To date Intuit has failed to create desktop GNU/Linux versions of Quicken and QuickBooks. Some “experts” tout this as a “show stopper” keeping people from switching from Microsoft systems to GNU/Linux. While this may stop some people there is no reason it should stop everyone. After all, one can probably get these running under WINE using Crossover by CodeWeavers Inc. Granted, they will likely not run perfectly this way as of now but they will install and run with certain versions being supported by CodeWeavers. One can most definitely run these in a Virtual Machine (VM) running a legal copy of a Microsoft operating system. I know this, because I have installed just such a VM system on GNU/Linux for some of my own clients that needed to run QuickBooks.
However, if one is willing to break away from Intuit and look at other solutions I have found some that might be of interest. Accounting software on GNU/Linux that includes payroll is BasicBooks by LinuxLedgers Business Accounting Systems and Passport Business Solutions™ (PBS) by Passport Software Inc. While these are not Free Open Source Software (FOSS) they are accounting solutions that run on GNU/Linux and include payroll.
The BasicBooks software is in a price range that anyone not in abject poverty should be able to afford. BasicBooks includes General Ledger, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Payroll. The BasicBooks site has many screen shots and access to the user reference manuals on-line or via download. One can get a feel for the software prior to purchase by reviewing the screen shots and looking over the manuals. BasicBooks runs on X and uses PostgreSQL as a back-end database server for the data. According to the site there is a Microsoft version of BasicBooks in the works but there is not yet a projected release date.
The PBS software is based on the venerable (and now dead) RealWorld Accounting software that ran on SCO OpenServer and is a traditional Unix style, modular accounting system. As such it is not priced for the typical small business that would be purchasing QuickBooks. I would only recommend PBS for the medium sized and larger business market. However, PBS does have a version available for GNU/Linux and does include a payroll module. The PBS software is sold through a network of resellers who provide sales, installation and support for the software. There is a demo that can be downloaded to try and get a feel for the PBS software.
If one has a SOHO or small business that does not need Payroll there are accounting solutions that can fill that need too. My own SOHO business uses GnuCash. GnuCash is a simple, light accounting package that can handle personal finances and small business accounting for a small business that does not need payroll. One can generate invoices and track accounts receivable and accounts payable with an easy to use graphical interface that runs on X.
There is also LedgerSMB for those needing a bit more “oomph” in a small business accounting package. LedgerSMB is a combination of PHP, Apache and PostgreSQL mixed together to form a multi-user accounting system accessible with a browser. The recommended browser is Firefox. While LedgerSMB does not currently have payroll capability there are plans to add payroll in a future release. Also, being an open source project, one could actually get involved as a LedgerSMB developer and help get payroll working.
One other, closed source, accounting package I should mention is Quasar by Linux Canada Inc. Quasar is another accounting system that does not include payroll. But it does run on GNU/Linux and would suffice for a small business that does not need payroll. Further, Quasar has a Point of Sale add-on that can be used in a retail store at the checkout counters.
There are other accounting solutions that run on GNU/Linux that I have not mentioned here. If anyone wants to point them out please feel free to do so in the comments.
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Edit Sat May 23 17:29:21 CDT 2009: Fix a poorly worded sentence.
Edit Sun May 24 13:13:22 CDT 2009: Place quotes around the phrase “show stopper”. Also change ‘The “experts”‘ to ‘Some “experts”‘.
Edit Mon May 25 00:12:02 CDT 2009: Fix the misspelling of Firefox.
on May 23rd, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Wake me when more then a handful (out of Millions) of Accountants and/or CPA’s support them.
Until then, I’ll stick with Quickbooks.
on May 23rd, 2009 at 6:41 pm
VonSkippy (comment #1), thanks for reading and for the comment. Where shall I route your wakeup call?
on May 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Using KMyMoney here private. It is working like a charm and improving tons as time goes on
on May 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 pm
Penguin (comment #3), thanks for reading and for the comment. Ah, yes, KMyMoney is one I had intended to mention but forgot to write on my list. Thanks for bringing it up.
Edit: Forgot to include the URL - KMyMoney site. If any of you using GNU/Linux want to check out KMyMoney check your distribution media and repositories. It is probably in there.
on May 23rd, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Don’t forget about NolaPro. Although it is not strictly for Linux, it is web based and runs on Apache. It looks like an extremely well done package, and does have payroll, if I am not mistaken.
on May 23rd, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I went to check out BasicBooks at the linuxledgers.com website. They misspelled the word “Accounting” in their own product logo, reproduced on every page of the site, and their screenshots don’t even include an example of what an invoice looks like. I appreciate their effort but I’m not trusting my business books to any outfit that doesn’t sweat the details.
on May 24th, 2009 at 5:47 am
Hmmm. Isn’t Moneydance http://www.moneydance.com/ still around? Proprietary, but they do support linux. Of course that would be more a replacement for quicken personal type finance as opposed to quickbooks. I remember looking into it because it supported check printing, but that was 2 years ago.
on May 24th, 2009 at 10:44 am
Tom (comment #5), thank you for reading and for the comment. I could not forget about NolaPro, because I did not know about it.
Thank you for pointing it out.
Edit: I forgot to add the URL for NolaPro: http://www.nolapro.com/
on May 24th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Quickbooks is the de facto app here. My company used to use Quasar, but it was too clunky and no CPA understood it. We now use quickbooks online, which is firefox for windows compatible— we just use user agent switcher and we have a cpa-usable accounting solution in linux!
on May 24th, 2009 at 10:48 am
dwasifar (comment #6), thank you. Not all people are perfect spellers like you and me.
Plus a typo in a graphic logo, like the one you caught, is easy to miss. I’ll send them a note about the typo and see what happens.
on May 24th, 2009 at 10:58 am
glitch (c0mment #7), I appreciate you reading and your comment. Yes, Moneydance has been around a while now. It is a decent, cross-platform personal finance solution. I used to use it myself back when I was running IBM OS/2 here.
on May 24th, 2009 at 11:13 am
yochai (comment #9) thank you. I had forgotten about Intuit’s online version. Thanks for reminding me. That does seem like a solution some might want to check into if considering a switch to GNU/Linux while running QuickBooks. While I am personally not interested in having my company data hosted somewhere else I can see the benefit to those who would be interested.
on May 24th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Surprise: ’show stopper’ is a theater term meaning a performance so good that applause stops the show.
Other uses approach illiteracy.
on May 24th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Wendell (comment #13), thank you for your pedantic comment. I am using the term in the way these anti-GNU/Linux “experts” use it. That said, in this instance we will deem the term to mean “a performance so awful the booing stops the show.”
on May 24th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
One comment on Digg.com had this to say:
This article is not saying that Intuit has tried to do that. The very fact that Intuit has appeared to totally ignore the GNU/Linux desktop is a “fail”.
on May 24th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Interesting article, but what about tax software?
My mother uses Turbo Tax, which is the only thing stopping me from switching her to Linux. It doesn’t run in Wine (or Crossover) at all. Lots of people say that filing online is the best solution … but she’s an accountant.
There’s one that H&R block makes that apparently works passably in Wine. Is there anything native, and up to date?
on May 24th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
Joe (comment #16), thank you for reading. That is a good question, but I do not know the answer. I still do my taxes myself, by hand, on paper. So, someone else will have to reply about tax software that accountants can use on GNU/Linux. That said, your mother could run a virtual machine with a legally licensed Microsoft system and use that just to run her tax software. Then use GNU/Linux for all else. I presume if she is running a Microsoft system right now she already has a legal license.
on May 25th, 2009 at 5:03 am
[...] Linux Myth: Lack of Accounting Software … with Payroll However, if one is willing to break away from Intuit and look at other solutions I have found some that might be of interest. Accounting software on GNU/Linux that includes payroll is BasicBooks by LinuxLedgers Business Accounting Systems and Passport Business Solutions™ (PBS) by Passport Software Inc. While these are not Free Open Source Software (FOSS) they are accounting solutions that run on GNU/Linux and include payroll. [...]
on May 25th, 2009 at 11:13 am
The problem is as with any software switch, is training for the new system and how to transfer old data between formats.
Training and porting data is nothing new, but you need to find the right people.
And even if there is a trainer & data portability provider available in your country, customers have to actively shop for these services, which is not customary for most companies.
So the problem is there isn’t any communication channel for free software applications. Think of a partner or social network. As far as I know such a network (Open Source Channel Alliance) is being built right now and we should be more patient as it grows. Other channel partner deals do help too. I tend to follow news around Canonical channel partner program and I can tell you: it works!
As a sidenote: Usually the boss in charge of acquiring new software expects `small` gifts from the potential provider of these services. For example, a large company had bought an internal telephone switching board (don’t know the exact English translation) - the estimated price would be around 50000 Euros. So the company selling the product, has also sent the boss in charge of the acquisition a 600 Euro smartphone, possibly, in exchange of his `good will`.
Free software companies have a hard time producing that gifts, but that’s how life is.
on May 25th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Bogdan (comment #19), thank you for the comment. I have been a member of several “partner channels” over the years. I understand where you are coming from with this. You are correct about the Open Source Channel Alliance.
As for the folks in companies that expect a “gift” in return for approving a product. That is known as a “kickback” and is at minimum unethical. A kickback, aka bribe, usually is illegal depending on the part of the world in which the transaction is made. I will not do business with companies that expect me to act unethically or break the law. How others handle this is up to the individual.
on May 25th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
All this is great software but it really comes down to one question for me (a small business owner with contractors). Can my totally kick ass accountant use it?
This is no value judgment against any of the software or FOSS but rather simply a question of utility. I am busy, have a three year old son and, a baby on the way. The last thing I need to do is worry about the taxes because I switched to an non-standard software after having spent years finding the right accountant and streamlining the accounting process.
on May 25th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Chris (comment #21), thank you for taking time to read and comment. I think your question should be directed to your accountant. I suspect an excellent accountant will try to become familiar with open source and GNU/Linux based accounting solutions. Ask your accountant to at least look at these offerings. If your accountant does not want to spend money to look at the commercial, closed source software then suggest LedgerSMB and NolaPro for starters.
Edit: There is an on-line NolaPro Demo too.
on May 25th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Hi Gene,
I could, and out of curiosity will, ask him if he is familiar with any of these non-industry standard systems.
But, and this is the crux of it, I don’t care if he can use them or not. He is excellent at what he does for us which is to keep us legal and tax efficient. You have to add to the mix that he and his staff have a working knowledge of not only our field but also my business. You would further have to add to this the time lost in creating new ledgers and accounts in a new system. Even if there is automated import of my quickbooks data files and customized reports we would still have to examine it thoroughly to make sure nothing is missed. It is a monumental task when you are already pressed for time.
on May 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Chris (comment #23), welcome back. Good idea to ask your accountant. See if he would be willing to give his assessment of any of these GNU/Linux applications running on GNU/Linux in an interview at a later date. I would be glad to post his assessments in a new article here. He can contact me using the information on our contact page.
As for transferring data, I know several of the personal finance applications for GNU/Linux can import Quicken data. I have helped a few of my home user GNU/Linux desktop customers convert that way. I am not that familiar with converting from QuickBooks though. So far all the small business clients I support that have switched to GNU/Linux on the desktop and server did not choose to switch from QuickBooks. Specifically due to their accountants “having puppies” over the idea.
All of them chose to run XP Professional in a virtual machine to keep running QuickBooks.
Perhaps someone who has switched from QuickBooks to a GNU/Linux accounting solution can chime in with information as to how easy or difficult it is?
Edit: Heh, Chris, I went to the domain in your comment e-mail address (hidden from everyone else). It appears you have a vested interest in keeping people on Microsoft: http://www.sydneysys.com/IdleAppAnnounce.html Not that I mind, but you could have pointed that out yourself.
on May 25th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
For the record, I am not advocating that people switch from QuickBooks on Microsoft if that is what they want or need to use in their business. I am advocating that people take a critical look at accounting software on GNU/Linux and evaluate it for their needs if they want to use GNU/Linux desktops and servers in their businesses. I also advocate that accountants become familiar with GNU/Linux accounting systems on GNU/Linux desktops. After all, it is only a matter of time before GNU/Linux on the desktop is a major player all over the world.
No, I do not do the “Year of the Linux Desktop” predictions. I just use GNU/Linux every day, talk it up to my acquaintances and write about it. I also help people convert to GNU/Linux every now and then.
on Jun 4th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
I heard back from Don about the Linux Ledgers logos with the misspelled “accouting” that our eagle eye reader dwasifar caught. He thanked me and fixed the logos on his site. Everyone wins.
on Jun 7th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Ref comment #6 and #10.
Oooops! Thanks for the tip. I corrected the spelling of Accounting in the logo. Not an acceptable mistake, but better a misspelled logo than a bug in our software!
Also, please note that our Payroll system is “after-the-fact”, i.e., it keeps the records and summarizes reporting data but does not do withholding calculations.
on Jun 7th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Don (comment #27), thank you for visiting and explaining about the payroll feature. I know most people want payroll software that does do the calculations for them. That is usually the main reason for getting payroll software. Will withholding calculation be added to Basic Books Payroll in the future?
on Nov 5th, 2009 at 11:14 am
[...] Business to run QuickBooks with Payroll, which has no strong Linux equivalent. Sure, there are accounting applications with Payroll available for GNU/Linux but most accountants that support small businesses only know QuickBooks. To be able to use these [...]