While there are common functions in both Intuit products, there are also functions found in QuickBooks Online not found in QuickBooks Desktop, and vise versa.

There is a misconception that QuickBooks Online is just the cloud-based version of QuickBooks Desktop; however, this is not the case.  

So, it’s important to evaluate what you need out of your accounting software to determine which version would best suit your business. 

Both programs have common features such as accepting credit card payments, bank reconciliation, company snapshot, printing bills, online banking, and more.  But let’s compare the differences in the two QuickBooks products. Oh, and the QB Desktop version I’m referring to is the U.S Windows version, not the Mac version.

QuickBooks Desktop vs QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Desktop 

• offers Webex Remote Access as a remote accessing solution, but doesn’t allow simultaneous access for multiple remote users.

• integrates with QuickBooks Point of Sale

• offers QuickBooks Bill Pay

• offers complete job costing

• allows more freedom to customize forms and reports

• syncs with Method:CRM by installing the Method Integration Engine

• requires you to purchase a new desktop version of QuickBooks software every year with some free update releases throughout the year

• does not include support - that’s an additional cost 

QuickBooks Online 

• is accessible anytime, anywhere for up to 5 simultaneous users

• includes all upgrades and there’s no need to purchase a new version of QB Online every year

• includes free support

• tracks inventory (Online Edition Plus)

• easily integrates with Method:CRM since there's nothing to install

• does not integrate with QuickBooks Point of Sale

• does not offer QuickBooks Bill Pay

• does not do complete job costing, but it does track expenses by job

• is less flexible with regard to customizing forms or reports

If you’re looking for a really detailed breakdown of the differences between the QuickBooks versions, I recommend taking a look at these two Sleeter Group articles:

QuickBooks Online vs. Desktop: Is One Better than the Other?

Comparing QuickBooks Desktop with QuickBooks Online  

If you're interested in learning how small businesses are organizing their operations and saving themselves time with Method:CRM and QuickBooks, check out our Small Business Success Stories.

That's it for the third installment of QuickBooks 101.  If you have any questions you would like answered in the next post of this series, leave a comment below or send me a tweet at @MethodCRM

Until next time,

Lynda

Method Community Manager