As a financial expert, I've spent years working with various personal finance software, and while Quicken has long been a trusted name in the industry, it’s not the only option available.
Whether you’re searching for a more intuitive interface, better budgeting tools, or advanced investment tracking features, there are a variety of accounting software alternatives that might suit you better.
Based on my extensive research and hands-on testing, I’ve identified five standout options that truly redefine personal finance management. These tools address common financial challenges, making it easier for you to take control of your budget, savings, and investments.
Join me as we explore these Quicken alternatives and discover how they can transform the way you manage your money.
» Need some help? Here's how to choose the right accounting software.
Our 5 Best Quicken Alternatives in 2024:
- Oracle Netsuite - Best Quicken alternative overall
- Fresh Books - Best for freelancers and solopreneurs
- Zoho Books - Best for small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs)
- 1-800Accountant - Best for expert tax and financial advice
- Patriot Software - Best for integrated HR and accounting software
A Closer Look at the Best Quicken Alternatives in 2024
1. Oracle Netsuite
Experience comprehensive business management with a cloud-based ERP 
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- Best for - Scalable cloud-based solutions
- Price range - Pricing on request
- Free trial - No
Oracle NetSuite's accounting software offers practical features for everyday business needs. It automatically tracks your income and expenses, creating real-time financial reports you can access anytime. This means you can quickly check your cash flow, profit margins, and budget status without waiting for month-end closings.
The system also simplifies tax preparation by organizing your financial data annually. It can handle multiple currencies and automate invoice creation and payment reminders if you do business globally. For growing businesses, NetSuite scales easily, allowing you to add users or modules for inventory management, payroll, or advanced reporting.
What Makes Oracle Netsuite a Good Alternative to Quicken?
It lets me manage finances for multiple locations all in one place, which Quicken can't do. NetSuite also handles complex billing and long-term contracts better, and its financial reports are more detailed and customizable. I can see real-time data on easy-to-use dashboards, giving me a clearer picture of my business's financial health.
Pros
- Free NetSuite license for accounting professionals
- Seamless integration with other tools
- Real-time metrics and role-based dashboards
Cons
- No free trial available
- The initial setup can be overwhelming
2. FreshBooks
Simplified accounting for small businesses
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- Best for - 30-day free trial of its fully cloud-hosted accounting software
- Price - From $19/month
- Free trial - Yes
FreshBooks caters to small businesses, freelancers, and solopreneurs with its user-friendly accounting platform. The interface is intuitive, automating time-consuming tasks like invoicing and expense tracking. It lets you easily streamline your whole routine.
It also offers accounting features like double-entry reporting without breaking the bank. FreshBooks hits the sweet spot if you want to manage your finances efficiently without wrestling with complicated software.
What Makes Fresh Books a Good Alternative to Quicken?
Unlike Quicken, which can be complex and overwhelming for small business owners, FreshBooks offers a simpler, more user-friendly experience. Its focus on invoicing, expense tracking, and payment processing makes it ideal for basic accounting features without the complexity of full-scale accounting software.
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Integrates with 100+ apps
- Double-entry accounting reports feature
Cons
- Limited scope for customization
- Extra cost per month to add an additional team member
3. Zoho Books
Automate, collaborate and go global with Zoho Books
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- Best for - Free plan
- Price - From $20/month
- Free trial or free version - Yes
Zoho Books is a cloud accounting solution with a user-friendly interface. It simplifies invoicing, inventory management, and project tracking. A major draw is the free plan, which gives users essential accounting tools without costly subscriptions.
For growing businesses, paid tiers unlock advanced features like purchase approvals, vendor portals, and custom modules. Zoho Books offers an intuitive mobile app for on-the-go accounting. It also provides multi-channel support, including phone and chat assistance, plus an extensive knowledge base.
What Makes Zoho Books a Good Alternative to Quicken?
Unlike Quicken, which focuses primarily on personal finance, Zoho Books solves business needs. It gives you a more comprehensive set of invoicing, inventory management, and project tracking features. Its cloud-based platform also provides greater accessibility and collaboration for businesses.
Pros
- Customizable invoicing templates
- Multi-currency support
- Automated bank reconciliation saves time and improves accuracy
Cons
- Premium plan limited to 10 users
- Advanced inventory features only available in higher-tier plans
4. 1-800Accountant
Empower your business with tailored accounting expertise and flat-rate support
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- Best for - Personalized tax advice and planning
- Price - From $179/month billed annually
- Free trial or free version - Yes
1-800Accountant comes with a comprehensive suite of accounting services handled by expert professionals. This includes bookkeeping, tax prep, payroll, and even entity formation for new businesses. Plus, its mobile app provides convenient remote access to your accounts.
For more advanced needs, the Enterprise plan unlocks features like in-depth financial reporting and dedicated bookkeeping services. While some functionality is reserved for top tiers, 1-800Accountant provides reliable, full-service accounting support from seasoned pros.
What Makes 1-800Accountant a Good Alternative to Quicken?
Quicken focuses on personal finance, but 1-800Accountant caters to small businesses. It offers a dedicated accountant, year-round tax advice, and proactive tax planning. With flat-rate pricing and customizable packages, you can access expertise to help you navigate complex tax forms and changing regulations while focusing on growing your business.
Pros
- 4.4/5 star Trustpilot rating
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Manages multiple business entities
Cons
- Lacks a monthly subscription option
- Financial reports and bookkeeping services only available in Enterprise plan
5. Patriot Software
Affordable accounting and payroll software for small businesses
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- Best for - Affordable accounting and payroll solutions
- Price - From $20/month
- Free trial or free version - Yes
Patriot Software provides straightforward, affordable accounting and payroll for small businesses. The company keeps it simple with unlimited payroll runs, accurate tax calculations, and free direct deposit or check printing options. Having integrated HR software is a nice perk, too.
It offers transparent pricing and quality customer service, which is evident in its 4.9/5 star Trustpilot rating. If you're a small business owner looking to streamline accounting and payroll without complications, this could be the no-fuss solution you need.
What Makes Patriot Software a Good Alternative to Quicken?
Unlike Quicken's personal finance focus, Patriot Software is built specifically for small businesses. It integrates accounting, payroll, and HR functions into one platform. You also get software unlimited vendor payments, 1099 creation, and a free contractor portal. Plus, its user-based permissions and departmental tracking also offer greater flexibility for growing companies.
Pros
- Automated bank transaction imports to save time on data entry
- Free 30-day trial
- Unlimited payroll runs
Cons
- No international payroll support
- Limited integration features
What to Look For in an Accounting Software
When it comes to choosing accounting software, there are a few key things to look for.
- Ease of use: You don't want to get bogged down in a complicated system with a steep learning curve. The software should be intuitive and user-friendly right out of the gate.
- Reporting and analytics capabilities: These will allow you to really dig into the numbers and get valuable insights into your business's financial performance. You'll be able to easily generate things like profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
- Integration: Ideally, the accounting software should seamlessly sync with any other systems or apps you use, whether it's payroll, inventory management, or eCommerce platforms. This eliminates duplicate data entry and manual transferring between platforms.
- Scalability: As your business grows, you'll want accounting software that can scale up with you. You'll need solutions offering different service tiers and added functionality as your needs evolve.
- Mobile accessibility: In our on-the-go world, it's super convenient to be able to view financial data, send invoices, and reconcile accounts from anywhere on your smartphone or tablet.
- Support and training resources: To maximize the software, you'll want a knowledgeable team you can lean on, along with tutorials, guides, and forums.
» Still undecided? Discover why accounting software is worth it.
How We Determined the Top Quicken Alternatives
Our team tested and evaluated over 15 different accounting software options using the following criteria:
- Ease of use: We sought interfaces that make navigation intuitive and data entry smooth. Software requiring extensive manual reading or lengthy tutorials didn't make the cut.
- Reporting capabilities: We prioritized options that produce clean, comprehensive reports for income statements, cash flow, and tax liabilities. We avoided solutions with limited or confusing reporting.
- Integration: The top alternatives seamlessly connect with other essential business tools. We avoided standalone options that couldn't sync with your existing systems.
- Mobility: Access to key financial data, bill payments, and account reconciliation via mobile apps or browsers was a significant factor in our evaluation.
- Pricing: We focused on solutions that offer great value, with transparent fee structures and flexible pricing tiers to accommodate your business growth.
Quicken Alternatives: The Accounting Software for Your Business Needs
With evolving economies, business demands and our financial needs grow. Overall, Oracle NetSuite is the most comprehensive Quicken alternative. FreshBooks caters excellently to freelancers and solopreneurs, while Zoho Books shines for small to medium businesses.
1-800Accountant provides expert tax/finance advice, and Patriot Software seamlessly integrates HR and accounting. Ultimately, the right accounting software depends on whether it suits your unique requirements. This knowledge will help you make the best choice.
» Need more help? Here's how to choose the right accounting software.
FAQs
What's the best alternative to Quicken?
Oracle NetSuite stands out as a robust option for businesses seeking an alternative to Quicken. It offers a full suite of enterprise resource planning (ERP) features, including advanced financial management, inventory control, and business intelligence capabilities.
Is Quicken being phased out?
No, Quicken is not being phased out. Quicken continues to be actively developed and supported by its parent company, with regular updates and new versions released. While there have been changes in ownership and product offerings over the years, Quicken remains a popular personal finance management tool.
Which Quicken alternative is best for freelancers?
FreshBooks is the top choice for freelancers and solopreneurs. It offers intuitive invoicing, time tracking, and expense management features tailored for self-employed professionals. FreshBooks also integrates with many popular business tools.
Is there a Quicken alternative that combines accounting and HR?
Patriot Software is an excellent option for integrated HR and accounting. It offers payroll, time tracking, and basic accounting features in one platform. This integration can streamline operations for small businesses managing both finance and human resources.
What's a good Quicken alternative for growing SMBs?
Zoho Books is well-suited for small—to medium-sized businesses experiencing growth. It offers scalable features, multiple-user access, and integrations with other Zoho products, and it can accommodate increasing complexity as your business expands.
