Comparison

A QuickBooks alternative for people who just need invoices

QuickBooks Online is full accounting software: the general ledger, bank feeds, payroll, tax, and invoicing as one module inside it. JupiterInvoice is the invoicing on its own, free, and built so the recipient can interact with the invoice.

Why JupiterInvoice exists

QuickBooks is built to be the financial system of record for a business. The books, the bank reconciliation, payroll, sales tax, reporting: that's the product. Invoicing is one drawer in a much larger filing cabinet.

If you send invoices and let an accountant handle the books, QuickBooks is a large, paid platform for a small part of your job. JupiterInvoice is just the invoicing. It's free, and the invoice is a shared document: the recipient adds the PO number, corrects the billing entity, forwards to AP, and approves, with every change versioned and revertable.

What QuickBooks does well

QuickBooks is the industry standard for small-business accounting, and for good reason:

  • Real double-entry accounting with bank feeds, reconciliation, and a full general ledger.
  • Payroll, automatic sales tax, and inventory tracking available as part of the platform.
  • Profit and loss, balance sheet, and tax-ready reporting that accountants everywhere already know.
  • A huge ecosystem of integrations and the widest accountant familiarity of any tool in the category.

Feature by feature

Feature JupiterInvoice QuickBooks
Recipient can add or edit PO number on the invoice Yes
Recipient can correct billing entity or address Yes
Two-way comment thread on the invoice Yes
Version history with one-click revert Yes
Anonymous invoice creation (no signup) Yes
Free tier with unlimited invoices Yes
General ledger and bank reconciliation Yes
Payroll Yes
Automatic sales tax calculation Yes
Built-in card and ACH payment Yes
Financial reports (profit and loss, balance sheet) Yes

Pricing

JupiterInvoice

Free

  • Unlimited invoices and recipients
  • Custom invoice numbering and multiple sender profiles included
  • No per-invoice fees
  • "Powered by" footer on invoices

QuickBooks

Tiered monthly subscription

  • Plans step up from Simple Start through Advanced
  • Payroll and payment processing are separate paid add-ons
  • See quickbooks.intuit.com for current pricing

Don't switch if...

  • You need real accounting: a general ledger, bank reconciliation, and tax-ready reports. JupiterInvoice is not accounting software.
  • You run payroll. QuickBooks handles it; JupiterInvoice does not.
  • You need automatic sales tax or VAT calculation on each transaction.
  • Your accountant requires QuickBooks, or you need inventory tracking.

We'd rather you stay where you are than switch and regret it.

Common questions about switching from QuickBooks

Can JupiterInvoice replace QuickBooks?
Only the invoicing part. QuickBooks is your books; JupiterInvoice is not accounting software. Many people keep QuickBooks for the ledger and send the actual invoices through JupiterInvoice.
What makes JupiterInvoice a good QuickBooks alternative?
QuickBooks treats the invoice as an accounting entry, not a document the client interacts with. There's no way for the recipient to add a PO number or fix a billing entity on the invoice itself, so that happens over email. JupiterInvoice puts that back-and-forth on the invoice and versions every change.
Is JupiterInvoice free?
Yes. Unlimited invoices and recipients, recipient editing, version history, and PDF export are all free. Each invoice carries a small 'Powered by JupiterInvoice' footer, and there are no per-invoice fees.
Does JupiterInvoice handle sales tax?
You can add tax lines to an invoice manually. It does not calculate tax rates automatically the way QuickBooks does. If per-transaction tax automation matters, QuickBooks is the better fit.
Can clients pay a JupiterInvoice invoice by card?
Not directly. The invoice records what is owed; the recipient pays using the method you put on the invoice, such as wire, ACH, or a payment link. QuickBooks has built-in card and ACH payment if that is essential.
Is there a migration path from QuickBooks?
Not automated. Existing customers and invoices can be re-entered manually, or imported via the API.

Try it on your next invoice

You don't need to leave QuickBooks. Send one invoice through JupiterInvoice and see how the collaboration changes the conversation.

Create your first invoice

No signup required. Build now, save later.