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By Ryland Beard, Founder of Ledge · Updated October 27, 2026
Ledge recommends Switchbooks for service businesses that mainly need bookkeeping and financial reports, QuickBooks Online when built-in invoicing or inventory is essential, Gusto for employee payroll, and Wave Starter for freelancers who need a free option.
Switchbooks costs $25 a month per company, with combined reporting included. Payroll is a separate purchase, and a franchisor’s software requirements may decide the choice for you. The table below shows the recommended plan, price, and limitation for each situation.
Disclosure: Ledge’s founder, Ryland Beard, also built Switchbooks.
These recommendations come from Ledge’s work with small businesses and franchise owners. As of October 27, 2026, we have migrated 159 client companies from QuickBooks to Switchbooks. We keep QuickBooks where it fits the client’s requirements.
Prices checked as of October 27, 2026. Prices are in US dollars and use regular monthly rates, before temporary promotions, taxes, and payment-processing fees. Payroll and other add-ons are separate unless stated.
Our recommendations at a glance
Gusto is a payroll recommendation. Its cost is in addition to the bookkeeping software you choose.
When we recommend Switchbooks
Switchbooks is our first choice for a service business that wants current books, clear reports, and help with recurring bookkeeping tasks. It is especially useful when an owner has several companies and needs to see them together.
The $25 monthly price per company includes combined reporting. Three companies cost $75 a month for the software; five cost $125. Each company keeps its own books.
See bookkeeping for multiple companies and LLCs for that setup, or the QuickBooks alternative comparison for the broader differences.
Switchbooks does not currently provide invoicing, run payroll, or track item-level inventory. Its combined reports also do not automatically remove transactions between your companies or convert currencies. Check those needs before switching.
If your companies will stay on QuickBooks, Ledge’s guide to combining multiple QuickBooks companies’ reports covers the reporting options.
When QuickBooks is the better fit
We recommend QuickBooks when a business relies on its invoicing, inventory, or required connections. Choose the plan for the work you need to do:
- Simple Start, $38 a month: includes invoicing. Sending many invoices does not, by itself, mean you need Advanced.
- Essentials, $85 a month: a better fit for a small team billing customers for time.
- Plus, $140 a month: adds inventory tracking. Check the fit separately if you have complex warehouse or manufacturing needs.
- Advanced, $340 a month: includes the Batch transactions workflow for creating and sending multiple invoices. Check whether Essentials’ invoice automation meets your needs before upgrading.
QuickBooks also has a limited Free plan with no accountant access. The paid plans above are the relevant comparison when you need a firm such as Ledge to work in your books.
Choose payroll and free tools with their limits in mind
We recommend Gusto for employee payroll. Choose Simple for one-state payroll or Plus when you need multi-state payroll. The monthly base fee and per-person charges are both part of the price.
Payroll software pays the team and handles payroll tax work. Bookkeeping software records the whole business. If you use Gusto with Switchbooks, the payroll results still need to be recorded and checked in the books.
Wave Starter is a reasonable starting point for a solo freelancer whose priority is a $0 subscription. Automatic bank imports and regular accountant access require Wave Pro, currently $19 a month. Online payment fees can apply on either plan.
Choose around the work your business needs
Start with your essential tasks: getting paid, paying employees, tracking products, and reviewing the numbers. Then check whether your accountant, franchisor, or other business software needs a particular connection.
A software subscription and a bookkeeping service are separate costs. Ledge’s bookkeeping services include doing the work and reviewing the financials in a system suited to the business.
Questions owners ask
What bookkeeping software does an accounting firm use?
Ledge has migrated 159 client companies from QuickBooks to Switchbooks as of October 27, 2026, and keeps QuickBooks where a client’s requirements call for it. We choose based on reporting needs, invoicing, inventory, and required connections. Our founder also built Switchbooks.
What’s the best bookkeeping software for multiple LLCs?
Ledge recommends Switchbooks when you want separate books for each LLC and combined financial reports. It costs $25 per company per month and includes combined P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reports. Automatic intercompany eliminations and currency conversion are not included.
What QuickBooks alternative does Ledge recommend?
Ledge recommends Switchbooks for service businesses that mainly need bookkeeping and financial reports. It costs $25 per company per month. Check other tools first if you need built-in invoicing, payroll processing, or item inventory tracking.
Should I keep QuickBooks if I send a lot of invoices?
QuickBooks is a good fit when invoicing is central to the business. Simple Start includes invoicing; Essentials adds time billing for a small team. Advanced includes the Batch transactions workflow, but compare Essentials’ invoice automation before upgrading. Invoice volume alone does not determine the plan.
Does Gusto replace my bookkeeping software?
Gusto handles payroll; it does not replace the full set of business books. You still need to record and review sales, expenses, bank activity, assets, and debts. Budget for payroll alongside your bookkeeping software.
Is there a free bookkeeping option for a freelancer?
Wave Starter has a $0 subscription and supports basic bookkeeping and unlimited invoices. It suits a freelancer comfortable with more manual work. Automatic bank imports and regular accountant access require Wave Pro, currently $19 a month. Payment-processing fees are separate.
How much would Switchbooks cost for three companies?
Three companies cost $75 per month at Switchbooks’ published rate of $25 per company. Combined financial reports are included. That price is for software; payroll and bookkeeping service fees are separate.
Can I move from QuickBooks without starting my books over?
Switchbooks can import your QuickBooks Online vendor names, chart of accounts, and journal history from three CSV exports. Customers, classes, attachments, and bank rules do not transfer through that importer. Keep the records you need and verify the imported reports before ending your old subscription.
For the current import details, see the Switchbooks migration guide. For help choosing a setup and keeping the books, talk with Ledge.
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