QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop: Know the Difference QuickBooks Online and Desktop are alike but different platforms; they often raise debate among users. Which one is perfect? The question hasn’t got an answer yet because both platforms are equally popular among users. There is one significant idea that draws the line of difference; QuickBooks desktop needs installation but QuickBooks online allows you to use without requiring installation.
The enterprises that need QuickBooks on multiple devices, can go with QuickBooks online and where QB is required on a single Desktop, The QuickBooks desktop is much preferable. Moreover, the product-based business should go with Desktop, on the other hand, the service-based business must try the QB online.
Apart from given points, there other factors that help you understand the depth of contrast between both, QB Online and QB Desktop. So, let’s go through all related aspects one by one.
You need to know the differences between QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop—whether you’re starting to use QuickBooks for the very first time or you’re a loyal QuickBooks user considering converting QB from one version to another.
Costing: How Much is QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop: While comparing the QB online and Desktop, the first thing that users often stuck on is QuickBooks online and desktop plans and pricing. The cost of both the software differs due to the different software structure. The subscription of QuickBooks online plans and desktop plans are monthly and one-time paid respectively.
The pricing of QB online is: Simple Start: $25 a month Essentials: $40 a month Plus: $70 a month Advanced: $45 a month QuickBooks Desktop one-time subscriptions are: Pro: $299.95 Premier 2019: $499.95 Enterprise: $1,213
QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop: Feature Wise Now look at the feature-lists of both the QB online and QB Desktop for a better understanding of differences:
QuickBooks Online features: 1. Automatic online backup and protection: QuickBooks online automatically back-up and secure the data in the Intuit’s server. This means the worry of your data-protection is resolved with QB online. Even if your device is no more functional, the data can be retrieved from the internet servers of Intuit.
2. Access Data from multiple platforms QuickBooks online allows you to access data from various platforms such as mobile devices, PC or Macbook. It is so because the data is saved in the cloud and with a stable internet connection, all data can be accessed using QuickBooks Online ID and password.
3. 24X7 technical support: The QuickBooks online support service is available to users worldwide. Also, the support facility is free of cost, unlike the Desktop version.
4. Automatic access to the latest versions; With online, the latest QuickBooks online versions will be available to users without any additional efforts. It means that the new features and improvements can be accessed without upgrading the product. Whenever you will log-in to the account, the new version will become accessible.
QuickBooks Desktop Features: 1. Unlimited companies: QuickBooks Desktop is best to use for multiple companies. But for QuickBooks online, a separate subscription will be required for every company.
2. Sample company files: QuickBooks Desktop includes several samples for different company files targeting different industries. The files can be used for experiment purpose and practice.
3. Two Inventory Tracking options: QuickBooks Desktop offers mainly two major inventory options i.e. the average cost and FIFO. The average cost method is available for those who purchase the advanced inventory add-on module, mainly manufacturing, agriculture, and oil industries.
4. Industry based versions: For different industries like construction, manufacturing and wholesale, professional services, retail, and non-profit, different versions are available.
5. Batch invoicing: QuickBooks Desktop offers the batch invoicing feature using which you can create multiple customer-invoice at the same time.
Features at a Glance: Now have a look at a quick feature-list of QN online and QB Desktop:
Features of QB Online: Attach the document, signature, images and other items with your mobile and desktop. You can change the audit log to review action and track changes You can track by both class and location. You can schedule and send transactions. There are seven different label options available. The transaction sync is available for nightly transactions You can customize the rules using dollar value, percentage, class, and location The auto-add bank rule option is available Time tracking feature Report-only users feature is available limitlessly Delayed charges for the scheduled future transactions Journal entries using multiple AR/AP lines Different budget facility Presentation ready package for report QuickBooks online guide is widely available Features of QB Desktop: Batch invoicing Setting billing rate levels Enter the batch transactions and timesheets ACH payment facility to pay vendors Job costing module Estimate vs. actual job costing reports Mileage tracking Payroll job and labor burden costing Change order and mark column on the estimate Business planner, Forecasting, and balance sheets, using the class Footer customization Manufacturing features Average Cost inventory valuation method
Difference Between QuickBooks Desktop and Online: Which One to Choose The best way to compare QuickBooks online to the desktop is, trying both; one at a time, and analyses the features and functioning of both. Look for the features that are more necessary to you and which one out of both contains the required features. If you find QB desktop having the features that you were looking for, choose desktop. But if you are not looking for an app to install and want something quicker and lighter, QuickBooks online is what you should opt for. Though QB online has fewer features than the desktop version, Online offers access to various other QB apps that cannot be accessed using the Desktop app. The matter of fact is; Intuit is consistently making improvements in its online products and the versions have been updated very rapidly, thus trying the Online version once is no harm, over and above it will give you a new virtual accounting experience. Also, we all know, online software is always better when it comes to ease of use. From communicating with bookkeepers or accountant, managing budget to transferring files, QuickBooks online is a one-stop solution for your every need. It is good to make yourself habitual of it, as the future of QuickBooks online is fairly bright. So if you don’t yet know what QuickBooks online is, give it a try right away from the QuickBooks official website.
