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Is there a good alternative to Quickbooks for small shops?

DMSentra

Cast Iron
Joined
Sep 12, 2008
Location
Eugene Oregon
Years back when I was on the same hunt I heard horror stories about being locked out of software and files for extended periods supposedly due to upgrades. It's hard to believe there isn't a "bought it, it's mine" alternative to the all powerful QB. Do any of you know of a product you've used and recommend?
 
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Get a dedicated PC for QB and keep porn watching to your "hand held device".
QB user for the last 25 years. Only problem was a lockout when book keeper forgot password and tried too many times to guess it, or something like that. QB opened the file for us. That was a very long time ago.
 
Get a dedicated PC for QB and keep porn watching to your "hand held device".
QB user for the last 25 years. Only problem was a lockout when book keeper forgot password and tried too many times to guess it, or something like that. QB opened the file for us. That was a very long time ago.

I have been using QB for the last year and love it. I carry a USB stick with me with my files backed up. I can go on it at home or at work. very simple and a great time saver.
 
one thing I like about QB is I can just email my stuff to my accountant, and she knows what to do with it. If I were using E2's accounting module, she'd be, "WTF is E2?"

You need to buy an upgrade every three years or you're in deep shit. I consider this to be nothing short of extortion. Gotta take the good with the bad ?I suppose. At least there's no maintenance. That's a load of shit I aint falling for again.
 
QB Professional with 3 users is what I use and I pay the full maintenance package every year. When I need help for things like setting up the network they are right there. My accountant comes in once or twice a year for about a half hour, leaves with what he needs on a thumb drive. Book Keeper comes in once a week and runs payroll, pays bills, files taxes. Maybe 2 hours tops.
I can load it on as many PCs as I want, but only three can access it at a time. My PC is the server and needs to be turned on. Sales can log on without me there just by turning my computer on without needing my password. QB does not even need to be running on my PC, and sales does not have access to payroll or banking.
 
We started using Zoho Books and Inventory last year, and are mostly happy with it. Books is an annual subscription, but it's really low, like $200 a year; Inventory is another module that costs a bit more, you may or may not want it, and there are other modules that we don't use.

Zoho is not perfect, but I like it and will continue using it. It's NOT an ERP and doesn't pretend to be, but for managing incoming web orders, creating quotes, taking credit card payments, sending invoices, and managing inventory it works well.
 
Yeah, not interested in why people like QB. :>)

Well, that is silly

I have been using QB since version 1 for DOS

Yeah, 28 years or more

Pisses me off all the time

Here is the thing:

Everything else is crap

So, do what you want, but most of the time it will be worse


My QB has not locked me out, or crashed or anything in, lets just say, oh, ever.

You can still buy desktop[but not Enterprise] and I downgraded through a very convoluted process from Enterprise.

SO, be closed minded, whatever, no skin off my nose.

All software is as crappy as it can be to the point where people will still buy it.

Get used to it.
 
I started with Peachtree. I think it’s Sage software now. I quit upgrading in ‘12 but it still works fine.
I’m still running XP so...
 
We tried QB years ago and hated it - not flexible.

We just use excel. First sheet is just a double entry general ledger. just like us old farts learned in accounting 101 years ago. main difference is the sub accounts all are easy to remember. CASH for cash, FUEL for fuel, TOOL for tooling, MAINT for maintenance, VISA for credit card, etc.


The second sheet sum everything by category.

Since its double entry accounting - any errors show immediately on the general ledger page as the transaction is entered. Those that remember accounting 101 know that the sum of debits must equal the sum of credits.

This super simple system keeps balance on everything and you can back out or change things any time. ( we do massage the books before sending to the tax accountant)
 
Well, that is silly

I have been using QB since version 1 for DOS

Yeah, 28 years or more

Pisses me off all the time

Here is the thing:

Everything else is crap

So, do what you want, but most of the time it will be worse


My QB has not locked me out, or crashed or anything in, lets just say, oh, ever.

You can still buy desktop[but not Enterprise] and I downgraded through a very convoluted process from Enterprise.

SO, be closed minded, whatever, no skin off my nose.

All software is as crappy as it can be to the point where people will still buy it.

Get used to it.

What's silly is getting several answers to a question nobody asked, then someone piping up and defending that.
I'm interested in someone's experience with another product. If I wanted to know more about why someone is staying with QB that would have been in the first post.
 
We tried QB years ago and hated it - not flexible.

We just use excel. First sheet is just a double entry general ledger. just like us old farts learned in accounting 101 years ago. main difference is the sub accounts all are easy to remember. CASH for cash, FUEL for fuel, TOOL for tooling, MAINT for maintenance, VISA for credit card, etc.


The second sheet sum everything by category.

Since its double entry accounting - any errors show immediately on the general ledger page as the transaction is entered. Those that remember accounting 101 know that the sum of debits must equal the sum of credits.

This super simple system keeps balance on everything and you can back out or change things any time. ( we do massage the books before sending to the tax accountant)

This solution is on the short list. Thanks.
 
I'll put my 2 cents in, though it will be rejected. Whatever.

I have been using QB since I opened my doors 15 years ago. But, I only use it for estimates/ invoicing. Everything else I do is in excell.

I too have been reading up and trying to find a simple alternative. But as others have said, it all sucks. The goal is what sucks less, best for you.

I dont accept CCs at this time though.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
 
I have noted the comments and I am reminded that most everything now a days has some kind of time limit of use as regards computer programs of various uses. The never ending upgrades and maintenance fees are staggering yet they do seem to be critical. Without them obsolescence is not far off.

Cost of doing business I suppose. One has to admire those persons who are CPA’s and various accountants and bookkeepers as many of them can make their own way of keeping track and if they wish to old school. Ledger types of things are easily created and there is no need for expensive software which can be a crutch.

It is sad that really some feel trapped with software. I get it. It is not needed by me to balance my checkbook. Sorting through all the things we can use can be annoying. Other times we may find something really quite handy and effective. So far it seems there is no really good standout right now for keeping track.
 
I have noted the comments and I am reminded that most everything now a days has some kind of time limit of use as regards computer programs of various uses. The never ending upgrades and maintenance fees are staggering yet they do seem to be critical. Without them obsolescence is not far off.

Cost of doing business I suppose. One has to admire those persons who are CPA’s and various accountants and bookkeepers as many of them can make their own way of keeping track and if they wish to old school. Ledger types of things are easily created and there is no need for expensive software which can be a crutch.

It is sad that really some feel trapped with software. I get it. It is not needed by me to balance my checkbook. Sorting through all the things we can use can be annoying. Other times we may find something really quite handy and effective. So far it seems there is no really good standout right now for keeping track.

It seems the Excel approach is maybe the most long running path as it's been alive for decades already. I have been using an Android app because of the complication of QB, but lately it's refused to deliver invoices even while assuring me it has. That has lead me to thinking maybe simplify even more and find a basic solution to invoicing.
The little bit of bookkeeping learning I did almost half a century ago is almost gone but I feel I need to get back to the roots of the task.
 








 
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