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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
[...] 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 [...]