Back then, you couldn’t pull industry-specific reports and could only access mildly customized reports within the system. QuickBooks Desktop (formerly known as simply “QuickBooks”) is a version of the accounting software that is installed on an individual desktop computer and primarily used by one person. Businesses have relied on QuickBooks Desktop for decades, and many professional accountants are intimately familiar with the program. Updated versions are released each year, with new features and functionality added annually. All QuickBooks Online plans have basic mobile accounting features, such as the ability to create and send invoices. However, higher-tiered plans have additional functionality, like the ability to enter bill payments and view reports.

So, in the future, we should see QuickBooks Online becoming the better overall solution and overtaking Desktop. Both platforms offer a free 30-day trial that you can use to get familiar with the software before paying. Both platforms come with the basic features needed to manage your accounts, but there are certain differences between QuickBooks Desktop and Online.

What’s The Difference Between QuickBooks Online VS Desktop?

Unless you’re an accountant, the learning curve will likely be a little higher for you than it would with QuickBooks Online. We also don’t recommend QuickBooks Desktop to Mac users, since there’s just one desktop-based plan for Mac users. This plan, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, has the same features as QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus, the most basic desktop-based plan. In other words, Mac users can’t scale up their software from one plan to the next as they add software users.

  • The editorial content on this page is not provided by any of the companies mentioned and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
  • What has not been consistent is the specific QuickBooks product nonprofits decide to use.
  • With QuickBooks Pro 2022, you can set automated payment reminders to let you know about the amounts of cash being deducted from your account.
  • QuickBooks Online’s monthly subscription may be easier for some small businesses to fit into their financial situation.

You may check QuickBooks’ guide to upgrading or downgrading your subscription. You can switch from QuickBooks Self-Employed to any QuickBooks Online plan—except Advanced. However, the process can be challenging as they are built on different platforms. For budgeted financial statements definition detailed instructions, head to our tutorial on how to switch from Self-Employed to Online. 9.Upgrades to a new version will be provided if and when they become available. 1.Upgrades to a new version will be provided if and when they become available.

12.Online services vary by participating financial institutions or other parties and may be subject to application approval, additional terms, conditions and fees. Every business is unique, and there may be instances where QuickBooks Desktop may be a better fit. For example, it may be more suitable for businesses with complex inventory management needs or those wanting offline access to their financial data. However, QuickBooks Online is the better choice for most companies, especially those with remote accountants and multiple employees. QuickBooks Desktop is preferable for companies that want to manage their books without an internet connection.

Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Online

Features include mileage tracking, basic reporting, income and expense tracking, capture and organize receipts and estimation of quarterly taxes. Businesses QuickBooks Online allows you to generate and track your receipts so you can understand your profit and expenditure for taxation purposes. For most startup e-Commerce companies, keeping track of their expenses can be difficult.

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With software like QuickBooks Online, however, it becomes an efficient and relatively easy thing to do. When doing business there can be long and complex invoices that take place. However, to make things easier, Quickbooks Pro 2022 helps you track your invoice history. Tracking your invoice history over a long period of time; be it weeks, months, or years is invaluable in accounts. QuickBooks Pro 2022 allows users to create customer groups that are specific to your client’s or customer’s needs. Creating customer groups is a great way to later create curated mailing lists, understand your sales, and better improve your business goals.

QuickBooks Desktop 2022 subscription offering

One big drawback of QuickBooks Pro in the past was that it didn’t have mobile apps. Fortunately, a mobile app is now available with the introduction of QuickBooks Desktop 2022. However, the QuickBooks Desktop app is a very pared down version of the desktop and is poorly rated. 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.

QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop features

Unlike QuickBooks Pro and other accounting software, QuickBooks Online allows you to record transactions on the go provided you have the right credentials. Through mobile accounting on QuickBooks online, you can access QuickBooks from your smartphone, tablet, or laptop making it quite convenient for business owners that travel around. When it comes to accounting software, QuickBooks Pro 2022 is one of the best options to work with.

QuickBooks Desktop also offers easy integration with QuickBooks Payments so you can accept online payments from customers. QuickBooks Desktop is designed for small to mid-size businesses that are looking for the reliability of a desktop software solution. QuickBooks Desktop is also a good fit for niche businesses such as nonprofit organizations, retailers, and general contractors looking for a more industry-specific solution.