QuickBooks are basically the bookkeeping and accounting software with dozens of features making it adore by a world-wide small business firm to manage their finance. QuickBooks has different versions and usability factors favorable according to the need of accountants of any company for its accounting process. Thus QuickBooks even has multiple platforms, from where their user can avail it by installing it.
These installations of QuickBooks software is majorly 3 methods of access:
And consumers of QuickBooks usually get confused that what should they use QB Online or QB Desktop or QB hosting?
First, let us get to know what are these separately.
QuickBooks Desktop
QB’s Desktop is a one-time investment. When you purchase this product of QB, you have to install it in your system after which you don’t have to worry about fitting it again. It doesn’t need to connect your system with the internet to manage your data from QB. Though u have to manually enter the data and transaction details of your company.
Every desktop version of QuickBooks provides ridiculous accounting tools and extraordinary features, with expense tracking, budget and job costs, 200 integrations, and positive customer reviews. It is worth noting that the QuickBooks desktop is only available on the Windows operating system. Mac users will have to watch QuickBooks for Mac for a locally installed Mac-based QuickBooks option.
These are some features of QB’s Desktop:
- Keep an eye on sales taxes and inventories
- Manage payables
- Get you to notify the forecasting by analysis
- Check is secure and auto filed by QB
- The intent of your business is understood and work accordingly
- Accept all way of money transactions and payments
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online cloud-based accounting software which can be accessed remotely. QB’s Online is a very great version of QB by which you can access it any time of the day to know how is your company’s accounting going.
QuickBooks Online is specially designed for small businesses; But, the new QuickBooks Online Advanced Plan offers the software scalable even for large businesses. The software provides a robust feature set, robust accounting, online payroll, attractive invoicing, 650+ integration, and a unique lending facility.
As all the data has been managed online, it is easy for any small business firm to put their eye over his/her business all the time they want.
If you talk about its features or benefits:
- Online sharable data with an accountant and other employees
- As online no need check for upgrades and updates
- Business reports are created automatically
- Check over the inventories on the basis of FIFO
- Inexpensive and no need to install
- By new features, issues are been fixed in every fortnight
- Before buying, you can take a trial period
QuickBooks Hosting
QuickBooks hosting is a server-based tool but with the desktop version. In short, it has all the features of the QB desktop but will be managed over a server platform. QuickBooks Hosting allows you to install QuickBooks Desktop Edition on a hosting network, hosted by a third-party cloud provider on the Internet to give access to data or files via a web browser from anywhere.
In easy words, all information, data, and files hosted on the cloud can be accessed by verified users from any place, you do not need to install it on the local machine.
Its no need for updation whereas it can be accessed from anywhere and anytime which will ultimately save your time.
These are some of the additional features:
- Access to Multi-users.
- Track over any changes in real-time.
- The sharing of the file becomes easy to multiple users.
- Features can be customized.
- Manage IT works.
- Better add-on integration.
- Good backup in case of losing any data.
QuickBooks Online vs Desktop vs Hosting
| Features | QB Online | QB Desktop | QB Hosting |
| Accessibility | Web browser | One fix desktop icon | Any desktop icon |
| Technical support | Support available for a fixed time | | 3rd party support for 24*7 |
| User interface and customization | Features different from the other two versions of the platform | A different interface from QB Online | Almost the same features as QB desktop |
| Supported versions | QuickBooks Online | QuickBooks Pro, Premier, Accountant, POS and Enterprise | Same as QuickBooks Desktop |
| Pricing structure | Fixed Price | Variable change in price | Variable change in price |
| Free Trial Period | 30 days free period | only for 30 days installation time | 7 days free trial period |
| Manage and pay bills | Not with the basic plan | yes | yes |
| Number of users who can access QuickBooks simultaneously | In a basic plan – 1 userIn higher plan – max 25 users | Premier plan- 5 usersEnterprise plan- more than 30 users | As many users as the admin wants, but depends on the support version |
| User permission control | Not come with a basic plan | Yes, by making duplicate role | Yes same as QB desktop |
| Shipping manager | no | yes | yes |
| Payroll function | Via Add-on | automatically | Via Add-on feature |
| Inventory management | Do not manage with a basic plan | With the Enterprise plan, yes | Yes do |
| Processing speed | slow | High | Higher than both |
| Backup and disaster recovery | Limited but yes | Yes | Yes |
Conclusion
In the end, it is not easy to make clear that what to choose and what not to, cause every user has his/her own demands while doing accounting for any company’s finance.
As we can see, nowadays everything is going online, it’s not very far that QuickBook will complete shift them online, but there are some features in QB’s Desktop which are very much adored by many accountants.
At last, there are many features and factors which will be important to many and which may not be a major thing for others. Any other further assistance, please feel free to contact our ProAdvisor or dial directly our toll-free +1-855-441-4417
