get features such as the ability to create invoices, quotes, expenses, accept only payments and more. However, it may not be the ideal choice for all small businesses, particularly those that require more advanced features 
2. Wave -Wave has a starter plan that is free, allowing you to create unlimited estimates, invoices, bills, and bookkeeping records. With the option to accept online payments, managing your finances. There is also the Wave app which helps you to invoice whilst on the go, Additionally, Wave provides a comprehensive dashboard to help you manage cash flow and customer relationships in one place, making it a good choice for small business owners

We would say that these options are best suited for businesses that are more like side hustles or hobbies whereby you don’t expect much growth. If your business does grow, you may need to move to a paid plan, which could lead to the hassle of switching to another platform if the paid option doesn’t meet your needs.

Quickbooks alternatives for small businesses

For small business owners, finding the right accounting software is key for managing your finances efficiently, often you’ll have lots on your hands so having your accounts sorted and not worrying about them is the goal for most.

QuickBooks is a popular choice, but it may not always be the best fit for everyone. Fortunately, there are several alternatives that offer features tailored to the unique needs of small businesses. Here are four solid QuickBooks alternatives to consider:

1. Xero - Xero is one of the most popular choices for small businesses, with all the key features small businesses need, great value pricing, easy to use interface and additional features such as invoicing, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting it should be an option you consider seriously.
2. FreshBooks - with various plans available there are several plans available to small businesses, this includes the free, standard, professional and premium plans all being affordable for small businesses. 
3. Zoho Books - Zoho Books is a robust accounting solution that offers a free plan for businesses with annual revenue below a certain threshold. It includes key features like invoicing, expense tracking, and reporting, making it a great choice for small businesses looking for powerful functionality without a hefty price tag.

In conclusion, while QuickBooks is a well-known option, it’s essential to explore alternatives like Xero that may better align with your specific needs and budget. Each of these options offers unique features that can help streamline your accounting processes and support your business growth.

The best deals on alternate accounting software

We work hard to make sure we get you the best deals available on alternates to Quickbooks, so if you do want to switch or simply want to sign up for the first time to another accounting solution you can do so and get a discount when doing so.

Currently we have negotiated the following discounts:

• Xero - 75% off for 6 months
• Freshbooks - 50% off for 6 months
• Quickbooks - If price is the issue, UK customers can get 90% off for 7 months

For the United States (US) and rest of the world customers we currently don't have a Quickbooks specific discount however they do often run promotions which you can take advantage of if you decide to go for Quickbooks instead of an alternate.

How We Assess the Best Alternatives

When it comes to finding the best QuickBooks alternatives for small businesses, we take a hands-on approach to evaluation. We start by exploring a range of accounting programs, focusing on key features, ease of use, and overall value. Pricing is a significant factor for us, as we know many small businesses operate on tight budgets. We look for solutions that are either less expensive or competitively priced compared to QuickBooks and consider discounts for annual plans, free trials, and free versions.

We also dive deep into the features each software offers, ensuring they provide the essential tools needed for effective financial management. Quality customer support is another critical aspect; we assess not just the availability of help but also the resources that make using the software easier, such as tutorials and community forums. Ultimately, we want to recommend alternatives that truly cater to the unique needs of small business owners, helping them make informed choices that contribute to their success.

A Quickbooks alternatives summary

In summary, when it comes to finding the best QuickBooks alternative for your business, Xero for us and our thousands of business owner is the most popular and comes out as a great option, particularly for small to large businesses aiming for growth. With its user-friendly interface, robust features, and scalability, Xero suits many people who are looking to move away from Quickbooks but want to ensure they have all the features they loved and a fair price.

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, FreshBooks is also a great choice. It offers a free plan along with various paid options that provide excellent value for money, making it suitable for freelancers and small businesses alike. FreshBooks excels in user-friendly invoicing and expense tracking, helping users manage their finances efficiently without breaking the bank.

Our recommendations are grounded in the experiences and feedback of the thousands of founders who are members of FounderPass. This insight ensures that our suggestions are not only relevant but also practical for real-world business applications. Whether you prioritize affordability, scalability, or specific features, there’s a QuickBooks alternative in our list that can meet your unique needs and support your business journey effectively.

Quickbooks alternative FAQs

Below you'll find some of the more common questions we get asked when it comes to picking Quickbook alternatives and similar software.

What are the best QuickBooks alternatives for small businesses?

We can’t say one alternative is best as it will depend on various factors, although some are very popular like Xero, we recommend you check the main ones you think may be suitable and then make a decision based on your needs. 

What are the key features I look for in accounting software?

Again this may differ based on your company and needs however when choosing accounting software, most businesses will look for the following key features:

• Invoicing - Easy creation and customization of invoices
• Expense Tracking - Tools for recording and categorizing expenses
• Financial Reporting - Generation of detailed reports for better insights
• Bank Reconciliation - Automatic syncing with bank accounts for accurate records
• Inventory Management - Tracking stock levels and product sales
• Multi-User Access - Support for multiple users with different access levels
• Integration Capabilities - Compatibility with other software and tools you use

Are there any discounts for accounting software?

Yes, lots of the companies run promotions to get new customers, for example you can get 75% off Xero for 6 months which can save you quite a bit of money.

Don’t just base your decision on finding similar Quickbooks tools based purely on a discount however as many other factors are involved.