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QuickBooks Desktop vs. QuickBooks Online

Written by Alison Garcia | Jul 8, 2021 7:48:04 PM

Are you looking for the best accounting software for your business? Intuits offers some of the best accounting software with robust features for businesses of every size and structure. Two of their best accounting software are QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online, both of which are used by small businesses. Both software applications curate an impressive list of functions and features with proven results and testimonials for users globally. Knowing which software to use for your business is essential. This is why in this article, we will take a quick look into the features and functions that make them unique and help you with the right information in choosing the best accounting software for your business.

Cloud-Based vs. Locally-Hosted

The first key distinguishing feature between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online is how these software applications run and are hosted. Take QuickBooks Online for one. The software runs a cloud-based solution which also comes with a mobile app. This feature implies that you can have remote access to the software anywhere and at any time. On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop runs locally on your computer or laptop and still has access to several cloud-based features. This means that using QuickBooks Desktop will not require an internet connection. You download the software, install it on your computer, and you gain access.

Accounting

Let’s not forget that Intuit remains a global brand for its accounting solutions. Both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online do not fall short in this. Both software comes fully packed with a diverse range of accounting functions and features. You get access to accurate account charts, journal entries, bank reconciliation, etc. You get access to every available report required to run your business. But QuickBooks Desktop comes with more complex accounting issues, which QuickBooks Online does not yet possess. On the other hand, QuickBooks Online offers a platform for you to access premium accounting professionals and support for your job.

Industry Specification

When it comes to industry-specific software, QuickBooks Desktop does the job. The software comes with various versions specifically built to meet different industries. This is excellent news if you want accounting services and structures tailored to your specific business type. QuickBooks Online offers more of a general and all-inclusive software solution for businesses. Again, choosing between the two here would be based on the industry your business belongs to and the unique accounting structures you may need for your business.

Ease of Use

Both software applications are comparatively easy to learn and use. QuickBooks Desktop is much older, as such, it is pretty simple how the software and interface are designed. At the same time, QuickBooks Online gives a more modern and flexible interface to the way the software is designed. You also get access to customer service on both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online. As regards sharing access to others, both software gives up to 30 users based on the plan you subscribe to.

Pricing

And then there’s the pricing. In comparing QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online, affordability plays a vital role in making a choice. Both software applications are of premium quality, and businesses pay top dollar to access the amazing features they offer. QuickBooks Desktop offers a yearly payment plan or licensing fee to use the software. There are different versions of the desktop software, and each comes with different plans. This allows you to select a plan that best suits your business at whatever financial spectrum you may be on.

QuickBooks Online offers a monthly subscription payment plan to access the software online. It comes with four payment plans ranging from starter to advanced. Each plan has a payment option that increases with the plan. Also, Intuit has recently announced an increase to their QuickBooks Online Program. This increase in price may prove to be an issue for certain businesses

In Conclusion

It’s important to note here that both software applications provide awesome features focusing on better delivery and more efficient accounting service. QuickBooks Online has and continues to undergo a lot of evolution in how it operates and serves businesses which paints the prospect of much more to come. QuickBooks Desktop has been around much longer than most accounting software and possesses many stronger features for more complex accounting work. Ultimately, your choice will boil down to which software best fits your business structure and goals.

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