Best QuickBooks for Small Businesses

Quickbooks is an accounting software (similar to digital ledger) that helps small business tracks expenses, manages cash flow, send custom invoices and creates financial reports. In other words, Quickbooks automate invoicing, payroll, tax management, reporting expenses and inventory management for businesses.

In simple terms, Quickbooks is an Accounting software developed by Intuit. Some Quickbooks are free, while some companies offer 30-days free trial to customers. But generally, the lowest and cheapest Quickbook cost $£€7/month.

There are multiple versions of QuickBooks, including QuickBooks Online (cloud-based, accessible from any device with internet access) and QuickBooks Desktop (installed software for local use), each tailored to different business needs and preferences.

Best QuickBooks Version to Consider

You can only determine if a QuickBooks is best based on the specific needs of your business. Size, industry, and preference for online and desktop software of your business can also helps to determine the quickbooks that’ll best suit your needs.

Here are the most popular QuickBooks options available and what makes each one ideal for different business’s preferences:

1. QuickBooks Online (QBO)
2. Quickbooks Desktop Pro
3. Quickbooks Desktop Premier
4. Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise
5. Quickbooks Self-Employed

Here’s the comparison of the Quickbooks versions:

QuickBooks Version	Best For	Key Features	Drawbacks	Price (Starting At)
QuickBooks Online (QBO)	Small to medium-sized businesses needing flexibility and multi-user access	Cloud-based, accessible from anywhere Invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation Multiple subscription levels (Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, Advanced) Integrates with numerous third-party apps	Requires internet access Costs can increase with higher-tier plans	Starting at $30/month
QuickBooks Desktop Pro	Small businesses preferring local software with no need for extensive online access	Comprehensive reporting Inventory tracking Advanced project tracking One-time purchase or annual subscription (Pro Plus)	Limited remote access Sharing data with team members can be cumbersome	Starting at $549.99/year
QuickBooks Desktop Premier	Businesses needing industry-specific features and advanced financial tracking	Industry-specific versions (e.g., contractors, retail, nonprofits) Customizable reports Better job costing and forecasting	Higher cost than Pro Limited remote access and collaboration	Starting at $799.99/year
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise	Larger businesses with complex inventory or multi-location needs	Supports up to 40 users Advanced inventory management (barcode scanning, multi-location tracking) Robust reporting and user permissions Industry-specific editions available	Higher cost Requires an additional subscription for remote access	Starting at $1,410/year
QuickBooks Self-Employed	Freelancers, contractors, and self-employed individuals focused on basic accounting for tax purposes	Simple income and expense tracking Mileage tracking for business trips Quarterly tax estimation	Limited features Not ideal for businesses needing comprehensive accounting	Starting at $15/month

Each version has unique strengths, so selecting the right one depends on your specific business needs, preferred access method, and budget.