Two of the most popular accounting software solutions used by nonprofits are Blackbaud’s The Financial Edge and Intuit’s Quickbooks. These two platforms offer a variety of features and benefits to help you simplify your accounting processes – allowing you to spend less time on accounting and more time focusing on your mission.
Below we compare the two solutions: their basic information, main features, support options, integrations, and reviews and ratings.
Comparing Financial Edge vs Quickbooks
Financial Edge: At First Glance
The Financial Edge is a comprehensive fund accounting solution specifically designed for nonprofit organizations.
- Platforms Available: Desktop
- Software Type(s): Standalone, Cloud, SaaS
- Free Version: No
- Free Trial: No
- Pricing: By User
Quickbooks: At First Glance
Quickbooks is a very popular accounting platform. While not purpose-built for nonprofits, the platform can be configured for fund accounting functionality.
- Platforms Available: Desktop, Mobile
- Software Type(s): Standalone, Cloud
- Free Version: No
- Free Trial: Yes
- Pricing: By Level / By User
Main Product Features
When you’re comparing fund accounting solutions, looking at the main product features and their benefits is most important. Below we highlight a few of the main features for The Financial Edge and Quickbooks.
Financial Edge
General Ledger
Easily track, report, and view data from multiple perspectives (and other modules) directly within the General Ledger.
Accounting Forms
Print easy-to-use accounting forms using the templates from within Financial Edge.
Accounts Payable / Receivable
With Accounts Payable, you can easily make payments by several different methods, making bill paying efficient and easy. With Accounts Receivable, you can track funding/payment sources and apply payment to multiple accounts using Blackbaud’s EFT module.
Advanced Security
Keep your software secure! Using Advanced Security, you can manage user rights to keep certain documents confidential or add view-only licenses.
Payroll
Manage your payroll and human resources procedures directly within Financial Edge.
Raiser’s Edge Integration
By integrating with Raiser’s Edge, you can push information into your Financial Edge general ledger and link gift records for a tight audit trail.
View all Financial Edge features here.
Quickbooks
Sync with your bank account
Easily sync with your bank account to track and monitor expenses and funds.
Schedule and send invoices
Set up recurring invoices to donors and sales receipts.
Access anytime, anywhere
Using the cloud version of the Quickbooks nonprofit software gives you access to your data wherever you are, whenever you need!
Integrates with other apps
Coordinate all your platforms in one so you can get real-time info when you need it.
View all Quickbooks features here.
Product Support
Learning a new software can be challenging. You’re bound to have questions as you’re figuring out how to import your data, set up your reports, or customize fields. That’s why it’s important to see and compare the support options available for both Financial Edge and Quickbooks.
Financial Edge
The Financial Edge offers several ways to help you set up, implement, or use the platform:
Online Chat
Chat directly with Financial Edge specialists using their online chat. Chat is available Monday through Friday and requires your login.
BBKnowledgebase
BBKnowledgebase is an online help center where you can type in words or phrases to pull up content or help articles related to your search.
Blackbaud Community
The Community is a place where thousands of Blackbaud users can go to ask questions, connect with other uses, learn about events, and much more.
Other Support Options
Additional Blackbaud and Financial Edge support options include:
- How-to Documentation
- Downloads
- Case Central
- Start Learning Tutorials
- Help
- Idea Banks
- System Requirements
Quickbooks
Contact Directly
Contact Quickbooks by phone and talk to an expert!
FAQ and Product Articles
Find the answers to your questions by reading FAQs and product articles on the Quickbooks accounting software.
Training Classes
Get personalized, custom training when you take one of Quickbooks’ training classes. Search for one near you here.
Quickbooks Community
Join the Quickbooks Community to connect with other platform users, get help, and learn from other nonprofit accounting professionals.
Real Reviews
Reading reviews is a great way to see how other people feel about the software you’re considering. Below we highlight reviews from several different sources on both Financial Edge and Quickbooks.
Financial Edge
“I love how this software integrates with it’s Raiser’s Edge program. We are able to easily move information from there into Financial Edge, which limits the potential for errors. Plus, we’re utilizing less time by not having to type the same information over.“
– Brooke Niarchos, Accounting Program Specialist, FGCU
More reviews from Capterra
“Keep listening to your customer base. This is a great product and it’s getting better all the time. FENXT is a very robust product. This web-based product is being enhanced constantly. The folks at Blackbaud have been very responsive to customer feedback and if there is a functionality that isn’t there, they do their best to make sure that if it’s possible, it is implemented. Very happy with how the product has evolved. My suggestion at this time would be to wait until features are closer to being released before announcing them. Very frustrating when you know that something you need is going to be added but then it take six months for it to be ready.”
– Lisa, Two Ten Footwear Foundation
More reviews from Software Advice.
“Great software to use for even the casual user. All of the information is right at your fingerprints. You can access all the previous information from previous fiscal years and get a snapshot of each week of how you are meeting your budget.”
– Verified User, Performing Arts sector
More reviews from G2 Crowd.
Quickbooks
“I love that QB and Intuit researched out what a non-profit needed (or could use) to better manage relationships with their constituents. They created a lot of reports that i never would have come up with myself, but that we use on a weekly basis.”
– Kathy Lively, Database Admin, Captain Planet Foundation
More views from Capterra.
“I like the ability to use our QuickBooks online. I also like the ease of use and the ability to run multiple type of reports for our Nonprofit.”
– Lindsay, OC Music and Dance
View more reviews on Software Advice.
“QuickBooks Nonprofit is a user friendly program that almost anyone can learn to use. It takes care of all of the financial software needs for our church and does it well! My favorite feature is the reports feature. I can quickly look into the balance in various vendor accounts, track how much we have spent for different missions, and so much more!”
– Casey W., Validated Review
View more reviews on G2 Crowd.
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Financial Edge and Quickbooks are two different accounting platforms. Financial Edge is purpose-built for nonprofits, understanding your unique needs and what you need to make accounting easier and smoother. Quickbooks is a traditional accounting software, which can be modified to fit your needs.
Choose the software that is right for you and your organization – look at all the options, do several demos, and most importantly, ask lots of questions.