9 Best QuickBooks Alternatives for Scaling Businesses [2025]

QuickBooks is a fantastic entry-level accounting tool for basic bookkeeping, invoicing, and expense tracking, but rapidly scaling businesses often run into its limitations. 

If you’re frustrated with QuickBooks’ user caps, manual consolidations, limited reporting, and lack of multi-entity support, understand that outgrowing QuickBooks is a natural part of business growth. It signals the need for more scalable finance and accounting solutions that can evolve with your operations.

Consero has helped hundreds of growing businesses transition off of QuickBooks for more robust platforms, or optimize their existing QuickBooks systems to handle their next stage of growth. We know there are plenty of powerful options available to suit your needs.

We’ll cover the best QuickBooks alternatives for growing companies, from cloud-based ERPs to outsourced Finance as a Service (FaaS) platforms, that can eliminate manual workarounds, improve financial insight, and support strategic decision-making as your company scales. 

Top Alternatives

1. Finance as a Service (Consero): Best for businesses seeking a fully managed finance & accounting solution with integrated software and expert support.
2. Sage Intacct: Best for mid-sized companies that need robust cloud financial management with multi-entity consolidation and GAAP-compliant reporting.
3. Xero: Best for small to mid-sized businesses wanting an easy-to-use online accounting platform with unlimited users and strong app integrations.
4. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central: Best for companies looking for an ERP that combines accounting with operations & CRM integration in the Microsoft ecosystem.
5. Oracle NetSuite: Best for high-growth companies that require a comprehensive cloud ERP suite covering advanced financials, inventory, and e-commerce.
6. Acumatica Cloud ERP: Best for mid-market firms needing a flexible, scalable ERP with unlimited user licensing and strong distribution/manufacturing capabilities.
7. SAP Business ByDesign: Best for small enterprises and midsize firms that want a fully integrated ERP (financials, CRM, supply chain) backed by SAP for end-to-end management.
8. Certinia (formerly FinancialForce): Best for services or SaaS companies on Salesforce that need unified CRM and ERP (accounting, PSA) on one cloud platform.
9. Zoho Books: Best for growing small businesses on a budget that need affordable accounting software with automation and an upgrade path to an integrated suite.

We’ll cover each alternative in detail below, with key features, pros, pricing, and ideal use cases.

1. Finance as a Service (Consero)

Best for: Businesses seeking a fully managed finance & accounting solution with integrated software and expert support.

Key Features: FaaS is a fully managed solution that combines AI-powered, cloud-based software with a dedicated finance team. Consero offers a pre-built, enterprise-grade accounting stack with ERP integration and expert staff to handle your accounting and controller functions.

Pricing:

• FaaS is priced as a monthly subscription tailored to your company’s size and complexity.
• Costs correlate with the scope of services (transaction volume, number of entities, level of CFO advisory, etc.).
• Many mid-market firms find it comparable to the cost of hiring one or two full-time accounting employees, but for a complete team and system. 

FaaS is best for growing companies that want a hassle-free finance function. If you’re expanding fast or lack internal accounting infrastructure, FaaS helps you establish a robust finance operation overnight. 

It’s ideal for businesses that:

• Don’t want to build an internal accounting department
• Need sophisticated reporting for investors or M&A
• Have outgrown QuickBooks but hesitate to spend 9–18 months on an ERP implementation
• Particularly useful for PE-backed companies who require accurate, GAAP-compliant financials and CFO insights without delay

2. Sage Intacct

Best for: Mid-sized companies that need robust cloud financial management, multi-entity consolidation, and GAAP-compliant reporting.

Key Features: Sage Intacct is a leading cloud-based financial management ERP software (part of Sage Business Cloud) designed for medium-sized businesses. It offers rich accounting functionality with modular add-ons to cover advanced needs.

Pricing: Sage Intacct is sold as a subscription with pricing based on modules and number of users. There isn’t a fixed public price list, since packages are tailored. 

• Typical annual costs range from around $15,000 up to $60,000+ for mid-sized enterprises, depending on the modules and user count. 
• A basic Intacct package for a small company might start around $2k–$20k per year. 
• Implementation services are an additional one-time cost (often similar to the first-year subscription). 
• Overall, Intacct is more expensive than QuickBooks but generally cheaper and more flexible than legacy ERPs.

Sage Intacct is well-suited for:

• Software and SaaS companies (for its revenue recognition and subscription billing features),
• Professional services firms (for project accounting)
• Nonprofits (for fund accounting and grant tracking)
• Any company with multi-entity operations or sophisticated reporting needs that have outgrown the simplicity of QuickBooks. 

3. Xero

Best for: Small and mid-sized businesses that want cloud accounting with a simple, user-friendly experience.

Key Features: Xero is a popular cloud accounting software for its ease of use and affordable pricing. It offers a comprehensive set of accounting features for small and growing businesses.

Pricing: 

• Subscription-based with tiered plans, beginning around $20/month up for the Early plan up to $80/month for the Established plan
• All plans include unlimited users; higher tiers increase limits on things like number of invoices or bills and add features (multi-currency, expenses, and projects come with the Established plan). 
• 30-day free trial available.

Xero doesn’t have the advanced features of an ERP, but it hits the sweet spot of functionality and cost, extending the runway before a larger system is needed.

It’s an excellent choice for:

• Companies that have outgrown QuickBooks Online Essentials/Plus and need more users or better multi-currency support, but aren’t yet ready for a full ERP.
• Businesses that value collaboration with their accountant.
• International small businesses or online sellers dealing with multiple currencies.
• Xero is also popular among creative agencies, consultancies, and micro-businesses where ease of use and mobility are top priorities

4. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Best for: Businesses that are starting to require ERP-level functionality that combines accounting with operations & CRM integration in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Key Features: A cloud-based ERP solution tailored for small and mid-market companies. It combines robust accounting capabilities with broader enterprise resource planning functions (inventory, sales, purchasing, etc.) integrated under the Microsoft Dynamics 365 umbrella. 

Pricing: 

• Priced per user, per month. 
• Essentials license is roughly $70 per user/month, and Premium is about $100 per user/month. 
• Implementation services will be a significant cost.
• Free trial available.

Compared to QuickBooks, Business Central is a larger investment. However, it’s an investment into a full ERP. If you’re transitioning from QuickBooks, expect to budget both for the ongoing user fees and a one-time deployment project. 

It’s a strong match for:

• Wholesale distributors or retailers that need integrated inventory management beyond QuickBooks’ capabilities.
• Light manufacturers who want accounting, production orders, and supply chain in one system (with the Premium version).
• Companies that are deep into the Microsoft stack. If you already use Office 365, CRM Dynamics, or Azure, Business Central will fit naturally and leverage those synergies.
• Organizations planning for growth that want a system they won’t outgrow for a long time. If you have in-house IT/operations expertise or a trusted Microsoft partner, Business Central provides a very flexible platform to build on as you scale.

5. Oracle NetSuite

Best for: Organizations that have significant scale or complexity and want a single unified system to manage the entire business.

Key Features: Oracle NetSuite is a full-suite ERP designed for high-growth and enterprise companies. NetSuite offers a wide range of modules that cover financials, CRM, e-commerce, inventory/warehouse management, HR, professional services automation all unified in one platform.

Pricing: 

• Sold as an annual subscription.
• Cost includes base platform fee (often cited around $999 per month) plus per-user licenses (around $99 per user/month for standard users, with different rates for various user types)​.
• Pricing depends on the modules, number of users you need, and deployment model (cloud, hybrid, on-premise).
• One-time implementation cost can be significant.

Expect NetSuite to be a five-figure annual investment at minimum. Companies often justify this cost once their transaction volume and needs (and budget) have outgrown mid-market solutions, due to the efficiencies and capabilities NetSuite provides.

 It’s an excellent fit for:

• High-growth tech companies (such as SaaS with complex revenue recognition, or e-commerce with inventory needs) that are past the startup stage and need more than QuickBooks + add-ons.
• Wholesale distribution, retail, or manufacturing businesses that need integrated inventory, warehouse, and accounting capabilities.
• Global businesses or those with multiple subsidiaries that require strong multi-currency and consolidation features.
• Companies that anticipate going public or those with heavy compliance/reporting requirements.

6. Acumatica Cloud ERP

Best for: Mid-market businesses that want a full-featured ERP with flexibility in licensing and customization. 

Key Features: Acumatica is a modern cloud ERP platform known for its flexible licensing and broad functionality. Acumatica offers suites for Financial Management, Distribution, Manufacturing, Project Accounting, and CRM, which you can mix and match.

Pricing:

• Custom-quoted, based on three factors: the set of applications you need, your expected transaction volume (resource consumption), and the type of license you need.
• Free pricing review available.
• Implementation services, via partners, are additional – usually similar in scale to other ERPs (tens of thousands for a full deployment). 

Acumatica suits growing companies that need ERP power and aren’t afraid to work with a VAR to implement a highly tailored solution. It’s particularly popular with:

• Distributors, manufacturers, and construction companies where many employees need to interact with the system.
• Companies that value flexibility. If you have unique processes or need an ERP that can be tailored extensively, Acumatica provides that platform without requiring you to invest in enterprise-scale systems.
• Businesses that are cost-sensitive about per-user fees. A company with 50+ employees using the system might find Acumatica more economical over time than a similar NetSuite or Dynamics deployment.
• Those who want a cloud ERP but with control over deployment (for compliance or preference) since it can be deployed on a private cloud or on-premises if needed.

7. SAP Business ByDesign

Best for: Upper mid-market companies or fast-growing smaller firms that want a single, unified ERP solution with the credibility of SAP. 

Key Features: SAP’s cloud ERP solution aimed at small and mid-sized enterprises. It provides an end-to-end business suite with finance at its core, combined with CRM, supply chain, project management, and HR capabilities. It’s a lighter, cloud-based alternative to SAP’s enterprise offerings, designed to be implemented faster and with less complexity.

Pricing: 

• Subscription model with a base package plus per-user fees. 
• Typically, there’s a monthly base fee (often around $1,500–$2,000 per month for a smaller configuration) which includes a certain number of core users, and then additional users are extra. 
• SAP usually categorizes users as enterprise users, team users, or self-service users, each at different price points. 
• A company might spend $20k–$50k per year on ByDesign for a mid-sized team (this includes finance, CRM, etc.). 
• Implementation is generally through SAP partners and can range widely in cost depending on the scope (similar to other ERPs, often tens of thousands of dollars). 
• SAP does often provide a free trial period or pilot system. 

Given its broad functionality, you are paying for an all-in-one business suite, not just accounting software. 

If you want the reliability of a big-name ERP with slightly less complexity and a cloud delivery model, ByDesign is an excellent choice. It tends to be a good fit for:

• Manufacturing or distribution companies that need strong inventory and supply chain features along with accounting, especially if they anticipate needing an SAP product to interface with larger partners or customers.
• Project-based businesses (professional services or construction) that want integrated project management and project accounting.
• Firms that are multi-national or plan to expand globally and need an ERP that can handle multi-country finance out of the gate.
• Companies that have outgrown simpler tools but find something like SAP S/4HANA or Oracle too large-scale.

8. Certinia (formerly FinanceForce)

Best for: Companies that run on Salesforce and want to extend it to financial management, especially those in services or subscription industries.

Key Features: A cloud ERP & PSA (Professional Services Automation) solution built natively on the Salesforce platform. It’s especially popular among services-centric companies and SaaS businesses. By leveraging the Salesforce infrastructure, it unifies CRM and ERP data.

Pricing:

• Priced per user, per month, similar to Salesforce.
• Full access accounting or PSA users are in the ballpark of $125–$175 per user/month. 
• Often sold to companies already using Salesforce, sometimes it’s part of a larger negotiation with Salesforce licenses. 
• Implementation costs can vary widely but may involve setting up the software and optimizing your Salesforce CRM usage; a medium business can expect a project in the tens of thousands of dollars range.

If you’re not using Salesforce at all, Certinia makes less sense – it shines in a Salesforce-centric environment. That said, it works well for:

• Professional services firms, consultancies, IT services companies where managing projects and the associated financials in one system is crucial.
• SaaS and technology companies that already use Salesforce for CRM and maybe support, and want a seamless flow from sales to billing to revenue recognition.
• Any business heavily invested in Salesforce. If you love the Salesforce platform and want your finance system to be in the same ecosystem, Certinia is the go-to option.
• Companies seeking real-time visibility across departments. 

9. Zoho Books

Best for: Small businesses and growing companies that need a capable accounting system on a small budget.

Key Features: An online accounting software that is part of the larger Zoho ecosystem (which includes CRM, inventory, subscription billing, HR, etc.). It is a step up from basic bookkeeping tools and caters well to small and growing businesses that want automation on a budget.

Pricing:

Zoho Books has a range of plans, making it one of the most budget-friendly options:

• Free Plan: $0 for very small businesses (annual revenue less than a threshold, and limited users).
• Standard: ~$15 per month – basic features for up to 3 users.
• Professional: ~$40-$50 per month – adds inventory management, purchase orders, and supports 5 users.
• Premium: ~$60 per month – up to 10 users, adds vendor portals, custom domains, and budgeting.
• Elite: ~$120 per month – up to 15 users, includes multi-warehouse inventory and advanced modules.
• Ultimate: ~$240 per month – up to 15 users (more with add-on), includes advanced analytics.
• Annual billing for a discount. 
• Zoho Books is also included in Zoho One (Zoho’s all-app bundle) which is around $45/user/month for the entire suite of 40+ apps – an incredible value if you plan to use multiple Zoho products. 
• Implementation: Many businesses can set it up themselves or with an accountant’s assistance rather than a big implementation project.

Zoho Books is more robust than entry-level bookkeeping tools (and continually adding features), but it’s not as complex as an ERP, making it a good option for the “in-between” growth stage where you need more automation and reliability without breaking the bank.

It’s an ideal choice for:

• Startups and micro-businesses that find QuickBooks too limiting or pricey as they add features, and want something they won’t outgrow immediately.
• Companies already using Zoho CRM or other Zoho apps. Adding Zoho Books will make back-office integration much smoother.
• Service-based businesses, consultants, freelancers who need project tracking alongside accounting (Zoho Books has basic project time tracking and billing built-in).
• Any business that values cost efficiency and integration over having an extremely deep accounting package.

Choosing the Right QuickBooks Alternative

Selecting the best QuickBooks alternative for your business depends on your growth trajectory, complexity, and specific needs. 

Growth-stage businesses typically evaluate upgrading to traditional ERP systems or Finance as a Service (FaaS), both of which offer more advanced capabilities than QuickBooks.

• ERP solutions like NetSuite, Sage Intacct, and Dynamics 365 provide robust financial management, automation, and scalability but often require significant IT investment and in-house expertise.
• FaaS offers an outsourced finance team and technology stack in one package, providing cost savings of 20-40% compared to hiring an in-house team. It can be a particularly efficient and flexible option for companies looking to scale without committing to a full ERP implementation.

Automation & Advanced Functionality

If your business requires automated revenue recognition, subscription billing, or more powerful financial reporting, a system like Sage Intacct (for SaaS revenue automation) or FaaS (which includes outsourced financial operations) can reduce manual work and streamline processes.

• ERP platforms bring automation but require internal expertise to configure workflows effectively.
• FaaS provides pre-configured automation and expert oversight, making them attractive for industries with complex financial needs, such as SaaS, professional services, and eCommerce businesses.

Multi-Entity and Scalability

As businesses grow, they often need multi-entity consolidation, intercompany eliminations, and global financial tracking.

• ERP systems like NetSuite and Dynamics 365 are designed for scale, making them suitable for businesses with complex operations and in-house IT support.
• FaaS offers an alternative for companies that need scalability without the overhead of managing ERP software and a finance team. This can be ideal for healthcare, investment management, and nonprofits, where finance functions need to expand efficiently across multiple locations or subsidiaries.

Integration Capabilities

Seamless integration between finance, sales, and operations is key to efficiency.

• If your company relies on Salesforce CRM, Certinia may be a natural fit, as it keeps all data within the Salesforce ecosystem.
• FaaS simplifies integration challenges by offering a fully managed finance stack, reducing the need for IT support.
• ERP solutions provide flexibility for custom integrations but require development resources to connect with existing systems.

Industry-Specific Needs

Different industries have specialized accounting and compliance requirements. Many QuickBooks alternatives cater to specific sectors with tailored features:

• Manufacturing & Supply Chain: SAP Business ByDesign, Acumatica
• Professional Services & SaaS: Certinia, Sage Intacct, FaaS
• Nonprofits & Grant Management: Sage Intacct, FaaS
• eCommerce & Multi-Channel Retail: NetSuite, Zoho Books

ERP platforms often include industry-specific modules, while FaaS solutions provide best-practice financial workflows and compliance measures tailored to industry needs.

Cost vs. Value

Cost is always a consideration when moving beyond QuickBooks.

• ERP systems involve upfront licensing fees, implementation costs, and ongoing IT management.
• FaaS eliminates software licensing costs and provides an all-in-one finance function, which can result in 20-40% cost savings over hiring an in-house team.
• For growing companies, FaaS provides an immediate, scalable solution while ERPs require longer-term investment in internal financial infrastructure.

Deployment and Support

ERP solutions require IT resources and finance expertise for successful implementation and ongoing maintenance. If your internal team is lean, a fully managed solution like FaaS can provide financial expertise and automation without requiring additional hires.

For companies that need advanced accounting without the complexity of ERP implementation, FaaS provides a streamlined alternative. However, for businesses with dedicated IT and finance teams, an ERP solution may offer more long-term flexibility.

Ready for a Smarter Finance Solution?

Whether you're ready for a fully managed finance solution, need support while staying on QuickBooks, or are transitioning to a new general ledger, Consero has the expertise and tailored solutions to meet your needs.

Our team can help you assess the right path for your business, whether that means outsourcing finance operations, optimizing QuickBooks with expert support, or implementing a more scalable financial system.

Don’t wait until QuickBooks limitations disrupt your operations—take a proactive approach. Request a consultation today to explore your options. We’ll guide you through:

✅ Evaluating the right solution based on your growth and complexity
✅ Planning your transition to ensure minimal disruption
✅ Implementing a finance strategy that scales with your business

Your future-ready finance function is within reach, let’s build it together.