7 Best QuickBooks Online Alternatives & Competitors

QuickBooks Online is a popular choice for many businesses, but it might not be the perfect fit for everyone. Its comparatively expensive plans, noticeable learning curve, and the difficulty in upgrading from the solopreneur plan can be drawbacks for some users. 

If you’re seeking an invoicing solution that better meets your needs, it’s time you consider exploring other options.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the top alternative, FreshBooks, along with six other excellent QuickBooks Online alternatives.

Each offers unique features and benefits to help you find the best accounting solution for your business.

1. FreshBooks

Best for: businesses with contractors, freelancers, and small entities

Pricing: $7.70/mo – $24/mo

FreshBooks is a leading cloud-based invoicing platform, ideal for industries such as IT, legal services, business consulting, and marketing.

It simplifies the invoicing and billing process with its web-based interface, supporting multiple online payment methods.

Features

• Automated Bank Import: Simplify financial management by automatically importing your bank transactions into FreshBooks.
• Recurring Invoices: Ensure timely payments from regular clients by setting up automated recurring invoices.
• Multi-Currency Billing: Facilitate international business by creating invoices and accepting payments in multiple currencies.
• Bank Reconciliation: Maintain accurate financial records by matching bank transactions with entries in FreshBooks.
• Late Payment Reminders: Improve cash flow and reduce administrative tasks by automatically sending reminders for overdue payments.

FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	FreshBooks	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Businesses with contractors, freelancers, and small entities	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Automated late payment reminders	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	$7.70/mo – $24/mo	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

FreshBooks is a superb choice for service-based businesses seeking dependable invoicing and billing software. It offers robust project management tools and exceptional customer support, making it an invaluable asset for your operations.

Although FreshBooks shines in quickly establishing invoicing and accounting workflows, it has some limitations in income tracking and inventory management. Consequently, it may not be the best fit for large corporations or product-centric businesses.

Get started with FreshBooks for free

Try FreshBooks for free

2. Xero

Best for: small to medium-sized businesses

Pricing: $3.75/mo – $19.50/mo

Xero presents a robust invoicing platform that integrates seamlessly and features an intuitive interface. With capabilities like multi-currency support, expense management, and 1099 handling, Xero serves as a versatile tool for businesses.

Features

• Quotes: Easily create and send comprehensive quotes to clients, detailing services and costs upfront, with the ability to convert them seamlessly into invoices.
• Automated Expense Management: Streamline your financial records by automatically categorizing and tracking expenses for improved accuracy.
• Batch Invoices via CSV Files: Simplify large-scale invoicing tasks by uploading and sending multiple invoices simultaneously using CSV files.
• Payment Integrations: Seamlessly connect with major payment gateways to enable secure online transactions directly within Xero Invoice.
• Payment Processing: Ensure swift and secure online payments through a variety of payment gateways, ensuring efficient transaction processing.

Xero vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	Xero	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Small businesses	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Project-based accounting	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	$3.75/mo – $19.50/mo	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

Explore Xero, a powerful invoicing solution known for its smooth integration and intuitive interface. It stands out with features like multi-currency support, detailed expense tracking, and efficient 1099 management, making it a preferred option.

Despite its strengths, Xero has limitations such as limited customization options and basic expense tracking capabilities.

Nevertheless, it remains a dependable choice for SMBs looking for robust integration and automation features in their financial management and invoicing tools.

Start your free trial of Xero

Try Xero for free

3. Zoho Invoice

Best for: ideal for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with tight budgets.

Pricing: Free

Zoho Invoice is a robust invoicing tool designed to simplify accounting for professionals. It allows users to create and send invoices and estimates, collect payments, track time, and manage expenses.

The platform features customizable templates, making the invoicing and payment tracking process seamless and efficient.

Features

• Expense Tracking: Accurately monitor and record all business expenses to maintain precise financial records.
• Multi-Currency Support: Seamlessly handle international clients by invoicing and receiving payments in various currencies.
• Customizable Templates: Create branded invoices using templates that can be customized with your logo and branding elements.
• Payment Reminders: Ensure timely payments by automating reminders for due or overdue invoices.
• Invoice Scheduling: Boost efficiency by scheduling invoices to be sent automatically at specified times.

Zoho Invoice vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	Zoho Invoice	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Small businesses	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Scheduling features	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	Free	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

Zoho Invoice provides a user-friendly and free solution for managing client payment requests and collections. With an array of customization options and handy tools, it makes bookkeeping hassle-free.

Ideal for freelancers, solo entrepreneurs, and small business owners, this software offers an efficient and organized approach to handling payments.

Sign up for Zoho Invoice for free

Try Zoho Invoice for free

4. Wave Accounting

Best for: freelancers, contractors, and small service-based businesses

Pricing: Free – $149/mo

Wave Accounting offers a fantastic no-cost option tailored for smaller enterprises. It’s a straightforward SaaS platform crafted for freelancers, integrating invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll management seamlessly.

Features

• Bank Reconciliation: Ensure accuracy in your financial oversight by matching your bank transactions with your accounting records seamlessly.
• Invoicing: Expedite your payment process by creating and sending polished invoices to clients promptly.
• Optional Add-Ons: Enhance your Wave Accounting setup with customized features like payment processing and payroll management, tailored to meet your business requirements.
• Expense Tracking: Maintain effective financial management by meticulously monitoring all expenses and cash flow activities.
• Reporting: Gain valuable insights into your business performance through detailed financial reports, enabling informed decision-making.

Wave Accounting vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	Wave Accounting	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Startups, freelancers, and individual users	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Sales tax estimates	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	Free – $149/mo	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

Wave Accounting shines with its adaptable reporting features, offering robust support for both accrual and cash-basis reporting, with accrual as the default setting.

Switching to cash-basis reporting is effortless, giving you the flexibility to analyze your financial data according to your business needs.

Sign up for Wave Accounting for free

Try Wave Accounting for free

5. Square Invoices

Best for: service providers, freelancers, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) seeking a user-friendly invoicing tool.

Pricing: Free – $20/mo

Square Invoices is a web-based invoicing solution designed to help businesses create, send, and manage invoices with ease, streamlining their billing operations and speeding up payment collection.

Features

• Batch Invoicing: Efficiently manage billing for multiple clients by creating and sending numerous invoices simultaneously.
• Recurring Invoices: Save time by automating the process of sending invoices on a regular schedule, ensuring timely payments.
• Deposits: Request partial payments in advance to secure services and enhance cash flow management.
• Custom Invoice Fields: Tailor your invoices with unique fields to meet specific business and client requirements.
• Estimates: Provide clients with clear pricing details before they commit by generating detailed estimates for potential projects.

Square Invoices vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	Square Invoices	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Individual users and small businesses	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Batch invoicing	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	Free – $20/mo	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

Square Invoicing shines with its extensive features, designed to simplify billing, secure timely payments, and add a personal touch to client interactions.

Offering a 30-day free trial and accommodating unlimited users, Square Invoicing is perfect for service providers, freelancers, and small to medium-sized businesses seeking to improve invoicing efficiency.

Start your free trial of Square Invoices today

Try Square Invoices for free

6. Momenteo

Best for: ideal for small to mid-sized businesses seeking a comprehensive invoicing solution at an affordable price.

Pricing: Free – $17.95/mo

Momenteo is a standout invoicing tool designed for freelancers and small businesses, known for its user-friendly interface and extensive features.

It allows users to customize invoices with personalized notes and fields, ensuring they always look polished and professional.

Features

• Billing & Invoicing: Create and manage invoices and bills to ensure prompt client payments.
• Time Tracking: Keep an accurate log of time spent on tasks and projects for precise billing and payroll.
• Activity Tracking: Record and monitor activities to gauge progress and boost productivity.
• Pricing and Cost Calculations: Determine costs and set pricing strategies accurately to maintain profitability and stay competitive.
• Budgeting/Forecasting: Develop financial plans and forecast outcomes based on anticipated income and expenses.

Momenteo vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	Momenteo	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Small and mid-sized businesses	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Invoice customization	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	Free – $17.95/mo	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

Momenteo simplifies financial management for freelancers and small businesses by providing intuitive tools for invoicing and expense tracking.

Featuring automated invoicing, support for multiple currencies, and an easy-to-use interface, Momenteo boosts efficiency and saves time in handling financial tasks.

Sign up for Momenteo for free

Try Momenteo for free

7. Invoice2go

Best for: suitable for independent contractors, consultants, and freelancers. 

Pricing: $5.99/mo – $39.99/mo

Invoice2Go provides a simple and effective invoicing solution ideal for small businesses looking to streamline their invoicing and expense tracking processes.

While it may not offer extensive customization options, it excels in easy integration across mobile and web platforms, prioritizing straightforward invoice creation and management.

Features

• Invoice Customization: Tailor invoices with unique branding elements and personalized details to mirror your business identity.
• Appointments and Scheduling: Seamlessly integrate appointment scheduling and booking management directly within the app to streamline invoicing workflows.
• Recurring Invoices: Automate the creation and sending of invoices at regular intervals to ensure consistent and timely payments from recurring clients.
• Ratings and Reviews: Gather and showcase client feedback and reviews to enhance credibility and trustworthiness.
• Invoice Reminders: Automate reminders for overdue invoices, optimizing cash flow management and reducing administrative burdens.

Invoice2Go vs. QuickBooks Online

Criteria	Invoice2Go	QuickBooks Online
Best For	Freelancers, consultants, and individual users	Small to mid-sized businesses
Standout Feature	Customer ratings and reviews	Mobile check deposit
Pricing	$5.99/mo – $39.99/mo	$17.50/mo – $117.50/mo

Conclusion

Invoice2Go offers a flexible invoicing platform designed specifically for freelancers, contractors, and small business operators.

With its intuitive mobile applications, smooth integrations, and extensive support features, Invoice2Go streamlines invoice management, expense tracking, and client payment processing.

Which QuickBooks Online alternative should you use?

Finding the right QuickBooks Online alternative depends on your specific business needs.

Here’s a roundup of the top alternatives to consider:

1. FreshBooks
2. Xero
3. Zoho Invoice
4. Wave Accounting
5. Square Invoice
6. Momenteo
7. Invoice2go