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QuickBooks v Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central Comparison

4 min read

Phoebe Adshead
Phoebe Adshead key responsibilities lie in marketing; ensuring that businesses are aware of the products, services and expertise available from The HBP Group.

Accounting software allows for simple, fast data entry and retrieval, fewer human errors and the automation of many business processes. Most businesses have online accounting systems, with many opting for cloud hosting now given its easy access and added security. But now, businesses are wanting more from their accounting software and choosing the right one for your business should be a carefully thought out decision.

Here’s our verdict of when to choose QuickBooks versus Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, alongside a comparison of the different features, usability, reporting, integration capabilities and costs.

About QuickBooks & Business Central

QuickBooks
With QuickBooks, you can manage your finances in real time on their platform. Automate your books, know where you stand financially, submit your taxes, get paid and manage your employees.

  • Invoicing – track your invoices and keep cash flowing for easy payment. Create and send invoices on the spot.
  • Forecasting – look 90 days ahead with a cash flow forecaster and access dashboards/reports to help manage finances.
  • Transactions – take control of cash flow and see all of your bank and credit card transactions in one place.
  • Expenses – capture receipts and mileage for expenses and upload receipts from anywhere: mobile, tablet and desktop.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

A single, comprehensive solution that drives predictive insights and consistent reporting and allows you to make smarter decisions faster. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central provides powerful accounting and supply chain management functionality to small and medium-sized businesses.

  • A complete ERP solution without different sections or modules – manage financials, sales, service, and operations in one place.
  • In the cloud – you can securely access any of your data in real-time through any device with the internet; mobile, tablet and desktop.
  • Powerful reporting – easy reporting on essential business operations, such as trends, profits and sales with graphs and reports.
  • Full integration capabilities – create quotes, process orders and submit invoices without leaving Outlook AND access live data from Excel.

Key Features of QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Depending on what your business needs from your accounting software, the key features you require will vary depending on those needs. Here are some of the key features for both QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Access & Usability

QuickBooks Access & Usability

Invoicing

QuickBooks Invoicing

Expenses & Bills

QuickBooks Expenses & Bills

Reporting Capabiliites

QuickBooks Reporting

Integration & Add-Ons

QuickBooks Integration & Add-ons

Price Comparison 

Prices accurate as of 2022.

QuickBooks Price Comparison

When to Choose QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Both QuickBooks and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central are excellent accounting systems when it comes to easily managing bills, expenses, data capture and the quote-to-cash process. But, which one to choose comes down to whether you are looking for some basic accounting functions or whether you are seeking a more robust ERP that can drive sales and growth with powerful reporting and a multitude of functions.

Here’s a quick summary of when to choose QuickBooks versus Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central:

When to Choose QuickBooks

  • You want a low price point
  • You have a small Accounts team or a small number of total employees/transactions
  • You only need some reporting functionality to understand high-level information
  • You’re looking for basic accounting features and are aware that some features will require add-ons

When to Choose Business Central

  • You want a platform that can connect not only accounts but sales, service, finance and operations
  • You need powerful integration capabilities to streamline business process
  • Powerful reporting from the Dashboard, without the need to run individual reports
  • Personalisation is made easy without the need to pay for bespoke development