Intuit — QuickBooks Online
Sep. 05, 2014
Best Fit: Small businesses with only a few employees, primarily service-based or those with simple product/inventory needs.
Strengths:
- Friendly user interface & intuitive navigation
- Integrated live bank account data
- Audit trail
- Built-in payroll option
- No contracts
- Includes accountant log-in
- Runs on Mac or PC with any browser
Potential Limitations:
- Limited inventory functions
- Only basic customer & vendor data records
- Limited support for projects
- No multi-currency/language
- Minimal integration
- No point-of-sale
Executive Summary & Pricing
QuickBooks Online is a good fit for very small businesses that are either service-based or offer simple goods. It has limited inventory and integration options, and doesn’t have e-commerce capabilities, but for most small businesses, the program provides an easy-to-use business management system, with payroll, integrated e-banking and good accountant-focused reporting. All of this in a web-based format that gets rid of IT headaches and allows anytime/anywhere access, including the availability of apps for popular mobile gadgets. Pricing for Online Plus is $39.95 per month for up to five users; Essentials is $24.95 per month for up to three users; Simple Start is $12.95 per month for one user. The payroll option is available for Essentials and Online Plus.
2011 Overall Rating 4.25
BASIC SYSTEM FUNCTIONS — 4.5
CORE ACCOUNTING CAPABILITIES — 3.75
DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS — 4
MANAGEMENT FEATURES — 4.25
INTEGRATION/IMPORT/EXPORT– 4
HELP/SUPPORT — 5