Here are a few pre-made workflows to show you what’s possible, but you can use Zapier to connect QuickBooks to almost any app you use. 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. The software must also have a mobile app to enable users to perform accounting tasks even when away from their laptops or desktops.
With QuickBooks Online, you also get the latest security capabilities. Know that your data is protected without downloading and installing product updates. You don’t have to worry about losing everything in a fire or an unforeseen event. You may consider switching to QuickBooks Online if you want a cloud-based solution with several affordable plans and an easy-to-use interface. The key difference between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop is how the data is stored and hosted — cloud vs. desktop. Meaghan Senn is a writer from North Carolina with experience in B2B, technology and digital marketing topics.
- In this guide, we break down our findings, helping you decide if Online or Desktop — or another software altogether — is best for your business accounting needs.
- The dashboard does an excellent job dividing all accounting aspects into a flowchart type of view, while the sidebar provides quick access to a list of features.
- Existing QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Mac, or Enhanced Payroll users will not be impacted.
- Not only is QuickBooks Online easier to use, but it offers additional support — for a fee.
Best Accounting and Bookkeeping Apps for Small Businesses
Terms, conditions, pricing, special features, and service and support double entry system of accounting options subject to change without notice. As businesses increasingly embrace digital transformation, many are opting for QuickBooks Online and other cloud-based solutions that offer accessibility, flexibility and collaboration across devices and users. Ultimately, your specific business’s size, type, and needs are the real deciding factors in determining which of the QuickBooks versions is best for your business.
Accessibility
QuickBooks Online Advanced offers enhanced customer support options compared to standard versions. This includes access to personalized support, a dedicated account team, exclusive training opportunities, and premium assistance from QuickBooks experts. This focus on integration and ease of use aligns with user feedback on platforms like G2.com. The QuickBooks Online mobile app lets you handle essentials like sending invoices from your phone, which is excellent when you’re away from your desk. These additions show that QBO is actively evolving to meet the needs of modern, on-the-go businesses.
QuickBooks Desktop vs. Online: At a Glance
The changes need to be saved and refreshed, leaving a lot of potential for errors. QuickBooks Online is optimized to be as user-friendly as possible and very easy to navigate. The side menu categorizes features for easy access, for example, aggregating sections for employees, their taxes, and compliance details under the Payroll category. It takes a bit of time to click around and understand where everything is, but a quick run-through is more than enough to familiarize yourself with what QuickBooks Online can do. 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.
Is there a difference between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online?
For instance, QuickBooks Online Plus only costs $99 per month ($1,080 per year) for up to five users as opposed to Desktop Enterprise, which costs $1,481 per year for only one user. In evaluating pricing, we considered the billing cycle (monthly or annual) and number of users. QuickBooks Online is generally easier to use than QuickBooks Desktop as it has a more streamlined navigation menu.
All feedback, positive or negative, helps us to improve the way we help small businesses. Run payroll on any device with taxes, compliance & reporting built-in. Both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Pro and Premier have notoriously poor customer support (QuickBooks Enterprise support has better priority support).