Akaunting vs QuickBooks: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Akaunting and QuickBooks side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, QuickBooks leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Akaunting
Free, open-source accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
QuickBooks
Small business accounting software
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | Akaunting | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $12/mo, billed monthly STANDARD CLOUD plan | Free plan, paid from $38/mo flat, billed monthly Simple Start plan |
Category | Accounting Invoicing | Accounting Invoicing |
Rating | 2.9/5 Capterra 3.8 · G2 1.8 40 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.4 405 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Payroll is an optional add-on priced separately, not included in any plan |
Choose Akaunting or QuickBooks?
Choose Akaunting if
- You need accounting features specifically.
Choose QuickBooks if
- You want a free tier before you commit
In-Depth Analysis
Akaunting
Free, open-source accounting software for small businesses and freelancers.
Akaunting's cloud pricing is quite expensive compared to many accounting software solutions, especially for small businesses.
Strengths
- Pro: Free and open-source option available for self-hosting
- Pro: Accessible online from any device
- Pro: Comprehensive features for small business accounting
- Pro: Supports multiple languages and currencies
- Pro: Client portal enhances customer interaction
Weaknesses
- Con: Advanced features like double-entry and payroll are only available in higher-tier paid plans
- Con: The free version is self-hosted, requiring technical knowledge for setup
- Con: Limited number of included apps in lower-tier cloud plans
Key features
QuickBooks
Small business accounting software
QuickBooks Online paid plans range from $38/mo (Simple Start) to $340/mo (Advanced), making it one of the pricier accounting platforms for small businesses.
Watch out
Payroll is an optional add-on priced separately, not included in any plan
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard
- Pro: Easy to use
- Pro: Great integrations
Weaknesses
- Con: Can be expensive
- Con: Learning curve for advanced features
Key features
Plans and prices: Akaunting vs QuickBooks
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Akaunting |
| akaunting.com/pricing read Oct 28, 2026 |
| QuickBooks |
| quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing read Nov 4, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Akaunting pricing and QuickBooks pricing.
Key Takeaways
Akaunting
- Worth considering for accounting
QuickBooks
- Higher user rating: 4.4/5 vs 2.9/5
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, QuickBooks leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- QuickBooks has the higher user rating (2.9/5 from 40 reviews for Akaunting, 4.4/5 from 405 reviews for QuickBooks).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Akaunting $12/mo, billed monthly; QuickBooks $38/mo flat, billed monthly.
- Only QuickBooks has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Akaunting and QuickBooks compare in 2026?
On the data below, QuickBooks leads on higher user rating and a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. QuickBooks has the higher user rating (2.9/5 from 40 reviews for Akaunting, 4.4/5 from 405 reviews for QuickBooks). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: Akaunting $12/mo, billed monthly; QuickBooks $38/mo flat, billed monthly. Only QuickBooks has a free plan.
What are Akaunting and QuickBooks used for?
Akaunting: Free, open-source accounting software for small businesses and freelancers. QuickBooks: Small business accounting software.
What does Akaunting cost vs QuickBooks?
Akaunting's cheapest paid plan is STANDARD CLOUD at $12/mo, billed monthly. QuickBooks's cheapest paid plan is Simple Start at $38/mo flat, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 4, 2026.
What's the main difference between Akaunting and QuickBooks?
Akaunting's main strength: free and open-source option available for self-hosting. QuickBooks's main strength: industry standard.
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