Akaunting vs QuickBooks
Is switching from QuickBooks to Akauntingworth it? Here's a detailed comparison of pricing, features, and ownership.
Akaunting and QuickBooks both serve accounting and invoicing, but they differ fundamentally in pricing and ownership. QuickBooks costs $35/month ($420/year), while Akaunting is available for Free basic, paid apps. As an open-source tool, Akaunting's code is publicly auditable and community-driven. This comparison breaks down exactly what you gain, what you lose, and whether switching makes sense for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Switching to Akaunting saves you $420/year — $1,260 over 3 years
QuickBooks costs
$420/yr
3-year cost
$1,260
Akaunting costs
Free basic, paid apps
Best for
- +Small businesses
- +Freelancers
- +Self-hosters
Not ideal for
- −Users needing many integrations
- −Users needing mobile app
Feature Comparison
| Feature | QuickBooksSubscription | AkauntingAlternative |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $35/mo $420/year | Freemium· Free basic, paid apps |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop (typical) | WebSelf-hosted |
| Offline Support | Limited (typical) | Requires internet |
| Open Source | No | ✓Open source |
| Ownership | Renting | Full ownership |
| Cloud Dependency | High (typical) | Hybrid |
| Migration | — | Medium |
Pricing
QuickBooks
$35/mo
$420/year
Akaunting
Freemium· Free basic, paid appsPlatforms
QuickBooks
Web, Desktop (typical)Akaunting
Offline Support
QuickBooks
Limited (typical)Akaunting
Requires internetOpen Source
QuickBooks
NoAkaunting
✓Open sourceOwnership
QuickBooks
RentingAkaunting
Full ownershipCloud Dependency
QuickBooks
High (typical)Akaunting
HybridMigration
QuickBooks
—Akaunting
MediumSwitching Analysis
+What you gain with Akaunting
- +Free and open source
- +Modern UI
- +Self-hostable
- +Multi-currency
−What you lose
- −Ease of use
- −Integrations
- −Mobile app
Who Should Switch?
✓Good candidates for Akaunting
- +Small businesses
- +Freelancers
- +Self-hosters
✗Should keep using QuickBooks
- −Users needing many integrations
- −Users needing mobile app
Migration Guide
Switching from QuickBooks to Akaunting is rated as medium. Here's how to make the move:
Export your data
Go to QuickBooks's settings and export your data in CSV, PDF, or native format. Most tools support bulk export.
Install Akaunting
Download Akaunting from the official website. It costs Free basic, paid apps — a one-time purchase.
Import and configure
Import your exported data into Akaunting. Set up your preferences, shortcuts, and workflows to match your existing setup.
Run in parallel
Use both tools side-by-side for a week or two. This lets you verify everything works before fully switching.
Cancel subscription
Once you're confident Akaunting meets your needs, cancel your QuickBooks subscription. You've escaped the subscription!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Akaunting a good alternative to QuickBooks?
Yes, Akaunting is a solid alternative to QuickBooks. It offers a free tier with open source code, making it a great choice for users looking to escape subscriptions. Akaunting handles the core functionality that most QuickBooks users rely on daily.
How much can I save by switching from QuickBooks to Akaunting?
Switching from QuickBooks ($420/year) to Akaunting (Free basic, paid apps) can save you approximately $420 per year, or $1,260 over three years. The savings start immediately with zero upfront cost.
What do I lose by switching from QuickBooks to Akaunting?
The main trade-offs include: Ease of use, Integrations, Mobile app. However, Akaunting still covers the core functionality most users need. The gaps are typically in advanced features and ecosystem integrations, not daily-use capabilities.
Can I migrate my data from QuickBooks to Akaunting?
Yes. Most QuickBooks data can be exported in standard formats (CSV, PDF, or native format) and imported into Akaunting. The migration difficulty is rated as medium, so it may take some effort.
Is Akaunting a one-time purchase?
Yes, Akaunting costs Free basic, paid apps. You pay once and own it forever — no monthly or annual subscription fees.
Does Akaunting work on the same platforms as QuickBooks?
Akaunting is available on web, self hosted. Check the official website for the most up-to-date platform support.
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