QuickBooks Online vs Desktop: Which Is Right for Your Business?
However, the majority of reviews are positive, with QuickBooks Online receiving 4.3/5 stars (based on 6,200+ reviews) on Software Advice and 4/5 stars (based on 3,100+ reviews) on G2. In contrast, QuickBooks Desktop offers hardly any payment gateways, making it difficult for the modern merchant to accept online invoice payments easily. Even though QB Desktop has more comprehensive features in general, there are some key features that only QuickBooks Online has, such as bookkeeping support. In comparison with QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Online is cloud-based, cheaper, easier to use, supports more integrations, and is unlikely to be discontinued by QuickBooks. Our complete QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop comparison covers key differences, pricing, features, and usability, so you can easily decide whether QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop is right for your business.
Once purchased, the licensing of QuickBooks Enterprise is good for 3 years. If you fail to renew your solution each year, you are still welcome to continue using the solution on your desktop, but you will be limited to 1 user license and not have any ongoing support. Keep in mind these are for concurrent users, or users that require access at the same time. It is completely possible (and even encouraged) to have users share the same logins in order to save on software expenses.
QuickBooks Online has a cheaper monthly cost and is more affordable if you have a lot of employees who will be using the software. QuickBooks Desktop Pro may be cheaper if you do not need additional users or add-ons such as payroll. Small to midsize businesses that want a desktop solution or need advanced inventory and industry-specific features.
- QuickBooks might encourage its users to switch from QuickBooks Desktop to Online, but it hasn’t issued any statements about discontinuing Desktop entirely.
- Both versions offer automatic syncing with your bank so you can categorize transactions.
- You can even get the benefits of anytime availability of Premium support for all your issues.
- QuickBooks Desktop wins this, offering more reporting options as well as industry-specific reports and forecasting options not offered in QuickBooks Online.
QuickBooks Desktop pricing varies according to a different version of the system. QuickBooks Pro is adjusted towards medium industry business and has cost $466.99 for a single user. QuickBooks Enterprise is specially allotted for small enterprises or large businesses and starts at $1,655 annually. Both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks online provide amazing and strong accounting solutions however you can find key differences when it is compared. The QuickBooks Desktop comes in the list of locally installed software with a license purchase system whereas QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based system with a monthly pricing model.
In contrast, QuickBooks Desktop involves an upfront payment but is moving to an annual, monthly subscription. On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop is known for its robust and comprehensive features. It outperforms the Online version when it comes to advanced job costing, batch invoicing, and industry-specific features. According to research reports from Gartner and Forrester, QuickBooks Desktop often scores higher than QuickBooks Online in terms of functionality. You can use the Direct Connect Option by enrolling for the Direct Connect service which will allow you access to the small business online banking option at bankofamerica.com.
It syncs QuickBooks Online with sales channels and marketplaces to simplify bookkeeping. It also supports easy collaboration, letting you share your account with your preferred accounting expert or an outsourced accounting agency. All QuickBooks versions and plans include comprehensive reporting options. QuickBooks Desktop also has additional features for customizing and exporting reports. QuickBooks Online has more third-party integrations than its desktop counterpart. It connects with over 750 popular business tools and platforms, simplifying and automating many accounting tasks.
What is the difference between QuickBooks Enterprise and Accountant?
Desktop versions of QuickBooks consistently receive higher ratings across review websites, although this could be due to the history of QuickBooks Desktop vs Online. QuickBooks Desktop is usually preferred if you are looking for industry-specific features or have more complex accounting needs. QuickBooks Enterprise is intended for use by larger-small businesses and can be used by manufacturing and distribution businesses with its advanced inventory features. QuickBooks Online is for more accounting-focused businesses looking for a web-based system, and/or a business that wants access to the large app-based ecosystem QuickBooks offers. QuickBooks Desktop offers the same support options found in QuickBooks Online including video tutorials, on-demand webinars, and various training options.
- Users of desktop versions of QuickBooks say that you’ll experience faster run times, fewer bugs, and better customer support in comparison to the online counterpart.
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus and Enterprise plans have industry-specific reports for manufacturing and wholesale, retail, nonprofit, general contractor and professional service businesses, too.
- This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks.
- QuickBooks Enterprise is specially allotted for small enterprises or large businesses and starts at $1,655 annually.
- The most notable difference, aside from price, between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop is the Online version is cloud-based.
QuickBooks Online can be likened to a Honda Civic, tried, true, and great basic utility functions. As a cloud-based solution, it provides the convenience of universal access, which is ideal for users who prefer working from home or multitasking during their children’s soccer matches. Online is praised accounting definition for its intuitive, user-friendly interface, simplifying navigation for accounting newcomers. In contrast, despite offering more sophisticated features, QuickBooks Desktop is similar in its ease of use however has not been updated with a fresh user interface like the web apps we all enjoy.
Industry-specific reports
Yes, last I checked you can call to do that for recent/supported versions. On your computer, unless you use the optional feature/service to back up to the cloud. The main dashboard will give an overview of your QuickBooks account, showing your profit and loss overview, invoices, expenses and sales. Includes tools that help automate the reconciliation process, along with a global search function and customizable dashboard; however, there is a learning curve. QuickBooks Desktop offers more sophisticated features than comparable features found on QuickBooks Online.
How To Convert QuickBooks Desktop to Online in 5 Steps
Meanwhile, QuickBooks Desktop is desktop-based—meaning it can only be accessed from the computer where it is installed. It’s great for businesses that appreciate the stability of desktop software and those that require its advanced features, like inventory assembly management and industry-specific features. With QuickBooks Desktop, users receive some of the most developed accounting tools on the market. The software offers comprehensive features, unique touches (such as lead management and sales orders), industry-specific versions of the software, and the potential to be more secure. If you choose to cancel your QuickBooks Online subscription, you will still have access to your QuickBooks Money account and data.
Can I switch from QuickBooks Online to Desktop?
Since QuickBooks Online offers four cloud-based plans, it easily grows with your business. As you hire more employees or bring on more customers, you can scale up your software to match. And if you manage your business from multiple locations, you’ll want QuickBooks Online over Desktop. Only QuickBooks Online includes free access to a comprehensive version of the QuickBooks mobile accounting app, which is one of the best apps in the accounting sphere.
Yes, you can migrate your data from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. Intuit provides conversion tools and services to facilitate the transition. However, it’s recommended to consult the migration guide and backup your data before proceeding with the switch. QuickBooks Online is like the charismatic superhero who can do it all while looking cool.
Clarify complexity with efficient inventory management and integrated payroll and time tracking. Plus, with access for up to 40 users, Enterprise can scale with your business as it grows. QuickBooks Online can be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection, and because it’s web-based, you can work with your accountant in real time. The QuickBooks mobile app is also available for free and lets you manage your account on the go. You can download a 30-day trial version of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise only—both the Premier Plus and Pro Plus plans come with a 60-day money-back guarantee, but no free trial.
After you sign up for QuickBooks Online, you’ll be able to log in to your account and access the main dashboard view. If you’re moving to QuickBooks from another accounting software, you can import your existing files to your new account. Intuit has partnered with Webgility, an ecommerce accounting solution, to help small and medium-sized businesses save time, ensure accuracy, and make data-driven decisions to boost growth. If you need personalized customer support, you can upgrade to QuickBooks Online Advanced or QuickBooks Enterprise. Doing so grants you access to the Priority Circle loyalty program, including a dedicated account team, free on-demand training, and premium care from QuickBooks experts.
Evaluating Pricing and Billing
While people may assume that QuickBooks Online is simply the cloud version of QuickBooks Desktop, in reality, the two products are very different. For an extra $50, sign up for a one-time live Bookkeeping setup with any of its plans. However, please note that access to add-on services will be discontinued for all QuickBooks Desktop software after May 31, 2023. Before the launch of QuickBooks Desktop 2022, the QuickBook products were available as a one-time purchase. Now, Premier Plus and Enterprise packages are available on a subscription-basis only.
