QuickBooks Accounting Software Review for 2025

By Drew Robertson • Last updated on Mar 19, 2025

QuickBooks excels in offering small to medium-sized businesses a user-friendly interface that simplifies financial management compared to its competitors.

In this review, I’m going to share my analysis and evaluation from hands-on experience with QuickBooks. But first, if you’re just beginning your search for the best accounting software, check out my picks of the best accounting software.

You probably already know QuickBooks is among the most popular accounting software out there, but to make an informed decision, you need to better understand what’s good and not so good about it.

My in-depth QuickBooks review will walk you through pros and cons, features and functionality to help guide you to better understand its capabilities and suitability for your scenario.

*QuickBooks manages accounting with invoicing, expense tracking, and reports.*

Summary: QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a leading accounting software known for its intuitive interface and extensive functionality. It’s commonly used by small to medium-sized business owners, accountants, and freelancers to manage financial transactions and support daily accounting tasks efficiently.

Overall, the software helps businesses by providing tools for tracking income, expenses, and generating financial reports.

QuickBooks also addresses common pain points like managing invoices, tracking expenses, and payroll processing. Its best features are its user-friendly dashboard, extensive reporting capabilities, and seamless integration with third-party applications.

QuickBooks Pros

User-Friendly Interface: QuickBooks offers an easy-to-navigate platform that simplifies accounting tasks for users with varying levels of expertise.
Extensive Reporting: It provides a wide range of customizable reports that help businesses analyze their financial data effectively.
Payroll Management: QuickBooks includes built-in payroll processing capabilities, allowing businesses to handle employee payments and tax filings efficiently.

QuickBooks Cons

Learning Curve: New users may face challenges due to the software's extensive features and options.
Limited Customization: Some users may find the customization options for invoices and reports to be insufficient for their specific needs.
Customer Support: The overall customer support experience can be inconsistent in terms of response times and issue resolution.

QuickBooks Expert Opinion

In my opinion, QuickBooks stands out as a top choice for small to medium-sized businesses seeking an effective accounting solution.

The software’s user-friendly interface and extensive reporting capabilities make it a preferred option for those who need to manage financial data without the complexity found in some other platforms. Additionally, its built-in payroll management feature is a notable advantage, offering a convenient solution for handling employee payments and tax filings.

However, QuickBooks does have its drawbacks. Its learning curve can be steep for beginners, and the customization options might not meet the needs of users requiring highly tailored invoices and reports. Plus, according to various user reports, the platform’s customer support experience varies, which can be frustrating for users needing timely assistance.

In summary, QuickBooks is best suited for businesses that prioritize straightforward financial management and can manage occasional support delays. For those seeking extensive customization or more consistent support, exploring other options might be worthwhile.

Overall, QuickBooks remains a competitive choice for many business environments, particularly for those valuing simplicity and effective financial oversight.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

We’ve been testing and reviewing accounting software since 2023. As CFOs ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software.

We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions. We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different finance and accounting use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.

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Are You a Good Fit for QuickBooks?

Who Would Be a Good Fit for QuickBooks?

Small to medium-sized businesses and freelancers will likely benefit the most from QuickBooks. Its user-friendly interface and extensive reporting capabilities make it ideal for those managing finances without needing complex solutions. Similarly, businesses that require built-in payroll management and straightforward financial tracking find QuickBooks particularly beneficial.

Who Would Be a Bad Fit for QuickBooks?

Large enterprises or companies needing highly customized financial solutions may not find QuickBooks suitable for their unique business needs. The software's limited customization options for reports and invoices can be restrictive. Additionally, businesses requiring consistently responsive customer support might struggle with QuickBooks' variable support experience, making alternatives worth considering.

Best Use Cases for QuickBooks

Small Businesses: QuickBooks offers an easy-to-use interface perfect for small business owners needing efficient financial management.
Freelancers: The software provides essential tools for freelancers to track income and expenses without needing extensive accounting knowledge.
Retail Stores: With features like inventory tracking, QuickBooks helps retail businesses manage stock levels and sales efficiently.
Startups: QuickBooks supports startups with limited budgets by offering essential accounting functionalities without overwhelming complexity.
Nonprofits: The reporting capabilities in QuickBooks help nonprofits maintain transparency and accountability in their financial dealings.
Accountants: QuickBooks' extensive reporting and financial analysis tools make it a valuable asset for accountants managing multiple clients.

Worst Use Cases for QuickBooks

Large Corporations: QuickBooks may not meet the complex and varied accounting needs of large enterprises due to its limited customization options.
Manufacturing Companies: The software lacks advanced manufacturing-specific features like production scheduling and resource planning.
Highly Regulated Industries: QuickBooks might not support the stringent compliance requirements of industries like finance or pharmaceuticals.
Custom Software Needs: Businesses needing highly tailored solutions may find QuickBooks' customization options insufficient.
Multi-National Companies: QuickBooks may not effectively handle the complexities of multi-currency transactions and global financial regulations.
Businesses with High Support Needs: Companies requiring consistent and rapid customer support might find QuickBooks' support experience variable and frustrating.

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QuickBooks Evaluation Summary

Core Functionality: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Standout Features: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Ease of Use: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Onboarding: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Customer Support: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Integrations: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Customer Reviews: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Value for Money: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Review Methodology

We’re a team of software experts who obsess about the features and functionality of different platforms. We know how critical—yet difficult and confusing—software selection can be. We test and score software to find the best solutions, whatever the use case may be.

Using our objective, data driven testing methodology, we’ve tested 300+ software. We dedicate ourselves to being objective in fully and fairly testing software, to get beyond the marketing fluff and truly understand the platform.

We’ve developed robust testing scenarios to use the software in the same way you will. We leverage our own first-hand, practical experience of the tools, complemented by interviews with users, experts, and software vendors.

How We Test & Score Accounting Software

We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system for accounting software. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection, and what makes accounting software effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.

Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across eight criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.

Core Functionality (20% of Final Scoring)

For accounting software, the core functionality we test and evaluate are:

General Ledger: Tracks all financial transactions, ensuring accurate reporting and compliance.
Invoicing and Billing: Allows businesses to create, send, and manage invoices efficiently.
Expense Tracking: Monitors business expenses and categorizes them for better financial management.
Bank Reconciliation: Syncs with bank accounts to match transactions and identify discrepancies.
Financial Reporting: Generates key financial statements like profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
Payroll Management: Supports employee compensation, accounts payable and receivable, tax calculations, and compliance with payroll regulations.

Standout Features (20% of Final Scoring)

We evaluate uncommon, standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality defined and typically found in accounting software. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.

Ease of Use (10% of Final Scoring)

We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the accounting software. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.

Onboarding (10% of Final Scoring)

We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use the accounting software with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the software with no experience. High scoring software indicates little or no support is required.

Customer Support (10% of Final Scoring)

We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Accounting software that provides real-time support scores best, while chatbots score worst.

Integrations (10% of Final Scoring)

We evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Accounting software offering plentiful native integrations, third-party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.

Customer Reviews (10% of Final Scoring)

Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the accounting software again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.

Value for Money (10% of Final Scoring)

Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry-level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.

Through this comprehensive approach, I aim to identify accounting software that not only meet but exceed expectations, ensuring teams have the tools they need to succeed.

QuickBooks Review

Core Accounting Software Functionality

Invoicing: QuickBooks enables users to create and send professional invoices efficiently. The system offers customizable templates and allows users to send invoices via email or as shareable links.

QuickBooks invoice feature screenshot — *QuickBooks enables easy invoice creation, tracking, and payment processing.*

Expense Tracking: QuickBooks enables users to efficiently monitor and categorize business expenses. By connecting bank accounts, it automatically imports and organizes transactions, reducing the need for manual data entry.

QuickBooks expense transactions screenshot — *QuickBooks tracks, categorizes, and manages expenses for accurate reporting.*

Financial Reporting: QuickBooks generates detailed financial statements and reports, providing insights into business performance. These types of customizable reports allow users to focus on specific metrics that matter most to their operations.

QuickBooks dashboard screenshot — *QuickBooks generates financial reports for insights, compliance, and planning.*

Payroll Management: QuickBooks offers payroll processing capabilities that handle employee payments and tax filings, helping businesses ensure compliance with tax regulations and manage payroll efficiently.

QuickBooks financial dashboard screenshot — *QuickBooks automates payroll, tax calculations, and direct deposits.*

Budgeting: QuickBooks enables users to create and manage budgets effectively, allowing for better financial planning and decision-making.

QuickBooks budgeting vs. actuals screenshot — *QuickBooks helps create, track, and manage budgets for financial planning.*

Tax Management: QuickBooks offers automatic sales tax calculations on invoices and receipts, helping users file accurately and on time. It also notifies users of upcoming tax payment due dates to prevent late filings and associated fees.

QuickBooks compliance tracking screenshot — *QuickBooks automates tax calculations, filings, and compliance tracking.*

QuickBooks Standout Features

Project Management: QuickBooks offers project profitability and tracking tools that allow users to manage project-related expenses and income. This feature helps businesses keep projects on budget and track success.

QuickBooks project management screenshot — *QuickBooks tracks project expenses, income, and profitability in one place.*

Inventory Management: QuickBooks offers inventory tracking features that update stock levels automatically as you work, helping businesses manage inventory efficiently and avoid stockouts. Keep in mind, these features are only available in the Online Plus and Advance plans.

QuickBooks sales tracking screenshot — *QuickBooks tracks stock levels, sales, and purchase orders in real time.*

Ease of Use

QuickBooks is relatively easy to use compared to other accounting software. Its intuitive interface and clear navigation make it accessible for users with varying levels of expertise. The layout is user-friendly, and tasks like invoicing and expense tracking are straightforward, which reduces the learning curve for new users.

QuickBooks interface design screenshot — *QuickBooks offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface with easy navigation.*

Onboarding

New users can expect a straightforward onboarding process with QuickBooks. The software offers a range of tutorials and guides to help users get started quickly.

Compared to other online accounting software, QuickBooks provides a balanced onboarding experience, offering enough resources to ensure users can effectively use the automation platform and its add-ons without overwhelming them.

QuickBooks onboarding screenshot — *QuickBooks offers a smooth onboarding with guides for easy setup.*

Customer Support

QuickBooks offers customer support through various channels, including phone and live chat. They also provide a knowledge base with articles and tutorials, a community forum for peer support, and a status page to monitor downtime. Additionally, its frequent product updates and feedback channels ensure users have access to the latest features and can voice their opinions.

Integrations

QuickBooks integrates natively with PayPal, Square, Shopify, and Stripe. Additional integration options are available through Zapier, allowing users to connect with even more third-party applications. The QuickBooks Apps Marketplace also provides further opportunities for customization and functionality expansion.

Value for Money

QuickBooks offers a variety of pricing plans tailored to different business sizes and needs, providing flexibility and value for users. These plans include:

Simple Start: From $17.50/month. Designed for solo entrepreneurs, this plan includes basic features such as income and expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt capture.
Essentials: From $32.50/month. In addition to the features in Simple Start, Essentials offers bill management and supports multiple users, making it suitable for growing businesses.
Plus: From $49.50/month. Building upon Essentials, the Plus plan adds project tracking and inventory management, catering to businesses with more complex requirements.
Advanced: From $117.50/month. This plan provides advanced reporting capabilities and dedicated account support, ideal for larger businesses needing comprehensive financial management tools.

QuickBooks pricing page screenshot — *QuickBooks offers four tiers with increasing features.*

Product Specifications

Feature	QuickBooks
Invoicing	✅
Expense Tracking	✅
Financial Reporting	✅
Payroll Management	✅
Budgeting	✅
Tax Management	✅
Multi-Currency Support	✅
Inventory Management	✅
Project Management	✅
Time Tracking	✅
Mobile App	✅
Customizable Dashboards	✅
Bank Reconciliation	✅
Vendor Management	❌
Fixed Asset Management	❌
Advanced Analytics	❌
CRM Integration	✅
E-commerce Integration	✅
Audit Trail	✅
Client Portal	❌
Recurring Billing	✅
Purchase Orders	✅
Sales Tax Calculation	✅
Role-Based Access Control	✅
Document Management	✅

QuickBooks Alternatives

If you’re looking for QuickBooks alternatives, here are a few worth checking out:

1. Synder — Best for ecommerce accounting automation
2. Bench — Best for hands-off bookkeeping services
3. Gusto — Best for payroll and HR automation
4. OneUp — Best for integrated CRM and invoicing
5. ZarMoney — Best for inventory management features
6. AccountEdge — Best for desktop accounting on Mac and Windows
7. Patriot Software — Best for affordable payroll solutions
8. Plooto — Best for automating payables and receivables
9. Invoicely — Best for free online invoicing
10. Baselane — Best for landlord-specific financial tools
11. Tiller Money — Best for spreadsheet-based financial tracking
12. Xero — Best for advanced cloud accounting
13. FreshBooks — Best for invoicing and expense tracking
14. Wave — Best for freelancers and entrepreneurs
15. Odoo — Best for integrated business applications
16. Sage Accounting — Best for small businesses with basic accounting needs

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QuickBooks Frequently Asked Questions

QuickBooks is a business accounting software and bookkeeping platform designed to help small and medium-sized businesses manage their financial operations. It offers a range of features, including invoicing, expense tracking, payroll management, and financial reporting. QuickBooks aims to simplify financial tasks and provide insights into business performance.

Yes, QuickBooks offers QuickBooks desktop and mobile apps that allow users to access their financial data on the go. The app provides functionalities like invoicing, receipt capture, and expense tracking, making it convenient for users to manage finances from their smartphones. It is available for both iOS and Android devices.

QuickBooks is not inherently HIPAA compliant, as it is not specifically designed to handle protected health information. Businesses in the healthcare sector should evaluate whether QuickBooks meets their compliance needs or consider additional measures to ensure HIPAA compliance. It is advisable to consult with a compliance expert for guidance.

QuickBooks is SOC 2 compliant, which means it adheres to standards for managing customer data based on five trust service principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. This compliance demonstrates QuickBooks’ commitment to maintaining high security standards and protecting user data.

Yes, QuickBooks is designed with security measures to protect user data and financial information. It employs encryption technology, secure login processes, and automatic data backups. These measures help safeguard sensitive information and provide users with a secure environment for managing their finances.

QuickBooks is not FedRAMP certified, as it is not primarily aimed at serving federal agencies. FedRAMP certification is typically required for cloud services used by the federal government to ensure they meet specific security standards. Businesses needing FedRAMP-certified solutions should explore other options.

QuickBooks is GDPR compliant, meaning it meets the data protection and privacy requirements set by the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union. This compliance ensures that QuickBooks handles personal data responsibly and provides users with control over their information.

Yes, QuickBooks supports multi-currency transactions, allowing businesses to manage and track transactions in different currencies. Users can set a home currency and add additional currencies as needed. This feature is particularly useful for businesses operating internationally or dealing with foreign clients.

QuickBooks Company Overview & History

QuickBooks is a well-known accounting software developed by Intuit, a company founded in 1983 in Mountain View, California. First released in 1992, QuickBooks is primarily designed for small and medium-sized businesses, offering both on-premises applications and cloud-based services through QuickBooks Online.

This cloud-based option allows users to access the software via a web browser for a monthly subscription fee. Intuit initially gained popularity with its Quicken product, a personal finance management tool. Over the years, QuickBooks has expanded its offerings to cater to different industries and international markets.

The software includes features such as remote access, electronic payments, and integration with other applications, making it a versatile tool for business owners and accountants alike. QuickBooks supports international versions tailored to specific tax regulations in countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia. It integrates with third-party applications for banking and payroll services, and its functionality is further enhanced by integration with tax preparation software and Microsoft Office.

As of October 2023, QuickBooks remains a leading choice among accounting software providers for workflow management and business financial management.

QuickBooks Major Milestones

1983: Intuit was founded by Scott Cook and Tom Proulx in Mountain View, California.
1992: QuickBooks was first released, targeting small and medium-sized businesses.
Introduction of QuickBooks Online: The cloud-based version of QuickBooks was introduced, allowing users to access the software via a web browser for a subscription fee.
International Expansion: QuickBooks launched versions tailored to tax regulations in countries such as Canada, the UK, and Australia.
2023: Discontinuation of QuickBooks Point of Sale due to maintenance challenges.

Visit QuickBooks Website

Want to learn more about QuickBooks? Check out their site for additional information.

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