This gives you more control over your data, but industry theory you’ll only have access when using that computer. You can access your data from any device with an internet connection. QuickBooks Online isn’t simply the QuickBooks Desktop version hosted online. Intuit has added new features and improvements to QuickBooks Online that set it apart.
Merchant Maverick’s ratings are not influenced by affiliate partnerships. These versions give business owners more features and reports geared toward their industry. QuickBooks Online offers over 80 reports depending on your plan, whereas QuickBooks Desktop Pro has over 130 reports. QuickBooks Desktop Premier and Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise have even more reports (especially if you opt for the industry-specific versions of these programs). QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop operate on true double-entry accounting principles and have both accrual and cash-basis accounting. Each offers a detailed chart of accounts, journal entries, bank reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and the basic reports needed to run a company.
Is there a difference between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online?
Below we provide a detailed comparison across each feature, where we also determine a winner for each category. Katherine Haan is a small business owner with nearly two decades of experience helping other business owners increase their top 5 reasons why not filing an income tax return is a bad idea incomes. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Find help articles, video tutorials, and connect with other businesses in our online community. Answer a few questions about what’s important to your business and we’ll recommend the right fit.
When is QuickBooks Desktop better than QuickBooks Online?
Fit Small Business notes that QBO offers project management features and tends to be more affordable than QuickBooks Desktop for teams needing multiple logins. This is a big plus for growing businesses that need to give access to several employees without breaking the bank on software licenses. QuickBooks Desktop is the powerhouse when it comes to advanced features. Its robust reporting capabilities offer deeper insights into your financial data. If your business relies on complex inventory management, Desktop’s more comprehensive tools are likely a better fit.
Both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Pro and Premier have notoriously poor customer support (QuickBooks Enterprise support has better priority support). Granted, you don’t have to be an accountant to learn QuickBooks Desktop either, but if you are new to accounting, you will need a lot of time to learn the program. 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. QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop share the same basic functionality of organizing your accounting processes and automating much of the manual data entry work. It has faster load times and quicker response rates, all while requiring minimal local processing how much do small businesses pay in taxes power.
Most notably, Premier Plus has 150+ customizable reports for nonprofits, general contractors, and retailers. During our extensive research of the business accounting industry where we interviewed financial experts and surveyed accounting software users, QuickBooks came up often as a widely used solution. Both QuickBooks Online and Desktop offer security measures, but they approach it differently.
- You can add payroll, more users, and cloud hosting for additional fees.
- It has faster load times and quicker response rates, all while requiring minimal local processing power.
- 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.
- Feature-wise, Desktop offers more advanced features for things like job costing, while Online is a great option for integrations and multi-user collaboration.
Advantages of Cloud Accounting
Conversely, Desktop’s interface, while more traditional, offers a comprehensive suite of features that experienced users might find more powerful. Forbes suggests Desktop is a good fit for businesses comfortable with accounting principles and who don’t require constant collaboration. Consider your team’s technical proficiency and comfort level with accounting software when making your choice.
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. In the battle between QuickBooks Online and Desktop, it’s best to focus on the differences between the two accounting software options since they are so similar. It is worth noting that QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Premier versions will soon discontinue sales to new users. Beginning July 31, 2024, only QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise will be available. If QuickBooks Desktop seems to be the better fit after reading this comparison, make sure to act quickly to start your subscription to avoid missing out.
QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Desktop
We recommend crunching the numbers to decide whether the online or desktop versions of QuickBooks are right for your specific business. No matter which version of QuickBooks Desktop you’re using, you can switch to QuickBooks Online quickly and seamlessly. With our online migration tool, you can move all your data or move only what’s key—like balances and specific lists. If you need help, we can migrate your data for you at no additional cost. For those customers that choose to stay on Desktop Plus subscriptions, 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.
