QuickBooks has long been the go-to accounting software for small businesses. Its simplicity and affordability make it a natural first step for startups and early-stage companies. But as organizations grow, many eventually ask the same question: Is QuickBooks still enough for us?
Businesses today aren’t just searching for alternatives to QuickBooks — they’re looking for cloud accounting software
that can actually support growth, provide real-time insights, and scale alongside their needs. Finance teams expect more than just basic bookkeeping. They need multi-entity accounting software that enables automation, streamlines reporting, and helps them make smarter decisions.
Why businesses look for QuickBooks alternatives
QuickBooks works well for single-entity businesses with straightforward needs. But once companies add multiple locations, subsidiaries, or revenue streams, its limitations quickly become clear:
- Manual consolidations → QuickBooks doesn’t offer native multi-entity reporting, forcing finance teams into spreadsheets.
- No built-in intercompany automation → transactions must be duplicated manually across entities.
- Limited reporting and BI → canned reports don’t provide the insights needed for real-time decision-making.
- Scaling challenges → growing teams often need advanced security roles, workflows, and integrations that QuickBooks can’t support.
- Cloud vs. desktop divide → with QuickBooks Desktop support discontinued, many organizations are questioning whether QuickBooks Online is enough for their future.
For businesses at this stage, the search for a QuickBooks alternative isn’t just about replacing one system with another — it’s about finding a platform that can handle today’s complexity and tomorrow’s growth.
What to look for in a QuickBooks alternative
When evaluating your next accounting system, prioritize capabilities that go beyond simple bookkeeping:
- Cloud-based deployment → Eliminate server costs and access your data anytime, anywhere.
- CRM and productivity integrations → Connect seamlessly with Microsoft 365 accounting software integration
- Multi-entity accounting → Manage multiple companies, subsidiaries, or divisions in one platform.
- Advanced reporting and BI → Move beyond canned reports with dashboards powered by business intelligence
- Scalability → Ensure the system can grow with your business without requiring a costly switch later.
Best cloud alternatives to QuickBooks in 2025
Here are some of the top cloud-based accounting solutions businesses are evaluating today:
1. Gravity Software – Built for Growing Multi-Entity Businesses
Gravity Software is purpose-built for businesses that have outgrown QuickBooks. Designed on the Microsoft Power Platform, it provides native multi-entity accounting software without the complexity or cost of a full ERP.
Key Features:
- Manage unlimited entities in one database with a single login.
- Automate intercompany transactions and Due To/From balancing.
- Consolidate financial reports across entities instantly.
- Shared chart of accounts, vendors, and customers across companies.
- Real-time reporting with Microsoft Power BI dashboards.
Learn why Gravity is the best QuickBooks alternative for growing businesses
2. Xero - Small business cloud accounting
Xero is a simple, cloud-native solution best suited for startups and micro-businesses. It offers invoicing, expense management, and basic reporting at an affordable price point. However, it lacks advanced functionality for multi-entity operations and consolidations, making it a limited option for larger organizations.
3. Sage Intacct - Enterprise - Grade cloud ERP
Sage Intacct provides robust multi-entity management and strong compliance features. It offers pre-built reports and a multi-dimensional chart of accounts. However, its proprietary platform, higher cost, and complexity often make it better suited for larger enterprises than mid-market firms seeking simplicity.
4. NetSuite - Global ERP solution
NetSuite OneWorld is a full ERP with advanced multi-entity capabilities, global compliance, and multi-currency support. Operating in over 200 countries with 190 currencies, it’s a strong choice for multinational enterprises. For smaller and mid-sized businesses, though, NetSuite can be overly complex and expensive.
Why Gravity Software is the successor to QuickBooks
Choosing a QuickBooks alternative isn’t just about switching tools — it’s about choosing a system that will grow with you. Gravity Software is more than an alternative; it’s the successor to QuickBooks for businesses ready to move beyond entry-level accounting.
- Built for growth → Designed specifically for small to mid-market companies with multiple entities.
- Microsoft ecosystem → Native integration with Microsoft 365, Power BI, and Teams.
- Cloud-native flexibility → No servers, no desktop software, just secure anytime access.
- Scalable design → Supports organizations managing 5, 50, or even 500 entities.
With Gravity, companies have cut month-end close times in half, automated intercompany transactions, and gained real-time visibility across their organizations — all while avoiding the heavy cost and complexity of ERP systems like NetSuite or Business Central.
Find the Right QuickBooks Alternative
QuickBooks is a great starting point, but as your business grows, you’ll need more than basic bookkeeping. The right QuickBooks alternative should provide automation, consolidated reporting, and scalability to match your pace of growth.
For growing mid-market businesses, Gravity Software delivers the ideal balance of functionality, affordability, and Microsoft-native integration.
Ready to take the next step? Explore Gravity’s QuickBooks Alternative or schedule a demo today to see how Gravity can transform your accounting operations.
Gravity Software
Better. Smarter. Accounting.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published in 2016 and has been updated for accuracy and relevance in 2025.