Top QuickBooks Premier Alternatives & Competitors For 2024

Is QuickBooks Premier really accounting's prime time player? User reviews from the past year paint a nuanced picture of this popular accounting software. While QuickBooks Premier scores points for its user-friendly design and powerful features, some significant drawbacks hold it back from achieving accounting software greatness. Users rave about the software's intuitive interface, with one user stating, "It's a breeze to use, even for someone without an accounting degree." Another user highlighted the value of the industry-specific reports, saying that QuickBooks Premier "delivers insights tailored to my field, which helps me make smarter business decisions." However, QuickBooks Premier's pricing structure and lack of cloud storage are major pain points for users. The hefty fee for adding users is a common gripe, with many finding the additional cost per user to be a budget buster. Additionally, the absence of cloud storage is a dealbreaker in today's increasingly interconnected world. One user expressed frustration, stating, "The lack of cloud storage is a major headache. I need access to my financial data from anywhere, not just my office desktop." In a nutshell, QuickBooks Premier is a solid accounting software solution best suited for small to mid-sized businesses with limited users and a preference for on-premise software. Its comprehensive features and user-friendly design make it a practical choice for businesses seeking advanced accounting functionality without the high price tag and extensive scalability of enterprise-level solutions. However, businesses with larger teams or those requiring cloud accessibility may want to explore other options, such as Xero, which offers similar features with a more flexible pricing structure and cloud-based storage.

Xero’s users say it’s easy to use and has good accounting and bookkeeping capabilities. Most found the price to be acceptable, with some complaints about issues they ran into while trying to switch to a lower pricing tier. More than 70% loved the customer service and felt their representatives were extremely helpful. It has a range of features including band feeds, invoice creation, integrations and reconciliation processes. The reconciliation was particularly popular with over 80% of reviewers who mentioned it describing positive experiences. One issue with the system came in making updates to invoices after they’d been saved. Some users said they were sent prematurely to clients or claimed to have difficulties changing the data at a later date. Many also felt that the implementation process for the new platform was difficult, but that once they learned where things were they felt comfortable. This may be a good choice for small and medium businesses. Larger companies should consider a system that’s able to handle a higher volume.

Tipalti is a robust accounting ERP that streamlines all workflows and bookkeeping needs. Its implementation is comfortable and pleasing to users. Its performance is impeccable because it provides a centralized location for various payment options and its modules — tax compliance, billing, invoicing, payment management and more — offer efficient bookkeeping needs. Users also agree that the customer support team is quick to respond and resolve problems. Despite some users' sentiments about the clunky interface and non-flexible reporting apparatus, most find this solution as a handy asset.

Overall, Concur has garnered a reputation as a comprehensive and reliable solution for managing expenses, travel, and invoices. Users frequently praise its ability to streamline expense reporting, automate tasks, and provide real-time visibility into spending. The mobile app receives kudos for its user-friendly interface and offline functionality, making it easy for employees to capture receipts and submit expenses on the go. Concur's integration with travel booking platforms and credit cards is a major plus, simplifying the process of reconciling expenses and ensuring accuracy. However, some users find the initial setup and configuration to be complex, requiring significant time and effort. Additionally, the system's flexibility can be a double-edged sword, as extensive customization options may overwhelm some users. Concur's pricing structure, often based on the number of users and transactions, can be a concern for smaller businesses. Despite these drawbacks, Concur's strengths in automation, integration, and mobile accessibility make it a top choice for mid-sized to large organizations with complex expense management needs and a desire to enhance efficiency and control over spending.

Planful has garnered a reputation for its robust financial reporting and analysis capabilities, particularly excelling in budgeting, forecasting, and consolidation. Users appreciate the software's ability to handle complex financial models and its flexibility in generating custom reports. The platform's intuitive interface and user-friendly design have also been praised, making it accessible to both finance professionals and non-financial users. However, some users have noted that the initial setup and implementation process can be time-consuming and may require significant support from Planful's team. Additionally, while Planful offers a wide range of features, some users have expressed a desire for more advanced functionality in areas such as workforce planning and project accounting. Compared to competitors like Adaptive Insights and Vena Solutions, Planful stands out for its comprehensive financial consolidation capabilities and its ability to handle large volumes of data. Its reporting and analytics tools are also considered to be more user-friendly and customizable. However, Adaptive Insights may be a better choice for organizations seeking a more cloud-based solution with stronger integrations with other business applications. Vena Solutions, on the other hand, may be more suitable for companies with complex financial modeling needs due to its Excel-based interface. Overall, Planful is best suited for mid-sized to large enterprises with complex financial reporting and analysis requirements. Its strengths lie in its budgeting, forecasting, consolidation, and reporting capabilities, making it an ideal choice for organizations looking to streamline their financial processes and gain deeper insights into their financial performance. However, companies with limited IT resources or those seeking a more cloud-based solution may want to consider alternative options.