QuickBooks is the 800-pound gorilla of accounting software. It's powerful, widely used by accountants, and packed with features. But if you're an online reseller, you've probably realized something frustrating: QuickBooks wasn't built for you.
Eclipse Accounting was built from the ground up specifically for high-volume inventory sellers on eBay, Amazon, and Shopify.
So which one should you choose? Let's break it down.
At a Glance
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Eclipse Accounting |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Service businesses, general small biz | E-commerce & Resellers |
| Inventory Tracking | Manual or expensive add-ons | Automated & Built-in |
| Marketplace Sync | Requires 3rd party apps ($$$) | Native (eBay, Amazon, etc.) |
| Fee Separation | Manual journal entries | Automatic |
| Starting Price | $30 - $90 / month | $19 / month |
The QuickBooks Problem for Resellers
QuickBooks is fantastic if you run a marketing agency or a coffee shop. But for resellers, it has three major flaws:
1. It doesn't understand "Gross vs Net"
When eBay deposits $85 into your bank account, that was actually a $100 sale with $15 in fees. QuickBooks just sees the $85 deposit. This messes up your revenue numbers and means you miss out on deducting those fees as expenses.
2. Inventory is a nightmare
QuickBooks Online's inventory features are only available on the "Plus" plan ($90/mo), and even then, they are clunky for unique items (like vintage clothes or used electronics). You have to manually create invoices for every sale.
3. Connector apps get expensive
To get eBay data into QuickBooks, you usually need a "connector app" like A2X or LinkMyBooks. These can cost an extra $20-$50/month on top of your QuickBooks subscription.
Why Eclipse Wins for Resellers
Eclipse was designed to solve exactly these problems.
- Direct IntegrationsWe connect directly to eBay, Poshmark, and Amazon. No 3rd party connector apps needed.
- Automated Fee TrackingWe automatically split every transaction into Revenue, Shipping, Tax, and Fees. Your books are always accurate.
- Unit-Level ProfitabilitySee exactly how much profit you made on that specific pair of Jordans or that vintage jacket.
When Should You Use QuickBooks?
We'll be honest: Eclipse isn't for everyone. You should stick with QuickBooks if:
- You run a service business (consulting, landscaping) alongside reselling.
- You have a complex payroll with 10+ employees.
- Your accountant strictly refuses to use anything else (though Eclipse exports to CSV/Excel for them).
The Verdict
If you are primarily an online seller, Eclipse offers better features at a lower price point ($19/mo vs $90/mo + apps). It saves you hours of manual data entry and gives you insights QuickBooks simply can't provide.