LessAccounting vs. QuickBooks Live: Which service is better?

In the fast-paced business world, finding the right accounting software can make or break your financial management.

Two major players in this field are LessAccounting and QuickBooks Live.

LessAccounting, as its name suggests, aims to simplify your bookkeeping process, while QuickBooks Live provides a more robust solution with real-time access to bookkeepers.

Does LessAccounting’s simplicity outweigh QuickBook Live’s comprehensive features? Or does the assistance offered by QuickBooks Live prove to be the game-changer?

These are the questions that often plague businesses on the threshold of choosing an accounting software.

In this LessAccounting vs. QuickBooks Live review, we’ll tackle these questions head-on, providing you with a detailed comparison, and equipping you with the knowledge to make the best choice for your business.

Buckle up as we dive into the details of these two accounting powerhouses.

LessAccounting vs. QuickBooks Live at a glance

Feature	LessAccounting	QuickBooks Live	Winner
SMB Guide’s Rating	7.2	9	QuickBooks Live
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts	✅	✅	Tie
Bank Integration and Reconciliation	Integrates with over 9,000 institutions	Integrates with most institutions	Tie
Financial Reporting	Basic standard financial reporting	Reports vary with plan, can get quite extensive	QuickBooks Live
AP and AR Management	Invoicing Only	Invoicing and Bill Payment	QuickBooks Live
Customization Options	Few customization options	Highly customizable	QuickBooks Live
UX and UI	Simple and easy to use	Simple and easy to use	Tie
Integration & API Capabilities	Several integrations available via API	Integrates with over 750 other apps	QuickBooks Live
Supported Platforms	Cloud-based	Cloud-based plus mobile apps	QuickBooks Live
Customer Support	Phone and live chat	Phone and live chat	Tie
Pricing	$24/mo – $350/mo	$200/mo	LessAccounting
Scalability	Lacks scalability	Grows with your business	QuickBooks Live

How we evaluate and test softwares

When testing softwares/apps, SMB Guide employs a dual approach based on free trial availability and demos. For platforms offering free trials, we test their functionalities, usability, navigation, and ease of use. In the case of tools lacking a free version or trial, we rely on in-depth research and user testimonials through software review platforms like G2, Capterra, TrustRadius, Software Advice, and GetApp to gauge their performance and capabilities. Learn more about our ratings criteria for bookkeeping software & services here.

LessAccounting: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

LessAccounting is a versatile accounting software known for its simplicity and robust features. It’s designed to cater to the needs of small, medium, and large businesses alike.

Key features include: expense tracking and cash flow tracking, API and accounting integration, activity dashboard and activity tracking, alerts/notifications, billing and invoicing, advanced financial tracking, and contact management.

Pros & Cons

Pricing

LessAccounting offers two plans:

• Standard: $24/month
• Bookkeeping Copilot: $150-$350/month based on monthly expense volume.

QuickBooks Live: Key Features, Pros, Cons, & Pricing

QuickBooks Live is an online bookkeeping service offered by Intuit that connects small businesses with certified, virtual bookkeepers.

It is known for its real-time, live bookkeeping support and various features that streamline financial management tasks.

Key features include: qualified bookkeepers, customized setup, ongoing bookkeeping services, real-time support, and detailed business reports.

Pros & Cons

Pricing

• $200/month for businesses with up to $10,000 a month in monthly expenses
• $300/month for businesses with between $10,001 and $50,000 a month in monthly expenses
• $400/month for businesses with more than $50,001 a month in monthly expenses

This is in addition to your monthly QuickBooks Online subscription. There is also a one-time clean-up fee that must be paid when you first start using the service.

General Ledger and Chart of Accounts

I gave this one a tie because both have easy to use general ledgers. You can add and edit categories as needed to make sure everything is right for your business.

Both work well for the intended audience, since LessAccounting is more geared towards small businesses and freelancers and QuickBooks is geared towards small to medium business, or enterprise level.

✅ Winner: Tie

Bank Integration and Reconciliation

We’ve got another tie here since it’s super easy to connect your bank and credit card accounts to either platform.

Neither LessAccounting nor QuickBooks Live limits the number of accounts you can link, so you can get a clear picture of your financial standing at any time.

✅ Winner: Tie

Financial Reporting

When it comes to financial reporting, both platforms offer your basics like income statement, balance sheet, and profit and loss.

The higher your QuickBooks plan, the more reports you can access and customize.

Since LessAccounting only offers those basic reports, that’s why I declare QuickBooks Online the winner here.

✅ Winner: QuickBooks Live

AP and AR Management

QuickBooks Live wins again because it has more AP and AR management features than LessAccounting.

With it, you can track and pay vendors, in addition to invoicing customers.

LessAccounting only offers invoicing, so when it comes to paying suppliers and other bills, you’re on your own.

✅ Winner: QuickBooks Live

Customization Options

LessAccounting has limited customization options, so for that reason alone QuickBooks Live wins here.

It’s much easier to create a customized set up to meet your business needs.

✅ Winner: QuickBooks Live

User Experience and User Interface

Both platforms are designed for an optimal user experience. While QuickBooks can be a bit overwhelming at first because of all the available options, both tools have a clear interface that’s easy to navigate.

The options you’ll have on QuickBooks depend on the plan you choose.

While some customer reviews report that LessAccounting can be a little laggy, it wasn’t during our testing.

✅ Winner: Tie

Integration & API Capabilities

LessAccounting does have some integrations with common tools like payroll, receivables management, and multiple payment gateways.

But QuickBooks Live takes the cake here because it easily integrates with over 750 apps – across everything from CRM to inventory management and more.

✅ Winner: QuickBooks Live

Supported Platforms

Both platforms are cloud-based, meaning you can access them from any device with an internet connection.

QuickBooks Live offers a mobile app for both iOS and Android. LessAccounting doesn’t offer a mobile app at all.

✅ Winner: QuickBooks Live

Customer Support

Both platforms offer phone and live chat support if you need anything. You’ll also be able to communicate with your bookkeepers directly if you choose the Copilot plan from LessAccounting.

Both platforms also offer a blog and extensive help center to help you get information.

✅ Winner: Tie

Pricing

Both platforms are priced based on your monthly expense volume, but LessAccounting is the more affordable option, with rates ranging from $150-$350/month.

QuickBooks Live starts at $200/month and that doesn’t include what you’re already paying for your base QuickBooks Online subscription.

✅ Winner: LessAccounting

Scalability

Since LessAccounting is meant for freelancers and small businesses, it won’t scale well once you grow.

Even though QuickBooks Live is a bit expensive for small companies, it can grow with you to the enterprise level, so that’s why it’s the winner.

✅ Winner: QuickBooks Live

Standout Features of LessAccounting

One of the things that makes LessAccounting a bit different from other competitors in the space is the mileage tracking feature.

It’s great for businesses that use vehicles for work and want to track how much they’re driving for tax purposes.

It allows you to add multiple vehicles, too.

Standout Features of QuickBooks Live

QuickBooks Live comes with a unique accuracy guarantee you don’t find with many other accounting software options.

LessAccounting vs. QuickBooks Live: SMB Guide’s Verdict

Ultimately, this was a close call – with it coming down to less than a point difference between the two platform ratings.

Overall, QuickBooks Live wins because it has more advanced features that make it easy for the platform to scale with you as your business grows. 

LessAccounting is best suited for freelancers, small business owners, and entrepreneurs who need a simple, web-based accounting application to keep track of money in and out.

QuickBooks Live is best for small to medium-sized businesses, office managers, and entrepreneurs who need a comprehensive, cost-effective, and time-saving accounting solution.

This service is particularly beneficial for those who require access to experienced, certified bookkeepers at an affordable monthly rate.

The great news for you is, that no matter where you are in your business, you can make either one of these platforms work for you.

Get started with LessAccounting or QuickBooks Live today based on what makes the most sense for your business.