QuickBooks Alternative for Small Businesses: 6 Best Options
6/2/2025 - 10 min read
Wondering what financial management can do for you? Efficient financial management helped Astra International improve its YoY profit by 31%, while the Turner Construction Company recorded a 10% increase in revenue and a 26% increase in net profit. Investing in the right tools can help you achieve similar results.
However, QuickBooks has limited financial insights, and there are similar tools worth exploring. Whether you want to keep using QuickBooks but are looking for an addition or want to replace it, our article can help you. Keep reading to explore the best QuickBooks alternatives for small businesses that give you the same results – or more.
Outsource Work is more than just a QuickBooks alternative it’s your full-stack solution for outsourced financial operations. Our platform integrates with QuickBooks and other accounting tools to give you automated financial reporting, forecasting, unit economics, and CFO-level support. It’s a perfect match for small businesses that want high-level insights without hiring a full internal finance team.
We provide outsourced financial services using top-tier Ukrainian talent experienced professionals who help U.S. businesses cut costs by up to 70%, all while improving reporting accuracy and financial control.
Case Highlights:
Design: By implementing project profitability models, forecasting tools, and automation dashboards, we enabled 2X YoY growth while reducing financial risk and saving 50% of time spent on finance.
Hampton: We helped build a custom finance model in less than one hour per month—fully automated, consolidated, and insightful.
Petcube: Their co-founder called us “5x better and 10x cheaper than an in-house finance team,” after we helped transition them from losses to profit.
Features:
Cloud-based dashboards and graphs
P&L, Cash Flow, and Balance Sheet statements
Automated financial updates and integrations
Custom dashboards tailored to your business
Forecasting, plan vs. actual, and unit economics
Access to dedicated financial experts
Integrations: QuickBooks, Google Sheets, Stripe, Gusto, Shopify, Salesforce, and more
⭐ 4.9/5 based on 160 verified reviews
👉 Request a Free Quote
👉 Explore Our Bookkeeping Services
2. Xero
Xero is one of the most popular cloud-based alternatives to QuickBooks. It includes unlimited users and inventory management in every plan. Many users like its clean interface and ease of setup.
However, it lacks live support and some industry-specific reporting. Managing multiple businesses also requires separate subscriptions.
Features:
Mobile accounting
Automated invoicing and expense tracking
Basic inventory tools
Integration with 1,000+ apps
Pricing:
Early: $7.50/month
Growing: $21/month
Established: $39/month
⭐ 4.4/5 from 2,800+ reviews on Capterra
3. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a great solution for freelancers and self-employed professionals. Every plan includes time tracking, invoicing, and client portals. Advanced options are available for proposals, mileage tracking, and even phone support.
Features:
Time tracking
Custom invoices and direct payments
Expense tracking
Project collaboration
Bookkeeping services via Bench
100+ app integrations
Pricing:
Lite: $8.50/month
Plus: $15/month
Premium: $27.50/month
Select: Custom pricing
⭐ 4.5/5 from 670 reviews on G2
4. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is part of the broader Zoho suite. It includes useful accounting features, automation workflows, and customer portals.
However, updates from financial institutions can be slow, and customer support has room for improvement.
Features:
Receivables and payables management
Invoicing, expense, and bill tracking
Mobile access and 30+ built-in reports
Integration with other Zoho products
Pricing:
Free for businesses under $50K revenue
Paid plans: $15–$240/month
⭐ 4.4/5 from 600+ reviews on Capterra
5. Wave
Wave is the only completely free QuickBooks alternative on this list. It includes invoicing, basic reporting, and banking integrations.
Keep in mind that it lacks third-party integrations and advanced reporting. Support is only available through paid add-ons.
Features:
Unlimited invoices and users
Auto-categorized transactions
Basic reports and mobile invoicing
Pricing:
Free core software
Payments: ~2.9–3.4% per credit card transaction
Payroll: From $20/month + $6 per employee
Bookkeeping support: From $149/month
⭐ 4.5/5 from 1,500+ reviews on Capterra
6. Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct is best suited for growing or larger businesses. It offers solid invoicing, receipt scanning, and global currency support but lacks project tracking and advanced analytics.
Features:
Invoice and payment tracking
AutoEntry for receipts
Basic dashboards and general ledger
350+ integrations
Pricing:
Custom quotes only
⭐ 4.2/5 from 400+ reviews on GetApp
🧠 Best QuickBooks Alternatives for Small Businesses: What to Consider
✔️ Features
When selecting a financial tool, ask yourself:
Do I need multi-currency support?
Will I scale and need advanced forecasting?
Do I need reports for investors or lenders?
Outsource Work helps you answer these questions and build the right financial infrastructure from the ground up.
💸 Pricing
Free tools are fine for solopreneurs or early-stage ventures.
But if you’re scaling or need better insights, Outsource Work provides FP&A, forecasting, and bookkeeping at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full finance department.
💬 Customer Ratings
High user satisfaction often reflects good design, customer service, and reliability.
Outsource Work scores 4.9/5 for clarity, responsiveness, and value.
🔗 Integrations
Make sure your software works with:
Payroll (Gusto, Deel)
CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce)
Accounting (QuickBooks, Xero)
eCommerce (Shopify, Stripe)
Outsource Work seamlessly integrates with these platforms and more to eliminate manual work.
🏁 Conclusion
The best QuickBooks alternative should simplify taxes, enhance profitability, and give you the freedom to scale.
If you're happy with QuickBooks but need deeper insights, dashboards, forecasts, and a dedicated financial team - Outsource Work is your best choice. With cloud-based automation, CFO-level guidance, and real human experts, we help you grow faster and smarter.
🎯 Request Your Free Financial Strategy Session
📘 Learn About Our Remote Finance Recruitment
❓ Best QuickBooks Alternative: FAQs
What is a good alternative to QuickBooks for a small business?
Top alternatives include Xero, FreshBooks, Zoho Books, Wave, and Sage Intacct. For financial clarity and automation, Outsource Work is ideal.
Is there another accounting software like QuickBooks?
Yes - most tools mentioned offer similar functions such as invoicing, reporting, and payroll.
Can I use Excel instead of QuickBooks?
Only for very basic needs. Excel lacks automation and real-time data, making it less efficient for growing businesses.
Can I do bookkeeping without QuickBooks?
Yes, but outsourcing your bookkeeping to Outsource Work saves you time, money, and stress while ensuring compliance and accuracy.
