Comparison

Updated: 2025-01-15 6 min read

Synder Alternative: SpreadsheetBroccoli vs Synder Comparison (2025)

Synder is a popular Shopify-QuickBooks sync tool. But API-based sync comes with its own headaches — connection drops, duplicate transactions, OAuth issues. Here's when Synder makes sense and when a simpler file-based approach works better.

The Sync App Problem

The #1 complaint about Synder (and all sync apps) is reliability. Search Reddit or Shopify forums and you'll find countless posts about:

Common Sync Frustrations Connection drops: OAuth tokens expire, requiring re-authentication every few weeks. Duplicate transactions: Sync runs multiple times for the same order. Missing transactions: Orders fall through the cracks silently. Account mapping errors: Wrong GL accounts, broken categorization. Timezone mismatches: Orders dated incorrectly in QuickBooks. "It was working yesterday": API changes break integrations without warning.

Why Sync Apps Break

Sync apps rely on two live API connections that must stay synchronized:

Shopify API → Synder
Synder → QuickBooks API

When either Shopify or QuickBooks updates their API, things break. When OAuth tokens expire, you need to reconnect. When your account permissions change, sync stops.

This complexity is inherent to any real-time sync approach — not just Synder.

Setup: 30 Minutes vs 30 Seconds

Synder Setup Process

Create Synder account
Connect Shopify via OAuth (requires admin access)
Connect QuickBooks via OAuth
Configure account mapping (Chart of Accounts)
Set up tax codes
Configure sync rules
Run test sync
Fix mapping errors
Wait for initial historical sync

Typical time: 30-60 minutes (assuming no errors)

SpreadsheetBroccoli Setup

Export CSV from Shopify
Upload to converter
Download QuickBooks-ready file

Total time: Under 2 minutes

The File-Based Alternative

SpreadsheetBroccoli doesn't sync — it converts. You control exactly when data moves and what gets imported.

No API Means No API Problems No connection drops: Nothing to disconnect. No background syncs: Can't create duplicates if you control the import. No mystery transactions: You see exactly what's in the file. Full visibility: Preview before importing to QuickBooks. Works offline: Process files entirely in your browser.

When File-Based Makes Sense

If you import orders monthly (or less frequently), file-based conversion is actually faster than maintaining a sync connection:

No time spent troubleshooting connection issues
No time re-authenticating OAuth
No time figuring out why orders are missing
No time dealing with duplicates

The 2 minutes per conversion beats the hours you'd spend managing sync problems.

Feature Comparison

Feature Matrix

Synder

SpreadsheetBroccoli

Try before signup

Results in under 2 minutes

No API connection required

No OAuth / re-authentication

Works offline

No duplicate transaction risk

Automatic real-time sync

Inventory sync

P&L reports

Multi-channel (Stripe, PayPal)

Multi-currency support

Handles refunds

Tax mapping

Historical data import

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Synder if: You need real-time sync — orders must appear in QuickBooks within minutes. You want inventory sync — stock levels need to stay synchronized. You have multiple payment processors (Stripe, PayPal, Square) to consolidate. You want fully automated accounting with zero manual work. You're willing to manage OAuth connections and troubleshoot sync issues.

Choose SpreadsheetBroccoli if: Monthly accounting is fine — you don't need real-time data. You want control — prefer to review data before importing. Reliability matters — tired of debugging connection problems. You need occasional imports — not worth maintaining sync infrastructure. You want to try before committing to anything.

Data Security Comparison

Synder's Approach

Synder maintains persistent API connections to both Shopify and QuickBooks. This means:

Your credentials are stored on their servers
They have ongoing access to your financial data
Data passes through their infrastructure continuously

Our Approach

SpreadsheetBroccoli processes files locally in your browser for data under 50MB:

No API credentials stored anywhere
Financial data never leaves your computer
No persistent access to your accounts

Privacy Note For files under 50MB, your data is processed entirely in-browser using WebAssembly. Nothing touches our servers. Larger files use encrypted server processing and are deleted within 24 hours.

Switching from Synder

Export historical data

Download your data from Synder before canceling.

Identify your cutoff date

Pick a clean month-end for the switch.

Cancel Synder subscription

Disconnect from QuickBooks to prevent further syncs.

Export from Shopify

Get orders from your cutoff date forward.

Convert with SpreadsheetBroccoli

Upload, convert, import to QuickBooks.

Reconcile

Verify totals match between systems.

The whole process takes about an hour. You'll save that time back within the first month of not troubleshooting sync issues.

Ready for the simpler approach?

Convert Your First Export Free

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for the core use case of getting Shopify orders into QuickBooks. We don't offer real-time sync or inventory management, but we eliminate connection complexity entirely.

Technically yes, but you'd risk duplicate transactions. Most users pick one approach: automated sync (Synder) or controlled imports (SpreadsheetBroccoli).

Synder or A2X would be better choices. SpreadsheetBroccoli is designed for batch imports — daily, weekly, or monthly. If you need orders in QuickBooks within minutes of purchase, use a sync tool.

Generally yes. We don't maintain persistent API connections to your accounts. For files under 50MB, processing happens entirely in your browser — your financial data never touches our servers.

Pick a clean cutoff date (month-end works best). Let Synder finish that period, then cancel and use SpreadsheetBroccoli from the cutoff forward. First reconciliation needs extra attention.