QuickBooks Online Too Expensive? Here Are the Best Alternatives 

Small businesses and accounting professionals widely rely on QuickBooks Online, but it’s not always the right fit for everyone. Whether it’s due to rising costs, feature limitations, or the need for industry-specific functionality, more users are exploring alternatives. 

According to NerdWallet, QuickBooks Online plans range from $35 to $235 per month. While it offers many features, price increases and inadequate customer support are driving some users away. 

The good news? There are several strong contenders to consider, each with its own strengths, whether you need better invoicing, robust ERP capabilities, or more flexible pricing models. 

In this guide, we take a closer look at the top alternatives to QuickBooks Online by comparing them across key parameters to help you make an informed decision.

We evaluate each option based on its features, pros and cons, pricing (with links to source pages for accuracy), customer ratings, and suitability for different business types—whether you’re a freelancer, a small-to-medium business, or a growing enterprise. 

Let’s explore the six alternatives to QuickBooks Online and find the one that fits your business needs best. 

1. QuickBooks Enterprise 

Source: PCMag

QuickBooks Enterprise is the most powerful version of QuickBooks, built for businesses that need more robust accounting, inventory, and user management features.

It supports up to 40 users, making it ideal for larger organizations with growing teams. It has the following features: 

• Advanced inventory and order management 

• Job costing and project tracking 

• User roles and permissions 

• Over 200 built-in reports 

• Payroll and time tracking 

• Customizable dashboard and reporting tools 

• Multi-user access with permission control 

• Scales up to 40 users 

QuickBooks Enterprise hosted on the cloud combines its powerful features with the flexibility and security of remote access.  This means your accounting team can work from anywhere, with real-time collaboration, secure backups, and seamless software updates managed by your hosting provider. 

From job costing and advanced reporting to inventory management and payroll, QuickBooks Enterprise centralizes complex tasks in one platform. It’s especially useful for businesses in construction, manufacturing, retail, and professional services that require industry-specific functionality.  

While QuickBooks Enterprise is more expensive than QuickBooks Online or Desktop Pro, the added functionality and scalability make it worth it for businesses that need granular control and deeper insights. 

Pros	Cons
Packed with features for complex accounting needs.	Desktop-based unless hosted on the cloud.
Cloud hosting enables remote access, backups, and security.	Slight learning curve for new users.
Supports up to 40 simultaneous users with detailed access control.
Ideal for industries like manufacturing, construction, and retail.

For the detailed comparison, read this blog on QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Enterprise.

2. FreshBooks 

Source: FreshBooks

FreshBooks is perfect for freelancers looking for affordable and intuitive invoicing. Its user-friendly dashboard, featuring clear visuals and straightforward navigation, makes FreshBooks a pleasure to use. This includes: 

• Outstanding customer support 

• Over 100 third-party app integrations 

• User-friendly mobile app 

• Double-entry accounting 

• Time tracking, contact management, and reporting tools 

• Flexible, powerful invoicing options 

• A broad selection of accounting tools designed for simplicity and efficiency 

FreshBooks is also an excellent solution for small businesses seeking reliable, cloud-based accounting software. With valuable extras like software integrations, robust time tracking, contract management tools, and recently added double-entry accounting, it offers exceptional versatility.  

It offers quick access to helpful resources and responsive support via phone, chat, or ticket, so you never feel lost. Plus, your team can securely access it from anywhere, streamlining remote collaboration.   

Pros	Cons
Solid end-to-end invoicing pipeline with custom designs, recurring and scheduled payments functionality, and automatic payment reminders.	No bank or credit card reconciliation.
Expense tracking and basic financial reporting.	No accounts payable, inventory, or payroll functionality.
Advanced time tracking and reporting features.	Simple double-entry features are manual, which makes user errors more likely.

3. Sage 50 Accounting 

Source: Sage 50

Sage 50 Accounting, formerly known as Peachtree, is trusted accounting software designed to simplify financial management for businesses of all sizes.

Developed by Sage, an industry leader since the 1980s, this software combines powerful accounting tools with user-friendly features for businesses to stay efficient, compliant, and financially healthy. Sage has the following features: 

• General ledger with multi-currency support and audit trails. 

• Accounts payable and receivable with invoice management. 

• Bank reconciliation and automatic transaction categorization. 

• Real-time inventory control with multiple valuation methods. 

• Job costing and project tracking against budgets. 

• Budgeting, forecasting, and “what-if” scenario analysis. 

• Customizable financial reporting and advanced analytics. 

• Receipt and document capture with data extraction. 

• Multi-user access with role-based security. 

• Workflow automation for transactions and approvals. 

• Integration with various third-party apps and Sage cloud tools. 

• Comprehensive audit trail for compliance and transparency. 

With Sage 50, businesses benefit from detailed financial reporting, seamless bank integrations, automated transaction management, and advanced receipt capture functionality.

The software’s intuitive dashboard provides real-time insights into cash flow, bank balances, and financial forecasts, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions. 

Pros	Cons
Customizable reporting options.	Less intuitive for freelancers or very small businesses needing simple invoicing.
Easy bank integration with automated transaction categorization.	Some advanced features require additional Sage modules or subscriptions.
Powerful receipt capture with advanced document processing.
Strong audit trail features for compliance and transparency.

4. Xero 

Source: Xero

If you are looking for the best QuickBooks alternative, Xero provides affordable entry-level plans for small and growing businesses. It includes all the essential features expected from comprehensive accounting software, unlimited, customizable quotes and invoices, bill payments, and bank reconciliation. These are as follows:  

• Unlimited, customizable invoices and quotes. 

• Bill payments and expense tracking with receipt capture via Hubdoc. 

• Project management, including time tracking and expense analytics. 

• Multi-currency invoicing. 

• Automated bank feeds and cash flow tracking. 

• Payroll management. 

• Comprehensive financial reporting.  

• Integration with over 1,000 third-party business apps. 

You also get access to Hubdoc, Xero’s proprietary tool for easily adding receipts and tracking expenses by capturing data from photos, emails, and documents automatically. You can manage projects with time tracking, submit and approve expense claims, and analyze expense reports. 

For international businesses, the highest tier enables multi-currency invoicing and payment acceptance, making it a solid option for cross-border operations. While the lowest tier is budget-friendly, its invoice limits, applying to both sending and approving may feel restrictive for many users.  

Pros	Cons
Affordable plans	Most value on the highest tier
Free 30-day trial	No time tracking on low-tier plans
Feature-rich high-tier plan	The invoice limit pertains to both sending and approving invoices.
Integrates with Gusto for payroll
Time and project tracking on the highest tier
160-plus currencies for the highest tier

Suggested Read: Xero vs. QuickBooks

5. Zoho Books  

Source: Zoho Books

One of the biggest advantages of choosing Zoho Books over QuickBooks Online is its affordability. Plus, if you’re already using other Zoho products for project management, team collaboration, or customer support, Zoho Books fits perfectly into your existing ecosystem with seamless integration. Zoho Books has the following features: 

• Invoice creation with customizable templates 

• Expense tracking and automated bank feeds 

• Client portal for seamless communication and invoice viewing 

• Time tracking and project management tools 

• Support for contractors and vendor management 

• Payment processing with multiple payment gateways 

• Comprehensive tax compliance tools, including GST and VAT support 

• Integrates seamlessly with other Zoho apps and 750+ third-party applications 

• Payroll management (available in select regions) 

The free plan is surprisingly robust for solo entrepreneurs, letting you manage up to 1,000 invoices annually, set up recurring billing, track expenses, and handle 1099 contractors. Payment processing is also included. To add payroll functionality or support multiple users, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan starting at just $15 per month (billed annually) for up to three users. 

As your business grows, Zoho Books grows with you. Higher-tier plans reduce restrictions, unlock advanced features, and offer enhanced support—while free users have access to email support only. 

Pros	Cons
Free plan available	Complicated ecosystem
Customization and automation on paid plans	Lots of limitations to a free plan
Lots of features beyond accounting and billing	Maximum of 25 users
Integrates with Zoho ecosystem for comprehensive work OS

6. Oracle NetSuite 

Source: NoBlue2

Oracle NetSuite is a powerful cloud-based solution for growing midsize and large businesses. While it goes beyond standard accounting needs, its strength lies in automating and integrating core financial operations, making it ideal for companies with more complex workflows and higher transaction volumes. These are the key Oracle NetSuite Features: 

• Cloud-based software 

• Built-in CRM capabilities 

• Full-scale enterprise resource planning (ERP) 

• Customizable workflows and project management tools 

• Detailed reporting and analytics 

• Ledger controls for advanced financial planning 

• Multiple customizable dashboards 

• Real-time simultaneous multi-user access 

Unlike QuickBooks Online, NetSuite supports multiple simultaneous users and offers advanced ERP capabilities like automated billing, inventory management, tax compliance, and fixed asset tracking. Its intuitive dashboards are highly customizable, enabling finance teams to tailor the system to specific departmental needs. 

That said, Oracle NetSuite is best suited for businesses that need more than basic bookkeeping. Automating tasks like invoicing and payment collection reduces manual work and saves your team valuable time. However, with a higher price point and extra setup costs, it’s typically recommended for companies with larger accounting budgets or multi-department operations. 

Pros	Cons
Highly customizable to fit unique business needs	Lacks transparent pricing
Strong automation for billing, invoicing, and collections	Additional setup fee required
Ideal for midsize to enterprise-level organizations	It may be too complex for small businesses

QuickBooks Online Alternatives Pricing Comparison 

Product	Pricing	Rating
QuickBooks Enterprise	Silver edition starts at $131/month	4.5 / 5 at Software Advice
FreshBooks	$21 to $65 per month (billed monthly; $2.10 to $6.50 per month for the first four months under the current promotion). Note: Prices may vary based on promotions and are subject to change.	4.5 / 5 at Capterra
Sage 50 Accounting	Starting from $61.92 /month (1 user)	3.9/5 at Capterra
Zoho Books	Free; starting from 8.64$ per month for 3 users (billed annually)   Note: Prices may vary based on promotions and are subject to change.	4.4 / 5 at Capterra
Xero	$2.90 to $6.90 per month (billed monthly for the first three months under the current promotion). Note: Prices may vary based on promotions and are subject to change.	4.3 / 5 at G2
Oracle NetSuite	By quote only (reportedly starts at $99 per month)	4.1 / 5 at Gartner

Also Read: How to Move from QuickBooks Online to QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise?

Is QuickBooks Online Still Worth It? 

QuickBooks Online has long been a go-to for small businesses. However, with rising subscription costs and limited scalability, it may no longer offer the best value for everyone. That’s where alternatives like FreshBooks, Zoho Books, Sage 50, and especially QuickBooks Enterprise help businesses manage their finances more effectively. 

If you want more flexibility and features without switching to a full ERP, QuickBooks Enterprise is a great choice. When hosted on the cloud, it becomes even more powerful with remote access, better security, and real-time collaboration. 

What about you? Are you planning to switch, or are you already using a different accounting platform? Comment below and tell us which software you’re leaning toward. We’d love to hear your thoughts!