Quickbooks Online Review: Pros, Cons, Features & Pricing
Quickbooks Online is a church accounting software that helps manage finances with ease and precision. Developed by Intuit, it’s best suited for larger churches or ministries with dedicated finance teams, offering robust tools for those handling complex budgets and varied funding sources. QBO is also a popular choice for small business owners and freelancers looking to automate their bookkeeping and track bank transactions. For churches, its value lies in providing a reliable platform that streamlines financial management, helping you focus on your mission rather than the numbers. Whether you’re comparing the online version with QuickBooks Desktop or seeking the best accounting software for your business needs, this Quickbooks Online review will help you make informed decisions.
In this article, you’ll find a detailed Quickbooks Online review of features, pros and cons, best and worst use cases, and pricing. As a pastor, you’ll gain insights to help you choose the right tool for your church’s financial goals.
QuickBooks Online Evaluation Summary
- From $19/month
- 30-day free trial + free demo available
In my opinion, Quickbooks Online is a solid choice for churches needing reliable accounting software, though it may not be the best fit for everyone. It offers comprehensive features that cater well to larger congregations with dedicated finance staff, providing valuable tools for financial management. However, smaller churches might find the pricing steep and the learning curve challenging. Compared to other quickbooks alternatives like xero, zoho, or freshbooks, Quickbooks Online excels in integration capabilities and detailed financial reports but falls short in ease of use for newcomers. It’s best for churches that require robust financial tracking and have the resources to manage a more complex system.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing church management software since 2020. As church leaders 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 many tools for different church management use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & our software review methodology.
QuickBooks Online Overview
pros
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Quickbooks payroll and bill pay features help streamline your workflow.
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Its mobile app allows you to manage finances on the go, whether on android or ios devices. Quickbooks offers integrations for third-party apps, making it suitable for a variety of sales channels and e-commerce needs.
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The platform provides strong security features to protect your financial data, such as permissions and real-time monitoring.
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You can easily track donations and expenses with detailed reporting and expense tracking.
cons
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Some users may prefer the desktop version for certain functionality or inventory management needs.
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Customer support can be slow to respond, impacting your workflow.
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The customization options for financial reports and chart of accounts are somewhat limited compared to quickbooks desktop and other quickbooks alternatives.
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You might find the interface overwhelming if you’re new to accounting software or double-entry systems.
Is QuickBooks Online Right For Your Needs?
Who Would be a Good Fit for QuickBooks Online?
Quickbooks Online is ideal for larger churches and ministries with complex financial needs. If your team handles multiple funding sources, tracks detailed expenses, and needs in-depth financial reports, this software will serve you well. Its robust security features ensure your financial data remains safe, making it perfect for organizations that prioritize data protection. Business owners who want to use Quickbooks to manage bank account activity, send invoices, and monitor cash flow in real-time will also benefit.
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Large Churches
Quickbooks Online’s detailed reporting and financial management tools are perfect for handling complex budgets and project profitability.
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Ministries with Staff
If you have a dedicated finance team, Quickbooks Online offers the sophistication needed for precise management, including inventory tracking and time tracking.
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Nonprofit Organizations
Quickbooks Online supports donation tracking, helping you manage contributions effectively with expense tracking and categorize features.
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Finance Departments
For teams focused on detailed budget analysis, this software provides comprehensive financial insights and balance sheet management.
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Mobile Teams
Quickbooks Online’s mobile app lets you manage finances on the go, ideal for teams that work remotely on android or ios.
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Data-Security Focused Organizations
Its strong security features protect sensitive financial information, making it suitable for those prioritizing data safety, including cpa and self-employed professionals.
Who Would be a Bad Fit for QuickBooks Online?
Quickbooks Online may not suit small churches or ministries with limited financial resources and simple accounting needs. If your team lacks dedicated financial staff, the complexity of the software might overwhelm you. Its interface can be challenging for those unfamiliar with accounting software, and you might find the onboarding process cumbersome without prior experience. Small business owners who only require basic bookkeeping or prefer using excel for simple bank transactions may want to consider Quickbooks alternatives.
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Small Churches
The complexity and pricing of Quickbooks Online can be excessive for churches with straightforward financial needs or those seeking only simple start features.
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Volunteer-Run Groups
Without experienced finance staff, the software’s learning curve could be too steep for volunteer teams, especially those not familiar with double-entry systems.
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Simple Bookkeeping
If you only need basic accounting, Quickbooks Online’s advanced features, such as inventory management and project profitability, might be unnecessary.
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Limited Budgets
Organizations with tight finances might find the software’s pricing prohibitive, especially compared to Quickbooks alternatives like FreshBooks or Xero.
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Tech-Averse Teams
If your team struggles with technology, Quickbooks Online’s interface might be difficult to navigate, and the user-friendly design of other tools may be preferable.
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Short-Term Projects
For temporary projects, the investment in Quickbooks Online may not be justified given its capabilities and pricing.
How We Test & Score Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final scoring)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final scoring)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final scoring)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final scoring)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
Core Features
Donation Tracking: Keep tabs on contributions with ease, helping you manage and report on donations effortlessly. This feature ensures transparency and accountability for your donors, and integrates with your chart of accounts.
Expense Management: Record and categorize your expenses quickly, offering you a clear view of where your funds are going. It helps you stick to your budget, monitor cash flow, and make informed decisions.
Financial Reporting: Generate detailed financial reports that provide insights into your church’s financial health. This feature helps you present clear financial data, including balance sheet and profit and loss statements, to your board and congregation.
Budgeting Tools: Plan and monitor your budgets with precision, allowing you to allocate resources effectively. You can adjust plans as needed to meet your financial goals and improve project profitability.
Payroll Processing: Handle staff payments efficiently, ensuring accurate and timely payroll management with Quickbooks payroll. This feature reduces errors and saves you time.
Audit Trails: Track every financial transaction, giving you a secure and traceable record of all activities. It ensures compliance and helps in internal audits, supporting your workflow.
Standout Features
Mobile Access: With a user-friendly mobile app, you can manage your finances wherever you are. This feature allows you to stay on top of your accounting tasks on the go, whether you’re using Android or iOS.
Advanced Security: Protect your sensitive financial data with top-notch security measures, including permissions and real-time alerts. These safeguards give you peace of mind knowing your information is safe.
Ease of Use
Quickbooks Online offers a robust set of features, but you might find its interface a bit challenging if you’re new to accounting software. The learning curve can be steep, especially without prior experience, but once you get the hang of it, the comprehensive tools become invaluable for small business accounting.
Its layout is organized, yet the abundance of options—from expense tracking to inventory management—might overwhelm users looking for straightforward solutions. However, once familiar, it streamlines your bookkeeping and accounting tasks efficiently, helping you automate routine entries and reconcile your bank account and credit card transactions.
Onboarding
Quickbooks Online’s onboarding process can be daunting for new users, with its detailed setup and numerous features. While it offers tutorials and guides to help you get started, the initial learning phase may take time before you see value. Some users find the resources helpful, but others might need additional support to navigate the complexities, especially when migrating data from excel or other systems. If you’re prepared for a detailed setup, you’ll eventually appreciate the depth of its functionality.
Customer Support
Quickbooks Online provides several customer support channels, including chat, phone, and online resources, but response times can be slow. Users often appreciate the detailed guides and community forums available, though some find direct support lacks immediacy. If you encounter issues, be prepared for possible delays in getting resolutions. The assistance can be helpful once reached, but patience might be required when waiting for support. Quickbooks Online integrates natively with PayPal, Square, Etsy, eBay, Shopify, SOS Inventory, QuickBooks Time, Method:CRM, and Gusto, making it easy to connect with your preferred sales channels and third-party apps.
Quickbooks Online also has an API and connects with third-party integration tools like Zapier, expanding its functionality for business owners.
Value for Money
Quickbooks Online pricing may seem high, especially for smaller churches, but the features you get can justify the cost for larger organizations and small business owners. With multiple pricing tiers, you can choose a plan that fits your needs, though the investment might not be ideal for those with simple accounting requirements.
- Simple Start: Includes basic income and expense tracking, bank account and credit card management, and send invoices features.
- Essentials: Adds bill pay, sales tax tracking, and multi-user access with customizable permissions.
- Plus: Offers project profitability tracking, time tracking, and more detailed financial reports.
- Advanced: Provides advanced reporting, inventory management, quickbooks live support, and dedicated account support.
QuickBooks Online Specs
- 2-Factor Authentication
- Accounts Payable
- Accounts Receivable
- API
- Balance Sheet
- Billing/Invoicing
- BitCoin
- Budgeting
- Calendar Management
- Contact Management
- CRM Integration
- Customer Management
- Dashboard
- Data Export
- Data Import
- Data Visualization
- Expense Tracking
- External Integrations
- Forecasting
- General Account Ledger
- Inventory Tracking
- Multi-Currency
- Multi-User
- Notifications
- P&L
- PayPal
- Payroll
- SAP Integration
- Stripe
- Supplier Management
- Tax Management
QuickBooks Online FAQs
How does Quickbooks Online handle data security and compliance?
Can I access Quickbooks Online on mobile devices?
Is it possible to migrate data from another accounting software to Quickbooks Online?
How often does Quickbooks Online back up my data?
Can multiple users access Quickbooks Online simultaneously?
Does Quickbooks Online offer customer support for troubleshooting issues?
How customizable are the reports in Quickbooks Online?
Can I track donations and tithes using Quickbooks Online?
QuickBooks Online Company Overview & History
Quickbooks Online, developed by Intuit, is a cloud-based accounting software that was first launched in 1992. Intuit Quickbooks, headquartered in Mountain View, California, has grown to become a leading provider of financial software solutions. Known for its user-friendly interface and robust functionality, Quickbooks Online serves small to medium-sized businesses globally. The company fosters a strong developer ecosystem, encouraging third-party apps and integrations to enhance its offerings.
Quickbooks Online Major Milestones
- 1983: Intuit was founded by Scott Cook and Tom Proulx in Mountain View, California.
- 1992: Quickbooks software was first released, quickly gaining popularity among small businesses.
- 2013: Quickbooks captured up to 85% of the U.S. small business accounting software market.
- 2020: Launched Quickbooks 2021, introducing enhanced payment processes, payment reminders, and automated features.
- 2023: Announced discontinuation of Quickbooks Point of Sale software by October.
What’s Next?
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