Explore the top QuickBooks alternatives in 2025 to simplify invoicing, simplify payments, and manage your small business with ease
QuickBooks is popular, but many small business owners find it too complex, too costly, or simply not built for the way they actually work. Maybe you’re looking for something simpler, a tool that’s easier to learn, or a plan that won’t stretch your budget.
The right invoicing software should save you time, not add to your workload. We’ve selected some QuickBooks alternatives that make it easy to create and send invoices, manage estimates, and keep your business running smoothly.
Key Takeaways:
QuickBooks is one of the most well-known accounting tools out there. It’s great at tracking income, expenses, and taxes. But when it comes to sending invoices, it’s not always the easiest or fastest option.
Here’s why many small business owners look for an alternative:
If you run a small business or work in the field, you need invoicing and field service management software that works for you, not against you. That means being able to send invoices in minutes, track payments without extra clicks, and keep everything running from your phone or tablet.
The right QuickBooks alternative helps you stay on top of billing without adding extra steps, so your business can grow smoothly without switching tools later.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best QuickBooks alternatives for 2025, each offering features that make invoicing for small businesses simple, flexible, and built for the way you work.
Tofu is built for contractors, field service pros, and small business owners who want to spend less time wrestling with accounting software and more time getting work done. If QuickBooks feels heavy or slow for everyday invoicing, Tofu is a breath of fresh air; a simple, fast invoice maker tailored for the way you actually work.
Tofu’s also field-ready, which means that you can send invoices, create estimates, and receive payments from anywhere. This could be the job site, the truck, or the office. Plus, you don’t have to deal with extra steps or confusing menus. Tofu’s invoice maker strips out the complexity you don’t need, while keeping the essentials that help you get paid faster and keep your business running smoothly.
Experience what simpler invoicing looks like with Tofu’s affordable pricing plans!
Tip: Tofu also offers other resources for occasional or one-off invoice needs:
For freelancers and solo contractors juggling multiple clients, FreshBooks brings invoicing and time tracking together in one simple workspace. If you bill clients by the hour, FreshBooks makes it easy to track your work, log expenses, and turn those hours into polished invoices without extra tools.
Unlike QuickBooks, which can feel overloaded with accounting features you may not need, FreshBooks keeps the focus on the essentials: tracking your time, organizing client projects, and making sure you get paid for every billable minute. It’s a good fit if you’re working on multiple projects and want everything, from hours to expenses, tied neatly to each client’s invoice.
Built for contractors, field pros, and small teams, Tofu lets you create and send professional invoices in seconds — no accounting degree required.
When you need detailed accounting, easy invoicing, and the ability to bill clients in multiple currencies without extra hassle, Xero delivers it all under one roof. It’s designed for small businesses that need to keep a close eye on their finances while still sending professional invoices quickly.
Compared to QuickBooks, Xero offers a cleaner interface and more flexible pricing, making it a smart choice for business owners who want robust accounting tools alongside invoicing. From reconciling bank transactions to generating financial reports, Xero helps you manage your books and billing in one streamlined platform.
Growing your business doesn’t have to mean growing your software bill; Zoho Invoice offers professional invoicing tools at no cost. It’s completely free, with no hidden fees, and still delivers features that can scale as your business grows.
While QuickBooks can be expensive, especially for new or small operations, Zoho Invoice offers the core tools you need to send branded invoices, track payments, and manage clients. Its simple interface works well for contractors, freelancers, and service businesses who want a reliable invoicing tool without diving into complex accounting software.
Free to use.
For small businesses that just need straightforward, no-cost invoicing, Wave keeps billing simple without skimping on the essentials. While it does include basic bookkeeping features, its invoicing is straightforward, making it a great option if QuickBooks feels too costly or overwhelming for your needs.
You can send unlimited invoices, accept online payments, and track who’s paid without paying a subscription fee. For many freelancers, contractors, and small service businesses, Wave offers just enough features to keep billing organized without becoming another task that eats into your day.
We’ve rounded up the key features, pricing, customization options, and ease of use for each QuickBooks alternative, so you can quickly see which one works for your workflow, budget, and client needs.
Switching from QuickBooks to a new invoicing or field service management software can feel like a big step, but with the right approach, it’s a smooth process that can save you time in the long run.
Here’s what to expect:
Not all invoicing apps are built the same, and the best one for you depends on how and where you run your business, here are the features that matter most:
Considering these features, Tofu isn’t just a QuickBooks alternative; it works the way you do. You can send estimates and invoices in minutes, create professional, branding invoices to build customer relationships, and use both the mobile and web apps for flexible access!
The best QuickBooks alternative isn’t the one with the most features; it’s the one that fits the way you work. Start by thinking about your daily workflow, how you send invoices, and where you spend most of your time.
If you’re in the trades or out on job sites, you’ll want invoicing software for contractors that works on your phone, handles estimates, and lets clients pay on the spot. For example, a mobile-first tool can save you trips back to the office and keep cash flowing.
Invoicing software for consultants should make it easy to create and send invoices, manage client details, and keep project information organized. This helps consultants stay on top of ongoing contracts without juggling spreadsheets.
Independent workers and creatives can rely on invoicing software for freelancers that focuses on speed, customization, and easy payment options. You want to send a polished invoice in minutes, whether you’re at your desk or working from a café.
Finally, think about scalability. Your invoicing tool should work for you now, but also have room to grow, whether that means adding team members, connecting with other business apps, or simplifying more of your billing process.
QuickBooks was built for accountants. Tofu was built for you. From quote to invoice to payment — all in one simple, clean app.
For many small teams, QuickBooks is like a fully loaded truck; powerful, but bulky and expensive to run. Simpler invoicing tools are more like a nimble work van: they do exactly what you need, get you where you’re going faster, and cost less to keep on the road.
QuickBooks remains one of the most popular accounting tools, with over 7 million businesses worldwide using it. But popularity doesn’t mean it’s the perfect fit, especially for contractors, freelancers, and small teams who value speed over complexity.
When you’re juggling jobs, chasing client calls, and managing a crew, the last thing you need is to wrestle with clunky accounting software. Most invoicing tools are built for accountants, not for the people actually out in the field getting the work done.
That’s why contractors, service pros, and small business owners are turning to Tofu, a mobile-first invoice maker and field service management software built to keep billing fast, simple, and stress-free.
With Tofu, you can send a clean, branded invoice before you even leave the job site. No desktop required. No stacks of paper waiting for you back at the office. Just quick, professional billing that keeps cash moving and clients happy.
Here’s why more pros are making the switch:
For busy professionals who’d rather be winning jobs than chasing payments, Tofu makes invoicing a quick task you can tick off before you even pack up your tools. Get started with Tofu’s invoice maker today!
QuickBooks is a solid choice for full-scale accounting, but it’s not always the best fit for contractors, freelancers, or small business owners who just need fast, dependable invoicing. The right tool should work the way you work, whether that’s sending an estimate from a client’s driveway, creating invoices between job sites, or tracking payments on the go.
In 2025, the best invoicing apps are mobile-friendly, easy to learn, and built to fit seamlessly into your day, whether you’re in the field, at the office, or on the move. Choosing the right one means less time stuck behind a screen and more time running (and growing) your business.
Ready to make invoicing the easiest part of your day? Check out Tofu on the app or use it on the web, sign up from our pricing page, and start sending professional invoices from anywhere you work.
For small and growing businesses, the best alternative to QuickBooks depends on your workflow. Invoicing apps like Tofu offer fast, easy billing, simple client management, and straightforward integrations, giving you the essentials without the complexity of full accounting suites.
QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based accounting solution popular for tracking expenses, invoicing, and inventory management. However, some small business owners prefer software products similar to QuickBooks that are simpler, faster, and more mobile-friendly.
Yes. While QuickBooks Desktop includes inventory management, many alternatives focus on invoicing and billing for small businesses and field service teams, helping you stay organized and get paid faster without extra complexity.
A great alternative to QuickBooks simplifies invoicing, supports multiple payment options, and works on mobile devices. It should fit your small business accounting needs without overwhelming you with unnecessary features.
Absolutely. Many cloud-based accounting tools and invoicing apps offer real-time access, client management, and reporting features that rival QuickBooks Online, making them ideal for small and growing businesses on the go.
Small businesses often switch to a great alternative to QuickBooks to reduce complexity, save time on invoicing, and simplify payments. Choosing the right option for small businesses helps improve cash flow and frees up time to focus on growth.
Tofu gives you everything you need to manage clients, track jobs, and get paid faster — without the complexity.