If you are currently using QuickBooks Online and want to switch to an interface similar to QuickBooks Desktop, we recommend using the QuickBooks Online Desktop app. Read our article on what the QuickBooks Online Desktop app is to learn more. With QuickBooks Desktop, you must make an Accountant’s Copy of your data file and send it to your ProAdvisor.
- When you compare QuickBooks Online with QuickBooks Desktop, you’ll find that QuickBooks Desktop is installed on your computer.
- The assisted migration offer is eligible to Desktop customers that are migrating their data and setting up QuickBooks Online.
- Support network refers to a community of software users that can extend professional help to businesses.
- Our unbiased reviews and content are supported in part by affiliate partnerships, and we adhere to strict guidelines to preserve editorial integrity.
- Having an independent software expert perform the bookkeeping is good for overall ease of use.
For those customers that choose to stay on Desktop Plus subscriptions, cr what does cr stand for the free dictionary we’ll continue to focus on product maintenance and security. Send invoices, run reports, and get mobile alerts for key events—all on your smartphone. Both include the basic reports you’d expect to find with accounting software, such as a balance sheet, a Profit & Loss report, a cash flow statement, etc. We recommend crunching the numbers to decide whether the online or desktop versions of QuickBooks are right for your specific business. It is worth noting that QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier versions will soon discontinue sales to new users.
Contact Management
When comparing QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, each version has its own advantages, helping specific businesses with certain financial management needs. QuickBooks Online is popular for businesses that want flexibility — both in terms of where and how they can access their finances as well as what plan they can choose as they grow. On the other hand, established businesses may get more out of QuickBooks Desktop with its advanced capabilities in a secure database. She started her career writing and editing content about home services before transitioning to home improvement products. She has spent the last year and a half working at a software company, managing content about CRM, project management and other business topics. While QuickBooks Desktop is great for users who prefer locally-installed software, users will have to pay additional fees for cloud hosting, adding to the already expensive cost.
QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop: Which is best?
For this section, we considered customer service, support network, and a subjective expert opinion score. Users must have easy access to customer service channels in case of problems, questions, or assistance. The software must have features that allow users to set sales tax rates, apply them to invoices, and enable users to pay sales tax liability.
For $27.50 per month for the first three months, then $55 per month after that, get up to three users, manage and pay bills and track time with its Essentials plan, which is its most popular plan. Upgrade to Plus for $42.50 per month for the first three months, then $85 per month afterward, and you will receive access for up to five users, inventory tracking and the ability to track project profitability. For $1,922 per year, get the Enterprise plan with advanced pricing, reporting and inventory. The higher your plan tier, the more reports and users you can add, although it’s important to understand concurrent users are each sold separately. The two versions are independent of each other, which means the data you enter on Desktop doesn’t sync to the Online version and vice-versa. Ultimately, comparing QuickBooks Online with QuickBooks Desktop comes down to your specific business needs.
See why more businesses are choosing QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Desktop is more traditional accounting software that you download and install on your computer, while QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software you access through the internet. For the Desktop version, you pay an annual fee starting at $1,922 per year, and the cloud-based option starts at $15 per month. Both versions have mobile apps, but the app for the Desktop version primarily functions as a way to upload receipts, and the Online mobile app is robust in comparison. QuickBooks Online is super flexible but requires a solid internet connection. Feature-wise, Desktop offers more advanced features for things like job costing, while Online is a great option for integrations and multi-user collaboration. If you need multiple users to access your account at the same time, a QuickBooks Online plan would be best.
Payroll
If QuickBooks Online and Desktop are on your list of potential accounting solutions, you may want to also consider some similar alternatives. For example, Xero and FreshBooks are cloud-based platforms with extensive features for small and medium-sized businesses, while Quicken is a desktop option for self-employed individuals. Subscription clients in QuickBooks Desktop 2023 (R1) or older versions will need to update to the latest 2023 (R3) version before their subscription expires. Merchant Maverick’s ratings are editorial in nature, and are not aggregated from user reviews. Each staff reviewer at Merchant Maverick is a subject matter expert with experience researching, testing, and evaluating small business software and services.