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Tired Of QuickBooks? Here Are The 7 Best QuickBooks Pro Alternatives

QuickBooks has a good reputation for a reason, but if you’re looking to shop around for pricing and features, there are plenty of other programs out there.

    Erica Seppala
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Advertiser Disclosure: Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.
Alternatives to QuickBooks Pro

Intuit Quickbooks is almost certainly the first name you think of when it comes to accounting software. But should QuickBooks be your first accounting choice?

QuickBooks has a good reputation for a reason, but if you’re a new user searching out all of your options or an existing QuickBooks user looking for a change, there are plenty of other programs out there. Read on for an in-depth look at the top four alternatives to QuickBooks. We’ll compare features, integrations, pricing, and more so you can choose the perfect accounting software for your business.

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AccountEdge

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Best QuickBooks alternative for strong accounting & features.
Best QuickBooks alternative for strong accounting & features.

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Xero

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Best QuickBooks alternative for multiple users.
Best QuickBooks alternative for multiple users.

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Sage 50cloud

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Best Quickbooks alternative with advanced inventory.
Best Quickbooks alternative with advanced inventory.

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QuickBooks Online

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Best cloud-based QuickBooks alternative.
Best cloud-based QuickBooks alternative.

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Wave

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Best free QuickBooks alternative.
Best free QuickBooks alternative.

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QuickBooks Desktop Premier

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Best specialized software alternative to QuickBooks.
Best specialized software alternative to QuickBooks.

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QuickBooks Enterprise

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Best QuickBooks Pro alternative for large businesses.
Best QuickBooks Pro alternative for large businesses.

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Read more below to learn why we chose these options.

The 7 Best QuickBooks Pro Alternatives

Whether you’re making the switch from QuickBooks or looking for software that’s a better fit for your business, consider these QuickBooks Pro alternatives. Check out these popular accounting software alternatives to QuickBooks, including Wave, AccountEdge, Xero, Sage 50cloud, QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Premier, and QuickBooks Enterprise.

1. AccountEdge: Best QuickBooks Alternative With Strong Accounting & Features

AccountEdge


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Accounting Method

Accrual & Cash Basis

Pricing

$699 one-time fee or $15/month

Business Size

Mid-sized to larger businesses with advanced accounting needs

Pros

  • Advanced features
  • Windows and Mac based
  • Highly customizable

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Additional cost for payroll, tax support, and additional users

AccountEdge is incredibly similar to QuickBooks Pro in that both are locally-installed programs with strong accounting. However, unlike QB and most other locally-installed programs, AccountEdge offers a mobile app. AccountEdge is ideal for small to mid-sized businesses in need of strong accounting and ample features. The software is locally-installed but can be utilized by either Mac or Windows users. It is not ideal for businesses with multiple users in need of mobility, and the software may be difficult for people with no previous accounting experience.

AccountEdge supports an impressive number of features that are almost on par with QuickBooks Pro's offerings.  Features include invoicing, estimates, job costing, reports, and expense tracking. More advanced features are available based on the plan you choose and the add-ons you select. You can choose from two plans: AccountEdge Basic or AccountEdge Pro. AccountEdge Basic has the features you would expect from accounting software. The Pro plan offers additional features, including payroll, time tracking, accounts payable, and full inventory. AccountEdge also has ERP software if you decide that you've outgrown your accounting software.

AccountEdge has a positive reputation among users past and present. More specifically, users like the abundant features offered by this software. It also ranks highly among Mac users since it can be difficult to find good locally-installed accounting software that works with Mac.

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2. Xero: Best QuickBooks Alternative For Multiple Users

Xero


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Pros

  • Numerous features
  • 800+ integrations
  • Supports unlimited users

Cons

  • Limited mobile apps
  • No built-in payroll

Xero is cloud-based software that boasts strong accounting features and numerous integrations, similar to QuickBooks Pro. What really stands out about Xero, though, is that you can add unlimited users for no additional charge. You won't find that with most accounting software!

Pricing ranges from $12/month to $65/month. All plans come with unlimited users and detailed user permissions. The larger plans give you access to unlimited invoicing and additional features. Xero has everything you'd expect with accounting software, including invoicing, estimates, expense tracking, inventory, project management, reporting, and budgeting.

Xero also has over 800 integrations. While there is a moderate learning curve to the software, many users have found Xero easier to learn and use than QuickBooks. Xero is best suited for businesses that want strong accounting software loaded with features and integrations. It's also an ideal choice for businesses with multiple users that don't want to pay additional monthly fees. On the downside, though, Xero's mobile apps are limited, there is no built-in payroll, and there is no phone support, so this may be something to keep in mind before signing up.

Get Started With Xero

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3. Sage 50cloud: Best Quickbooks Alternative With Advanced Inventory

Sage 50cloud


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Accounting Method

Accrual & Cash Basis

Pricing

$56.08-$155.92/month

Business Size

Medium to large businesses with up to 40 users

Pros

  • Advanced accounting features
  • Advanced reporting
  • Highly customizable

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Expensive
  • Limited integrations

Sage 50cloud is locally-installed accounting software equipped with cloud-based storage. Sage50 cloud is suitable for medium- to large-sized businesses that are willing to pay more for complex accounting, advanced features, and customizations.

Sage 50cloud pricing starts at $56.08/month to $139.58/month for one user. You can save money by signing up for an annual account, and the company frequently offers additional discounts for new users. While the pricing may seem a little steep, there's a number of features you won't find with most accounting software. Sage 50cloud has traditional accounting features (such as invoicing and estimates), along with strong reporting, advanced inventory, and built-in cash flow management.

However, Sage 50cloud isn't suited for every business. The software has a very steep learning curve, limited integrations, and might be too expensive for smaller businesses that don't require such advanced features. However, businesses that are looking for features not found on QuickBooks (such as inventory serialization, departmental accounting, and a year-end accounting wizard) may find that Sage 50cloud is well worth the cost.

Get Started With Sage 50cloud

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4. QuickBooks Online: Best Cloud-Based QuickBooks Alternative

QuickBooks Online


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Accounting Method

Accrual & Cash Basis

Pricing

$30 - $200/month

Business Size

Small to medium businesses with up to 25 users

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Numerous features
  • Strong mobile apps
  • Advanced invoicing

Cons

  • Fair customer support
  • Some crashes and bugs reported

If you're looking for a QuickBooks Pro alternative that is cloud-based and easy to use, look no further than...QuickBooks. QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software that offers many of the great features you'll find with QuickBooks Pro. While QuickBooks Online's features aren't quite as well-developed as those you'll find with Pro, 600+ integrations, ease of use, mobility, and strong invoicing make it a solid contender in the accounting software space.

QuickBooks Online is a good fit for businesses of all sizes that have less than 25 users. There are four plans that range from $30/month to $200/month. QuickBooks frequently runs promotions for new users. The more expensive the plan, the more features you get access to. QuickBooks Online comes equipped with numerous features, including invoicing, estimates, tax support, accounts receivable, bank reconciliation, and inventory tracking. It also offers built-in lending, a feature you won't find with most accounting software.

Some drawbacks of QBO include customer support that's a bit lacking, and there are reports of crashes and bugs when using the software. However, a strong feature set, mobility, numerous integrations, and unique features such as built-in lending makes this software a great choice for small- to medium-sized businesses.

Get Started With QuickBooks Online

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5. Wave: Best Free QuickBooks Alternative

Wave


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Pros

  • Free
  • Easy to use
  • Supports multiple businesses

Cons

  • Limited inventory and time-tracking features
  • No project management feature
  • Limited mobile apps

If you're tired of paying expensive monthly fees for your expensive software, consider giving Wave a shot. This accounting software offers an abundance of features you can use to track the finances of your business. It's also easy to use, so it's perfect for accounting newbies. Best of all? It's completely free. You'll only pay for credit card processing or payroll, both of which are optional add-ons.

Wave is cloud-based software that can be used anywhere, provided you have an internet connection. You can perform various accounting functions through Wave, including invoicing, bank reconciliation, inventory management, tracking accounts payable, and reporting. While the feature set isn't as robust as what you'll find with QuickBooks Pro, Wave has most basic accounting features along with a well-designed UI that is very user-friendly.

Wave is best suited for smaller businesses that don't need advanced accounting features. It's also a great choice for Etsy sellers and users with multiple businesses. Wave does not, however, support multiple users, so it may be a bust for larger businesses.

Get Started With Wave

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6. QuickBooks Premier: Best Specialized Software Alternative To QuickBooks

QuickBooks Desktop Premier


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Accounting Method

Accrual & Cash Basis

Pricing

Starts at $799/year

Business Size

Best for small businesses with 1-5 users

Pros

  • Industry-specific editions
  • Supports up to five users
  • Numerous features

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Expensive
  • Fair customer support

If you love QuickBooks Pro but feel it's time for an upgrade, you might want to consider QuickBooks Premier. QuickBooks Premier is locally-installed software that not only supports up to five users (versus just three on Pro) but there are also specialized versions that offer features specific to your industry.

If you stick with the Standard version of QuickBooks Premier, costs can rise pretty quickly. Premier costs $549.99/year, or you can add payroll to your subscription for a total cost of $1,049.99/year. Additional licenses are priced at $300. If you're a new user, QuickBooks offers significant discounts regularly. When you sign up for QuickBooks Premiere, you can select an industry-specific version. Available versions include General Business, General Contractor, Manufacturing & Wholesale, Nonprofit, Professional Services, and Retail. In addition to standard features, such as invoicing, contact management, expense tracking, inventory, and budgeting, you'll also have additional features specific to your industry, such as specialized reporting and class tracking.

QuickBooks Premier doesn't have the best customer support, so this is something to keep in mind if excellent customer service is important to you. If you aren't going to use a specialized version, QuickBooks Premier may be on the expensive side, so this is also something to consider if you're on a tighter budget. Like QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier has a pretty steep learning curve, so beginners may want to seek a more user-friendly accounting option.

Get Started With QuickBooks Desktop Premier

Read our in-depth review

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7. QuickBooks Enterprise: Best QuickBooks Pro Alternative For Large Businesses

QuickBooks Enterprise


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Accounting Method

Accrual & Cash Basis

Pricing

Starts at $1,410/year

Business Size

Medium to large businesses with up to 40 users

Pros

  • Industry-specific editions
  • Supports up to 40 users
  • Numerous features
  • Suited for large businesses

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Steep learning curve

If you've outgrown QuickBooks Pro or Premier, but your business isn't quite ready for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software, QuickBooks Enterprise may be the perfect solution for your business. This locally-installed software includes many of the features you'll find in QuickBooks Pro. However, you'll also be able to select from a Standard edition or six industry-specific editions. QuickBooks Enterprise also supports up to 40 users.

You'll find all basic accounting features within QuickBooks Enterprise, as well as a number of advanced features. Standouts include a cash flow projector, a business plan tool, and a loan manager. You'll be able to run over 140 reports, track time, or run payroll with built-in payroll. These features come at a cost, though. QuickBooks Enterprise locally-installed software starts at $1,340/year for one user. Or you can opt for QuickBooks Enterprise with cloud access, with plans starting at $199/month.

Unlike other QuickBooks products, QuickBooks Enterprise has pretty good customer support. The software also receives generally positive reviews from its users. However, the software does come with a steep learning curve, as well as steep prices, so take these into consideration to determine if this solution is right for your business.

Get Started With QuickBooks Enterprise

Read our in-depth review

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How To Cancel QuickBooks & Migrate Data

Ready to cancel your QuickBooks Pro Plus subscription? Before you do, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

First, make sure that you cancel at least five days prior to your next billing date to avoid further charges. Once you cancel, you will be able to access your account until the end of the billing period. For example, if you cancel your plan on June 5th but the next billing cycle doesn’t start until July 1st, you will be able to access your account for the remainder of July.

Once you cancel and enter the next billing cycle, you will be unable to access your account. Your company file will be saved, but you will be unable to open or view it once your subscription expires. Make sure that you give yourself ample time to get the data you need for your new accounting software.

QuickBooks makes it easy to export data from your company file. You can export your chart of accounts, customer and vendor lists, employee lists, invoices, budgets, and more. Unsure of how to get started? Check out our post How To Export Files From QuickBooks ProWe break down every step for you, so you don’t leave any data behind when you switch to your new accounting software.

Choosing The Best Alternatives To QuickBooks Pro

Before selecting your accounting software, either QuickBooks Pro or an alternative, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Which features do I need for my business to succeed?
  • How much can I afford to spend on accounting software?
  • Do I want a cloud-based or locally-installed program?
  • What is my level of accounting experience?

The answers to these questions will help you pinpoint which software might be the best choice. My biggest recommendation is to take advantage of free trials before committing to any solution. You won’t know if you like it until you try it. As always, our comprehensive accounting reviews can help you learn more about programs’ features, usability, security, customer reviews, and more. You can also read the Complete Guide to Choosing Online Accounting Software for extra help.

Good luck on your journey to finding the perfect accounting software, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions along the way.

QuickBooks Pro Alternatives FAQs

What is the best alternative to QuickBooks?

There are a number of great alternatives to QuickBooks Pro, but what is best for one business may not work for yours. Consider the features you need, your budget, your accounting expertise, and other factors to choose which software is best for you. Start with top picks, such as Xero, Wave, and QuickBooks Online, and make sure to take all software for a spin with a free trial (if available) before making your decision.

Is there a free QuickBooks alternative?

Wave is an excellent alternative to QuickBooks that is free. You only pay for credit card processing or payroll. While Wave doesn’t offer as many features or integrations as QuickBooks Pro, it is much easier to use and doesn’t have a monthly fee, so it’s a popular choice for many small business owners.

Is Xero or QuickBooks better?

For some businesses, Xero is the better choice in accounting software, while other businesses get the most from QuickBooks Pro. If you have multiple users and don’t want to add to your monthly fee, consider giving Xero a try. Multiple users are included in your subscription price, making this a cost-efficient accounting option for businesses with more than one user.

Which accounting software is easiest to use?

For beginners with limited accounting experience, there are a few accounting options that are easy to learn and use. QuickBooks Online and Wave are just two options that are very user-friendly. For additional options, check out our post, The Best Easy-to-Use Accounting Software for Small Businesses.

Can I cancel QuickBooks Pro at any time?

Yes, you can cancel QuickBooks Pro at any time with no fees or penalties. If you cancel within the 60-day money-back period, you can receive a full refund for your purchase. If you cancel to upgrade your QuickBooks subscription, you may receive a prorated refund. Note that if the 60-day money-back period has passed and you are not upgrading, you will not receive a refund for the current subscription period.

Is QuickBooks Online better than QuickBooks Pro?

For some businesses, QuickBooks Online is the better choice. While QBO doesn’t offer as many features as QuickBooks Pro, the mobility of this cloud-based software and the ease of use are extremely appealing to many users.

In Summary: The 7 Best QuickBooks Pro Alternatives

  1. AccountEdge: Best QuickBooks alternative for strong accounting & features.
  2. Xero: Best QuickBooks alternative for multiple users.
  3. Sage 50cloud: Best Quickbooks alternative with advanced inventory.
  4. QuickBooks Online: Best cloud-based QuickBooks alternative.
  5. Wave: Best free QuickBooks alternative.
  6. QuickBooks Desktop Premier: Best specialized software alternative to QuickBooks.
  7. QuickBooks Enterprise: Best QuickBooks Pro alternative for large businesses.
Erica Seppala

Erica Seppala

Expert Analyst & Reviewer at Merchant Maverick
An expert in accounting, finance, and point of sale, Erica has been researching and writing about all things small-business since 2018. Erica's insights into personal and business finance have been cited in numerous publications, including MSN, Real Simple, and Reader's Digest. She is a graduate of Limestone College.
Erica Seppala
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