Top 10 Alternatives to QuickBooks in 2025 by Invedus

Are you finding QuickBooks too expensive or overly complex? You are not alone. Many business owners, accountants, and finance professionals are exploring alternative tools that are simpler, more affordable, and better suited to their specific needs. Whether you are a CPA managing complex client accounts, a personal accountant with a heavy workload, or a decision-maker in the fintech space, there is an accounting solution tailored for you.

Here is a list of the top 10 QuickBooks alternatives for 2025

1. Bench Accounting: Focus on Strategy, Not Bookkeeping

Bench provides bookkeeping services powered by real professionals. This solution is ideal for those who want to outsource the tedious task of managing books and focus on strategic business decisions instead.

Key Features: Bench handles your bookkeeping and tax filing while providing monthly financial statements. A dedicated team ensures accurate categorization of transactions and preparation of financial data.
Who Should Use It: Small business owners and accounting professionals looking to offload bookkeeping responsibilities.
Pros: Hands-off bookkeeping, expert assistance, real-time financial insights.
Cons: Lacks advanced accounting features like payroll or inventory management.

Bench acts as your personal financial team, allowing you to focus on growth and profitability.

2. Xero: User-Friendly and Comprehensive

Xero combines simplicity with robust accounting features, offering an intuitive platform that supports small to mid-sized businesses and professionals looking for flexible tools.

Key Features: Includes invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and project budgeting. It integrates with over 1,000 apps, making it versatile.
Who Should Use It: Businesses seeking an affordable, scalable alternative to QuickBooks.
Pros: Cloud-based, accessible from anywhere, collaborative capabilities with accountants.
Cons: Advanced features like payroll may require additional payments, and it is less familiar to accountants accustomed to QuickBooks.

Xero provides a seamless accounting experience, ensuring professionals have all the necessary tools without unnecessary complexity.

3. FreshBooks: Perfect for Freelancers and Small Teams

FreshBooks is an ideal solution for professionals focused on client billing and project tracking. Its features are geared toward simplifying invoicing and expense management.

Key Features: Automated invoicing, time tracking, recurring payment scheduling, and customizable financial reports.
Who Should Use It: Freelancers, solopreneurs, and small accounting firms handling minimal transactions.
Pros: Intuitive design, powerful invoicing tools, integrates well with payment platforms like Stripe.
Cons: Limited features for inventory management or payroll.

FreshBooks acts as your financial assistant, allowing you to maintain strong client relationships while staying on top of payments. Read more about pros and cons of freshbooks here.

4. Wave: Cost-Effective Without Compromising Essentials

Wave is a free solution for small businesses and startups that need basic accounting tools without a financial burden. Despite being free, it offers a comprehensive suite of features.

Key Features: Income and expense tracking, invoicing, payment management, and financial reporting.
Who Should Use It: Startups, small businesses, and professionals on a tight budget.
Pros: Completely free, supports multiple users, straightforward interface.
Cons: Limited customer support and lacks advanced features like payroll.

Wave provides significant value, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking to keep costs low while maintaining basic accounting functionality.

5. Gusto: Simplified Payroll Management

Gusto is a payroll-focused tool that simplifies the complexities of managing employee payments, benefits, and tax compliance. It is a dedicated solution for businesses with a growing workforce.

Key Features: Payroll processing, direct deposits, tax form management, and benefits administration.
Who Should Use It: Small to medium-sized businesses requiring robust payroll solutions.
Pros: Easy to set up, ensures compliance, integrates with accounting tools.
Cons: Not a complete accounting suite, limited to payroll functions.

Gusto takes the hassle out of payroll management, allowing businesses to focus on core operations.

6. One Up: Tailored for Retail and Inventory Management

One Up is a simple yet powerful tool designed specifically for small retailers. Its focus is on streamlining inventory management, invoicing, and transaction tracking.

Key Features: Inventory tracking, AI-driven transaction categorization, and mobile-first design.
Who Should Use It: Retail businesses and accounting firms managing retail clients.
Pros: Affordable, easy-to-use interface, highly focused on retail needs.
Cons: Limited multi-user support and lacks advanced reporting.

One Up offers retailers a straightforward way to manage their business finances efficiently.

7. Tiller: Excel and Google Sheets Automation

Tiller is a unique tool that connects your bank accounts directly to Excel or Google Sheets, automating data imports for seamless financial management.

Key Features: Automates data entry into spreadsheets, provides pre-designed templates for financial tracking and budgeting.
Who Should Use It: Professionals comfortable with spreadsheets, data-driven accountants, and fintech experts.
Pros: Customizable, secure, integrates well with manual reporting processes.
Cons: Not suitable for those who dislike spreadsheets, lacks advanced accounting features.

Tiller empowers spreadsheet enthusiasts by automating tedious data entry, saving time while enhancing accuracy.

8. GNUCash: Customization at No Cost

GNUCash is an open-source software solution ideal for professionals who value customization and flexibility over ease of use. It offers advanced features, but it comes with a learning curve.

Key Features: Double-entry accounting, budgeting, expense tracking, and financial reporting.
Who Should Use It: Tech-savvy professionals or developers with specific customization needs.
Pros: Free, secure, and highly customizable.
Cons: Dated interface, steep learning curve, and limited support options.

GNUCash is a powerful tool for those willing to invest time in mastering its capabilities.

9. Excel Templates: Manual but Reliable

Excel templates remain a viable option for startups and small-scale operations. They provide a no-frills way to organize and manage basic financial records.

Key Features: Transaction tracking, income statement preparation, and budget management.
Who Should Use It: Small businesses or freelancers managing minimal transactions.
Pros: Free, customizable, and easy to implement.
Cons: No automation, prone to manual errors, and time-consuming for high transaction volumes.

Excel templates are an excellent choice for those just getting started with financial management.

10. Square: A Retail-Focused Powerhouse

Square is a comprehensive tool for retail businesses that need payment processing, inventory tracking, and basic accounting features. It is perfect for businesses that process in-person or online sales.

Key Features: Payment processing, sales reporting, ecommerce integration, and inventory management.
Who Should Use It: Small retail businesses and ecommerce startups.
Pros: No monthly fees, easy setup, and robust hardware/software integration.
Cons: High transaction fees and lacks comprehensive accounting functionality.

Square simplifies retail operations, providing all the tools needed to manage sales and inventory.

Worth Reading

Which Alternative Is Right for You?

Choosing the best QuickBooks alternative depends on your specific business needs. For hands-off bookkeeping, Bench is ideal. Xero and Wave are excellent choices for small to mid-sized businesses, while Gusto and Square cater to payroll and retail needs, respectively. By evaluating your specific priorities, you can find the perfect solution to manage your accounting effectively and efficiently.

For those seeking complete outsourcing, Invedus offers offshore accounting services tailored to businesses of all sizes. From hiring a single accountant to assembling a full team, Invedus ensures that your financial operations run smoothly while reducing costs.

Complete this form to find out how Invedus can support you in achieving your business goals.