Throw in in-depth guides and demos, and you and your team should have no problem learning the ins and outs of QuickBooks. That makes QuickBooks Enterprise an accounting product you can actually use from the get-go ― which can make it more appealing than more complex options. Remember you were not comfortable with the desktop version when you first started using it. If you are considering switching from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online, you need to approach it as if you are learning a new software system (because you are). If you find yourself comparing how you do things in the online version to how you used to do them in the desktop version, you will find it more difficult to adjust.
- Businesses will need to upgrade to the higher QuickBooks Online plans to use inventory accounting features, such as the ability to track stock items and value and automatically update quantities.
- Granted, most people agree QuickBooks Online is the better option, but the old-timer is still somehow in the running.
- Once you decide, if you need some assistance with your QuickBooks Migration, be sure to check out our comprehensive QuickBooks Tutorial.
- QuickBooks Online offers upgrade options and integrates with many add-on third-party apps to increase functionality.
This is especially useful if you have many expenses to record, such as business travel expenses, office supplies, and equipment purchases. You can upload expense receipts in bulk, categorize them according to the appropriate expense account, and then submit them for approval. The Projects tool helps you manage different jobs and projects for your clients and track costs related to labor and materials. However, the problem with Plus or any of the other versions is that you can’t compare cost estimates to actual costs by project.
Cash Flow and Budget Management
All product and feature upgrades are available through QBO, as well as automatic data backups and the option to restore firm data from backups. QuickBooks has ready-to-use templates for generating graphs, business plans, invoices, and spreadsheets. It can also help company owners save time and effort by automating signatures on checks. In terms of connectivity with other tools, QuickBooks provides a lot of advantages. It comes with an intuitive User Interface that guides users through all of the capabilities. The “Plus” subscription affords you certain benefits, including 24/7 support, automatic backups of your QuickBooks file, and yearly software upgrades.
It also includes perks like call-backs (to save you time) and screen sharing (to save you frustration), making it better than run-of-the-mill accounting support. It offers some accounting automation, for example, but other software like NetSuite has far more powerful automation. Even so, the sheer breadth of features QuickBooks offers makes nol group signs outsourcing agreement with accenture it a competitive enterprise accounting software. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise offers a more powerful accounting alternative to the popular QuickBooks Online. It’s stuffed with accounting features that bigger businesses need ― along with the support and education materials to help your business take advantage of your new software.
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. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, Mark has extensive knowledge of QuickBooks products, allowing him to create valuable content that educates businesses on maximizing the benefits of the software.
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise cons
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.
QuickBooks Online Vs. Desktop: What’s The Difference?
Nonetheless, Plus has an advanced job costing capability, which is helpful for construction and contracting firms. If comparing estimated costs to actual job costs is critical to your business, check out Xero. Customize your data fields to present essential data in a clear, user-friendly way.
Should you choose QuickBooks Desktop or QuickBooks Online?
It supports 100+ Data Sources including QuickBooks and other 40+ Free Sources. It is a 3-step process by just selecting the data source, providing valid credentials, and choosing the destination. Aside from the 30-day free trial, QuickBooks currently offers 50% off for three months on all QuickBooks Online plans. QuickBooks Desktop versions are available through digital download or as products shipped from QuickBooks or other retail merchants. Also budget for integrated add-on third-party apps, including AP automation software.
These versions give business owners more features and reports geared toward their industry. You can learn more in our guide to the industry-specific editions of QuickBooks Enterprise. QuickBooks Premier also has a payroll add-on, or you can purchase the QuickBooks Premier + Payroll annual plan. QuickBooks Enterprise Gold and Platinum plans include Enhanced Payroll, while Enterprise Diamond includes Assisted Payroll.
Who is QuickBooks Desktop for?
Here, we’ll detail everything you should know about the two versions, including their core functions, pricing tiers, hosting location, extra features and latest updates. At Business.org, our research is meant to offer general product and service recommendations. 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.
Support options are fairly similar for both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop, with the more expensive plans offering better support options. You must purchase additional licenses if you want to access it on multiple computers. While you can add cloud access to QuickBooks Enterprise, it involves an additional fee. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. The company has updated its help centers to be more user-friendly, but there’s still no email support.
If you need more users than that, you can contact QuickBooks Online’s customer support to see if you can create a custom plan with custom user access. Otherwise, you’ll need QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, which supports up to 40 users. For instance, if you choose the Simple Start plan, you’re the only person who can use the software—apart from your accountant, with whom you can share your business’s account at no additional cost. QuickBooks Online has been part of the Intuit accounting software family for a few decades now. Since QuickBooks Online is browser-based, not desktop-based, you can log on to your Quickbooks Online account from any web-enabled device with a sturdy internet connection.
As I was testing them out, I found QuickBooks Online a lot sleeker, more modern, and easier to navigate than QuickBooks Desktop. Every step was prefaced with a tutorial, guiding me in setting up my company’s profile by prompting me to provide specific information. Yes, you can convert your QuickBooks Online data to QuickBooks Desktop using Intuit’s conversion tools. It’s important to note that the process may not transfer all data and features, so thorough preparation and backup are advised before switching.