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If you’ve ever tried using QuickBooks for your church, you already know—it wasn’t built with ministry in mind. Tracking tithes, designated funds, and volunteer-led events takes more than a general accounting tool.

Over time, I’ve tested several platforms designed specifically for churches. If you're looking for a QuickBooks alternative that fits how your ministry actually works, there are better tools out there.

In this article, I’ll walk you through a few strong options—each with pros, cons, and real-world use cases—so you can find the one that’s right for your team.

What Is Quickbooks?

Quickbooks is a church management software that helps organizations handle their financial operations. It's commonly used by church leaders, accountants, and small business owners looking for an efficient way to manage finances. 

Budget tracking, invoicing, and payroll features help with organizing financial data and making informed decisions. Overall, Quickbooks offers a reliable solution for managing your church's financial needs.

Why Trust Our Software Reviews

We’ve been testing and reviewing church management software since 2019. As church managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.

We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different church management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.

Best Quickbooks Alternatives Summary

This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top Quickbooks alternative selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.

Best Quickbooks Alternatives Reviews

Below are my detailed summaries of the best Quickbooks alternatives that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.

Best for user privacy

  • Free trial + free plan available
  • From $15/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Zoho Books is an online accounting software tailored for non-profits, helping them manage finances and compliance. It's used by non-profit organizations to perform tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: Zoho Books emphasizes user privacy, which is crucial for non-profit organizations handling sensitive financial data. It offers features like multi-user access, ensuring your team can collaborate securely. Automated workflows reduce manual effort, freeing up your time for mission-focused activities. With detailed financial reports, you can make informed decisions while maintaining privacy standards.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated recurring invoices to save time, expense management for tracking costs, and project management tools to oversee tasks. Inventory management ensures you keep track of supplies, while budgeting tools help plan your finances effectively.

Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, Square, Slack, Office 365, G Suite, Zoho CRM, Zoho Projects, Zoho Inventory, and Mailchimp.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Budgeting tools
  • Detailed financial reports
  • Automated workflows
  • Multi-user collaboration
  • Strong privacy controls

Cons:

  • Complex setup for new users
  • Basic project management
  • Limited offline access
  • Learning curve for beginners
  • Limited customization options

Best for user-friendly features

  • 30-day free trial
  • From $6.30/month (billed annually)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.5/5

Freshbooks is an accounting software designed for churches, helping them manage invoicing, expenses, and financial tracking. It's mainly used by church staff and administrators to streamline their financial processes.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: Freshbooks offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies accounting tasks for your team. It includes features like automated invoicing and expense management, reducing manual workload. Time-tracking capabilities help monitor project hours effectively. These user-friendly features make it a practical choice for churches seeking an easy-to-use accounting tool.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include customizable invoice templates to match your church's branding, time-tracking tools to monitor project hours, and automated reminders to ensure timely payments. Expense categorization helps organize costs, while financial reporting provides insights into your church's finances.

Integrations include Gusto, Shopify, Stripe, PayPal, G Suite, Slack, Trello, Mailchimp, Zapier, and HubSpot.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Automated reminders
  • Time-tracking tools
  • Customizable templates
  • Automated invoicing
  • User-friendly interface

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Learning curve for complex tasks
  • Basic reporting options
  • No offline access
  • Limited advanced accounting features

Best for free accounting

  • Free demo available
  • From $20/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

ZarMoney is a cloud-based accounting software designed for churches and religious institutions, providing a comprehensive solution for financial management. It's used by non-profits, small businesses, and enterprises to handle accounting, invoicing, and payment processing.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: ZarMoney offers free accounting features, making it accessible for churches with tight budgets. Automated billing and online payments simplify your financial tasks. Detailed financial reporting gives you insights into your church's financial health. Role-based permissions allow secure multi-user access, ensuring your data remains protected.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automated billing to reduce manual tasks, online payments for convenient transactions, and detailed financial reporting to monitor your church's finances. It also offers inventory management to track supplies and robust security measures to protect data.

Integrations include QuickBooks, PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, Amazon, eBay, Square, and Xero.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Secure data protection
  • Role-based permissions
  • Detailed reporting
  • Automated billing
  • Free accounting features

Cons:

  • Limited offline access
  • Learning curve for new users
  • No mobile app
  • Basic inventory features
  • Limited customization options

Best for church-specific needs

Visit Website
Rating: 4.1/5

IconCMO is a church management software that serves church organizations by providing tools for administration and accounting. It's mainly used by church staff to manage memberships, contributions, and communication.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: IconCMO offers church-specific features like member management, contribution tracking, and event scheduling, tailored for church operations. Its accounting system is designed to handle fund accounting, which is essential for churches. The platform provides a real-time view of church finances, helping you make informed decisions. This makes it a practical choice for churches looking for a solution aligned with their specific needs.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include member directory for easy management, attendance tracking to keep tabs on participation, and donation processing for streamlined contributions. Event scheduling helps organize church activities, while fund accounting ensures accurate financial management.

Integrations include QuickBooks, PayPal, Vanco, Constant Contact, Pushpay, Tithe.ly, Planning Center, Mailchimp, and Stripe.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Comprehensive member management
  • Fund accounting support
  • Easy event scheduling
  • Real-time financial insights
  • Church-specific features

Cons:

  • Basic reporting features
  • Learning curve for new users
  • No mobile app
  • Some features can be complex
  • Limited customization options

Best for advanced fund accounting

  • Free trial available
  • From $607/user/year

Sage50 is accounting software designed to support churches with more advanced financial needs. With decades of experience in the nonprofit space, Sage offers tools for managing donations, designated funds, payroll, and budgets with a strong emphasis on stewardship and compliance.

Why it’s a good QuickBooks alternative: Sage50 stands out for churches that need detailed fund accounting, financial reporting, and donor tracking in one place. Its real-time financial data and customizable dashboards help church leaders stay organized and make informed decisions. With role-based permissions, audit-ready reports, and cloud access, it’s a reliable platform for churches that prioritize accountability and financial clarity.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include fund accounting, donor and gift tracking, budget planning, journal entries, automated bank reconciliation, and custom financial reports.

Integrations include Microsoft 365, Paychex, Avalara, and several donor management tools via API.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Cloud access for remote teams
  • Role-based user access
  • Real-time financial reporting
  • Built for compliance and audit-readiness
  • Strong fund accounting and budgeting tools

Cons:

  • Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
  • Designed more for finance teams
  • Limited worship or event tools
  • May require training for setup
  • More expensive than basic platforms

Best for complex, growing churches

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

NetSuite is a cloud-based ERP and accounting platform trusted by large nonprofits and ministries. Built to handle multiple programs, funds, and locations, it’s designed for churches managing complex operations and seeking strong financial oversight.

Why it’s a good QuickBooks alternative: NetSuite offers more than just accounting—it’s a full ministry management platform for churches that have outgrown entry-level tools. You can manage donations, budgets, grants, volunteers, and compliance all in one system. Its customizable dashboards and strong reporting tools help you keep a clear view of your finances and ministry impact.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include fund accounting, grant tracking, donation management, budgeting tools, volunteer coordination, and audit-ready reporting.

Integrations include Salesforce, PayPal, ADP, Microsoft 365, HubSpot, and many others through SuiteApps.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Wide integration options
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Built-in donor and grant management
  • Strong financial reporting and compliance tools
  • Scalable for large, multi-campus churches

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve for non-finance users
  • Overbuilt for small churches
  • Long onboarding process
  • Requires dedicated staff to manage
  • High cost compared to basic platforms

Best for free accounting

  • 30-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $15/month (billed annually)

Zipbooks is an online accounting software tailored for churches and small businesses, providing tools for invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting. It's used by church administrators to manage finances efficiently and track donations.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: Zipbooks offers free accounting solutions, making it an attractive choice for churches with limited budgets. It provides features like invoicing and expense tracking without the need for a paid plan. With smart tagging, you can organize transactions easily. The software's simplicity and cost-effectiveness align well with the financial needs of small church organizations.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include smart tagging to categorize transactions, project management tools to oversee church activities, and time tracking for accurate billing. Automatic bank reconciliation ensures your accounts are up-to-date, while detailed reports offer insights into your church's financial health.

Integrations include PayPal, Square, Stripe, Gusto, Google Drive, Slack, Trello, Zapier, Google Sheets, and Asana.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Detailed financial reports
  • Automatic reconciliation
  • Simple user interface
  • Smart tagging system
  • Free accounting access

Cons:

  • Limited customization options
  • Learning curve for beginners
  • No offline access
  • Basic project management
  • Limited advanced features

Best for free accounting

  • 30-day free trial + free plan available
  • From $16/month (billed annually)

Wave Accounting is a cloud-based accounting software designed for churches, providing a user-friendly interface and customizable features. It's primarily used by church organizations to manage financial tasks efficiently.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: Wave Accounting offers free accounting solutions, making it accessible for churches with limited budgets. It provides invoicing, payroll services, and online donation processing without the need for complex setups. Expense tracking and financial reporting features ensure transparency in managing church funds. These capabilities help churches focus on community service rather than financial management.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include invoicing for easy billing, payroll services to manage employee payments, and online donation processing to handle contributions. Expense tracking keeps your finances organized, while financial reporting provides insights into your church's financial health.

Integrations include PayPal, Etsy, Shoeboxed, Zapier, Google Sheets, Stripe, Mailchimp, Etsy, and Shopify.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Cloud-based access
  • Customizable features
  • User-friendly interface
  • Easy setup
  • Free to use

Cons:

  • Not suitable for large churches
  • Limited integrations
  • Basic reporting
  • No phone support
  • Limited advanced features

Best for nonprofit features

  • 15-day free trial
  • From $39.50/month

Aplos is a cloud-based software designed for nonprofits and churches, offering tools for accounting, donor management, and compliance reporting. It's primarily used by church administrators to streamline financial management and enhance donor engagement.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: Aplos caters specifically to nonprofits with features like fund accounting that help manage designated funds effectively. Its donor management capabilities allow you to track contributions and communicate with supporters. The platform also offers compliance reporting, ensuring your church meets regulatory requirements. These specialized features make it a great choice for churches seeking a solution tailored to their unique needs.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include online giving to facilitate donations, event registration for easy planning, and custom reports to analyze financial data. Budgeting tools help manage finances, while the communication suite improves engagement with your community.

Integrations include QuickBooks, PayPal, Stripe, Tithe.ly, Planning Center, Bloomerang, Vanco, DonorPerfect, Mailchimp, and Salesforce.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable reporting
  • Compliance reporting
  • Strong donor management
  • Effective fund accounting
  • Specialized nonprofit features

Cons:

  • No offline access
  • Limited advanced accounting tools
  • Basic reporting features
  • Learning curve for new users
  • Limited customization options

Best for integrated solutions

  • Download free demo
  • costs from $395

PowerChurch Plus is a comprehensive church management software designed for church staff and administrators. It helps with tasks like membership management, event planning, and financial tracking.

Why it's a good Quickbooks alternative: PowerChurch Plus offers integrated solutions tailored for church operations. Its membership management feature allows you to keep detailed records of your congregation. Event planning tools help organize church activities efficiently. The software's financial tracking capabilities ensure accurate accounting, making it a valuable tool for churches seeking a unified solution.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include contribution tracking to manage donations, payroll processing for church staff, and customizable reports for detailed insights. Event scheduling helps plan activities, while attendance tracking keeps tabs on member participation.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Vanco, PayPal, Stripe, Shelby Systems, Church Windows, ACS Technologies, and Planning Center.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Customizable reports
  • Accurate financial tracking
  • Efficient event planning
  • Detailed membership records
  • Comprehensive church management

Cons:

  • Requires installation on devices
  • No cloud-based option
  • Basic user interface
  • Steeper learning curve
  • Limited mobile access

Other Quickbooks Alternatives

Here are some additional Quickbooks alternatives that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:

  1. FlockBase

    For affordable pricing

  2. Elexio

    For integrated solutions

  3. Xero

    For multi-currency support

  4. ChurchTrac

    For small church budgets

  5. ChMeetings

    For event management

  6. ACS

    For large church operations

  7. SteepleMate

    For integrated finance tools

Quickbooks Alternatives Selection Criteria

When selecting the best Quickbooks alternatives to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points related to church management software products, like handling donations efficiently and managing volunteer coordination. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:

Core Functionality (25% of total score)

To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:

  • Manage donations and contributions
  • Track member attendance
  • Organize events and activities
  • Maintain member directories
  • Provide financial reporting

Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)

To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:

  • Automate donation processing
  • Integrate with social media platforms
  • Offer mobile app access
  • Provide custom reporting options
  • Support multi-campus management

Usability (10% of total score)

To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:

  • Easy navigation
  • Intuitive interface
  • Quick data entry
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Accessibility on multiple devices

Onboarding (10% of total score)

To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:

  • Availability of training videos
  • Interactive product tours
  • Access to chatbots for guidance
  • Use of pre-built templates
  • Participation in webinars

Customer Support (10% of total score)

To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:

  • Availability of live chat support
  • Response time to inquiries
  • Access to a comprehensive help center
  • Availability of phone support
  • Quality of email support

Value For Money (10% of total score)

To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:

  • Competitive pricing
  • Flexibility in pricing plans
  • Features included in each plan
  • Discounts for non-profits
  • Satisfaction with pricing relative to features

Customer Reviews (10% of total score)

To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:

  • Overall satisfaction ratings
  • Comments on ease of use
  • Feedback on customer support
  • Suggestions for feature improvements
  • Testimonials on reliability and performance

Related Reviews

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for here, check out these other tools that we’ve tested and evaluated:

Why Look For A Quickbooks Alternative?

While Quickbooks is a good choice of church management software, there are a number of reasons why some users seek out alternative solutions. You might be looking for a Quickbooks alternative because…

  • You need better donation tracking
  • Your team requires more customization
  • You want integrated event management
  • You're looking for mobile app access
  • You need multi-campus support
  • Your budget is limited

If any of these sound like you, you’ve come to the right place. My list contains several church management software options that are better suited for teams facing these challenges with Quickbooks and looking for alternative solutions.

Quickbooks Key Features

Here are some of the key features of Quickbooks, to help you contrast and compare what alternative solutions offer:

  • Invoicing: Create and send professional invoices to your clients quickly
  • Expense tracking: Keep tabs on your expenses for better financial control
  • Bank feeds: Connect your bank accounts to track transactions in real-time
  • GST & VAT tracking: Manage tax calculations and submissions accurately
  • Inventory management: Track inventory levels to prevent stockouts
  • Receipt capture: Upload and organize receipts to simplify expense reporting
  • Mobile app: Access your financial data on the go with a mobile app
  • Financial reporting: Generate detailed reports to understand your finances
  • Payroll management: Handle employee payments and tax deductions easily
  • Time tracking: Log work hours for accurate billing and payroll processing

What's Next?

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Joshua Gordon
By Joshua Gordon

Joshua Gordon is a lay-pastor, author, and editor of TheLeadPastor.com. Over the last two decades, Josh has worked closely with pastors and other christian leaders, helping them to sharpen and elevate their messages. Today, Joshua pastors at New Life Fellowship, a thriving church he helped plant in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada.