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.

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.
Learn More About Our Top Picks
Other Featured Options:
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier: Best specialized software alternative to QuickBooks.
- QuickBooks Enterprise: Best QuickBooks Pro alternative for large businesses.
Read more below to learn why we chose these options.
Table of Contents
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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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.
Pros
- Advanced features
- Windows and Mac based
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Additional cost for payroll, tax support, and additional users
2. Xero: Best QuickBooks Alternative For Multiple Users
Xero |
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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.
Pros
- Numerous features
- 800+ integrations
- Supports unlimited users
Cons
- Limited mobile apps
- No built-in payroll
3. Sage 50cloud: Best Quickbooks Alternative With Advanced Inventory
Sage 50cloud |
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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.
Pros
- Advanced accounting features
- Advanced reporting
- Highly customizable
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive
- Limited integrations
4. QuickBooks Online: Best Cloud-Based QuickBooks Alternative
QuickBooks Online |
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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 $25/month to $150/month. QuickBooks frequently runs promotions for new users, and you can also save money by paying for an annual plan. 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 like built-in lending makes this software a great choice for small- to medium-sized businesses.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Numerous features
- Strong mobile apps
- Advanced invoicing
Cons
- Fair customer support
- Some crashes and bugs reported
Get Started with QuickBooks Online
5. Wave: Best Free QuickBooks Alternative
Wave |
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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.
Pros
- Free
- Easy to use
- Supports multiple businesses
Cons
- Limited inventory and time tracking features
- No project management feature
- Limited mobile apps
6. QuickBooks Premier: Best Specialized Software Alternative To QuickBooks
QuickBooks Desktop Premier |
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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 $499.99/year, or you can add payroll to your subscription for a total cost of $999.99. Additional licenses are priced at $350. 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.
Pros
- Industry-specific editions
- Supports up to five users
- Numerous features
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Expensive
- Fair customer support
Get Started with QuickBooks Desktop Premier
7. QuickBooks Enterprise: Best QuickBooks Pro Alternative For Large Businesses
QuickBooks Enterprise |
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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 $1,655/year for one user. Or you can opt for QuickBooks Enterprise with Hosting, with plans starting at $180/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.
Pros
- Industry-specific editions
- Supports up to 40 users
- Numerous features
- Suited for large businesses
Cons
- Expensive
- Steep learning curve
Get Started with QuickBooks Enterprise
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 Pro. We 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
In Summary: The 7 Best QuickBooks Pro Alternatives
- AccountEdge: Best QuickBooks alternative for strong accounting & features.
- Xero: Best QuickBooks alternative for multiple users.
- Sage 50cloud: Best Quickbooks alternative with advanced inventory.
- QuickBooks Online: Best cloud-based QuickBooks alternative.
- Wave: Best free QuickBooks alternative.
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier: Best specialized software alternative to QuickBooks.
- QuickBooks Enterprise: Best QuickBooks Pro alternative for large businesses.
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