QuickBooks Online vs Paylocity

QuickBooks Enterprise

Xero

NetSuite

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is an accounting software for small businesses which provides users with real-time access to customer, employee, and vendor information. The software includes tools for managing inventory, shipping, sales orders, pricing, tasks, invoicing, reporting, and more.

Xero is an award-winning online accounting software designed for small business owners and accountants, available on any computer or mobile device with an internet connection. Simplify business admin and get a range of financial insights to help you make better decisions for your business.

NetSuite is an AI-powered cloud-based business management suite. It helps organizations streamline their operations and gain real-time insights into their performance. The suite caters to a range of industries such as manufacturing, retail, and professional services.

Student(Former Accounts Clerk)

Another drawback is that customer support for Quickbooks Online is disappointing, since the customer service representatives do not respond to queries or issues in a timely manner.

Director of Operations

We've tried to reach out to support with questions and it's taken an unacceptable amount of time to get an email response back, often times without providing any resolution.

Marketing DIrector

Helpful support: QuickBooks offers reliable customer support through various channels, including phone, email, and chat.

QuickBooks Online offers accounting with financial dashboards, invoice creation, online payment acceptance, expenses tracking, payroll & more.

1099 Preparation

401(k) Tracking

Accounting

Accounts Payable

Accounts Receivable

Accrual Accounting

ACH Payment Processing

Activity Dashboard

Activity Tracking

Address Validation

Ad hoc Reporting

Aging Tracking

Approval Process Control

Asset Accounting

Asset Lifecycle Management

Asset Tracking

Attendance Management

Audit Trail

Automatic Backup

Automatic Billing

Bank Reconciliation

Benefits Management

Billable Items Tracking

Billing & Invoicing

Billing Portal

Budgeting/Forecasting

Cash Flow Management

Cash Management

Categorization/Grouping

Chart of Accounts

Check Printing

Check Processing

Check Writing

Client Management

Commission Management

Compliance Management

Consolidation/Roll-Up

Consumer Use Tax

Contact Database

Contingency Billing

Core Accounting

Cost Estimating

Cost Management

Credit Card Management

Credit Card Processing

Cross Ledger Posting

Customer Accounts

Customer Statements

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Forms

Customizable Invoices

Customizable Reports

Customizable Templates

Dashboard

Data Import/Export

Data Visualization

Direct Deposit

Discount Management

Document Templates

Donation Management

Donation Tracking

Donor Management

Drag & Drop

Dunning Management

Duplicate Payment Alert

Electronic Funds Transfer

Electronic Payments

Electronic Signature

Email Management

Employee Management

Estimating

Exemption Management

Expense Claims

Expense Management

Expense Tracking

Fee Calculation & Posting

Financial Aid Management

Financial Analysis

Financial Management

Financial Reporting

Fixed Asset Management

For AEC Industry

Forecasting

For Higher Education

For Medical Purposes

For Nonprofits

For Real Estate

For Religious Organizations

For Small Businesses

For Trucking Industry

Fraud Detection

Fund Accounting

Fund Management

General Ledger

Grant Management

Hourly Billing

Income & Balance Sheet

Reviews for QuickBooks Online come from a wide variety of industries, including accounting (11% of reviewers), construction (7%), and retail (5%). The most frequent use case for QuickBooks Online cited by reviewers is accounting (55% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers find QuickBooks Online offers reasonable value for money for small businesses, and they appreciate the flexible tiered pricing and free trials. However, reviewers indicate frequent price increases and costly upgrades make budgeting difficult for many users.

Value for money

The QuickBooks Online integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: PayPal (a payment processing product rated 4.8 out of 5 for its integration with QuickBooks Online), Shopify (an eCommerce product, 4.4), and Gusto (a payroll product, 4.3).

Integrations

QuickBooks Online is an accounting solution with key features that include expense tracking, income and balance sheet management, financial reporting, invoice creation, bank reconciliation, payroll management, and more.

Proprietary

QuickBooks Online

Web-based

iPhone

Android

iPad

Windows

FreshBooks

Wave

QuickBooks Desktop

Sage 50 Accounting

Zoho Books

Sage Intacct

Sage Accounting

Zoho Expense

Gusto

MYOB Business

Patriot Software

Square Point of Sale

TallyPrime

Quicken

Sage Construction Suite

Odoo 

Simple Start

Essentials

Plus

Advanced

Slow and dependent on internet

Ownwer - IT Consultant

I work in information technology and what bugs me a bit about QBO is the loading time. When you log in, it loads very slowly.

72% of reviewers feel negative about QuickBooks Online’s performance and speed. Users frequently report slow loading times, lag when navigating between screens, and delays in processing transactions, especially compared to the desktop version. Reviewers mention that the software’s reliance on a stable internet connection can lead to downtime, glitches, and frustration during high-volume periods or with large files. Many find that browser compatibility issues and frequent refreshes disrupt workflow, making it challenging to complete tasks efficiently, particularly for those needing to multitask or work quickly.

Feature gaps vs. desktop version

HR, Finance, and Communications Director

Quickbooks essentially pushes you out of the desktop version to the online, subscription-based model by pricing the Desktop version at a ridiculously high rate and making you pay for an additional yearly subscription, which was a huge frustration, as QBO lacks a lot of the features that the desktop version had.

LCS Manager

Compared to the desktop version we are missing customizable letter templates, spell check, and the built-in calendar

51% of reviewers feel negative about QuickBooks Online compared to the desktop version. Users note that the online version lacks many advanced features, customization options, and reporting tools available in the desktop product. Reviewers mention difficulties with data migration, slower performance, and a steeper learning curve for those accustomed to the desktop interface. Many express frustration over being pushed toward the online subscription model, citing higher costs and missing functionalities that are important for their business operations.

Payment processing frustrations

Lead Interpreter 

Refunds almost always just become a credit with my company and not money back on the card because QB does not show the credit card information to my company to do a full refund without calling in.

Owner/Instructor

I suppose the fees are on par with other payment processing systems; however, at the end of the month, it is a bit surprising to see how quickly all of the individual payment fees add up on top of the $25 I pay each month to have Quickbooks Online.

52% of reviewers feel negative about QuickBooks Online’s payment features. Users report issues with delayed payment processing, confusing fee structures, and limited flexibility with third-party processors. Reviewers mention that certain payment functions are only available on higher-tier plans, and integrating external payment systems can be cumbersome. Many express frustration with account verification, credit card updates, and the time required to resolve payment-related problems. Some users highlight difficulties reconciling payments and managing refunds, which can impact cash flow and client relationships.

Persistent bugs and glitches

Operations Manager

I often get error messages (shoes are untied, etc.) and have to completely close my browser and open it again to ensure a complete and successful log in.

69% of reviewers feel negative about QuickBooks Online’s bugs and issues. Users often encounter system errors, glitches, and crashes that disrupt daily operations. Reviewers report problems such as login difficulties, error messages, and unresponsive features. Many express frustration with the time required to resolve issues, noting that customer support is often slow or unable to provide effective solutions. Some users mention recurring problems with data accuracy, reconciliation, and file corruption, leading to additional work and reliance on external help to fix errors.

Rising and unpredictable costs

Freelance Creative

The software does have a few minor flaws such as the user limitations such as viewing transactions that have been affected and the pricing is a bit high.

Owner

I may understand the costs associated with making and painting such a software, but if there are no additional features being added that users need, it's a tough pill to swallow especially with modern offshore development.

55% of reviewers feel negative about QuickBooks Online’s pricing. Users are concerned about frequent price increases, high subscription fees, and additional charges for features or users. Reviewers say the ongoing costs can be burdensome for small businesses, especially when compared to one-time purchases of desktop versions. Many mention that certain advanced features require upgrading to more expensive plans, and some feel that price hikes are not matched by added value. Users also highlight challenges with budgeting due to variable pricing and limited transparency.

Extensive third-party integrations

owner

The integration with other tools, like PayPal, has been seamless, which makes managing transactions easier.

President

We like how most of our routing or job apps and software seamlessly integrates with Quickbooks online.

86% of reviewers feel positive about QuickBooks Online’s integrations. Users value the ability to connect with a wide range of third-party applications, including payroll, CRM, e-commerce, and banking platforms. Reviewers say these integrations save time by reducing double entry and streamlining workflows across different business systems. They highlight seamless connections with platforms like Shopify, PayPal, and various job management tools. Many indicate that integrations enhance efficiency, enable automation, and allow customization to fit unique business needs, making QuickBooks Online a central hub for their operations.

Comprehensive expense management tools

CEO and Lead Designer

I liked that it tracked my miles through the app and that it synced with my bank account and payment processors which helped me easily track and categorize revenue and expenses for taxes.

Business Owner

My favorite feature is the receipt capture by far- being able to utilize the software to keep track of every business expense saves me so much time and energy come tax season.

91% of reviewers feel positive about QuickBooks Online’s expense tracking capabilities. Users value the ability to automatically sync bank accounts, upload receipts, and categorize expenses, which they say streamlines tax preparation and financial oversight. Reviewers highlight features like mileage tracking, real-time reporting, and integration with other business tools as particularly helpful. They find it easy to separate business and personal expenses, monitor budgets, and keep all financial information organized in one place. Many indicate that these tools save time and reduce manual entry, making financial management more efficient.

Anywhere, anytime financial management

One of its standout features is the ability to access your data from anywhere with an internet connection, making remote work seamless.

96% of reviewers feel positive about QuickBooks Online’s remote access. Reviewers appreciate being able to manage finances from any location with an internet connection, which they say is essential for remote work, travel, and multi-location businesses. They find the cloud-based system convenient for collaboration, as multiple users can access data simultaneously. Users highlight the flexibility to work on various devices, including smartphones and laptops, and value the security of cloud storage. Many indicate that this accessibility reduces dependency on a single device and provides peace of mind in case of hardware failures.

Managing Partner

This software allows me to professionally create invoices to my clients and track all financial transactions.

office manager

It helps  us streamline invoicing,  tracking expenses , and reporting, making it easier to stay organized and understand our finances.

Bookkeeper

Limitations with check printing: can’t customize templates or account info, must buy pre-printed checks, which adds cost, risk of errors, and paper waste.

Service Billing Administrator

It is a reliable, cloud-based accounting system that handles core functions like invoicing, payments, and bank reconciliation efficiently.

QuickBooks was perfect for me, a small business owner in need to organize all the business transactions in a way that lets me set up customized categories and have clear separation of cards and bank accounts.

Development Director

The software is user-friendly, effective at tracking customer financial records, and anticipates users' needs by offering an array of reporting features.

HR Manager

I like that QuickBooks Online has great reporting and analytic capabilities as it helps with insights on business performance hence we are able to make informed decisions on time.

We use QuickBooks Online as our primary accounting tool to manage finances, including invoicing, bill pay, tracking income and expenses, syncing bank transactions, and generating financial reports.

QuickBooks Online vs Paylocity Comparison (2026)

QuickBooks Online vs Paylocity Comparison (2026)

QuickBooks Online

Paylocity

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives