How to Compare Peachtree vs. QuickBooks

If you are considering accounting software, there are two major brands you may wish to consider: Peachtree and QuickBooks. Each has its strengths and weaknesses and you will have to determine which will be best for you.

Instructions

1. Decide what your main needs are. Are you managing a large operation with payroll and invoicing for hundreds or thousands at a time? Or do you just want to track your small business' profitability?

2. Take into account who will be using the software. If you are going to be sharing data and working with a lot of people on a particular project, you need a system that is more user-friendly. Also take into account what your customers and clients prefer to use.

3. Consider what you will need. If you are a techno-geek, you will gladly deal with a more complicated system in exchange for more features and computing power. Otherwise you might prefer a simpler accounting program that will not take you long to learn.

4. Sit down and run a few typical actions on each system and see which one gives you the quickest, easiest and clearest results. Often QuickBooks is touted to be more intuitive, but Peachtree is touted to have better import and export functionality. Again decide what features are most important to you.

5. Ask your certified public account, lawyer or tax preparer what she would recommend. She knows what your business consists of and what features you need to keep on track.

Tips & Warnings

• See if you can get a trial program of both types of software. This will give you a chance to try out both options before you commit.

• Don't get caught up in thinking that you have to choose between the two giants. If your business is very small and uncomplicated, a simpler program such as Quicken or even Excel may serve your needs just fine. You may not want to invest a lot of money into accounting software until you really need it.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Peachtree: Accounting Software
• Intuit Software: QuickBooks