Oracle’s NetSuite and Intuit’s QuickBooks Online are two popular accounting solutions. Tailored to midsize and larger businesses with multiple locations, NetSuite has CRM tools and many other integrated solutions.
However, it comes at a price—according to third-party sites, the base licensing fee starts at $999 monthly, and the user fee is $99 monthly. For 25 seats, that works out to $3,474 per month—as compared with $235 per month for QuickBooks Advanced, which also allows 25 users. Because of NetSuite’s complex offerings and high price tag, it isn’t a great fit for small businesses.
- NetSuite: Better for midsize and large businesses, especially international operations and those looking for an enterprise resource planning (ERP) tool
- QuickBooks Online: Optimal for most SMBs seeking access to assisted bookkeeping
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NetSuite vs QuickBooks Online: Quick Comparison
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly Pricing | Custom quote | $35 to $235 |
Billable Clients | Unlimited | 10,000 to 100,000 |
Maximum Number of Users | 999 | 25 |
Overall Ease of Use | Moderate | Easy |
Scalability | Excellent | Good |
Use Cases & Pros & Cons
NetSuite is software as a service (SaaS) that combines accounting and ERP programs, CRM tools, and ecommerce capabilities in a single packaged offering. With it, users from different departments, such as sales, accounting, and support, access customer information through a single record, eliminating data inconsistencies.
- Midsize and large businesses, manufacturers, and companies with complex needs: If your business has a need for inventory management other than the basic inventory tracking features that QuickBooks Online offers, NetSuite provides an efficient solution.
- Businesses seeking automation solutions: As part of its robust ERP offering, NetSuite offers an intuitive cloud-based financial management system that allows businesses to track their financial data and automate many essential accounting functions. If your business wants to expedite its A/R and A/P and accelerate deal closings, NetSuite is worth considering.
- Businesses that want an all-in-one solution: In addition to its accounting software, it offers a full suite of powerful business management features, including the ability to keep up with financial compliance obligations. This makes it an ideal accounting tool for businesses looking for an all-in-one solution.
Pros
- Has strong inventory management
- Can consolidate multiple entities
- Offers access to a full suite of business management features
Cons
- Lacks transparent pricing
- Is not suitable for freelancers or small businesses with basic needs
- Can have a steep learning curve
Consistently, we have selected QuickBooks Online, a cloud-based platform, as the best small business accounting software because of its flexibility, ease of use, and robust features, which include a mobile app and add-ons like payroll and time tracking.
- Property management companies: QuickBooks Online’s Plus and Advanced tiers offer class and location tracking features that allow property management companies to separate net profit by type of property and location, making it our leading real estate accounting software.
- Businesses working on the road: Its mobile app includes nearly all of the functions available with the desktop interface, plus mileage tracking and receipt capture. This is why it landed a spot in our roundup of the top-recommended mobile accounting apps.
- Freelancers and small businesses that invoice clients: QuickBooks Online has a powerful set of invoicing features with the ability to customize invoices for any industry. It even lets you apply sales tax automatically to any industry and customize forms, such as adding a logo to your invoice, which makes it our best invoicing software.
- Businesses with independent contractors: If your business works with 1099 contractors, you can track 1099 payments and process 1099s from within the software. This is useful for year-end tax filing.
Pros
- Is very affordable for midsize businesses
- Tracks income and expenses by class and location
- Provides a robust mobile app
- Has strong project accounting features
Cons
- Lacks CRM features
- Limits users to a maximum of 25
- Is unable to consolidate multiple entities
- Simple expense tracking: If you are looking for accounting software to track your expenses but don’t require the more advanced features that QuickBooks Online and NetSuite offer, I suggest looking into FreshBooks. Not only is it more affordable than both of those platforms, but it also has beautiful invoices and great time-tracking features, which can be useful for freelancers. You can learn more by reading our review of FreshBooks.
- Contractors seeking a lightweight ERP: Sage100 Contractor is a great alternative to QuickBooks Online and NetSuite because it gives you access to basic ERP features, such as automation, job orders, data analysis, and inventory management. It also lets you collect, store, manage, and analyze data so that you can make informed decisions. Check out our Sage100 Contractor review for more on its features.
- Nonprofit organizations: Nonprofits have special needs that neither QuickBooks nor NetSuite can accommodate. I recommend Aplos, which was selected as our overall best nonprofit accounting software. This is because it provides end-to-end solutions for managing donors and members, including a built-in website builder and the ability to accept donations via text. Read our review of Aplos to determine if it’s a fit for your business.
User Reviews: Tie
| | |
|---|---|---|
Average Rating on Third-party Sites | ||
Users Like | Software functions as a comprehensive business platform Easy to collaborate with team members Dashboard indicators help with decision-making | User-friendly invoicing and payment processing Robust mobile app Easy to set up and use |
Users Dislike | Outdated UI Customizing certain features can be difficult Issues with setting up workflows | Can be expensive for very small businesses Difficult to contact customer support |
Both NetSuite and QuickBooks Online received mostly positive reviews, and their average scores are almost exactly the same. Therefore, I called this category a tie.
One satisfied user shared that NetSuite provides very good customer support and fantastic value for the price. Others commented on its user-friendliness and flexibility, as well as the ability to customize reports that are updated in real time. I commend NetSuite’s comprehensiveness as an all-in-one ERP software.
On the downside, some users have experienced issues with its implementation process, while others felt that it is easy to make mistakes if you’re unfamiliar with the software.
As of this writing, here’s how NetSuite is rated on top review websites:
QuickBooks Online receives high praise for its ease of use and customization options, especially with invoices and reports. One user commented on its ability to categorize bank transactions and expenses. I agree with others who feel that QuickBooks Online has many time-saving features, including recurring invoices and bank feeds.
On the other hand, one reviewer was critical of the fact that they were unable to manage multiple companies in a single account. Also, another shared that the program doesn’t have an “undo” button, so if you make a mistake, you have to know how to reverse or correct it. QuickBooks Online’s customer support could also be improved, as I have also encountered issues with being routed to the correct person who can help me.
QuickBooks Online earned the following average scores on popular review sites:
Pricing: QuickBooks Online Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly Pricing | Custom pricing; third-party sites report a starting price of around $999 per month |
|
Number of Users Included | 999 | 1 to 25 |
Billable Clients | Unlimited | 10,000 to 100,000 |
QuickBooks Online offers five monthly subscription plans that range from $35 for one user and basic features to $235 for up to 25 seats and more complex features. Its pricing is laid out with the functions available for each level. To learn more about the differences, check out our QuickBooks Online plans comparison. Payroll and Live Bookkeeping are optional services that are available for an additional fee.
Meanwhile, NetSuite’s pricing must be obtained with a customized quote based on the size of your business, annual revenue, and the various modules that will be used. NetSuite is much more expensive than QuickBooks Online but targets larger companies seeking a complete ERP system vs only accounting software.
According to Better Buys, NetSuite’s base price is $999 a month plus $99 monthly per user. This is much more expensive than QuickBooks Online, which I selected as the winner in this category.
Features: NetSuite Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
Platform | Web browser | Web browser |
Track & Categorize Spending by Class and Location | ✓ | ✓ |
Double-entry Bookkeeping | ✓ | ✓ |
Track Unpaid Bills | ✓ | ✓ |
Track Time & Mileage | ✓ | ✓ |
Track Fixed Asset Purchases | ✓ | ✓ |
Send Estimates | ✓ | ✓ |
Collaboration Tools | ✓ | ✕ |
Global Accounting & Consolidation | ✓ | ✕ |
Consolidated Financial Statements | ✓ | ✕ |
Audit & Compliance Reporting | ✓ | ✕ |
View Customer History | ✓ | ✕ |
✓ | ✕ | |
Multiple Entities | ✓ | ✕ |
Connect Bank Accounts | ✓ | ✓ |
Job Costing | ✓ | ✓ |
Customization Options | ✓ | ✓ |
Generate W-2s for Employees | ✓ | With QuickBooks Payroll |
Both NetSuite and QuickBooks excel in the realm of bookkeeping, but what distinguishes NetSuite as the leader in this category is its additional functionality, such as ERP, consolidations, and integrations. It also does the following:
- lets you manage your A/R and A/P
- integrates with your financial institutions
- allows multiple users
- provides strong business management features, such as global accounting and consolidation, audit and compliance reporting, and consolidated financial statements
- offers an extensive catalog of reports, including parent and subsidiary reports that can be viewed in the home currency or the currency where the subsidiary is located
- has built-in technology that gives you access to over 75 KPIs that are customizable to each employee’s dashboard, such as sales, open balances, and receivable turnover for a collections specialist.
Its inventory management offerings are also more complex than QuickBooks Online’s, making it ideal for manufacturing and product businesses. While both platforms allow you to track fixed asset purchases, NetSuite has a dedicated module that tracks the asset value, depreciation expense, and useful life of an item.
That is a great feature because with QuickBooks Online, you need to calculate depreciation expenses outside of the software and record them as a journal entry manually. However, QuickBooks Online has many useful tools for project accounting, like the ability to classify transactions by location and class, and time and expense tracking.
Ease of Use: Tie
| | |
|---|---|---|
Overall Ease of Use | Moderate | Easy |
Online Help Section | ✓ | ✓ |
User-friendly Dashboard | ✓ | ✓ |
NetSuite and QuickBooks Online have extensive dashboards that provide a lot of information and reports, such as A/R Aging and Cash Flow. Both also allow you to set privileges to determine what information users have access to.
However, NetSuite is more advanced and can be a bit intimidating to new users. Its ability to track KPIs and view trends over a specified period makes it a more attractive option than QuickBooks Online, which only offers those with its Advanced plan. It is for this reason that I determined a tie for this category.
View of NetSuite dashboard (Source: NetSuite)
- Reminders: This list shows action items that require attention, such as bills to pay or journals to approve.
- Accounting Manager: View shortcuts to your A/P and A/R aging reports, as well as your trial balance and journal entries.
- KPI Meter: Add up to three KPI Meters to your dashboard. Each meter visually represents data for one KPI that is displayed in the dashboard’s Key Performance Indicators portlet.
- Key Performance Indicators: This looks at your income, profit, expenses, A/Rs, A/Ps, sales, sales orders, and your bank balance over a specific period. It also shows the percent change for each, allowing you to monitor the financial health of your business.
- Navigation Shortcut Group: Find shortcuts to different functions here, such as account setup, master data, and transactions.
- A/R Aging – Graph: View a customizable graph of your accounts receivable aging report.
- Weekly Cash Projection: Your weekly cash projection is shown here, with columns for payments due, A/R cash received, A/P owed, and cash paid.
The QuickBooks Online Dashboard is similar to NetSuite’s in that it provides access to quite a bit of information on the initial home screen. You’ll notice that the layout for each differs, and QuickBooks Online isn’t as cluttered. It gives you access to your account balances, income and expense reports, and graphs that illustrate the financial health of your business.
View of QuickBooks Online Dashboard
- Left Navigation Bar: Each of these tabs will take you to a different function, such as invoicing customers, generating reports, and tracking projects.
- Shortcuts: This section contains shortcuts to common functions, such as recording expenses, adding bank deposits, and creating checks.
- Tasks: Stay organized by keeping track of tasks like paying overdue bills or categorizing transactions.
- Bank Accounts: View a summary of your bank balances here. Both your bank and QuickBooks balances can be accessed once you connect your online bank and credit card accounts.
- Cash Flow Trend: View a summary of your money in and out broken down by month in graph format.
- Profit and Loss: Generate a customizable P&L statement in this section.
Assisted Bookkeeping: QuickBooks Online Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
Monthly Cost | ✕ | Starts at $300 |
Service Frequency | ✕ | Monthly |
Monthly Reports | ✕ | ✓ |
Day-to-day Bookkeeping | ✕ | ✕ |
QuickBooks users looking for bookkeeping support will find it with QuickBooks Live, which matches you with a dedicated virtual bookkeeper. While the service excludes some of the day-to-day bookkeeping tasks—such as A/R, A/P, invoicing customers, and inventory management—it reviews your bank feeds, generates monthly financial reports, and offers video calls that allow you to ask questions and analyze report data.
One of its most attractive features is its 100% Accurate Books Guarantee, and for more information on the service, read our review of QuickBooks Live. QuickBooks Online came out at the top in my assessment because NetSuite users will likely have to rely on outside bookkeeping firms for assistance. One such firm is Cogneesol, which provides end-to-end accounting services on the NetSuite accounting software.
These include A/R, A/P, tax preparation, and extensive reporting. Cogneesol also supports other modules, such as purchasing and vendor management, fixed asset management, and inventory control. Because each business’ needs vary depending on the modules used, a customized quote is provided upon request.
Integrations: Tie
| | |
|---|---|---|
Built-in Integrations | ✓ | ✓ |
Number of Integrations | Unknown | 750+ |
Because NetSuite is integrated from end to end, it reduces the need to connect ERP, CRM, and ecommerce applications. It even offers additional solutions by teaming up with third-party integration providers to create SuiteCloud Connect, a series of packaged solutions for integrating with leading enterprise applications and systems like Salesforce SAP, Oracle, and Google Apps. NetSuite also offers training courses and consulting services for users requiring assistance and support with integration projects.
QuickBooks Online, on the other hand, has integrations with over 750 business apps. It also has a few built-in integrations, which can be accessed from within the platform. Our guide to the best QuickBooks Online integrations for small businesses provides insight into our recommendations.
Here are some third-party integrations for QuickBooks Online:
- Customer management: Insightly, Method CRM, WORKetc, and Aero Workflow
- Inventory management: Shopify, Erplain, TradeGecko, and SOS Inventory
- Budgeting/forecasting: Budgeto, Fathom, Qvinci, and Cash Flow Frog
- Payroll: Gusto, Square Payroll, Wagepoint, and RUN Powered by ADP
- Ecommerce: Freedom Merchants, Stripe by Connex, and PayTraQer
- Sync data: ReceiptBank, Plooto, Hubdoc, and AutoEntry
Mobile App: Tie
| | |
|---|---|---|
Accessibility | iOS and Android | iOS and Android |
GPS Mileage Tracking | ✕ | ✓ |
Scan Receipts | ✕ | ✓ |
Receive Payments | ✕ | ✓ |
Invoice Customers | ✕ | ✓ |
Report Expenses | ✓ | ✓ |
Call Logging | ✓ | ✕ |
Time Tracking | ✓ | With QuickBooks Time integration |
I found that this category was too close to call, so I declared it a tie. While both offer powerful mobile apps, NetSuite’s stands out with its more extensive UI that features KPIs and strong report customization options. It also has easy expense reporting, call logging, and time tracking. Available for both iOS and Android, it is designed with key workflows and supports push notifications for time-sensitive actions.
It even provides instant access to saved searches and the ability to customize reports by adding fields, grouping levels, and customizing formulas. It is, understandably, missing some of the basic bookkeeping features like receiving payments and invoicing customers. The larger businesses targeted by NetSuite have full-time accounting personnel who will handle these tasks in the office.
QuickBooks, on the other hand, allows busy DIY owners to invoice and record payments while on the go. It also offers a robust mobile app for both iOS and Android users, with the ability to record expenses, invoice customers, enter transitions, and send reports. It even turns your phone into a receipt scanner, which will record the billable expense in your books and attach your receipt to the invoice for reimbursement. If you’re an Android user, you can send an invoice via WhatsApp—and when a customer views or pays it, you’ll receive an instant notification.
Customer Support: NetSuite Wins
| | |
|---|---|---|
24/7 Support | ✓ | ✕ |
Community Support | ✓ | ✓ |
Email Support | ✓ | ✓ |
Live Chat Support | ✓ | ✓ |
Phone Support | ✓ | ✓ |
Searchable Knowledgebase | ✓ | ✓ |
In addition to extensive knowledge bases, NetSuite and QuickBooks offer live support options for their customers via phone and chat. Both also have substantial help resources that include free access to community forums, video tutorials, and webinars. However, whereas NetSuite’s customer support is offered 24/7, QuickBooks’ phone support is limited to regular business hours. Therefore, I called NetSuite the winner of this category.
All NetSuite subscriptions include Basic Support, with Premium and Advanced Support available to meet additional requirements. Each provides specific service levels and capabilities, from online case submissions to performance monitoring. Another option for QuickBooks users is to find a QuickBooks ProAdvisor or consider signing up for QuickBooks Live, which provides online bookkeeping support for an additional fee.
How I Evaluated NetSuite vs QuickBooks Online
Here’s a breakdown of the key factors I used when assessing how NetSuite compared with QuickBooks Online:
- Pricing: I checked how much the software costs and whether a free trial version is offered.
- Features: I looked at the features offered, including invoicing, banking and cash management, accounts payable, inventory management, online scheduling, and online contracts.
- Ease of use: I evaluated how easy it is to set up to use both tools, especially for users without extensive technical expertise. I also considered whether the dashboard contains shortcut buttons and other tools that make navigating more intuitive.
- Assisted bookkeeping: I checked whether the service was available and the extent of the services provided.
- Integrations: I researched the available integrations for each software and reviewed how easily they integrate.
- Mobile app functionality: I compared the mobile app functionality for each platform and checked whether apps are available for both iOS and Android users.
- Customer support: I looked into the available customer support options, such as phone, email, live chat, chatbot, and self-help resources. I also considered whether 24/7 support is available.
- User reviews: I reviewed customer feedback on popular third-party review websites.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
NetSuite is cloud-based ERP software that offers comprehensive financial management, CRM, ecommerce, and other business solutions best suited for midsize companies.
The best tier for your business depends on its size and the features it needs. Check out our comparison of QuickBooks Online plans to identify the best fit for your business.
Prices are custom-quoted and depend on factors like the number of users, the modules you need, and your specific requirements.
No, they are completely different products. While QuickBooks Online is cloud-based, QuickBooks Desktop is installed locally. For more information about the differences between the two, check out our QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Desktop comparison.
Bottom Line
QuickBooks Online is best suited for small businesses in a variety of industries, and its software is easy to use and scalable. While NetSuite has most integrations built into different modules, such as inventory management and bill payment, QuickBooks Online relies on its integrations with hundreds of third-party apps to achieve many of the same functions.
Because of its high price point, NetSuite isn’t well-suited for a small business. However, if your company is growing internationally and you anticipate needing an ERP platform to manage everything, it could be an excellent solution that sets you up for success.
[1]Software Advice | NetSuite
[2]G2 | NetSuite
[3]Capterra | QuickBooks Online
[4]G2 | QuickBooks Online