PDFCellsPDFCells vs ProperConvert (ProperSoft)
ProperConvert is a desktop converter for Windows and Mac that keeps files on your computer and writes more accounting formats than PDFCells (QBO, IIF, QBJ, QFX, QIF, OFX, CSV, Excel) for more targets. PDFCells is free, runs in the browser with nothing to install, and checks each statement’s balances before export.
Side by side
| ProperConvert | PDFCells | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | From $19.99/month; free trial to load files, preview transactions and create a test import file | Free for PDF text and OCR; AI 25 free pages/day signed in, then Anthropic cost + 15% |
| Runs | Desktop app for Windows and Mac; “runs completely on your computer”, data “never uploaded to the cloud” | In your browser; AI pages go to our server and Anthropic only when you choose AI |
| Inputs | PDF (including scanned and password-protected), CSV, Excel, QBO, QFX, OFX, QIF | PDF (including scanned and password-protected), JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF, HEIC, TIFF |
| Outputs | QBO, IIF, QBJ, QFX, QIF, OFX, CSV, Excel | Excel, CSV, OFX, QBO, Xero CSV |
| Targets named | QuickBooks Desktop and Online, Quicken, Xero, Sage, Wave, FreeAgent, NetSuite, MYOB and more | QuickBooks Online (Desktop may refuse a converter’s .qbo, and Desktop imports no OFX or CSV), Xero, and software that reads OFX or CSV |
| Checks | Not described | Running balance, footing, line totals, cross-footing, summary ties |
Choose ProperConvert if
- You need IIF, QBJ, QFX or QIF, or import into QuickBooks Desktop, Quicken, Sage or MYOB.
- You also convert between formats (CSV to QBO, QFX to OFX) and want one desktop tool for it.
Choose PDFCells if
- You want free conversion with nothing to install, on any computer.
- You need the running balance or statement summary checked before the file goes into your books.
- You also convert invoices, reports and other tables to Excel.
Sources (checked October 2026)
Questions
Which is better for QuickBooks Desktop?
ProperConvert names QuickBooks Desktop as a target and writes IIF and QBJ too. QuickBooks Desktop imports bank transactions only as .qbo, and may refuse PDFCells’ .qbo, so for Desktop ProperConvert is the safer choice.