You're Switching from QuickBooks.
Here's Why Locksmiths Choose Nexa.

QuickBooks
$38/mo
$456/year — every year, forever
Nexa
$279
Once. Own it forever.
or 3 payments of $99
Break even in 7.3 months. Then it's free forever.
"Switched from QuickBooks after the last price increase. Nexa does everything I needed for $279. Wish I'd done it sooner."
— Verified locksmith, former QuickBooks customer

The Bottom Line

Locksmiths on QuickBooks pay $38/month — $456/year. Over three years, that's $1,368. Nexa is $279 once. Break-even runs about 7.3 months. The median locksmith earns $45,000/year, so QuickBooks's annual cost is roughly 1.0% of typical revenue — every year, forever.

Key Numbers

$45,000
Median locksmith income
2.4%
Typical SaaS spend as % of revenue
7.3 mo
Break-even vs QuickBooks
$1,089
3-year savings switching to Nexa

What QuickBooks Is Costing You

The Damage

QuickBooks monthly $38/mo
Annual drain $456/yr
Year 2 (at today's price) $456
Year 3 $456
3-year total $1,368

That's $1,368 gone. And you don't own anything. Stop paying, lose access.

Your QuickBooks subscription has cost you $0.00 since you opened this page.

Why Locksmiths Leave QuickBooks

✗Intuit raised all four QuickBooks Online plan prices on July 1, 2025.
✗User caps force expensive tier jumps
✗Complex interface overwhelms small operators
✗Desktop version being sunset - forced to Online
✗Payment processing fees add up fast
✗No offline capability

See the full history of QuickBooks price changes in the SaaS Graveyard →

Locksmiths are leaving QuickBooks every week.

You're not the only one who's had enough.

Why This Matters for Locksmiths

My phone rings at all hours, because lockouts don't wait: a locked car in a parking lot, a house key lost at night, a broken key stuck in a lock. Before I open anything I confirm the person has the right to be there, with ID that matches the address or the vehicle registration, because I won't be the tool someone uses to break into a home. Most lockouts are opened without damage using picks or specialist tools. Beyond emergencies, most of my work is rekeying locks when people move into a new home, installing new deadbolts and smart locks, cutting and programming car keys and fobs, and fixing doors that don't latch. Businesses call for master key systems, access control and after-hours emergencies. I carry a van full of hardware, key blanks and machines, and programming car keys needs expensive equipment that stays current with new models. Many states license locksmiths, and I keep my paperwork current. I quote on the phone before I drive out, including the service-call fee, and I take payment on the spot.

Locksmiths face unique challenges: Emergency calls at 2am that need immediate response. Quoting over the phone without seeing the lock. Customers balking at pricing after you've already driven 30 minutes. Managing automotive, residential, and commercial as different service lines. On top of all that, QuickBooks charges $38/month ($456/year) — money that comes directly from your revenue. The median locksmith earns $45,000/year. Software at $456/year is a meaningful percentage of that income, every year, forever. And you do not own anything.

Your Key cutting machine (manual and electronic) is yours. You bought it once. Nexa works the same way — $279 once for invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, and full accounting. All connected. All offline-capable. You own it like you own your tools.

Your Full Stack Cost

QuickBooks is just one piece. What else are you losing money on?

Want this breakdown emailed to you?

Your exact QuickBooks cost, full stack total, and what switching saves. 10 seconds.

"I was paying QuickBooks $38/month and didn't question it until I did the math. $1,368 over 3 years for tools I don't even own. Nexa was $279. Once. Done."
— Locksmith business owner

What You Get Instead

Feature QuickBooks Nexa
Invoicing ✓ ✓
Scheduling ✗ ✓
CRM ✗ ✓
Time Tracking — ✓
Full Accounting ✓ ✓ (SIMPL)
Task Management ✗ ✓
Works offline — ✓
Price $38/mo forever $279 once
or 3 × $99
3-Year Cost $1,368 $279
Stop paying? Lose everything Keep everything forever

Switching Takes 1-2 Days

Most locksmiths are fully switched before the weekend.

1

Export your data

Go to Reports → export to CSV. Download clients, invoices, expenses.

2

Set up Nexa

15-minute setup. Import your clients and expenses by CSV; re-enter your main services.

3

Parallel run

Run both for 1-2 weeks. Verify everything transferred.

4

Cancel QuickBooks

Cancel subscription. Download final backup. You're done.

✓ Run both in parallel. Cancel QuickBooks when you're confident. Zero risk.

What locksmiths actually deal with

A day in the life of a locksmith

My phone rings at all hours, because lockouts don't wait: a locked car in a parking lot, a house key lost at night, a broken key stuck in a lock. Before I open anything I confirm the person has the right to be there, with ID that matches the address or the vehicle registration, because I won't be the tool someone uses to break into a home. Most lockouts are opened without damage using picks or specialist tools. Beyond emergencies, most of my work is rekeying locks when people move into a new home, installing new deadbolts and smart locks, cutting and programming car keys and fobs, and fixing doors that don't latch. Businesses call for master key systems, access control and after-hours emergencies. I carry a van full of hardware, key blanks and machines, and programming car keys needs expensive equipment that stays current with new models. Many states license locksmiths, and I keep my paperwork current. I quote on the phone before I drive out, including the service-call fee, and I take payment on the spot.

The tools a working locksmith actually owns

Why locksmiths leave the big platforms

Where locksmiths actually talk shop

Local locksmiths on Nexa

Real locksmiths near you who run their business on Nexa — book directly, no platform fee. Are you a locksmith? Post your business and get found in your area — $2.99 one-time. Or browse every locksmith on Nexa →

FAQ

Is Nexa really a QuickBooks replacement for locksmiths?

For solo operators and small teams (1-5), yes. Nexa includes invoicing, scheduling, CRM, time tracking, task management, and full accounting. QuickBooks may be better if you have a large team (10+) or need enterprise-specific features.

$279 seems like a lot.

It's $7.75/month over 3 years. QuickBooks is $38/month — that's $1,368 over 3 years. Which is more? And if you'd rather split it, Nexa is also available as 3 payments of $99.

Can I pay in installments?

Yes. Nexa is $279 as a one-time payment, or 3 payments of $99 ($297 total). Either way it's a one-time purchase — no subscription, no recurring fees ever.

What if I don't like it?

30-day money-back guarantee. Full refund. If Nexa doesn't save you $500 in year one, you get every penny back.

Can I import my QuickBooks data?

Export your data from QuickBooks as CSV, import into Nexa in about 5 minutes.

Locksmiths in Anaheim

The average solo operator there spends about $3,120/year on software — and locksmith face their own version of that math. CA state licensing requirements apply.

Numbers reflect typical solo operators in the Anaheim metro. Your situation will vary.

If You Need These — Nexa Has Them

Specific gaps Locksmiths run into with QuickBooks, and what Nexa does instead.

✗
QuickBooks gapNo project management for services
✓
NexaJob and project management in the same $279 — no upgrade needed.
✗
QuickBooks gapNo scheduling/booking
✓
NexaBuilt-in scheduling and booking — no separate tier.
✗
QuickBooks gapNo CRM functionality
✓
NexaFull CRM module included in $279.

What QuickBooks Users Are Saying Lately

Recent threads from Reddit and Hacker News mentioning QuickBooks. Sentiment scored automatically — click through to read the full thread.

"I refused to pay $50/mo for a CSV to quickbooks converter, so I built it"
HN·6 months ago·Neutral·Read thread →
"Free QuickBooks Desktop to JSON Exporter"
HN·6 months ago·Neutral·Read thread →

Where Locksmiths Talk Shop

If you want to compare notes or see how other locksmiths are running their tools, here's where the conversation happens.

Reddit
r/Locksmith, r/lockpicking, r/sweatystartup
Forums
LocksmithTalk.com, Keypicking.com Forum
YouTube
LockPickingLawyer, Bill's Locks, Mr. Locksmith
"QuickBooks raised prices again and I was done. Found Nexa — $279 once. I own it. No more 'we're updating our pricing' emails. Best business decision this year."
— Locksmith, switched from QuickBooks

Stop Losing $456/Year to QuickBooks

$1,368 over 3 years. Or $279 once (or 3 × $99). Own your tools.

Get Nexa — $279 Once
or 3 payments of $99
✓ 30-day money-back guarantee — save $500 or full refund

Still want QuickBooks?

We think Nexa is the better deal at $279 once vs $38/mo. But if you've decided on QuickBooks, here's the link. No hard feelings.

QuickBooks — $38/mo →

This is an affiliate link. If you sign up, we earn a commission.

Also Compare