QuickBooks Solopreneur (formerly QuickBooks Self-Employed) isn’t quite accounting software. Each plan varies in terms of features and the number of users allowed. With strong accounting capabilities, impressive features, 750+ integrations, and fully-featured mobile apps, it’s no wonder QuickBooks Online is one of our top accounting recommendations. Each QuickBooks product varies in price, features, usability, and target audience. If you can’t decide if QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop, or another QuickBooks version is right for your business, this guide is for you.

If you’re still unsure, take advantage of free trials to test both versions. Before making a decision between comparison QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Desktop, evaluate your business requirements, budget, and long-term goals. You can export your data, but you’ll lose access to the software. QuickBooks Online is preferred for its real-time collaboration features.

What Is the Difference Between QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop?

This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. In your experience, is this because the online version sucks or is it just different and people don’t enjoy change?

You also can open a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage which allows you to earn interest on your cash through a cash sweep program. Brokerage services for Atomic are provided by Atomic Brokerage LLC («Atomic Brokerage»), member of FINRA/SIPC and an affiliate of Atomic, which creates a conflict of interest. When evaluating offers, please review the financial institution’s Terms and Conditions. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been provided or reviewed by the card issuer. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services.

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By understanding the industry-specific strengths and limitations between QuickBooks Online vs QuickBooks Desktop , you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business needs. According to Intuit’s 2022 report, over 70% of new QuickBooks users choose QuickBooks Online. We’ll also address common challenges, provide key facts and figures, and answer frequently asked questions. In fact, Intuit provides a built-in migration tool to expense recognition principle simplify the process.

What Are QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop?

In contrast, QuickBooks Pro is a Desktop-based edition with a one-time purchase model. QuickBooks Desktop is available in several editions, including Pro, Premier, and Enterprise, each tailored to different business needs. It allows users to access their books from any device with an internet connection—laptop, tablet, or smartphone. At OneUp Networks, we work with clients across the U.S. to help them choose the best accounting tools for their needs.

• If you’re still unsure, take advantage of free trials to test both versions.
• Experience blazing-fast performance, 24/7 expert support, and seamless QuickBooks Enterprise hosting—all at the best price.
• Intuit has continued to lead the market in financial software solutions with QuickBooks.
• Each plan varies in terms of features and the number of users allowed.

QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise

• Both are locally-installed accounting solutions, both offer numerous features and robust reporting, and both have numerous integrations.
• If a specific version of QuickBooks stood out to you, we recommend taking the software for a test run to make sure you love using it.
• Another big difference to note is the number of supported users.
• QuickBooks was born out of the success of the popular financial management program Quicken, the first product Scott Cook and Tom Proulx created when they founded Intuit in 1983.

Security updates and product updates will still be released for all users who purchase a QuickBooks Desktop Plus or QuickBooks Desktop Payroll subscription before the cutoff date. With both Online and Desktop versions of QuickBooks, you can add to the basic features in your chosen tier to make sure you have exactly what serves you best. There are a few distinct differences between Online and Desktop Quickbook versions with security and protection against data loss. Having strong security protections against hacks and cyberattacks is essential since you are entering and storing sensitive financial data and personally identifiable information. This is designed to provide day-to-day financial data but is not as in-depth as the reporting found in Enterprise.

His blogs cover key trends in QuickBooks hosting, Thomson Reuters hosting, and cybersecurity for accounting firms—making him a trusted voice in the cloud hosting industry. On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop is better suited for businesses with complex accounting needs or those who prefer offline access. QuickBooks Online is cloud-based and accessible from anywhere, while QuickBooks Desktop is installed locally on a computer. Contact OneUp Networks today for a customized cloud hosting solution tailored to your accounting needs! Additionally, each plan supports multiple users and includes cloud backups.

It provides more flexibility, bin and serial number tracking, barcode scanning, and other advanced features. It is the best version of what are miscellaneous expenses definition and meaning Desktop for medium to large businesses. Pro is the most economical version of the desktop programs.

Alternatives less expensive than QuickBooks

Additionally, QuickBooks Premier supports up to five users, whereas QuickBooks Pro only supports a maximum of three. QuickBooks Pro only supports up to three users, and you have to pay per user. Another big difference to note is the number of supported users. If you’re new to accounting software, it’s important that you have the time to commit to learning the software.

Accounting & ERP Software

Oliver Westwood is a certified cloud architect and technology writer at OneUp Networks, specializing in cloud hosting for accountants and CPAs. However, additional fees may apply for payroll, support, and hosting. In addition, our 24/7 expert support and transparent pricing ensure a stress-free hosting experience. However, for businesses seeking long-term cost savings, Pro could be a viable alternative. The advanced inventory and job costing features help track materials and finished goods across multiple sites. It offers advanced features, robust reporting, and industry-specific tools.

QuickBooks Premier Features

We’ll break down the pros, cons, pricing, and other details for each product to help you make the most informed purchasing decision. Choosing between QuickBooks products can be intimidating. Existing QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, Mac, or Enhanced Payroll users will not be impacted. 1-800Accountant is a full accounting service designed to handle everything for you — from monthly bookkeeping and payroll to year-round tax strategy and filing. 💳 Save money on credit card processing with one of our top 5 picks for 2025 If ease of use and on-the-go accounting access is the most important thing to you, Online is the way to go.

Our experts recommend Xero’s accounting software for small businesses. Check out our picks for the best accounting software for small businesses. Cloud-based software operates entirely in the cloud (on the internet), whereas locally-installed software is downloaded and installed on a single, on-premise computer. The first major deciding factor is whether or not you want cloud-based or locally-installed software. Mac users that want a locally-installed accounting solution will find that QuickBooks Mac Plus offers a pretty good set of features and is optimized for use on Mac. However, businesses with three or fewer users that plan to use only the standard version of QuickBooks Premier are better off saving their time (and money!) by signing up for QuickBooks Pro.

If you can’t decide between two programs, here’s how they stack up head-to-head to help you determine which version of QuickBooks is the best accounting solution for your business. Comparing QuickBooks features is one of the best ways to decide which version of the software is the best fit for your business. QuickBooks Online is easier to use than the desktop versions, but QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise have stronger features and accounting. QuickBooks 6 tips on filing taxes for the first time Mac Plus is best for small to medium-sized businesses looking for locally-installed software compatible with Macs.

The customer support offered for Online and Desktop versions of QuickBooks follows two distinct models. This includes the volume of data it can manage and the advanced reporting options enterprise-level organizations seek. QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise is the most feature-rich financial software in its price range. QuickBooks Desktop is perfect for small companies that conduct business from a centralized location and handle all their financial data in-house. Intuit has continued to lead the market in financial software solutions with QuickBooks.

If you want a happy medium, QuickBooks Mac Plus might be a good balance since its UI is easier to use without sacrificing advanced and customizable features. On the other hand, if you’re an accountant or someone with a great deal of accounting experience, you may like QuickBooks desktop options that use traditional accounting practices. If you don’t know much about accounting, you’ll probably want to shy away from QuickBooks Pro, Premier, or Enterprise, unless you’re willing to put in the time to learn. Take a look at this chart to see which product suits your business’s size.

QuickBooks Solopreneur Pricing

Pricing varies based on the number of users and the level of customer support you need, and if you need to add QuickBooks Desktop Payroll. Apart from being expensive, the other thing with QuickBooks Enterprise is that it really isn’t an enterprise solution — it’s best for large businesses. The software includes certain features Pro lacks, including business plans, inventory assemblies, and sales forecasting. These editions offer advanced features and reporting specific to your business’s industry. QuickBooks Premier is robust, locally-installed software with plenty of features and 200+ integrations.