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The Best QuickBooks Alternatives for Businesses

What are the best QuickBooks alternatives for your growing business?

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With its beginner-friendly price point and breadth of financial features, QuickBooks Enterprise is designed to help small businesses scale. But what happens when a small business gets bigger? QuickBooks, while powerful for many startups and small businesses, can sometimes fall short in handling the demands of mid-sized or rapidly expanding enterprises. That’s when businesses start looking for alternatives that offer greater flexibility, scalability, and integration capabilities to support long-term growth. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best QuickBooks alternatives that can take your business finance management to the next level.

The 5 Best QuickBooks Alternatives

As your business evolves beyond the capabilities of QuickBooks, selecting the right accounting and ERP software becomes critical to support more complex financial operations and drive growth. Growth presents new challenges for businesses—transaction volumes increase, reporting needs become more complex, and the day-to-day business of reconciling accounts becomes more time-consuming. And, if your business uses QuickBooks, it’s easier than you may expect to outgrow QuickBooks’ capabilities.

Whether you’re a small business ready to upgrade or a mid-sized company seeking robust scalability, there are several excellent alternatives tailored to different needs and industries. If you’ve outgrown QuickBooks and need a new system to accommodate your financial and operational needs, here are five of the top-rated QuickBooks alternatives that you should consider—each offering unique strengths to help you streamline accounting, enhance reporting, and better manage your operations at every stage of growth.

Xero

Best SMB Accounting Alternative

Like QuickBooks, Xero is designed for small businesses. However, Xero packs more of a punch than QuickBooks due to its project tracking features and competitive price point. And, with unlimited users and multi-currency accounting capabilities, Xero is equipped to fulfill the needs of rapidly growing businesses. 

Features:

  • GL, AP, and AR
  • Fixed Assets
  • GL, AP, and AR 
  • Fixed Assets 
  • Contact Management 
  • Purchase Orders 
  • Online Invoicing and Payments 
  • Bank Connections and Reconciliations 
  • Project Tracking 
  • Reporting and Analytics 
  • Quoting 
  • Expense Claims 
  • Inventory Management  
  • Multi-Currency Accounting 
  • Desktop and Mobile Apps 
  • Bill Pay 
  • Payroll 
  • Sales Tax Automation 

Xero Pros:

  • Built-in functionality for online payments, project tracking, and inventory management 
  • Strong marketplace of third-party integrations 
  • A customizable accounting dashboard that’s easy to set up and use 

Xero Cons:

  • Additional features like payroll and sales tax automation require paid add-ons that increase monthly cost
  • A complex user interface that can be clunky and difficult to navigate
  • Long response times for support calls and tickets

How Much Does Xero Cost?

Xero offers three subscription-based plans with increasing levels of functionality, all priced on a monthly SaaS model that includes unlimited user licenses. The Early plan includes essential features such as limited quotes, invoices, and bills, along with bank reconciliation, bill and receipt capture, short-term cash flow insights, W-9 and 1099 management, and sales tax support. The Growing plan builds on this by offering unlimited quotes, invoices, and bills, making it ideal for businesses handling a higher volume of transactions. At the top tier, the Established plan includes everything in the Growing plan, plus additional capabilities like multi-currency support, project tracking, expense claims, and advanced cash flow predictions—making it a strong choice for more complex or growing operations.

Sage Intacct

Best Mid-Market Accounting

Sage Intacct is a best-in-class cloud accounting solution with customizable reporting and dashboarding features and all the multi-entity capabilities your company could need. It’s the perfect step up from QuickBooks for companies that need deeper accounting functionality at an affordable price. Plus, Sage Intacct’s open API helps the software integrate with other third-party solutions in your tech stack to ensure your data is accurate and up-to-the-minute. 

Features:

  • GL, AP, and AR  
  • Purchasing  
  • Order Management  
  • Cash Management  
  • Reporting & Dashboards  
  • Collaborate 
  • Fixed Assets  
  • Inventory Management  
  • Multi-Entity and Global Consolidations  
  • Project Accounting  
  • Revenue Recognition  
  • Sales and Use Task  
  • Spend Management  
  • Time and Expense Management  
  • Vendor Payment Service 

Intacct Pros:

  • Endorsed by the AICPA and GAAP-compliant 
  • Deep accounting features for finance-focused teams and businesses 
  • An integration-ready structure that benefits from third-party synchronization 

Intacct Cons:

  • A significant learning curve for teams that aren’t familiar with accounting software 
  • Limited features for business operations outside of finance 
  • Unconventional reporting processes due to GAAP compliance 

How Much Does Sage Intacct Accounting Software Cost?

Sage Intacct’s pricing starts at approximately $9,000 per year for a basic package that includes two business user licenses, two business entities, and access to the Core Financial Management modules. However, most organizations typically invest between $15,000 and $35,000 annually, depending on the complexity of their requirements and the number of users, entities, and additional modules needed. Determining the true cost of Sage Intacct can feel overwhelming, but we’ve made it easier. Check out our in-depth Sage Intacct Pricing Guide and use our custom pricing calculator to get a clearer picture based on your specific business needs.

Dynamics 365 Business Central

Best for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Businesses

If you’re outgrowing QuickBooks and looking for a new operational and accounting tool to fit with your existing Microsoft solutions, Business Central could be the right choice. Business Central is Microsoft’s contemporary ERP, and as part of the Dynamics 365 platform for business solutions, Business Central integrates seamlessly with other first-party tools like Microsoft 365 for productivity and Power Platform for workflow automation and data intelligence. 

Features:

  • Finance Management 
  • Sales & Marketing 
  • Sales & Delivery 
  • Purchasing & Payables 
  • Inventory 
  • Supply Planning & Availability 
  • Project Management 
  • Warehouse Management 
  • Service Management 
  • Planning & Dispatching 
  • Assembly Management 
  • Cost Worksheets 
  • Production Bill of Materials 
  • Capacity Planning 
  • Machine Centers 
  • Version Management 
  • Production Orders 
  • Finite Loading 

Business Central Pros:

  • Easy integrations with other Microsoft solutions 
  • Deep accounting and operational functionality for growing businesses 
  • Flexible customization options to suit various business types 

Business Central Cons:

  • A complex software structure that can be difficult to learn and navigate 
  • Time-consuming customization, especially if done in-house 
  • Clunky integrations with non-Microsoft platforms 

How Much Does Dynamics 365 Business Central Cost?

 Pricing is influenced by various factors, such as the size of your organization, the scope of functionalities required, and additional integrations. On average, businesses’ monthly subscriptions range from $70 to $100 per user, with implementation costs averaging around $40,000 to $100,000+. Determining the true cost of Business Central can feel overwhelming, but we’ve made it easier. Check out our in-depth Business Central Pricing Guide and use our custom pricing calculator to get a clearer picture based on your specific business needs.

Acumatica

Best for Mid-Sized and Enterprise Operations

Acumatica is a robust cloud-based ERP for mid-sized and enterprise organizations. In addition to offering a General Business edition, Acumatica offers industry-specific editions for Retail, Manufacturing, Distribution, Construction, and Professional Services. With its scalable feature set and limitless integration possibilities, Acumatica can keep pace with some of the fastest-growing companies out there and fill in functionality gaps left behind by QuickBooks. 

Features:

  • GL, AP, and AR   
  • Cash Management  
  • Tax Management  
  • Customer Management 
  • Payments 
  • Reporting & Dashboards 
  • Acumatica Advanced Modules 
  • Manufacturing Edition  
  • Distribution Edition  
  • Retail Edition  
  • Construction Edition  
  • Professional Services Edition 
  • Global Financials  
  • Fixed Assets 
  • Payroll 
  • Intercompany Accounting  
  • Deferred Revenue  
  • Contracts  
  • Cash Basis Reporting  
  • Expense Management  
  • AP Document Recognition  
  • Sales Force and Marketing Automation  
  • Case Management  
  • Portals  
  • Inventory Control  
  • Order Management  
  • Shipping Carrier Integration  
  • Warehouse Management 

Acumatica Pros:

  • A unique pricing structure that allows for unlimited access across the organization 
  • Industry-specific editions to support unique business types 
  • Robust customization and cross-functionality with third-party solutions 

Acumatica Cons:

  • Complex customization without help from a dedicated software specialist
  • Unpredictable monthly costs for organizations whose transactions fluctuate seasonally
  • Clunky integrations with legacy, on-premise systems

How Much Does Acumatica Cost?

At its most basic, Acumatica’s annual subscription price for the General Business Edition starts at $6,000 and includes 5 user licenses, 1,000 monthly transactions, and a selection of core financial featuresHowever, most mid-sized businesses will spend $25,000 or more on annual subscription costsincluding more users and a higher transaction volume. In addition, implementation costs can range from $60,000 to $100,000+. Determining the true cost of Acumatica can feel overwhelming, but we’ve made it easier. Check out our in-depth Acumatica Pricing Guide and use our custom pricing calculator to get a clearer picture based on your specific business needs.

NetSuite

Best for Enterprise-Level Organizations

Oracle NetSuite is a large-scale system that offers everything from operations and finance tools to sales and marketing capabilities. It is designed to be the system of truth for enterprise organizations, serving as a centralized hub for teams across the business. And, because it’s cloud based, it can connect team members wherever they are.  

Features:

  • GL, AP, and AR  
  • Cash Management  
  • Tax Management  
  • Close Management  
  • Fixed Assets Management  
  • Payment Management  
  • Reporting & Dashboards  
  • Warehouse Management  
  • Supply Chain Management  
  • Order & Inventory Management  
  • Global Business Management  
  • Sales Force Automation  
  • Marketing Automation  
  • Customer Service Management  
  • Partner Relationship Management  
  • Configure, Price, Quote  
  • HR Management  
  • Professional Services Automation  
  • ECommerce 

NetSuite Pros:

  • Powerful automation and data synchronization across multiple teams 
  • Flexible customization and integration options 
  • One of the largest, most diverse business platforms  

NetSuite Cons:

  • Extremely broad feature set that offers more than most organizations need 
  • High monthly subscription cost per user and module 
  • Requires customization to manage some industry-specific workflows 

How Much Does NetSuite Cost?

NetSuite’s pricing varies depending on your business size, number of users, and the modules you need. The base license typically starts at $999 per month, with an additional $99 per user, per month. Add-on modules—such as Advanced Financials, Inventory Management, or Project Accounting—can increase costs further. On average, small to mid-sized businesses spend between $20,000 and $40,000+ per year on their NetSuite subscription. In addition to subscription fees, you’ll also need to budget for implementation. NetSuite implementation costs generally range from $25,000 to $100,000+, depending on the complexity of your business processes, number of modules, integrations, and customization requirements. Because NetSuite is highly configurable, most companies work with a NetSuite partner or consultant to scope the right solution and manage the rollout effectively. A tailored quote is almost always required, but understanding these ballpark figures can help you plan ahead.

Which QuickBooks Alternative is Right for You?

It’s easy for a growing business to outgrow small-scale software like QuickBooks, but that doesn’t mean you should let the software hold you back. Whether you’re struggling with limited business insights, your user count is climbing, or you simply can’t access the features you need, now might be the perfect time to upgrade to a more robust financial or ERP system.

Often, businesses outgrow QuickBooks due to a combination of factors—growth in transaction volume, the need for better reporting, or the demand for deeper operational capabilities. That’s what makes finding the right alternative so important—and sometimes challenging. To help narrow your options, ask yourself a few key questions:

  • What is your business size?
  • How many user licenses will your team need?
  • Do you need just accounting features—or a system that also handles operations?
  • Are you in a regulated industry with specific compliance needs?
  • What other systems (e.g., CRM, inventory, payroll) will need to integrate with your new solution?

Answering these questions will help you determine which QuickBooks alternative best fits your needs—whether it’s a lightweight accounting platform or a full-featured ERP built for scale.

Need Help Choosing the Right Solution?

Independent research by industry leaders like G2 Crowd has explored business software and service reviews to determine top contenders.  

Xero, Sage Intacct, Acumatica, and Oracle NetSuite are among top QuickBooks Enterprise replacements according to G2 Crowd. Business Central may not make the list, but it is still a well-received addition to Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 platform.  

Just remember that while this praise is valuable, it doesn’t mean a specific solution will be a good fit for your business. Talk to a Cargas software consultant before replacing your current QuickBooks solution to make sure you’re making the best choice for your future success. 

Julie Fuller Sales Development Representative

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