Ever since the online version of the popular QuickBooks was introduced in 2000, business owners have grappled with one question: Which version is right for me?
Early adopters (i.e. people who have been using QuickBooks Desktop since the 1990s) wonder if they should switch while individuals who are new to QuickBooks are often unsure which version they should choose.
While there is no single answer to these questions, understanding the differences between the desktop and online versions can help people choose the one that is right for them and their businesses.
7 Key Differences Between Desktop & QBO
The differences in the two versions of QuickBooks are evident when accessing the software, creating reports, processing invoices and more. Here are a few of the key differences:
- Initial Fee – Online offers a free 30-day trial so there is no initial fee to try it. Desktop requires the purchase of the software up front.
- Monthly Fee – Pro Desktop 2015 is a one-time payment or you can get Pro Plus for an annual payment. On the other hand, QuickBooks Online requires a monthly subscription.
- Internet Connection – Because it is cloud-based, an Internet connection is required to use QBO. QuickBooks Desktop can only be accessed from the computer it is installed on regardless of Internet connection.
- Automation Functions – With Desktop, transactions (invoice, receipt, reports, etc.) must be processed manually. QBO has several automated features for things such as customer billing, email reports and downloading bank transactions.
- Remote Access – Since QuickBooks Online is cloud-based, users can access QuickBooks reports wherever they have Internet access and from multiple devices. The QuickBooks Desktop version is linked to the computer it is installed on and therefore can only be accessed on-site.
- Customized Features – The QuickBooks Desktop version has several features that are not available in the online version. This includes the ability to prepare 1099s, budget and track mileage and expenses. In general, the desktop version allows more freedom to customize forms than QuickBooks Online.
- Support – The basic QuickBooks Desktop version does not come with support although you can pay for support by getting the Pro Plus edition. QuickBooks Online comes with free support.
Choosing the Right QuickBooks Version
Understanding the many differences between the desktop and online versions allows business owners to make an informed decision about what is right for their business. In general:
QuickBooks Desktop is a good choice for:
- Businesses with a fixed office location
- Businesses that have a small number of people who need access
- Businesses that don’t want a recurring monthly charge
- Businesses that don’t want their books to be accessible online
- Businesses that want to explore customized features such as the ability to track budget and spending
QuickBooks Online is a good choice for:
- Businesses where people need to remote access the books
- Businesses where multiple people may need to access the books at the same time
- Businesses that are comfortable with a monthly fee and the additional support that comes with it
- Businesses that are comfortable with cloud computing where data is stored online and only accessible with an internet connection
- Businesses that want to explore automation
SUMMARY: Each version of QuickBooks has its strengths and weaknesses. All owners should carefully review the differences before deciding which is the best solution for their business.
Justin Clark2023-10-23T21:11:41-05:00November 14th, 2014|Helpful Articles|0 Comments
