QuickBooks, developed by Intuit, proves to be a game-changing software in the world of bookkeeping and accounting for businesses of all sizes and verticals. QuickBooks paves the way for many businesses to resolve complex accounting and financial management problems through its innovative and robust features. In the past couple of decades, QuickBooks has become a prime choice for businesses to streamline their overall bookkeeping processes. Users often get confused when it comes to choosing the right software. This is why we are going to compare QuickBooks Online with Desktop to provide a clear picture through this blog.
Which is Better, QuickBooks Online or Desktop?
Many people often ask “Is QuickBooks Online better than Desktop?” Well, every business has distinct needs and requirements and both versions cater to the needs of various industries. According to Intuit and other industry leaders, QuickBooks Online offers something unique and extra to businesses of all sizes and verticals. This trend helps explain the recent changes and updates to QuickBooks Desktop, which aim to address the evolving needs of its user base.
Considerations Before Choosing QuickBooks Online Or Desktop
When it comes to choosing one from QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, it is important for a user to consider a few things in advance. By considering these elements, one can actually make informed and smart decisions. These key considerations are as follows:
1. Assessment of Business Needs
To select the most suitable option, evaluate your business needs and requirements. Consider factors such as core business operations, employee count, and accounting complexities to make a smart decision. Also, you need to consider if you want cloud access because in that case, QuickBooks Online is the ideal solution that will meet all your business-related needs effectively.
2. Budget and Cost Considerations
Finalize your budget and cost considerations to determine which pricing structure is more suitable for your business. If we talk about QuickBooks Desktop vs Online comparison, the online version comes with a different pricing subscription whereas QuickBooks Desktop involves a one-time purchase.
3. Scalability and Growth
If you expect significant growth, evaluate the scalability of both versions. QuickBooks Online often handles expansion more smoothly due to its cloud-based solution and other advanced features, while QuickBooks Desktop may need additional hardware or software upgrades as your business grows.
4. User Reviews and Feedback
Conduct research, and compare user reviews and testimonials for both versions. Examine insights related to performance, user experience, and features. Consider user satisfaction by looking for feedback on factors such as ease of use, customer support, and overall satisfaction with the software.
The difference between QuickBooks Online and Desktop lies primarily in their deployment method, pricing structure, and feature set. By carefully examining these considerations, you can select the version that best aligns with your business needs and goals. As we said, Intuit has announced major changes regarding the QuickBooks Desktop version and it is time now to take a glance at them
Major Announcements Regarding QuickBooks Desktop
Recently, Intuit announced major developments for QuickBooks Desktop users. Intuit is going to make Let us discuss them in detail below:
1. Discontinuation of Sale of QuickBooks Desktop
Intuit announced that it will discontinue the sale of several QuickBooks Desktop versions in the U.S. The initial deadline of July 31, 2024, has been extended to September 30, 2024. The products affected by this change include:
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus
- QuickBooks Desktop Mac Plus
- QuickBooks Desktop Enhanced Payroll
Note: This subsequent change will not impact current users of QuickBooks. QuickBooks Desktop Plus and Payroll users can renew services after September 30. 2024. Intuit gives a 30-day grace period for renewals to resolve billing or payment-related issues.
However, you may need to upgrade to QuickBooks Online as unsupported versions of QuickBooks will no longer receive the latest updates, and security patches, and may lose Intuit’s technical support.
2. Discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop Version 2022
Following the discontinuation of QuickBooks Desktop, there comes an end to the support of the QuickBooks Desktop variant of the year 2022 and its services as well. The discontinuation will take place on May 31, 2025. You will no longer be able to receive support and crucial security updates with an effective date of June 1, 2025.
The variants of QuickBooks Desktop that are going to disappear completely are:
- QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2022
- QuickBooks Desktop Premier Plus 2022 (Business, Contractor, Non-Profit, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Wholesale & Retail)
- QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 22
- QuickBooks Premier Accountant Edition Plus 2022
- QuickBooks Premier Accountant 22
- QuickBooks Desktop for Mac Plus 2022
This discontinuation also impacted other QuickBooks integrated products like QuickBooks Desktop Payroll, Payments, and online bank feeds. To avoid further disruptions, prefer to upgrade QuickBooks online by May 31, 2025 to receive more enhanced updates and secure your financial data.
Comparison Between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop
QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop are two different variants of this popular accounting software. Coming back to the main section of the blog, let us compare QuickBooks Online vs Desktop to understand the key differences between them and help in deciding the right one for your business.
When deciding between QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Desktop, it’s crucial to weigh the needs and size of your business. QuickBooks Online offers flexibility and ease of use for mid-sized and large enterprises, while QuickBooks Desktop provides robust features for growing enterprises to focus on their core operations instead of day-to-day accounting tasks.
Conclusion
Choosing the right QuickBooks version is crucial for optimizing financial management. In the debate of QuickBooks online versus QuickBooks desktop, QuickBooks online stands out for its scalability and user-friendly design, making it ideal for smaller businesses. Conversely, QuickBooks Desktop offers robust features and built-in payroll, catering to larger organizations with more complex needs. By evaluating your business size, budget, and growth expectations you can confidently select the desirable QuickBooks version that will best support your financial management needs and drive your business successfully.
If you are searching for the best financial management solution or wondering about the ideal version of QuickBooks for your business, then you can connect with QAsolved. We are here to serve you at every step.