NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Which is Best for You?

Sales are booming, orders are rolling in, and your business is growing — but behind the scenes, managing finances and inventory feels like a constant battle. Spreadsheets get messy, receipts get lost, and come tax season, nothing is where it should be.

The right software can change everything.

Oracle NetSuite and QuickBooks are two of the most popular solutions for streamlining business operations that serve different needs. One is a full-scale ERP designed for complex operations, while the other provides a robust inventory accounting system with seamless integrations.

While both have their strengths, QuickBooks users can take their inventory management to the next level with Fishbowl. By integrating seamlessly with QuickBooks, Fishbowl fills the gaps between inventory control and accounting, helping businesses operate with greater accuracy and efficiency — without an ERP’s hefty price tag.

Which solution is best for you? Let’s compare NetSuite vs. QuickBooks to find out.

Oracle NetSuite: An overview

For businesses managing invoices, payroll, and inventory, the right accounting software can make all the difference. While QuickBooks is the go-to for many, some companies look at NetSuite when they need a full ERP system with more advanced capabilities. But is it right for you?

How Oracle NetSuite works

Unlike QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Enterprise, which focuses primarily on accounting, NetSuite supports financial management, order management, and inventory control in one single platform. This makes it appealing to larger companies with complex operations — but it also means it has a steeper learning curve and higher pricing than QuickBooks.

Key features of Oracle NetSuite

• Monitor Accounting and finance: NetSuite tracks income and expenses, automates accounts payable, and provides insights into cash flow.
• Track inventory and order management: Control inventory and streamline order management, for large stock volumes especially.
• Manage payroll and invoicing: Access tools for payroll processing, managing credit card accounts, and sending invoices.
• Access customization and integrations: Work with third-party cloud-based tools that can be tailored to different industries.

Who should use Oracle NetSuite?

While NetSuite is a robust ERP solution, it’s not the best fit for every business. It’s complicated, and the software’s advanced functions might overwhelm many small and growing businesses. Plus, NetSuite doesn’t integrate with as many outside platforms as QuickBooks does, so you might need to transition away from most tools that you’re currently using. 

QuickBooks, although focused on accounting, remains the preferred choice for small businesses. It offers ease of use, transparent pricing, and the flexibility to scale without the complexity of an enterprise system.

And, for those needing advanced inventory management features without a complete ERP, consider comparing Fishbowl to NetSuite. Fishbowl integrates seamlessly with QuickBooks, giving businesses robust inventory control and access to financial data without requiring the switch to a costly ERP.

Understanding QuickBooks

Running a business means juggling a million things — tracking income and expenses, managing payroll, and ensuring invoices get paid. It’s easy to get overwhelmed without the right tools. QuickBooks helps simplify financial management, giving businesses a clear view of their numbers and keeping operations on track.

How QuickBooks works

Whether you choose QuickBooks Online (a cloud-based option) or QuickBooks Desktop, the software is built to handle essential accounting tasks:

• Track income and expenses: Sync with credit card accounts and bank feeds to monitor cash flow in real time.
• Send invoices and get paid faster: Create professional invoices, automate reminders, and accept payments all in one place.
• Manage payroll: Process salaries, handle tax filings, and ensure compliance with ease.
• Stay on top of taxes: Generate reports that make tax season less stressful.
• Keep inventory in check: Track stock levels, manage vendors, and streamline order management.

Key features of QuickBooks

• Multiple versions: From QuickBooks Online Advanced to QuickBooks Enterprise, there are a variety of solutions businesses can choose from to meet their needs.
• Integrations: Works with apps like Fishbowl for advanced inventory control, vendor management, and lean manufacturing.
• User-friendly dashboard: Provides a clear, organized view of financial data, making it easy to use — even for those without an accounting background.

Who should use QuickBooks?

For small businesses and growing companies, QuickBooks is a practical choice. It’s affordable — especially when comparing QuickBooks to NetSuite’s cost per month — and covers the essentials, from cash flow tracking to order management.

Businesses that need inventory control, but aren’t looking for a full ERP like NetSuite, can enhance QuickBooks with Fishbowl, an advanced inventory management solution that integrates seamlessly with the accounting software. This combination provides powerful inventory tracking without the complexity or pricing of a full-scale enterprise system.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: A comparison breakdown

When deciding between NetSuite vs. QuickBooks, your business’s needs will determine which is the better fit. From scalability to inventory management and beyond, let’s break down how these two software options stack up in key areas.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Scalability

QuickBooks 

If you’re a small to mid-sized business, QuickBooks can easily grow with you. It offers various pricing plans that scale depending on your needs, and you can easily upgrade your plan as your business grows. QuickBooks Online Plus, for example, allows up to five users and offers features like project tracking and inventory management. 

NetSuite

NetSuite is built for larger organizations and businesses with more complex needs. As a full ERP system, it integrates finance, operations, inventory, and more, making it an excellent choice for businesses anticipating rapid growth or those already dealing with larger, multifaceted operations. NetSuite’s scalability allows it to handle everything from financial management to order fulfillment.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Cost

QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers a range of pricing plans, making it accessible to small businesses and startups:

• Simple Start: $35/month (for a single user)
• Essentials: $65/month (for up to three users)
• Plus: $99/month (for up to five users)
• Advanced: $235/month (for up to 25 users)

The QuickBooks Basic Price gives you an entry-level solution at an affordable rate. You’ll also find that QuickBooks is great for managing invoicing, expenses, and payroll without overwhelming your budget. Plus, the ability to integrate with other tools, like Fishbowl, can add more advanced functionality when you need it.

NetSuite

NetSuite is priced higher than QuickBooks as it is a more comprehensive ERP solution. Pricing seems to start at around $999 per month, but this can vary based on your business size, the specific modules you need, and the number of users involved. NetSuite’s pricing often involves customizations and integrations, so businesses looking for more tailored solutions should expect to pay more, especially during the initial setup phase.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Ease of use

QuickBooks 

One of the standout features of QuickBooks is its ease of use. Designed with small businesses in mind, QuickBooks is straightforward and doesn’t require accounting expertise to get started. Whether you’re invoicing, tracking expenses, or managing payroll, the interface is clean, and the learning curve is minimal.

NetSuite

While NetSuite is powerful, it can be more challenging to navigate, especially for those unfamiliar with full ERP systems. It offers more features and customization options, but the tradeoff is a steeper learning curve. Businesses may need dedicated training to leverage the software fully. If you have complex business processes and need detailed reporting or multi-location capabilities, NetSuite may be worth the investment of time, money, and training.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Accounting features

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is known for its core accounting features, including invoicing, expense tracking, payroll management, and reporting. It covers all the essential tasks that small businesses need without being too overwhelming.

NetSuite

NetSuite takes accounting to the next level with advanced functionalities like multi-entity support, financial consolidation, and customizable reporting. If your business has global operations, multi-currency requirements, or needs to automate complex revenue recognition, NetSuite can handle it. 

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Inventory management

QuickBooks

With QuickBooks Online Plus and above, you get basic inventory tracking features, like keeping track of stock levels, managing purchase orders, and generating inventory reports. For small businesses just starting with inventory management, this should be enough. If you need advanced features, QuickBooks integrates seamlessly with Fishbowl, providing sophisticated inventory management capabilities.

NetSuite

NetSuite offers real-time tracking, multi-location inventory management, and detailed reporting. If your business involves complex supply chains, multiple warehouses, or global inventory needs, NetSuite is designed to handle it all. The advanced features, however, come at a price, which might be overkill for businesses with simpler inventory needs.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Customization

QuickBooks

Customization in QuickBooks is relatively limited compared to NetSuite. You can modify invoices, reports, and dashboards, but deeper customization is only available in higher-tier plans. If you’re a small business with standard needs, this won’t be a dealbreaker, but if you have a specific workflow in mind, NetSuite might be the better choice.

NetSuite

NetSuite is highly customizable, allowing businesses to tailor workflows, dashboards, and even financial reports to their specific needs. This level of customization is ideal for larger organizations or those with unique business processes, but it may require more upfront effort and expertise to set up.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Integration capabilities

QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers many integration options with third-party tools, including CRM systems, payment gateways, and advanced inventory management software like Fishbowl. This makes it a great option for businesses that rely on specialized software.

NetSuite

NetSuite provides several integration options as part of its ERP system, allowing connections with tools for HR, CRM, supply chain, and more. For larger businesses that need an integrated solution across departments, NetSuite’s integration capabilities make it a standout.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Cloud accessibility

QuickBooks

Both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop offer cloud-based solutions. With QuickBooks Online, you can access your data from anywhere, at any time, making it a good choice for businesses that need remote access or want the flexibility to manage their finances on the go.

NetSuite

NetSuite is entirely cloud-based, meaning you can access your business data anytime, from anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This makes it a great choice for companies with multiple locations or remote teams.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Support and training

QuickBooks

QuickBooks offers solid customer support through online chat, phone, and community forums. For more in-depth support or training, you’ll need to sign up for additional services. Training resources, including tutorials and webinars, are available to help users get the most out of the software.

NetSuite

NetSuite offers premium support options, including dedicated account managers, but support comes with expensive plans. There are also extensive training materials and resources, but again, these may come at an additional cost.

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Feature comparison

NetSuite vs. QuickBooks: Which is the better choice?

For most small to mid-sized businesses, QuickBooks is the better option due to its affordability, ease of use, and strong accounting features. It provides invoicing, payroll, expense tracking, and reporting without the complexity of a full ERP system like NetSuite.

Enhancing QuickBooks with Fishbowl

For businesses needing advanced inventory management, QuickBooks integrates seamlessly with Fishbowl, unlocking robust capabilities like:

• Real-time inventory tracking
• Multi-location management
• Automated purchase orders
• Advanced manufacturing capabilities, like production scheduling and multilevel BOMs
• Barcode scanning and order fulfillment

If you’re a fast-growing mid-sized business or a large enterprise with complex needs, NetSuite may be a worthwhile investment. However, for small to mid-sized businesses looking for an affordable, scalable, and user-friendly solution, QuickBooks — especially when paired with Fishbowl — offers the best value.

Let Fishbowl optimize your QuickBooks experience

Unlock the full potential of your QuickBooks by integrating it with Fishbowl. This powerful combination bridges the gap between accounting and inventory management, offering a seamless solution that streamlines operations, reduces manual work, and improves efficiency.

Don’t settle for basic functionality. Level up your business operations with complete control over your finances and inventory. Book a demo of Fishbowl today to see how this integration drives better results for your business!

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