When comparing QuickBooks vs GnuCash, the Slant community recommends GnuCash for most people. In the question“What are the best services to manage finances in a small business?” GnuCash is ranked 1st while QuickBooks is ranked 2nd. The most important reason people chose GnuCash is:
GnuCash supports Linux, OSX and Windows and is also free on those platforms.
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Easy-to-use UI
Pro Great payroll support
Pro Highly customizable Report Templates
Pro Multi-platform and free
GnuCash supports Linux, OSX and Windows and is also free on those platforms.
Pro Double entry accounting
By fully using the double entry accounting features in GnuCash, you can know (for example) not only that you spent $25 at Hugemart but that you spent $13 on groceries, $2 on disinfecting wipes, and $5 on motor oil. Later on, you can use data from that transaction and others to find out how much you're spending each month on food, home supplies, and car maintenance, along with other expense categories.
Pro Investment support
Pro Small business accounting
Pro Auto backup
GnuCash has auto backup settings so users can set it and forget it.
Pro Easily set up
GnuCash walks the user through setting up their accounts making setup extremely easy for new users.
Cons
Con Does not support multiple currencies
Con Report customization is complex and difficult
Setting the options for existing reports requires use of a multi-tab interface with poor usability. Creating new reports requires programming that will be beyond the abilities (or desire to spend time and effort) of many users.
Con Double entry accounting may be confusing or difficult for non business owners
For those that are unfamiliar with double entry bookkeeping it may be difficult to understand making using GnuCash a bit confusing on how it works.