15 years helping Australian businesses
choose better software
About Quickbooks Online
QuickBooks Online is a small business accounting software and app that allows you to manage your business anywhere, anytime.
Everything is easy to use, the bank integration feature is super helpful, and I can do it on any computer that has internet.
When you first start using the app it can be irritating and tricky.
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Filter reviews (6,397)

Excellent online software
Comments: I am very happy with this product. I use it for bookkeeping and my accountant reviews my entries at regular intervals.
Pros:
It is easy to use and you can't do anything wrong. I am using this program for 4-5 years and never had any technical issues. Reporting is straightforward and I can see my financial situation at any time.
Cons:
I am a happy QuickBooks user and have nothing negative to report.
Alternatives Considered: Xero
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: Excel is not handy for a large amount of invoices and there is always risk you might damage the formulas implemented.
Switched From: Microsoft Excel
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: My accountant prefers QuickBooks.
Excellent reporting and automation
Comments: I've been a user of Quickbooks products since 2003. It has been great. Prior to that I was struggling with Sage. I used Sage for 3 years and Sage payroll. But when I discovered Quickbooks, to me, it lived up to its name... it was quick to do the books... I've done their training, I've an advanced certified pro advisor and user and the company has treated me (I feel) as a client user extremely well over the years.
Pros:
Auto invoicing, payroll module that's integrated, sending out reports automatically, great customer service and supportive software provider. Receipt capture (although not every sophisticated) still does the job.
Cons:
What I'm struggling with is this new tax feature, to then be able to file year end accounts, but once I've grasped it... I think it'll be a game changer for how I do business. The process will be quicker, which'll free up my time.
QBO is the best there is but it could use some major improvements.
Comments: While I am often frustrated with glitches or issues that come up: over and over, I am reminded that QBO truly is the best in the business with no other comparable alternatives. The user friendly interface allows for quick and accurate categorization and reporting.
Pros:
I love the highly customizable financial reporting. The ability to turn on or off tracking by class or location, the ability set up automatic reminders on overdue invoices, and the ability to efficiently categorize transactions in batches.
Cons:
The constant desire for improvement leads QBO to make changes that reduce the efficiency of the project. Most recent QBO stopped pulling in numbers contained withing bank details and replaced all the numbers with XXX. This makes it remarkably more difficult to match invoices to payments and categorize transfers because I have to log in to the bank to get information that used to be readily available,
Alternatives Considered: Xero
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: Quickbooks has more robust integrations as well as a more involved training program to get you started out on the right foot inside the software.
Well structured program
Comments: Overall it was a pretty decent experience. In the end, as a very small company, the cost wasn't worth it when there were free options available that don't have all of the bells and whistles but still get the job done.
Pros:
The main thing I love about Quickbooks online was the ability to email receipts to a dedicated email address where they would then be uploaded to my account. This made it so nice because you didn't have to take a screenshot or download a receipt sent via email in order to upload it to Quickbooks. The mobile app was also very nice and made taking pictures of receipts and uploading easy. The rest of the program was similar to free accounting softwares that I have used with no big surprises.
Cons:
I don't know if this was a problem with my bank or with Quickbooks but one of my bank accounts would require that I reverify myself every single time I signed into Quickbooks. This was extremely annoying and not something I had to do with the free accounting software that I used.
Alternatives Considered: Xero
Switched From: Wave Accounting
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: Because it is the name that you hear most often and the people who love it swear by it.
QuickBooks does what it's intended but it needs improvement for professional services
Comments: Overall, I like the simplicity of their system but for a growing company, it lacks some features and flexibility.
Pros:
I liked the integration between accounting, payroll, time sheets, and benefits. It streamlines business operations, especially for a small firm. I like that they started a projects components, but it still needs a lot of work.
Cons:
I like that I can send invoices and easily receive payments, but I don't like that you cannot customize my invoice template. Sometimes, I would like to add a space between lines and it won't allow me. Also, they need improvement on their Project's management system.
Alternatives Considered: BQE CORE Suite, Wave Accounting and Monograph
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: We moved our project management system to Monograph, but still kept our accounting & payroll with Quickbooks.
Long Time User, Quickbooks is the trusted goto
Comments: QB Online is simple, reliable and always able to quickly resolve any issues that arise.
Pros:
It was simple to transfer from Desktop, now its easy to be mobile and work from anywhere
Cons:
An occasional issue with payroll but not oftern
Very happy to be with QB Online!
Comments: NCM has been so happy with our QB experience!
Pros:
QB Online has a great support team, any time we have a question and we contact them they are quick to answer. The whole interface is intuitive and the learning curve was not steep at all.
Cons:
We are working through the connection of our CRM with QB Online and how the two talk, but overall it's a great function and the entire reason we went with the CRM we have.
Business Owner
Comments: I had always a good experience with the desktop, online and Customer Support.
Pros:
They have/offer 24/7 Customer Support over the phone, chat or email.
Cons:
There are some features on Quickbooks Online which is available on Desktop but not on Quickbooks Online.
It does the trick!
Comments: Payroll, accounts receivables, payables, and everything financial! Its pretty easy to use and figure out where features are located once you get used to software.
Pros:
Payroll is a breeze using QB online payroll options. The automated calculating, reporting and payment of payroll taxes is super helpful! We can rest easy not having to worry it is not being done. Recording payments and sending receipts to customers is easy. Switching between banking is easy. Accessing reports makes it easy to find information and understand the financials
Cons:
A few features that could be improved: 1. The ability to reprint checks easier if needed and to access a contractors check that was printed at earlier date. 2. Invoice customization options and ability to change margins and fonts throughout estimates and invoices. 3. We have had random documents deleted by no one on our end. Its like they have just disappeared

Dumb Down Version of Desktop
Comments: A required upgrade due to the systems we are needing to have integrated.
Pros:
Access from almost any device securely.
Cons:
Cost and lack of features compared to the desktop version.
The proverbial 800 pound gorilla still works!
Comments: QBO is the only one with the complete package that includes the ability to write and track checks. Since my business is simple, I need a lighter, "for dummies" mode that could remove a lot of clutter when it is not necessary. As a consignment business, I use software that is specific to the industry. It keeps all of the data I need to meet regulations. For QBO, a payment is a simple transaction. I wish the system could be lighter and less cluttered.
Pros:
Aside from keeping things in order, it allows someone with no accounting experience to do the basic bookkeeping activities, produce reports, and keep up with the finances. I like that it will connect with the bank and download activities! Best of all, it will print checks!
Cons:
Connection with the bank can be flakey, depending on the bank. You have to watch the activity because QB does not tell you if there are problems. It should provide an option to warn you when it could not contact the bank overnight. Also, it is very difficult to use the check lineup processes. For some reason, I cannot get the check printing to line up properly and the tools they give do not work well.
Alternatives Considered: Zoho Books and FreshBooks
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: In my business, the law requires that I pay clients with checks or store credit. I need the ability to write checks and have them tracked in the accounting software. QBO is the only package I found that can write checks.
Efficient Accounting Software
Comments: Highly recommend. Great product that keeps getting better.
Pros:
Really easy to use, automates a number of functions, and provides a comprehensive accounting package for our small business.
Cons:
My background is accounting and sometimes I get the impression that Quickbooks has tried to dumb the software down too much, which makes it harder for me to deal with anything outside the box. Calling in to support can also be really challenging.
Alternatives Considered: QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: Freshbooks was too basic for our needs.
Switched From: FreshBooks
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: While Quickbooks Desktop Pro has the feel of a true accounting software, the ability to log on from anywhere and constantly keep everything current (bank links etc.) plus not having to worry about backups or upgrades, made the Online version more attractive.
Great product for in-house or outsourced bookkeeping
Comments: I use the software every day for hundreds of clients across the country. Intuit is constantly working to improve the app and they are definitely the best company partner I have had.
Pros:
Fast, Secure, Easy to use software with a lot of features.
Cons:
It would be great to set default views of columns / headings on the basic GL report, or Profit & Loss - example to show debit and credit columns separately by default.
Alternatives Considered: Sage 50cloud Accounting and Xero
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: Technological advantage with QuickBooks' ability to integrate other cloud-based applications. No more worry about computer damages, upgrades, hard drives, etc.
Switched From: QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: Ease of use for both client and bookkeeper
Perfect for small business
Comments: Quickbooks is great because I don't have a pile of receipts to type in. I can upload my transactions directly from my bank and code them as they are uploaded. I use it for tracking income and expenses, sending invoices and running reports. I love the payroll function which saves me money because I don't have to pay the accountant to file my tax documents.
Pros:
I like being able to use the online service where I can log in anywhere I have internet access. This gives me the option to work remotely.
Cons:
The banking function is good, but it takes several days to sync up to my online banking balance (doesn't show charges until they are posting, and doesnt download pending ones)
Alternatives Considered: Gusto
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: My accountant suggested I use Quickbooks because they have capability to file state and federal forms.
Switched From: Xero
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: It was a great all in one product at a price that fit my budget
Intuit Response
4 years ago
Hi there, Gloria. We know managing a business doesn't always happen behind a desk. It's great to hear you've been able to easily complete accounting tasks while on the go. You can count on us to have your back for years to come! To find out more about updating your bank feeds in QuickBooks, we recommend this article: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/change-bank-account/how-to-manually-update-bank-accounts/00/186436 Thanks for taking a moment to leave a review! Morgan, The QuickBooks Team
A Quick, QuickBooks Review
Comments: I found the program to be user-friendly and effective in managing their finances. I discovered Quickbooks Online as a Small Business owner & found that QuickBooks Online makes it simple to prepare and send expert invoices, track spending, and produce reports to aid in financial decision-making.The software's user-friendly interface and capacity for integration with other tools, such as payment processors or payroll systems, this was a huge valued to me. Users may also value the convenience of having access to the software from any location with an internet connection.
Pros:
The Invoicing, Because it helpa users make invoices that increase professionalism, QuickBooks Online provides editable invoice templates, which is a huge help. Along with the ability for users can automate payment reminders and create recurring bills.
Cons:
There are reports online that some users have had problems with the software's customer service. While some customers say they have had good experiences with customer service, others say it can be difficult to get quick and efficient help when they run into problems with the software.
Alternatives Considered: FreshBooks
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: Better Service, more intuitive platform.
Switched From: Xero
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: Quickbook's User-friendly interface: QuickBooks Online offers an intuitive layout that is simple to use and comprehend, making it the perfect choice for companies without a specialized accounting team.QBO has a wide range of additional programs and tools it can link with, including as payroll providers, payment processors, and project management software. This can boost productivity and streamline your company's operations.Accounting software like QuickBooks Online has robust invoicing and spending monitoring features that can help companies better manage their cash flow.Reports that can be customized include cash flow statements, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements in QuickBooks Online. Users can also design unique reports based on their particular requirements.
Excellent online bookkeeping software.
Comments: I love QuickBooks and this is the software of our choice for our practice.
Pros:
The reporting side is the best on the market, with many dimensions of data available, more than e.g. Xero, with only two tracking categories. I also like the support, being able to speak to a person if needed. Also the discounting referral system is very good.
Cons:
VAT management and reconciliation can be quite tricky, as software often allows to change the previously submitted to HMRC data.
Alternatives Considered: Xero
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: I wanted to be fully online, to be able to work from any place.
Switched From: QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: The full package provided free for the practice is a great piece of software.
Makes my job a ton easier
Comments: I like Quickbooks. The company name does make sense... you do everything quickly lol. I haven't had a single issue other than the invoicing problem. I did spend more than enough time with their customer service which was a pain in the butt but the rep was really friendly and helped me get it sorted out. If I could recommend Quickbooks to a new or seasoned business owner, I definitely will! It looks expensive and hard to learn but honestly, it's much easier to navigate than it looks!
Pros:
I was hesitant at first since I didn't want to go the everything electronic route. My wife was doing all of the tax stuff so I just gave her the okay and made the purchase. I now do everything minus invoicing through Quickbooks. Everything is streamlined for me and I realized how much time I was truly losing by doing everything through Excel and calculating by hand. My wow moment was watching my time being cut in half literally by just snapping a photo of a receipt after connecting my bank account then adding details on the purchase... that's it!
Cons:
Now... the invoicing part I'm just not fond of. There was an error with a payment and Quickbooks kept kicking back a payment a client had made. I ended up just going through Paypal Business and setting up my invoices through there and attached my Paypal account to Quickbooks to make things easier on myself. If invoicing was different, I would be 100% with Quickbooks.
Alternatives Considered: Reach Accountant
Reasons for Choosing Quickbooks Online: Streamlining and time
Switched From: Microsoft Excel
Reasons for Switching to Quickbooks Online: It just made more sense to use Quickbooks. There's really no middle man and the cost to me is far less than it would be had I paid someone to do what Quickbooks does.

Gets the job done-- but very buggy.
Comments: QuickBooks online has its weaknesses and bugs. However, after my research I think it's the best option out there for now.
Pros:
Quickbooks is easy to "plug in" and go... You can use their templates and basic accounts and set up your own accounting system in no time. I had no bookkeeping or accounting experience before using QuickBooks Online, and I was proficient after about 6 months of part-time use. Having an accountant log-in is so helpful in today's world so many people are working from home/ traveling/ etc. It is indispensable for my organization to have an online accounting platform that I, my organization's volunteer treasurer, and our hired accountant can all access from our home computers. As a non-profit organization that only pays a tiny amount of sales tax, that portion of the software is very functional and is one fewer thing I have to deal with. I do not use payroll through this system, so I cannot comment on the functionality of that portion.
Cons:
The bugs in the software (accounts that won't delete, messing up check numbers, etc) are the most annoying part of using QuickBooks Online for me. If you are a small team, you can just work around them and you eventually learn what they are, but it is repeatedly annoying. Their customer service is weak, but there are lots of affordable training courses that can fill in those gaps as you use the program. I sometimes wish that Quickbooks Online were MORE customizable (i.e. allow you to delete certain generic accounts), and I sometimes wish it were LESS customizable (journal entries can be numbered ANYTHING which confuses me). Overall, I think it allows me to do most of what I need to do in bookkeeping for my non-profit.
Customer satisfaction does not seem important to the Quick Books Team
Comments: The experience with the Customer Care employees was very frustrating. I felt they were really not interested in helping me.
Pros:
I like to be able to do bank feeds, putting my transactions directly into my accounting software. I also like the graphs that are available to the user.
Cons:
We are a small company and I do much of our accounting input myself. I tried to purchase the on line Quick Books on two separate occasions. I was told it would be easier for me to get assistance if the books were on line. The first time they couldn't convert my file from my Desk Top version but continued to charge me for 18 months, even after I had cancelled it. That should have been my lessons to stay away from the addition of"on line" to my existing account. However, 3 years later, I was again prompted by my accountant on how it would simplify the business accounting; I tried again. AGAIN they couldn't merge my older version of Quick Books to the on line version without first updating and charging me even more money. I immediately cancelled the on line version and went with a desk top version. I got the Quick Books support employees name and a phone number and his assurance that the account was cancelled. When a question arose on my desk top version I found that the ON LINE version was not cancelled after all. I once again had TWO accounts and they would be charging me. My frustration was extremely evident and I was told to take it down a notch or they would "disconnect" me. I use quick books because I feel like getting another software would be difficult to transfer everything that I have in my files for the past 10 years. I am never satisfied with their customer service and the software is difficult to keep up with changes from year to year.
Horrible Updates!
Comments: I used to say I "love" QuickBooks. Now it's safe to say I "hate" it. I have considered switching software systems and taking all my clients elsewhere. I keep saying that if QuickBooks wants to migrate users from Desktop, they need to make Online more like Desktop. That couldn't be further from the changes they're making. Do they make these changes without holding focus groups? Honestly, do you even care about your users anymore?
Pros:
I love the ease of signing on to QuickBooks Online from anywhere. My clients email me questions and I can answer them right away. I can also work from anywhere, which is great!
Cons:
Recently (2023), QuickBooks Online development team have been making a lot of physical changes to the program that are HORRIBLE! I hate every change they've made this year. You can tell the developers do not use the program on a daily basis. And worse yet, when they implement a change, it glitches terribly and it takes them months to fix it. A lot of the changes make it harder to do my job by adding steps/clicks to performing tasks that weren't there before. A lot of the windows are also not seemless/ aligned like they used to be - not everything is lined up on the same gridline. Most people use the program on their laptops and you can tell they're making it more for desktop in that the pages are too wide/big and don't fit on your computer screen. However, when I use the program on my desktop screen, I have the same issues. There are boxes where there didn't used to be and don't need to be. It makes me feel like they're going backwards in technology and not forward. A lot of the features are not Intuitive... as the name suggests they should be.
Navigationally challenging
Comments: I've used it reluctantly for years. See the Cons.
Pros:
My CPA likes it, and so does my bookkeeper. It's good for generating various reports and keeping track of accounts payables and receivables, gross income, profits, etc. It's an industry standard for accounting types, so they will be happy you're using it.
Cons:
Quickbooks has been around forever, and I'm sure it's tricky—with so many users—to make any substantial changes to the navigation. Which is why, for example, there's a category at the top of the left nav that simply says "New." The items in there are a kitchen drawer of functions, and they've been the same for years, so I'm not sure how "new" they are. I go there almost every day to pay team member invoices, and I know that the "pay bills online" function that I need is in there. Have I ever tried to get to the same place from the left nav? Nope, not worth it. We actually use Avaza to create estimates, projects/tasks, and invoices, and it is one of the smoothest, most obvious programs I've ever used. It's the opposite of QuickBooks in that everything you need is on the left nav, and you always know where you are. Conversely, it's easy to get lost in QB, with nested menus and screens. Very un-intuitive. If you need something simple, this isn't it. If you have a CPA and bookkeeper doing your taxes for you, it may be worth the effort.
Reviewed Quickbooks Online
Comments: The feedback and industry research, QuickBooks Online is generally well-regarded as a user-friendly and comprehensive accounting software for small businesses. Its cloud-based platform, extensive features, and customer support make it a popular choice for many entrepreneurs. However, some users have noted that the pricing can be a bit steep, and there have been occasional reports of glitches or errors. Overall, QuickBooks Online appears to be a reliable and effective tool for managing small business finances.
Pros:
Small businesses may successfully manage their money with the help of QuickBooks Online, a robust accounting program. I have no personal experience with Quickbooks Online because I am an AI language model, but I can offer an unbiased assessment based on user comments and market research.The ability to access financial information from any location with an internet connection thanks to QuickBooks Online's cloud-based platform is one of its biggest benefits. Small business owners that must quickly access their financial information while on the go would especially appreciate this function.Another advantage of QuickBooks Online is its user-friendly interface, which makes it simple for people who aren't accountants to use the program. There are several capabilities available in the software, such as expense tracking
Cons:
The pricing of QuickBooks Online can be a bit steep, especially for businesses with multiple users or more complex financial needs. Additionally, some users have experienced glitches or errors while using the software, although these issues are generally rare.
On the expensive side for small entrepreneurs
Comments: Overall, Quickbooks Online had the items I needed, but their recent software and price changes have pushed me into a version that lacks what I need and leaves me with unnecessary, bloated accessories. There aren't many options out there that sync as well with online shops. QBO should consider allowing a small inventory and budgeting option for the less expensive versions and listen to their customer's concerns more.
Pros:
I appreciate the easy connectivity with apps so I can connect my e-commerce shop. The layout makes the difficult task of financial management not seem so overwhelming. Reconciling with my banks is convenient and matches my transactions well. I also depended on it to aid me in tracking sales tax.
Cons:
The software's selection of options with each plan is ridiculous. I started with the Plus version to keep track of a small amount of inventory, although most of the products I sell are POD. I also appreciated the budgeting aspect. They started adding extras such as mile-tracking, and now they sync with Mailchimp, but I already have a cheaper mile-tracking app for my business and sync with Mailchimp through my website. During the pandemic, they increased their prices (horrible timing for small businesses) and forced me to scale down to the Simple Start version. This version doesn't have the inventory function or budgeting (something that should be standard across the board). To make matters worse, for the six years that I have been using the program, they have yet to fix an issue with the sales tax part, specifically modifying the start of a sales tax calendar. This issue has caused headaches for me every year, and no one will address it when I, and many others, bring it up.
Alternatives Considered: Zoho Books, FreshBooks and Xero

A little outdated, but still reliable software workhorse
Comments: There's not much I can say in addition to what I've said in the above sections. I've been using QuickBooks for around 10 years, both for my own business as well as when working for other small businesses in the past, and it's been both a joy and a pain in the butt at times. Overall, I'd still highly recommend QuickBooks as the go-to software for most businesses, because it's just so versatile and has a lot of great features. However, I'd highly recommend watching a few videos or even taking a class or two before using some of the more complex features. Otherwise, you're bound to make one small mistake that acts like a parasitic vine, weaving and entangling its way into the rest of your account features, and becoming a bit of pain to unravel.
Pros:
Because QuickBooks has been around for so long, there are tons of resources for information regarding how to use the software most effectively, and how to troubleshoot particularly strange issues that may arise. I appreciate that QuickBooks can be used for a business of almost any size, whether you're running a small business from home, or a multi-million dollar per year construction company. There are plenty of options for things like inventory management, accounts payable/receivable, billing/invoicing, tax scheduling, etc. The options are nearly endless, and (most) of them are reasonable easy to figure out with a little experience and know-how.
Cons:
Because QuickBooks was created so long ago, some of their features continually fall behind the times. They're always just one step behind technological innovation, and their software isn't always the most user-friendly. I think it may be a symptom of the software being designed by tax-minded individuals, who tend to think wildly differently from the majority of people who are going to use this software. Some of the features are difficult to find or use, the user-interface is a bit clunky, the software can be a bit slow at times, and there's a steep learning curve for some of the more advanced features.
Almost flawless functionality
Comments: My experience with Quickbooks has been great overall. Have had a few glitches now and again, but (knock wood) it's been working fine for years now. I like the ability to search by client, to print various reports for clients, taxes, etc., and to easily keep track of client retainers. I have not used this software for billing, so I can't really give an opinion. I tried it out, but didn't have the patience to figure it out with respect to legal billing.
Pros:
Quickbooks serves its purpose for me very well as banking software. It keeps track of the checkbook and prints professional-looking checks. I also use it for bookkeeping purposes come tax season by printing out expense reports to see all of my potential tax deductions. It is also pretty good with searching for specific transactions. I do make sure my client name is in the memo field, otherwise I have had trouble searching with other fields (probably "user-error"). It is great for keeping track of client funds, which is essential as an attorney who collects retainers from clients. Reports are also required for client funds/retainers, and they are easy to prepare and print with Quickbooks. Reports are a little complicated because there are so many to choose from, but once you know which ones are actually useful, they are great.
Cons:
Intuit has been very clear that they will no longer support my version of Quickbooks. I had no need to update otherwise, so I am working with a version that I can no longer get any assistance with if anything goes wrong. Also, the back-up data files do not sync with my cloud software for some reason, so there is always an error message in that regard on my cloud software (which I cannot get any help with because I have an outdated version). The search engine is workable, but I have learned to put the client's name in the memo field for every transaction so I know how to get an accurate list of transactions for a client.
Intuit Response
4 years ago
Organization is key for any business, so it's great to know you've been able to keep track of your banking, bookkeeping, and tax aspects all in one space, Lynn! We appreciate you being a loyal member of the QuickBooks family and you can count on the software to help lighten your workload for years to come. If you do decide you'd like to update your account, this article is a great place to start (https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/update-products/update-to-the-latest-release-of-quickbooks-desktop/01/203221). For additional resources and helpful advice from fellow users and QuickBooks Team members, we recommend checking out the Community (https://community.intuit.com/). Thank you for review! Morgan, The QuickBooks Team