No-code connectors (Zapier/Make)
Quick events, not accounting entries; watch tax/COGS.
Best for: sending basic events (new order → create sales receipt).
How it works
No-code platforms like Zapier and Make let you connect Shopify to QuickBooks with pre-built “zaps” or automation workflows—no coding required.
When to use
- You need something running quickly without custom development
- Your accounting needs are simple (basic sales receipts, no complex tax mapping)
- You’re comfortable monitoring and fixing automation failures
- You don’t need detailed COGS, inventory, or fee tracking
Pros
- Fast to start: Pre-built templates get you running in minutes
- Flexible: Customize triggers and actions without coding
- Low cost: Entry-level plans start around $20-30/month
Cons
- Not accounting-aware: Connectors pass events, they don’t understand accounting rules
- Brittle mapping: Fees, refunds, tax, and COGS require custom logic that breaks easily
- Hard to audit: When failures happen, troubleshooting is manual
- No batching: Each order creates a separate QuickBooks entry (clutters your books)
Watch-outs
- Gateway fees: Zapier won’t automatically separate gross sales from fees
- Partial refunds: Negative line items and adjustments need custom handling
- Multi-currency: Exchange rates and currency conversion aren’t handled
- Batching: No daily summary posting—every order is a separate transaction
- Tax mapping: You need to manually map each tax jurisdiction to QBO tax codes
Common setup
- Trigger: New order in Shopify
- Action: Create sales receipt in QuickBooks
- Field mapping: Order total → receipt amount, customer info, products
Limitations
- Inventory quantities don’t sync reliably across locations
- COGS calculations require manual setup
- Refunds need separate automation workflows
- Shopify Payments fees must be recorded separately
- No built-in error replay or audit logs
Bottom line
No-code connectors work for simple, low-volume setups where you just need order totals in QuickBooks. For accurate tax, fees, COGS, or inventory tracking, you’ll need an accounting-grade app that understands these nuances.