NetSuite is a comprehensive cloud-based ERP system designed for mid-to-large enterprises with complex multi-currency and multi-subsidiary needs, while QuickBooks is an accounting-focused solution optimized for small-to-medium businesses seeking ease of use and affordability.
QuickBooks vs NetSuite — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Enterprise-grade cloud accounting platform with extensive integrations, advanced reporting, and native payroll capabilities.
Cloud-native, enterprise ERP platform with advanced analytics and global capabilities.
Target Market. Base Annual Cost. Multi-Subsidiary Management. Multi-Currency Support. Inventory Management. Customization Capability. Implementation Time
Choose QuickBooks if you run a small-to-medium business seeking quick deployment, intuitive accounting features, and lower costs with minimal customization needs. Choose NetSuite if you manage multiple subsidiaries, operate globally with complex currency requirements, need advanced inventory and financial controls, and have the budget and resources for a comprehensive ERP implementation.
QuickBooks Online: $30 (Simple Start) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 3+ (scalable) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Yes, included | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Phone, chat, and expert-assisted | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Yes (Advanced plan) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Available via add-ons | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Enhanced 2026 features | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Limited (separate subscriptions) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Limited USD focus | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 25 users | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Strong integration | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Deepest in market | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Free (QBO Accountant) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Industry-leading recommendation | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Unlimited per plan tier | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Unlimited | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Available in higher tiers | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Advanced (Intuit Intelligence, Tax AI beta, batch processing) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Supported with advanced workflows | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Built-in | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 4.5/5 | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 1 user | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: No (add-on $10/user/month) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Limited/Premium plans only | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 1-2 hours | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: iOS, Android (full-featured) | NetSuite: iOS, Android (view-only or limited)
QuickBooks Online: $540/year | NetSuite: $4,000/year
QuickBooks Online: Multiple (Online Plus+) | NetSuite: 193 currencies
QuickBooks Online: Single entity focus | NetSuite: Unlimited
QuickBooks Online: 2-4 weeks | NetSuite: 12-24 weeks
QuickBooks Online: Up to 500 SKUs | NetSuite: Unlimited
QuickBooks Online: Unlimited | NetSuite: Included (additional $200/user)
QuickBooks Online: $30/month | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: No (14-day trial only) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Single currency per company | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 10,000+ banks | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 500+ via app marketplace | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 300,000+ certified | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: iOS & Android | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 50+ customizable reports | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Unlimited custom templates | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Advanced (recurring transactions, bill pay, expense automation) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Full accounting, reporting, and transaction management | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: $180-$2400 | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: $15/month | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 4.6 million | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 3 users (Essentials plan) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 500+ | NetSuite: 600+ apps
QuickBooks Online: Full invoicing + real-time sync | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 5 standard roles | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 3-5 days | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 99.9% | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 4.5M+ users | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 4.2/5 | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 1 (U.S. primary) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 160 (limited real-time conversion) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 10,000 | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 50 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm ET) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Native (Payroll Plus plan included) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 3 users | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Automated (SmartMatch AI) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Included in plan | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 16,000+ global institutions | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 100+ customizable reports | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 4.6/5 (89,000 reviews) | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Limited: invoice viewing only | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: Yes, native QuickBooks Payroll | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: 5-7 days | NetSuite: N/A
QuickBooks Online: N/A | NetSuite: $99,000-$300,000
QuickBooks Online: N/A | NetSuite: 16-26 weeks
How to choose between QuickBooks Online and NetSuite
QuickBooks vs NetSuite — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for QuickBooks vs NetSuite. Contains 83 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
QuickBooks vs NetSuite — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for QuickBooks vs NetSuite.
Can I use QuickBooks for a multi-subsidiary company?
QuickBooks Online is designed for single-entity accounting. While you can create separate companies within your account, consolidation is manual and lacks automated inter-company accounting. NetSuite is the better choice for managing multiple subsidiaries with automated consolidation and inter-company transactions.
Is NetSuite worth the cost for a small business?
No. NetSuite's $4,000+ annual cost, plus 12-24 week implementation, 8-12 week training, and ongoing consulting needs make it unsuitable for businesses under 100 employees or those without complex multi-entity/multi-currency requirements. QuickBooks Online provides 80% of the functionality for 15% of the cost for SMBs.
Which software handles international operations better?
NetSuite is significantly superior for global operations. It natively supports 193 currencies with real-time rates, unlimited subsidiaries, and automatic consolidation across countries. QuickBooks Online only supports multi-currency in its Plus tier and lacks native multi-subsidiary consolidation, making manual workarounds necessary.
How long does it take to get QuickBooks vs NetSuite running?
QuickBooks Online is production-ready in 2-4 weeks with minimal customization. NetSuite typically requires 12-24 weeks for full implementation, plus 8-12 weeks of staff training. Choose QuickBooks for rapid deployment; choose NetSuite only if you can invest the time.
Can I upgrade from QuickBooks to NetSuite later?
Yes, and migration is relatively straightforward since NetSuite can ingest QuickBooks data through its migration tools. However, this is a significant step that should be planned for when your business grows beyond QuickBooks' 500 SKU and single-entity limitations, typically at 100+ employees or $10M+ revenue.
How to Choose Between QuickBooks Online and NetSuite
Target Market: QuickBooks Online has Small to mid-sized businesses (1-100 employees), while NetSuite has Mid-market to enterprise (100+ employees).
Base Annual Cost: QuickBooks Online has $540 - $1,620 USD, while NetSuite has $4,000 - $10,000+ USD.
Multi-Subsidiary Management: QuickBooks Online has Limited; single entity focus, while NetSuite has Native support for unlimited subsidiaries.
Multi-Currency Support: QuickBooks Online has Supported in Online Plus tier only, while NetSuite has Unlimited currencies across all editions.
Inventory Management: QuickBooks Online has Basic features; limited real-time tracking, while NetSuite has Advanced lot/serial tracking and multi-location management.
Customization Capability: QuickBooks Online has Low; template-based configuration, while NetSuite has High; extensive API and custom field options.
Implementation Time: QuickBooks Online has 2-4 weeks for basic setup, while NetSuite has 3-6 months for full enterprise deployment.