Okay, hate is a strong word.
But I stopped using QuickBooks because I couldn’t deal with it anymore.
So, here’s my little venting session.
If you’re using it and getting more than a little frustrated, you’re not alone.
Here’s a rundown of the top complaints about QuickBooks and why you should consider making a switch.
And a spoiler alert – I switched to Wave and we’ve loved it so far.
QuickBooks Cons
The Steepest Learning Curve
Navigating QuickBooks can feel like exploring a labyrinth without a guide.
Click here, click there, choose this, choose that…
It’s so counterintuitive.
They claim that it’s easy to use, but it tends to overcomplicate even the simplest tasks.
You go through a whirlwind just to input a transaction.
Plus, the keyboard shortcuts are pretty scarce, especially in the online version.
Small Costs Add Up
I was going to have to pay a monthly fee for each company I have (even if I do very little revenue in each).
Having different pricing levels and extra services may feel like you’re constantly facing small charges.
Those add up, you know!
Honestly, each plan does offer a substantial range of features.
And the monthly costs are much lower than what you’d pay a bookkeeper for manual work.
But is it worth the stress?
Anyway, QuickBooks seems stagnant in addressing known issues.
So, it’s really hard to believe that its customers are getting good value for their money.
A Barrage of Glitches
Speaking of known issues, QuickBooks is full of bugs.
One moment you’re diligently inputting your data, and suddenly, the entire program goes haywire.
And those dreaded “Error 404” messages?
Those can really test your patience.
Plus, data is not always backed up, so you risk losing time and info.
So, Why Does QuickBooks Keep Crashing?
You’re going to see a lot of frustrated folks posting this question online.
QuickBooks may unexpectedly shut down for a couple of reasons.
These include:
- Not having the latest QB updates
- Having a computer system with low specs
- Incomplete QB installation
- Issues with Windows component necessary for QB
- Corruption in vital QB program files
And with the occasional patch that comes through, many folks have to come up with complex workarounds.
Remember, QB is a 31-year-old program, so it’s bloated and prone to weird errors.
Too Easy to Manipulate
QuickBooks, unlike more complex solutions, allows for simple manipulation of entered data.
This has its pros and cons.
On the positive side, if there’s an error in your accounting entries, it’s easy to make corrections.
However, this ease also means QuickBooks users are vulnerable to unintentional alterations or, worse, potential misuse by someone with malicious intent.
I’m sure the last thing you want is someone tampering with your company’s financial records!
Underwhelming Invoicing
Planning to use QuickBooks for emailing customized invoices to clients and partners?
Welp, pump the brakes.
Be aware the QB provides fewer invoicing features than other ERP systems.
Also, brace yourself for a potentially time-consuming setup, which means you may not activate this feature right away.
Poor Integration
If you want to connect QuickBooks with other tools as your business grows, you’re going to run into some problems.
Many users find QB integration options frustrating.
One of the main concerns is the limited range of integration options available.
If the one you want is available, setting it up and configuring it can be complex and time-consuming, especially for those with limited technical expertise.
Limited Business-Specific Features
QuickBooks gets a lot of flack because it doesn’t have certain features that some businesses really need.
For example, in industries like manufacturing and distribution, QB doesn’t do a great job with lot tracking.
If you’re in the online retail business, QB might not work seamlessly with your eCommerce operations.
And if you have a big inventory or manage a warehouse, it might not have the best barcode scanning abilities.
No Key Reports Outside of Accounting
While QuickBooks can do okay in managing financial transactions, it falls short when it comes to providing comprehensive reports.
Let’s say a business needs in-depth reports on sales trends, customer purchasing behaviors, inventory levels, or employee performance.
You can’t count on QB for those.
Even its general ledger is unreliable.
I still can’t believe that after all this time, QB is still unable to track revenue recognition.
That’s a pretty big deal because it’s a crucial accounting rule.
If you can’t do it right, your company’s income statements might end up all wonky.
That’s bad news for investors and creditors who rely on accurate financial info.
And don’t even get me started on financial forecasting.
Automation is Limited
QuickBooks leans heavily on old-school manual work, which can be a real buzzkill for businesses trying to go fully digital.
Sure, it has a few automation tricks up its sleeve, but they’re not the most reliable.
Take double-entry bookkeeping.
QB skips this feature, which means you can’t neatly juggle your expenses and income in separate accounts.
Doesn’t Track Multiple Entities
Using QuickBooks, you’ll need a separate instance for each company entity.
And if you’re not careful, this can lead to issues like duplicate invoices and payments.
It can’t generate consolidated financial statements, making it challenging to have a clear picture of your overall financial performance.
Not Ideal For Remote Work
QuickBooks Desktop isn’t really cut out for remote work.
It looks like it was designed for folks who sit in the office where the company’s file lives.
Now, there are a couple of workarounds, but they’re a hassle.
You could set up a VPN or go for a third-party service to host your books online.
Or you could try QuickBooks Online, but you’d be sacrificing a lot of the desktop version’s functionality.
Poor Customer Service
If you think you can call up customer support to vent your frustrations, think again.
They’re pretty much MIA unless you’re either
- Willing to shell out some cash, or
- Signed up for a paid support plan.
You’re going to have to rely on support forums and folks who have a better grasp of the program.
QuickBooks is really meant more for accountants, so they’re the only ones who get solid training and support.
But if you’re going solo after getting a subscription, you’re really on your own.
Why Do People Still Use QuickBooks?
It’s Still the Top Recommendation
QuickBooks is still a big player, holding about 80% of the market share for as long as personal computers became a thing.
So, if you’re talking to someone about accounting software, there’s a pretty good chance they’ll be like,
“Yeah, I use QuickBooks.”
Maybe with an eye roll.
It’s Still Feature-Packed
QuickBooks’ landslide market share isn’t just about being popular — it does have the goods to back it up.
It offers a boatload of features and can plug into other services.
Besides, the other 20% of the market is so scattered that it hardly seems worth the trouble to deal with them.
It’s Easy to Share With Your Accountant
The big reason everyone’s into QuickBooks is because it really rolls out the red carpet for accountants.
Accountants can easily dive into your live books, and they have all the tools they need to sort out your taxes.
And QuickBooks isn’t shy about wanting your accountant to steer you their way.
Why I Switched to WaveApps
Despite these advantages (if you could call them that), I still made the switch to Wave.
They offer a free basic product, and they also provide extra services you can pay for if you need them.
I had no trouble adding my accountant, and the setup was a breeze.
For one thing, Wave is better suited to micro-businesses with fewer than ten employees working on a tight budget.
This user-friendly financial management software covers all the essentials for me.
You can track your income and expenses, connect to your bank, handle invoicing, and generate reports.
It’s pretty neat for a free service.
It also follows accounting standards, practices double-entry accounting, and streamlines the reconciliation process.
These contribute to accuracy and time savings.
FAQs
Do you really need QuickBooks?
Well, accounting is a must-have for any business, but remember that QuickBooks isn’t your only option.
That said, QB is still one of the top dogs when it comes to accounting software.
It really all boils down to your specific needs and preferences.
Consider the size and complexity of your business, your accounting expertise, and your budget when deciding if QB or an alternative solution is the right fit for you.
Is QuickBooks better than an accountant?
QuickBooks and accountants serve different roles.
QB is supposed to streamline financial tasks, while accountants offer expert advice, tax planning, and compliance services.
They complement each other.
Many businesses use both for comprehensive financial management.
Is QuickBooks harder than Excel?
Quite the opposite.
Setting up QuickBooks is a simpler task compared to using Excel for bookkeeping.
Excel demands expertise in both bookkeeping and Excel formulas to create essential elements like journals, ledgers, trial balances, and financial statements.
Final Thoughts
My beef with QuickBooks isn’t personal, but it’s a tale of frustrations and missed opportunities.
QB may have its perks, but those perks just don’t apply to my business.
From its clunky UI and lack of features in some critical areas, it’s like a familiar face but not quite right for the long haul.
So, until then, QuickBooks, I’m passing for now.
