quickbooks vs excel for small business

This automatically creates balance sheets and provides a user-friendly system for managing your small finances. On the other hand, Excel gives some advantages for accounting purposes but may not be as comprehensive. When comparing this software with Excel, it is clear that this tool is the better choice to help you grow due to its more advanced features and functionality. Zoho Invoice makes it easy for small businesses to go from estimate to project to invoice to payment without paying for the software—it’s 100% free. The only cost is transaction fees from whichever payment processor you integrate.

This is true particularly  for those in their first years of business. For more information about which types of business needs could require QuickBooks, read our blog “Who Should Use QuickBooks“. This approach fosters greater financial transparency and accountability, facilitating better decision-making and fostering long-term business success. With Steph’s Books, you get real people that are invested in growing your business every day.

Moreover, its user-friendly interface facilitates a smoother workflow for financial management, setting it apart as a more fitting solution for business-related financial tasks. Accounting software is designed to automate and streamline accounting tasks. QuickBooks Online offers different plans to suit different business needs and budgets, allowing the software to scale with you as your business grows. Try a free 30-day trial of QuickBooks Online to trial our features for your accounting needs.

Many smaller businesses may not have the budget to invest in comprehensive training, leaving employees to navigate complex functions on their own. This learning curve can lead to confusion and inefficiencies, especially for teams already stretched thin. While Excel’s versatility makes it a go-to tool for many small businesses, its broad range of features can also introduce unique challenges. Not using one of these tools can have a detrimental impact on your business success, so it’s vital to invest in the right software or spreadsheet for your business. However, the downside of QuickBooks is that it can be overwhelming for beginners.

QuickBooks vs. Excel for small business accounting in 2025

When it comes quickbooks vs excel for small business to integrations, both of these platforms are almost similar. However, while QuickBooks has three built-in integrations, Excel has none. These integrations on QuickBooks include QuickBooks time, QuickBooks payment, and QuickBooks payroll.

Spreadsheets, on the other hand, lack the dynamic reporting capabilities of QuickBooks, often requiring manual data aggregation and analysis, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The choice between QuickBooks and traditional spreadsheets for small business accounting can significantly impact the efficiency and financial success of a business. Excel is a flexible platform that handles various tasks, including bookkeeping. While you can use it to maintain your business books, it’s not designed specifically for that purpose and may have limitations. Both tools offer varied pricing options to suit different requirements, so you can find the best-fit plan for your business. By switching from Excel to QuickBooks Online, you’ll have the advantage of an automated cloud solution to streamline your small business accounting.

quickbooks vs excel for small business

How To Choose Accounting Software

quickbooks vs excel for small business

Questions and answers about starting, owning, and growing a small business only. This question can only be answered after careful consideration of many aspects of the business. Excel vs QuickBooks for the small business dilemma is mostly faced when, as a business owner, you want to save some coins and still have a seamless workflow. We specialize in a variety of accounting services with outstanding support. Mess up one input with an incorrect digit or a misplaced comma or decimal point, and your spreadsheet will use that to miscalculate other computations. Download the guide to scale and streamline your bookkeeping business.

While Excel offers flexibility, it lacks the automation, scalability, and specialized features that QuickBooks provides. One of the best aspects of QuickBooks Online is its ability to integrate with a vast array of third-party applications, further enhancing its functionality. Whether you’re managing inventory, tracking employee hours, or handling CRM data, QuickBooks offers integrations with over 650 apps. QuickBooks makes it easy to manage your bills, whether you’re paying them online or scheduling future payments. You can also keep track and ensure they’re paid on time with just a few clicks, so you don’t have to worry about missing a payment. On the other hand, if you’re running a larger business with multiple locations and employees, then modern accounting software might be worth looking into (keeping in mind that they’ll cost more).

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So, many businesses have adopted QuickBooks, so it can be helpful to use the same software as clients, depending on the type of business you run. However, there are many alternatives to QuickBooks that cost less and have similar features that can work for your needs. QuickBooks offers some essential features that small businesses need to organize and operate the finances of their business.

When choosing between Excel and accounting software, one of the most important considerations is the features each option offers. While you can use both tools for financial management, accounting software exists specifically to meet the needs and requirements of businesses of all sizes. QuickBooks is dedicated accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It offers a range of features specifically tailored to financial management, making it a powerful tool for businesses looking to automate and streamline their financial processes. Many accounting software providers offer additional add-ons like payroll services, time tracking, and inventory management. QuickBooks Online can import your bank feeds for easy bank reconciliation.