QuickBooks Simple Start Edition review:4 stars (Very simple but very limited) - This is as advertised. Super simple to get started with accounting for a very basic business. It took about 5-10 minutes to load, walked me through half a dozen basic questions, and was ready to start taking bank account entries and categorize them. I was also able to set up a business credit card to track expenses there and enter things very easily.

The simplicity however comes with a real lack of flexibility for anything more involved. Within the first 30 mintues I was already noticing features missing that I would like, and found myself needing to upgrade to a more complete version of Quickbooks. For instance, expenses are only single level -- you can't have subcategories for expenses. Credit card entries can't have memo fields to remind you what the expense was (checks can however). Etc.

I imagine if you have a business with a very limited set of vendors and customers, and you have little need to categorize your expenses in too complicated a way, this program could be sufficient for your needs. It also is an easy first step into accounting software -- but I would probably start with the expectation that you'll have to upgrade.
QuickBooks Simple Start Edition Features:
Computer software (programs)
Accounting (Account)
CD
Work with familiar, everyday forms
Create estimates, invoices and sales receipts
Write checks, pay bills, record expenses
Track money in, money out
Keep it simple and start working right away

QuickBooks Simple Start Edition is the CD-ROM version. The full version can be purchased by clicking on the "CLICK HERE TO ORDER" button below for around 89.99USD.