Odoo vs QuickBooks: Is Odoo Accounting or QuickBooks Better?

Deciding between Odoo Accounting and QuickBooks? Choosing the right software can be a daunting task, but we're here to help simplify it.

In our detailed Odoo vs QuickBooks comparison, we'll explore their unique features and capabilities but also highlight their distinct advantages and common strengths.

Whether your focus is on a robust set of accounting features, affordability, ease of use, or a balanced mix, this guide is designed to bring you clarity.

Now, without further ado, let's dive into the Odoo vs QuickBooks face-off to uncover the ideal pick for your needs!

What is the difference between Odoo and QuickBooks?

The main difference between QuickBooks and Odoo is that Odoo is an open-source platform, allowing for extensive customization, whereas QuickBooks is a proprietary software. While Odoo lets you use its Accounting app at no cost, QuickBooks differentiates itself by providing a desktop version and specialized payroll functionalities, which Odoo lacks.

Expanding on their ecosystems, both QuickBooks and Odoo Accounting are part of a larger suite of business applications. QuickBooks is integrated into Intuit’s comprehensive business solutions portfolio. Odoo, similarly, has a diverse range of applications covering sales, inventory, CRM, and more. 

These tools are designed to integrate seamlessly, offering businesses a cohesive experience across various functions. Both platforms, therefore, offer not just accounting solutions but also a range of tools to cater to small and medium businesses.

For a deeper dive into each platform's capabilities and features, you can check out our Odoo review and QuickBooks review.

Odoo vs QuickBooks comparison chart

This table shows each category in which we’ll compare Odoo Accounting vs QuickBooks Online and the winner for each. Plus, you'll find fast links to their prices and sign-up pages if you're ready to join.

Odoo vs QuickBooks pricing

QuickBooks offers five pricing plans, with costs ranging from $30 to $200 each month. A highlight is their occasional 50% off promotion for the first three months. The number of users depends on your plan and it can be anywhere from just 1 up to 25.

Odoo, however, doesn't limit the number of users. If your primary need is accounting, Odoo lets you use that app for free. But they offer more than just accounting. They have modules for sales, marketing, CRM, and more. 

If you're interested in multiple modules, they have two plans: the Standard at $12/user/month and the Custom at $18/user/month, billed annually.

Winner: 

If having many users is key for you, Odoo stands out. But if you're looking at varied price options and can work with a user limit, QuickBooks is a strong contender.

QuickBooks vs Odoo free versions

QuickBooks doesn't have a free plan, just a 30-day trial. But remember, if you use this trial, you won't get the three-month discount later on. 

On the other hand, Odoo lets you use one app, like their accounting tool, for free. If you need more, they don't offer a free plan, but they do have free trials for their paid ones.

Winner: 

If a free version is what you're after, Odoo takes the lead with its free accounting app option.

Customer support

QuickBooks lacks email support, but they offer a 24/7 chatbot. This chatbot can point you to helpful articles or link you with a real person. However, phone support only comes as a callback. 

Odoo, on the other hand, allows you to submit support tickets online for various issues. If you're a subscriber, you can call them. Their team speaks mainly English, but they also handle Spanish, Dutch, and French. Odoo provides phone support 24 hours a day from Monday to Friday.

Winner:

When it comes to support, Odoo clearly has the upper hand.

Knowledgebase & learning

QuickBooks offers a wide-ranging knowledge base. You'll find help articles, videos, blogs, setup guides, troubleshooting tips, and a community forum to discuss with peers. 

Odoo matches up well with its own set of tutorials, detailed documentation, and a community forum for users to share insights.

Winner: 

When it comes to knowledge and learning, it's a tie between QuickBooks and Odoo. Both provide valuable resources to help you out.

QuickBooks vs Odoo features & functionality

Now that we covered the basics, let's compare Odoo vs QuickBooks in terms of key features and functionality to see which one stands out in each category.

We’ll compare them in the following categories:

• Ease of use

• Online versions

• Desktop versions

• Invoicing

• Online payments

• Integrations

• Income and expenses

• Bank reconciliation

• Payroll

• Taxes

• Inventory management 

Odoo or QuickBooks for ease of use?

QuickBooks Online, while feature-rich and catering to advanced needs, requires a bit of a learning curve. Even without an accounting background, you can pick it up, but having basic accounting knowledge makes it smoother. Customizing it to fit your company's specifics is straightforward.

In contrast, Odoo Accounting shines in its simplicity. The user-friendly interface means you can quickly manage tasks like recording invoices or reconciling accounts. It's designed to be picked up almost instantly without any training, thanks to its straightforward layout and absence of overwhelming features.

Winner: 

While both platforms are user-centric, Odoo edges out due to its smaller number of features, which makes it slightly easier for beginners.

QuickBooks vs Odoo online versions

Odoo and QuickBooks Online operate as SaaS platforms, meaning you can use them in any browser without installing anything. This cloud-based setup gives you the freedom to handle your accounting from any internet-enabled device.

Moreover, both have mobile apps for on-the-move finance management. From these apps, you can draft and send invoices, monitor expenses, and receive instant updates on your finances right from your phone.

Winner:

While both platforms are convenient, user reviews indicate QuickBooks has a slight edge with its mobile apps performing better than Odoo's.

Odoo vs QuickBooks desktop versions

QuickBooks provides desktop versions for those who like having their software right on their computer. They offer various plans like Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise. This might be your go-to if you lean towards local data storage over cloud options.

Odoo also has desktop versions for Windows and Mac. There are also on-premise solutions for Windows and Linux. 

Winner: 

When it comes to desktop versions, Odoo takes the lead.

Invoicing 

QuickBooks simplifies invoice creation and tailoring. You can easily add clients, products, or services. Features like appending messages, statements, and attachments to invoices are handy. You also have a choice of six customizable invoice templates to align with your brand.

Plus, the automation of recurring invoices and sending payment reminders is a breeze. 

On the Odoo front, crafting invoices is straightforward and aesthetically pleasing. They come complete with options like payment terms, various tax settings, and discounts. Odoo stands out by automating draft invoice generation based on sales orders, timesheets, or delivery notes.

Winner: 

QuickBooks holds a slight advantage with its customizable invoices that minimize manual effort.

Online payments 

QuickBooks broadens your payment horizons, accepting online payments through a myriad of methods like debit/credit cards, eCheck, and notable gateways like Stripe, Square, PayPal, and many others. 

Odoo, on the other hand, facilitates payments using platforms such as PayPal, Buckaroo, Stripe, Authorize.net, and Adyen.

Both QuickBooks and Odoo excel in features like setting up recurring invoices, monitoring invoice statuses, and sending timely payment reminders.

Winner: 

Considering the diversity of payment gateways, QuickBooks has the upper hand with its wider array of options.

Integrations

QuickBooks showcases impressive versatility by linking up with over 650 well-known business applications. 

Whether you're thinking of payment platforms like Stripe, Square, and PayPal, or others such as Amazon Business Purchases, Method: CRM, and Gusto, QuickBooks has got you covered.

Odoo, as an open-source platform, offers native integrations across its suite of business apps. Additionally, its active community and marketplace provide numerous third-party plugins, and its versatile API supports custom integrations.

Winner: 

If you're looking for ready-to-use, plug-and-play integrations, QuickBooks Online might have the edge due to its popularity. However, for customizable and specialized integrations, Odoo shines.

A note on Odoo QuickBooks integration

Currently, there isn't a direct integration between QuickBooks and Odoo. They also don't connect through Zapier. However, a QuickBooks Odoo Connector is available that allows the two apps to communicate, priced at $200.

Income and expenses 

With QuickBooks, your banking and credit card details sync seamlessly, streamlining income tracking. If a client settles a bill through QuickBooks Payments, that's immediately logged. 

Beyond that, QuickBooks analyzes expenses, suggests categorizations, and even divides costs. You can tie expenses to specific projects or clients, deem them billable, and snap and attach receipt photos using your mobile.

On the other hand, Odoo lays down fundamental accounting tools, starting with consolidating all your bank accounts. This centralized view lets you oversee bills and expenses effectively and even provides insights into potential future financial scenarios.

Winner: 

When diving deep into income and expense management, QuickBooks demonstrates a more robust capability in this category.

QuickBooks or Odoo for bank reconciliation 

Odoo and QuickBooks Online both provide bank reconciliation features. Reconciling accounts on either platform is straightforward and user-friendly. You can easily pick which accounts to reconcile and set the time frame. 

Whether you're aligning with a specific month or quarter, or doing monthly reconciliations, both tools cater to your needs.

Winner: 

When it comes to bank reconciliation, it's a tie. Both platforms excel in this aspect.

Payroll 

If you need payroll, QuickBooks is a better option. Intuit offers a separate payroll service, named QuickBooks Payroll, with three plans ranging from $45 to $125 monthly. 

On the other hand, Odoo doesn't come with a built-in payroll feature.

Winner: 

For payroll needs, QuickBooks takes the lead as Odoo lacks a payroll feature. 

Taxes 

When it comes to managing taxes, both QuickBooks and Odoo have their strengths. QuickBooks allows you to track sales tax, prepare for tax season, and even generate essential tax forms like W-2s and 1099s. It also offers various reports to help you navigate your tax situation.

On the other hand, Odoo boasts a versatile tax engine, accommodating different tax computations. It ensures you get tax reports tailored to your country's requirements. Plus, their tax audit report offers a detailed breakdown, so you're clear on how calculations are made.

Winner: 

Both have robust tax features, but QuickBooks edges out slightly with its direct tax form generation.

Inventory management 

When it comes to inventory management, both QuickBooks and Odoo offer compelling solutions. 

QuickBooks lets you track inventory, monitor cost of goods, and even alerts you about low stock levels. It even goes beyond, allowing you to create purchase orders, manage vendors, and sync inventory with platforms like Amazon and Shopify.

Odoo Inventory, however, is tailored for comprehensive warehouse management. While it's a standalone app, it's integrated with Odoo PoS and Odoo Manufacturing. It's designed to manage your MRP (materials requirement planning) process. 

But keep in mind that this feature doesn't come with the basic Odoo Accounting module.

Winner: 

Your choice depends on your specific needs. If you want inventory management built into your accounting software, QuickBooks is your pick. But if you don't mind a separate module, Odoo's inventory app shines.

Is Odoo better than QuickBooks? Our conclusion

After reviewing both QuickBooks and Odoo, it's clear that each has its pros and cons. QuickBooks, scoring 58 points, slightly leads Odoo, which has a rating of 55 points.

If you're leaning towards a cost-effective option or appreciate the adaptability of open-source software, Odoo might be a fit. 

However, if you're in search of a proprietary software solution with a broader feature set, especially payroll services or a wide variety of payment gateways, QuickBooks could be more suitable.

Remember, it's all about what best aligns with your business needs. And if you're curious about other options, explore our list of best accounting software to see how these two contenders compare to others in the market.

Good luck with your choice!