How to Create a QuickBooks Online App for Custom Integrations

If you’re building a custom integration with QuickBooks Online, such as connecting QuickBooks with Salesforce, a CRM, or an internal application, you must create a QuickBooks Developer App.

This app provides the Client ID and Client Secret required to authenticate your QuickBooks integration with the QuickBooks API using OAuth.

It also allows developers to safely test the connection in a QuickBooks sandbox environment before moving to production.

Important Note for QB Sync Made Easy Users

If you are using the QB Sync Made Easy Salesforce–QuickBooks integration, you do not need to create a QuickBooks developer app.

Our application already includes the required API configuration, OAuth setup, and Webhook infrastructure, allowing you to connect your QuickBooks company directly from Salesforce.

The steps below are only required for developers building their own custom QuickBooks integrations.

Why You Need a QuickBooks Developer App

QuickBooks requires every external system accessing its APIs to authenticate through a registered application.

Creating a developer app gives you:

Secure OAuth authentication

Your integration uses a Client ID and Client Secret to authenticate users securely.

Dedicated API usage limits

Each QuickBooks app has its own API quota and rate limits.

Webhook configuration

Webhooks allow QuickBooks to send real-time updates to your system when data changes.

Access to QuickBooks accounting APIs

This includes objects such as:

• Customers
• Invoices
• Payments
• Items
• Accounts

Step 1: Create a QuickBooks Developer Account

Go to the QuickBooks developer portal:

https://developer.intuit.com

Sign in or create an account using your Intuit credentials.

After logging in, you will be able to access the QuickBooks Developer Dashboard, where you can create and manage applications.

Step 2: Create a New QuickBooks App

Inside the Developer Dashboard:

1. Navigate to  Apps
2. Click “+” Icon
3. Click on the Get Started button.
4. Enter a name for your application.
5. Add Permission, then click on Done.
6. Click on Confirm.

Once the app is created, open the Keys & Credentials section.

Make sure the following permission is enabled:

com.intuit.quickbooks.accounting

This permission allows your application to access QuickBooks accounting data.

Step 3: Get Your Client ID and Client Secret

Your QuickBooks app generates two sets of credentials:

• Sandbox credentials (for testing)
• Production credentials (for real QuickBooks companies)

Sandbox Credentials (Testing Environment)

Sandbox credentials allow your integration to connect with QuickBooks sandbox companies, which are used for development and testing.

To retrieve them:

1. Go to Keys & Credentials
2. Locate the Sandbox section
3. Copy the following values:

• Sandbox Client ID
• Sandbox Client Secret

These credentials should only be used for testing environments.

Production Credentials (Live QuickBooks Companies)

To connect with real QuickBooks companies, you must use production credentials.

To enable them:

1. Go to the Keys & Credentials page
2. Switch to Production mode
3. Complete the required App Details and Compliance sections
4. Submit your app for review if required

Once approved, you will receive:

• Production Client ID
• Production Client Secret

These credentials are used to authenticate live QuickBooks companies.

Custom QuickBooks Integrations vs Prebuilt Solutions

While building a custom QuickBooks integration gives you full control, it also requires:

• Developer account setup
• OAuth configuration
• API credential management
• Webhook infrastructure
• Rate limit management
• Ongoing maintenance

For many organizations, using a prebuilt integration like QB Sync Made Easy removes this complexity.

With QB Sync Made Easy:

• No QuickBooks developer account setup required
• No API credential management
• Built-in OAuth and Webhook handling
• Direct QuickBooks connection from Salesforce

This allows teams to focus on business processes instead of integration infrastructure.

Watch Live Demo

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11LXmMwNCQO3txFY7ruGt37f3pXr1cxy3

Final Thoughts

Setting up a QuickBooks developer app is an essential step when building custom QuickBooks integration solutions. By registering your application and using the QuickBooks API, you can securely connect external systems like Salesforce, CRMs, ERP platforms, or internal tools with QuickBooks Online. Testing the setup in a QuickBooks sandbox environment also helps ensure everything works correctly before using it with real data. However, if you’re using a ready-made integration platform, this setup is often already handled for you, making the connection process much faster and easier.

No Data Found.