QuickBooks alternatives & competitors

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QuickBooks Online now costs $38 a month for one user on Simple Start and $85 for Essentials. These alternatives cost less: one is free.

The full list

1

Best overall alternative

Xero

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for small businesses that want unlimited users and clean, modern accounting

Unlimited users on every plan; from $27/mo.

Category
Accounting & invoicing
Free plan
No
Paid from
$27/mo
2

Best for freelancers

FreshBooks

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3 · Best for freelancers and service businesses that bill clients for time

Invoicing-first accounting from $23/mo.

Category
Accounting & invoicing
Free plan
No
Paid from
$23/mo
3

Best free alternative

Wave

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3 · Best for freelancers and micro-businesses on the tightest budget

Free invoicing and accounting; Pro $19/mo.

Category
Accounting & invoicing
Free plan
Yes
Paid from
$19/mo
Billed yearly
$15.83/mo

Compared at a glance

ToolOur ratingCategoryFree planPaid fromYear 1 (cheapest paid)
Xero 4.4/5Accounting & invoicingNo$27/mo$324
FreshBooks 4.3/5Accounting & invoicingNo$23/mo$276
Wave 4.3/5Accounting & invoicingYes$19/mo$190

Checked Oct 10, 2026. Details change: confirm on the provider’s site.

QuickBooks vs alternatives

QuickBooks Xero FreshBooks Wave
Entry price $38 $27 $23 Free
Users on entry plan 1 Unlimited 1 1 (Pro: unlimited)

Other QuickBooks competitors (not yet rated)

Zoho Books, Sage Accounting, Bench (bookkeeping service) and QuickBooks Desktop alternatives such as Sage 50.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best free alternative to QuickBooks?

Wave, its invoicing and accounting are free.

Who are QuickBooks’ main competitors?

Xero, FreshBooks, Wave, Zoho Books and Sage.

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