Comparison

Updated: 2025-01-15 5 min read

Big Red IIF Creator Alternative: CSV to IIF Comparison (2025)

Big Red Consulting's IIF Transaction Creator ($139-169) is a powerful Windows tool for creating QuickBooks Desktop import files from spreadsheets. Here's how our simpler browser-based approach compares.

Different Approaches

Big Red's IIF Transaction Creator is a full-featured Windows application designed for bookkeepers and accountants who create IIF files regularly. It supports complex scenarios like multi-line split transactions, customer jobs, and custom field mapping.

SpreadsheetBroccoli is a simpler browser-based tool focused on the most common use case: converting bank CSV exports to QuickBooks Desktop IIF format.

The Core Question Do you need advanced IIF creation features (custom splits, jobs, complex mapping)? Or do you just need to import bank transactions from CSV/Excel?

Feature Comparison

Feature Matrix

Feature	Big Red IIF Creator	SpreadsheetBroccoli
Try before buying	30-day trial	Free preview
No installation required
Works on Mac
CSV input
Excel input
OFX/QFX input
Bank file input
CHECK transactions
DEPOSIT transactions
INVOICE transactions
BILL transactions
CREDIT CARD transactions
Complex split transactions
Customer:Job syntax
Custom field mapping	Full control	Fixed schema
Match rules
Saved templates

Pricing Comparison

Cost Analysis

Scenario	Big Red IIF Creator	SpreadsheetBroccoli
Single conversion	$139-169	$3-6
Monthly (1000 rows)	$139-169 first, then $0	~$6/month
Yearly (12,000 rows)	$139-169	~$24/year
Heavy use (100,000 rows)	$139-169	~$200/year

Big Red is one-time $139-169 depending on edition. We charge per conversion.

Break-Even Analysis

At $139 one-time vs ~$6 per conversion:

Under 25 conversions/year: SpreadsheetBroccoli is cheaper
25+ conversions/year: Big Red becomes cheaper

The Feature Question

Price aside, Big Red's IIF Transaction Creator offers features we don't:

Complex multi-line split transactions
Customer:Job hierarchies
Full custom field mapping
Saved conversion templates

If you need these features, Big Red is worth the premium. If you just need basic bank transaction imports, our simpler tool saves money.

Different Use Cases

Big Red IIF Creator is better for: Professional bookkeepers creating IIF files for multiple clients. Complex transactions with split entries across multiple accounts. Job costing that requires Customer:Job syntax. Frequent use — daily or weekly conversions justify the price. Template reuse — save and reuse conversion mappings.

SpreadsheetBroccoli is better for: Bank transaction imports — simple checking/credit card downloads. Occasional use — monthly or quarterly imports. Mac users — browser-based works on any platform. Budget-conscious — pay only when you convert. OFX/QFX files — we accept bank files, not just CSV.

Column Mapping Approach

Big Red's Approach

Full custom mapping — drag and drop any CSV column to any IIF field. Maximum flexibility for complex scenarios. Requires learning curve.

Our Approach

Fixed schema — your CSV needs standard columns (Date, Amount, Payee, Account, Memo). Simpler but less flexible. Works great for bank exports that already have these columns.

Required Columns

Column	Required	Description
Date	Yes	Transaction date
Amount	Yes	Negative for debits, positive for credits
Payee	No	Vendor/customer name
Account	No	Expense/income account
Memo	No	Transaction description
CheckNum	No	Check or reference number
Class	No	QuickBooks class

Column Name Flexibility We auto-detect common column name variations (e.g., "Transaction Date", "Trans Date", "Posting Date" all map to Date). But if your CSV has unusual column names, Big Red's full custom mapping gives more control.

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Big Red if:

You create IIF files frequently (weekly or more)
You need complex split transactions
You work with Customer:Job hierarchies
You want full control over column mapping
You're a Windows user who prefers desktop apps

Choose SpreadsheetBroccoli if:

You import bank transactions occasionally
Your needs are simple: Date, Amount, Payee, Account
You want to try before paying anything
You use Mac, iPad, or want browser-based convenience
You have OFX/QFX bank files (not just CSV)

Just need simple bank imports?

Try Free Preview

Frequently Asked Questions

For basic bank transaction imports, yes. For complex IIF creation with splits, jobs, and custom mapping, Big Red offers more features. We're simpler and cheaper for straightforward CSV-to-IIF needs.

We create balanced two-line transactions (bank account + offset account). For complex multi-line splits, Big Red's IIF Transaction Creator offers more control.

Big Red — the saved templates and full custom mapping justify the $139-169 price when you're creating IIF files professionally for multiple businesses.

Yes! Browser-based means it works on Mac, Windows, iPad — any device with a modern browser. Big Red's tool is Windows-only.

We auto-detect common variations, but unusual column names may require editing your CSV first. Big Red's full custom mapping handles any column structure.

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