We deliver timely updates, interesting insights, and exclusive promos to your inbox. Both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop are designed to handle small business’s bandwidth and needs. Strictly based on ease of use and basic functionality, QuickBooks Online is an easier-to-adopt option that can handle small business accounting needs well.
QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop starting plans and prices
QuickBooks Desktop Premier and Quickbooks Desktop Enterprise have even more reports (especially if you opt for the industry-specific versions of these programs). In contrast, QuickBooks Desktop tends to have a steeper learning curve, offers fewer integrations, and has had its previous versions discontinued by QuickBooks. QuickBooks Pro and Premiere will also discontinue sales to new users on July 31, 2024. 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.
You can, however, switch your business’s account from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online without losing your data. However, if you own a big business, prefer locally how to calculate profit margin formula stored software, or want industry-specific reports, QuickBooks Desktop could be a better fit for your business. The vendors that appear on this list were chosen by subject matter experts on the basis of product quality, wide usage and availability, and positive reputation. Help us to improve by providing some feedback on your experience today.
Yes, QuickBooks Desktop has a subscription fee that users pay annually. During our testing, it took us no time to get up to speed on how to use the QuickBooks Online platform. The platform has an intuitive layout that we were able to navigate on our own.
- We don’t guarantee that our suggestions will work best for each individual or business, so consider your unique needs when choosing products and services.
- We at the MarketWatch Guides team have tested both versions of the QuickBooks platform.
- QuickBooks Online made it to our Best Accounting Software for Small Business list because it is a comprehensive platform that checks all the boxes for accounting, invoicing and expense tracking.
- Meaghan Senn is a writer from North Carolina with experience in B2B, technology and digital marketing topics.
- QuickBooks Desktop also offers different versions of its software for certain types of businesses (construction, nonprofits, manufacturing, etc.).
QuickBooks Desktop plans and pricing
Unlike QuickBooks Online, Desktop Pro includes built-in inventory management. And if data analysis is an important part of growing your business, QuickBooks Desktop is a solid pick. It includes 100+ reports, while QuickBooks Online Simple Start includes around 40. The Desktop Premier edition escalates to 150+ reports, including industry-specific reports for general contractors, manufacturers and wholesalers, nonprofits, and retailers. One big drawback of QuickBooks Pro in the past was that it didn’t have mobile apps.
How the Software Stacks Up
However, QuickBooks also provided help bubbles and other guidance throughout the platform when we opened certain features for the first time. Though QuickBooks Desktop is more expensive and can be more confusing to learn, it has its place with large businesses that need advanced accounting. Here’s a breakdown of how we reviewed and rated accounting software.
The right fit for all kinds of businesses
We at the MarketWatch Guides team have tested both versions of the QuickBooks platform. In this guide, we break down our findings, accounting and bookkeeping services helping you decide if Online or Desktop — or another software altogether — is best for your business accounting needs. In contrast, QuickBooks Desktop’s interface was built with accountants in mind. Instead of showing clear images of your cash balance, outstanding invoices, and upcoming bills like the QuickBooks Online dash, the desktop version’s dash is a flowing series of connected folders and files.
This plan also gives you a dedicated account team to help with training, troubleshooting and setup. how to calculate ending inventory using absorption costing QuickBooks Online gives small-to-mid-sized businesses the ability to host their accounting on a cloud-based system, allowing for access and collaboration across devices. On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop offers large businesses and enterprises a more advanced system that’s limited to desktop devices.