QuickBooks, a 7.8 out of 10 rated software on TrustRadius, has always been a popular choice for accounting software. But lately, numerous other options emerged to cater to different business needs. From feature-rich solutions like Zoho Books and Xero to specialized platforms like Wave and Bonsai, find the perfect alternative to streamline your financial management processes. So, let’s discover the top 7 free and paid QuickBooks alternatives for 2023.
- FreshBooks: Best for service-based businesses and freelancers with intuitive invoicing features.
- Wave Accounting: Best free QuickBooks alternative with essential accounting tools.
- Xero: Best for unlimited users and extensive integration choices.
- Sage: Best alternative to QuickBooks desktop for multi-company accounting.
- Zoho Books Accounting: Best overall QuickBooks alternative with a powerful mobile app.
- Bonsai: Best all-in-one suite for freelancers with integrated accounting features.
- FreeAgent: Best all-in-one accounting software designed specifically for small-business owners.
7 Best Free & Paid QuickBooks Alternatives
Looking for the free and paid QuickBooks alternatives to manage your small business finances? We’ve compiled the best small business accounting software list that offers robust features, user-friendly interfaces, and competitive pricing.
FreshBooks – Best for service-based businesses and freelancers with intuitive invoicing features
FreshBooks is a powerful accounting software designed for the self-employed and small businesses. With its intuitive interface and exceptional usability, FreshBooks is an ideal solution for small businesses and freelancers.
FreshBooks Features:
- Effective Interface
- Project Management Tools
- Mobile Apps
pros
- Exceptional usability and user-friendly interface.
- Robust project management tools for effective team collaboration.
- Availability of mobile apps for convenient access to accounting tasks on the go.
- Excellent customer support with quick response times.
cons
- Limited functionality for tracking inventory and cost of goods sold (COGS).
- Additional fees for adding more users.
- Lack of class tracking for income and expenses.
FreshBooks Plans & Pricing:
- FreshBooks offers different pricing plans to cater to varying business needs:
- Lite Plan: $17 per month for up to five billable clients.
- Plus Plan: $30 per month for up to 50 billable clients.
- Premium Plan: $55 per month for unlimited billable clients.
- Select Plan: Custom pricing for specialized features and unlimited billable clients.
Wave Accounting – Best free QuickBooks alternative with essential accounting tools
Wave Accounting is a free accounting software that aims to simplify financial management for businesses. It offers easy setup and the ability to connect your business bank account for automatic bookkeeping. It is best suited for small teams or individuals looking for a no-cost accounting solution.
Wave Accounting Features:
- Invoicing
- Transactions
- Simple Dashboard and Operations
pros
- Free accounting software with robust features.
- User-friendly interface and easy navigation.
- Customizable invoice templates and branding options.
- Comprehensive transaction management tools.
cons
- Certain functionalities like payroll services come at an additional cost.
- Not suitable for large teams or businesses with complex accounting needs
Plans & Pricing:
Wave Accounting’s biggest appeal is its free subscription, which includes all the basic accounting features. However, additional features, such as payroll services, can be purchased separately. The payroll service costs $35 per month, with an additional $6 per contractor or employee.
Xero – Best for unlimited users and extensive integration choices
Xero is the accounting software that keeps things simple. From bank feeds and intuitive reconciliation to basic inventory tracking and reporting, Xero provides the essential tools you need.
Xero Features:
- Easy-to-use Dashboard
- Bank Accounts and Reconciliation
- Reports and Customization
- Fixed Assets Management
pros
- Unlimited users for all pricing plans.
- More affordable than QuickBooks Online.
- Extensive integration choices within the Xero App Store.
- Simpler interface and minimal learning curve.
- Advanced bank reconciliation features.
cons
- Xero may not be as popular in the US compared to other accounting software options.
- Some features similar to QuickBooks Online are only available in the highest-priced plan.
- Payroll requires third-party integration via Gusto.
Xero Plans & Pricing:
- Xero offers three pricing plans, all of which include unlimited users:
- Early Plan: $13 per month, with features including 20 invoices and five bills.
- Growing Plan: $37 per month, providing unlimited invoices and bills.
- Established Plan: $70 per month, offering unlimited invoices and bills, as well as additional features like multi-currency support, receipt capture, and project tracking.
Sage – Best for multi-company accounting
Sage is a comprehensive accounting package offering both desktop and cloud products. Its cloud-based solution, Sage Accounting, caters to self-employed individuals, micro-businesses, and small businesses with affordable pricing tiers. With features such as inventory management, bank reconciliations, balance sheets, and cash flow management, Sage is an ideal alternative to QuickBooks.
Sage Features:
- Microsoft 365 Integration
- Standard User Interface
- Records and Transactions
- Reports and Mobile Apps
pros
- Affordable accounting package with comprehensive features.
- Microsoft 365 integration for seamless access and collaboration.
- Standard user interface for easy navigation.
- Detailed records and transaction management.
- Interactive reports with customizable filters.
cons
- Desktop software is the default, even with cloud access available.
- May require solid accounting software experience.
- Limited support and popularity in the US.
Sage Plans & Pricing:
The Sage tool offers different pricing plans to suit various business needs:
- Sage Accounting Start Plan: $10 per month, with income and expense account management. Includes a 30-day free trial.
- Sage Accounting Plan: $25 per month, with features like cash flow forecasting, inventory tools, and unlimited users. Includes a 30-day free trial.
- Sage 50 Cloud Quantum Accounting: $152.42 to $389.67 per month for one to 10 users. Custom pricing available for 11 users and up.
- Sage 50 Cloud Pro Accounting: $57.17 per month for one user.
- Sage 50 Cloud Premium Accounting: $92 to $211.67 per month for one to five users.
Zoho Books Accounting – Best alternative with a powerful mobile app
Looking for powerful accounting software at an affordable price? Zoho Books is the answer to your search for QuickBooks Alternatives. This full-featured software offers robust accounting functionality, advanced features, and strong invoicing capabilities, all at a fraction of the cost of QuickBooks. Zoho Books stands out with its intuitive interface, simplicity, and extensive help tools, making it a user-friendly alternative.
Features:
- Excellent Navigation and Help Features
- Impressive Reporting
- Mobile Access
pros
- Free version available for users with annual revenues under $50,000.
- Scalable pricing plans to accommodate businesses of different sizes.
- Mobile accounting app with enhanced functionality compared to QuickBooks.
- Dedicated customer portal for invoice viewing and settlement.
cons
- Additional fee for adding more users.
- Project accounting and inventory management is only available in higher plans.
- Managing unpaid bills is not available in the Free and Starter plans.
- Limited invoices in the Free and Standard plans.
Zoho Books Plans & Pricing:
Zoho Books offers a range of plans to suit different business needs:
- Free Plan: Suitable for businesses with annual revenues under $50,000, including one user, one accountant, and up to 1,000 invoices per year.
- Standard Plan: Priced at $20 per month, supports up to three users and 5,000 invoices.
- Professional Plan: Available at $50 per month, it accommodates up to five users with unlimited invoices.
- Premium Plan: Priced at $70 per month, allows up to 10 users with unlimited invoices.
- Elite Plan: Costs $150 per month for up to 10 users.
- Ultimate Plan: Priced at $275 per month, it supports up to 15 users with unlimited invoices.
Bonsai – Best all-in-one suite for freelancers with integrated accounting features
Bonsai is an all-in-one solution designed for freelancers. It combines project management with accounting features, allowing you to easily track billable expenses, generate expense reports, arrange recurring payments, and create custom client proposals and contracts.
Features:
- Billable Expense Tracking
- Payment Options and Tools
- Project Management and Proposals
- Reporting and Analytics
pros
- All-in-one solution with project management and accounting features.
- Multiple payment options, including credit card, ACH transfer, PayPal, and Bitcoin.
- Custom client proposals and contracts for a streamlined workflow.
- Efficient billable expense tracking and expense report generation.
cons
- Limited to freelancers and may not cater to larger businesses.
- Pricing may not be suitable for freelancers with minimal needs.
- Additional users come at an extra cost.
- Certain advanced features available only in higher-priced plans.
Bonsai Plans & Pricing:
Bonsai offers two pricing plans:
- Workflow Plan: Priced at $19 per month, it includes unlimited clients and projects, proposals and contracts, invoicing, project management, payments, and time tracking.
- Workflow Plus Plan: Available at $29 per month, it offers additional features such as the client portal, subcontracting, priority support, workflow automation, and client questionnaires.
- Additional users can be invited to collaborate for $9 per month.
FreeAgent – Best all-in-one accounting software designed specifically for small-business owners
FreeAgent is an accounting software tailored for small-business owners. From invoicing and expense tracking to sales tax calculation and real-time cash flow insights, FreeAgent has got you covered. Enjoy automated bank feeds, unlimited users, and the convenience of a mobile app.
FreeAgent Features:
- Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Sales Tax Calculation
- Automated Bank Feeds
- Unlimited Users
pros
- All-in-one accounting solution designed specifically for small-business owners.
- Automated bank feeds eliminate manual data entry.
- Unlimited users for easy collaboration.
- Mobile app for convenient access on the go.
cons
- Fixed monthly prices may not suit businesses with minimal accounting needs.
- Limited pricing options compared to other software providers.
- Some advanced features may be missing for more complex accounting requirements.
FreeAgent Plans & Pricing:
The tool offers a single pricing plan at $24 per month. This includes access to all features, unlimited users, and the mobile app. The fixed pricing structure simplifies your decision-making process without compromising functionality.
Methodology
Our methodology for evaluating the paid and free QuickBooks alternatives involved a thorough analysis of various accounting programs. We assessed key factors such as features, ease of use, pricing, customer support, and user reviews. Our goal was to provide a comprehensive and unbiased assessment to help small businesses find the most suitable alternative to QuickBooks.
Conclusion
The market offers a range of excellent QuickBooks alternatives for businesses seeking accounting solutions. Whether you prefer free or paid options, the 7 alternatives mentioned in this article provide robust features, user-friendly interfaces, and competitive pricing, catering to the diverse needs of small businesses in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is QuickBooks worth it for a small business?
QuickBooks is a popular accounting software that offers a comprehensive suite of features tailored for small businesses. It provides efficient bookkeeping, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting capabilities. While the cost may vary, many small businesses find the value and functionality of QuickBooks well worth the investment.
