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GuideStar vs QuickBooks for Nonprofits

GuideStar logo

GuideStar

Software

Nonprofit profile and intelligence platform

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
QuickBooks for Nonprofits logo

QuickBooks for Nonprofits

Software

Accounting software for nonprofits

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only GuideStar has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • They diverge on capability: GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, QuickBooks for Nonprofits covers Accounting.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which GuideStar and QuickBooks for Nonprofits actually diverge.

Attributes where GuideStar and QuickBooks for Nonprofits differ
AttributeGuideStarQuickBooks for Nonprofits
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Mobile-responsiveWeb, IOS, Android, Desktop
Founded19951983

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in GuideStar

  • Nonprofit profile
  • Impact data
  • Donor verification
  • Financial transparency
  • Ratings
  • Salesforce
  • Google Analytics
  • Mobile-responsive support

Only in QuickBooks for Nonprofits

  • Accounting
  • Invoice management
  • Expense tracking
  • Financial reporting
  • Donation tracking
  • PayPal
  • Stripe
  • Banking integrations

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

GuideStar

  • Business operations
  • Productivity
  • Automation

QuickBooks for Nonprofits

  • Business operations
  • Productivity
  • Automation

Both are used for business operations, productivity, automation, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

GuideStar

  • GuideStar and Foundation Directory are being retired and merged into a single Candid platform, per Candid's own learning.candid.org help pages, with existing subscribers redirected to log in at app.candid.org
  • Candid's own pricing page lists Candid Premium (annual) at $1,199 per year in USD, and $219 per month if billed monthly, with an Ultimate annual tier at $1,699 per year adding compliance monitoring features
  • Candid's free tier limits search results, profile views and dashboards; full grants and profile data downloads are capped even on Premium annual, at 1,000 grants downloads and 5,000 profile downloads per month

QuickBooks for Nonprofits

Nothing recorded yet. See the QuickBooks for Nonprofits review.

Pricing, plan by plan

GuideStar

Free
  • ProfileFree
    • Nonprofit profile
    • Basic data
  • Gold$300/month
    • Enhanced profile
    • Donor verification
    • Impact reporting

QuickBooks for Nonprofits

On request
  • Simple Start$20/month
    • Basic accounting
    • Invoice management
  • Plus$50/month
    • Project tracking
    • Time tracking
    • Nonprofit reporting

Which should you pick?

Choose GuideStar if

  • You need nonprofit profile.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile-responsive.
  • You also want impact data.
GuideStar review

Choose QuickBooks for Nonprofits if

  • You need accounting.
  • You work on Web, IOS, Android, Desktop.
  • You also want invoice management.
QuickBooks for Nonprofits review

Questions people ask

Is GuideStar or QuickBooks for Nonprofits better?
Neither clearly leads. GuideStar starts at Free and QuickBooks for Nonprofits at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, GuideStar or QuickBooks for Nonprofits?
GuideStar has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for GuideStar and On request for QuickBooks for Nonprofits.
Does GuideStar or QuickBooks for Nonprofits run on more platforms?
GuideStar runs on Web, Mobile-responsive. QuickBooks for Nonprofits runs on Web, IOS, Android, Desktop.
Can I use GuideStar for free?
Yes. GuideStar has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. QuickBooks for Nonprofits starts at On request.
What is GuideStar best used for?
GuideStar is most often used for business operations, productivity, automation.
What can GuideStar do that QuickBooks for Nonprofits cannot?
GuideStar covers Nonprofit profile, Impact data, Donor verification, Financial transparency. QuickBooks for Nonprofits covers Accounting, Invoice management, Expense tracking, Financial reporting. Both handle Web support.
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Related pages

More on GuideStar

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