QuickBooks Desktop, Compare QuickBooks Desktop to Online

This means that if you rename an account or reorganize the chart of account list you will get an error when QBDT tries to run this bank rule. This is compounded by the fact that the rules list is not really well organized and could have hundreds if not thousands of rules. Both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online have the ability to set up bank rules, which are quickbooks for llc s corp ‘if this, then that’ rules that apply to transactions imported from the bank. Your business is unique, but your routine bookkeeping tasks are going to be similar to many other businesses such as consultants/coaches, dog walkers, and photographers. The transition from QBO to QBDT is rarely smooth and will very likely take multiple attempts to get the data to load.

1. While the two iterations are different in some aspects, they’re essentially the same product, and the differences between them aren’t as glaring as they are with other accounting software solutions.
2. The product also available for up to 30 users, so is a good choice for a larger business where more employees need access to the accounting system.
3. 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.
4. However, in addition to its mobile app, QuickBooks Online has a desktop app.

QuickBooks Enterprise and QuickBooks Online have two very different pricing structures. QuickBooks does have a 30-user cap, which for a growing small business may be more than enough. For a business looking to set up multiple users with predefined roles, they may find themselves eventually wishing they had a system that allowed for unlimited users.

QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Desktop

According to in-depth research reports from Gartner and Forrester, QuickBooks Desktop often scores higher points than QuickBooks Online when it comes to advanced features and industry-specific functionalities. QuickBooks Online excels at security due to automatic data backups, encryption, and regular security audits. However, QuickBooks Desktop relies on users to implement security measures and perform regular data backups. The sales receipt can be created by clicking the +New button in the upper left-hand corner of the screen, followed by choosing the sales receipt under the header called Customers. The sales receipt can be created from the Home Page or from the Customers menu on the top of the screen.

QuickBooks Online Vs. Desktop: What’s The Difference?

The main difference between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop is that QuickBooks Online is cloud-based accounting software, and QuickBooks Desktop is locally installed. A variety of short video tutorials are available as well as on-demand webinars and training classes. One of the best resources is the QuickBooks Online community, where you can connect with other users to share tips, answer questions, and find answers to problems that may arise.

However, if you need more features and customization options, currently, QuickBooks Desktop has the lead. The main difference between QuickBooks Desktop and Online is that QuickBooks Desktop is desktop-based, while QuickBooks Online, you guessed it,  is a cloud-based software. This means that accessing your data with QuickBooks Online is easier and more convenient as all you need is a device with an internet connection.

QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop features

So, in the future, we should see QuickBooks Online becoming the better overall solution and overtaking Desktop. Whether you’re currently using QuickBooks and need professional consulting https://quickbooks-payroll.org/ services, are looking to buy QuickBooks or even outgrowing QuickBooks, we can help. If you want to learn more, you can read about each of the products on our dedicated landing pages.

Work from anywhere with the power of the cloud and real-time, secure collaboration. Yes, you can, but the process is a bit tedious, as you need to manually export your files from QuickBooks Online to Desktop. 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.

Additionally, some users like that QuickBooks Desktop allows them to customize, memorize, and schedule reports easily. QuickBooks Desktop indeed has advanced reporting features, but you must upgrade to Advanced to access them. Businesses that have purchased one-time licenses of the locally-installed QuickBooks Desktop versions that have been sunset can still use the software’s accounting features.

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.

However, if you need access to add-on services to replicate some or all of the features of QuickBooks Desktop software, you may wish to explore QuickBooks Online options instead. That’s because access to online apps for Desktop users is being discontinued after May 31, 2023. That’s because it’s one of the leading accounting software programs for managing payroll, operations, accounts receivable and numerous other financial functions. Both QuickBooks Online Advanced and QuickBooks Enterprise are intended to be used by small businesses with complex needs (such as manufacturers or distributors) who also require advanced inventory. However, businesses with ever-changing needs may prefer the freedom offered the applications offered within QuickBooks Online. QuickBooks Online is probably the better option if you need easy-to-use, remote-access accounting software that can be used from anywhere.

With QuickBooks Online, users receive many of the same great features while gaining the mobility of cloud-based software. QuickBooks Online is easier to use and has more automations, more integrations, and better invoicing. The downsides are the lack of sales orders, lead management, and other complexities that loyal Desktop users may miss (such as customizable letter templates, a built-in calendar, and even spellcheck).

Only QuickBooks Online Offers…

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based software optimized for small businesses. As a user, you will access QBO through your browser by going to a website where you log on to do business. QuickBooks Enterprise does sync with the cloud, but is accessed from your computer’s desktop and is available offline or behind a firewall. The product also available for up to 30 users, so is a good choice for a larger business where more employees need access to the accounting system.

However, when it comes to intricate financial management, predefined user roles, and capacity for growth, QuickBooks Enterprise does hold an edge. That said, businesses just starting out or those who prioritize mobility might find QuickBooks Online a better fit. While QuickBooks Online can handle a high volume of users (depending on the version you have), it performs the best when you are using 5 or fewer users. If you require more, your needs have likely grown beyond what QuickBooks Online will offer you long-term, and it may be time to consider upgrading to QuickBooks Enterprise or a QuickBooks replacement. Determining which pricing structure your business can afford is one of the biggest deciding factors a business may use in shopping for software.

Seeing as it’s a program installed on your local system, it relies on the device’s processing power and resources. With larger datasets or complex operations, QuickBooks Desktop might utilize more local processing power compared to the online version. You can (almost) always trust your local access, and QuickBooks Desktop reinforces that by keeping your accounting data on your local drive or network. QuickBooks Desktop can feel rigid and resistant to modification or integration—the same way Apple products and iOS felt rigid back when everyone had overheating, self-cooking Android phones. QuickBooks Desktop is a better fit for businesses that prefer to store their data locally and are less dependent on real-time updates or extensive collaboration. It’s fair to point out that multiple people can use QuickBooks Desktop over the local network at the office.

In addition to third-party integrations, QuickBooks Online integrates with native products, such as QuickBooks Payments, QuickBooks Payroll, and QuickBooks Time (formerly TSheets). QuickBooks Desktop can be integrated with QuickBooks Desktop Payroll and QuickBooks Time. Additionally, all versions of QuickBooks Desktop allow you to set up cost estimates for projects and then compare them to actual expenses.