QuickBooks Online vs Desktop which one do I choose?

Which QuickBooks version is right for you? QuickBooks Online or Desktop?

If you’re a new QuickBooks user or have ever wondered about switching to QuickBooks Online, I have something just for you.

I’m often asked what the differences are between QuickBooks Desktop and Online and how to choose which one is better. In today’s video I’ll help you decide the right fit for you and your business.

Take a look and let me know what you think. Are you going with QuickBooks Desktop or Online?

This video will help you decide which platform is the right fit for you and your business.

➡️ QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop
Things to Consider…
Are you going to always use QuickBooks on the same computer…


➡️ Give Me the Cloud!
Do you want to access QuickBooks from any computer or mobile device with Internet access?

➡️ What I like about QuickBooks Desktop:

Unlimited Company Files
Classes Feature Included
*Rentals, Multiple Locations
Buy and own software
Don’t need the Internet to access files
Can always keep your file
Review files years later


➡️ What I like about QuickBooks Online:

Access it from anywhere
Bank Feeds
*Still need to verify and properly enter data – especially if you want certain reports
Syncs with apps
Easily grant access to other users
Backs up automatically
Snap Receipts (Neat Receipts – Desktop)


**Ask your tax professional if they have a preference…



Some really don’t like QBO
Others LOVE it.



**I recommend using a version your tax profession supports!


➡️ Bookkeeping Business

Things to consider…

What are your clients already using?
Local or out of area?
Entering Data or Reviewing Data?
Who wants access to the file?


➡️ Wish you could use Desktop and also access it from any computer?

Backing up can cause problems
Consider using Qbox or another cloud-based service



➡️ Cost & Pricing

Online -Pay Monthly
Pick Features you want
$25/mo – $150/mo – depending, if you want payroll or multi-users

Desktop – Buy and Own
$200 – one-time fee
Upgrade every 3 years – depending if you want payroll or multi-users



➡️ Now you get to decide….
Which one is right for you?
Online or Desktop

**Timestamps:**

0:00 - Intro
1:39 - Things to Consider
2:05 - Access QuickBooks from any computer or mobile device
2:31 - Benefits QuickBooks Desktop
5:41 - Benefits QuickBooks Online
9:54 - Ask your Tax professional...
11:02 - Bookkeeping Business
12:22 - Use Desktop and also access it from any computer
13:42 - Cost & Pricing (Online)
16:07 - Cost & Pricing (Desktop)
17:36 - Now you get to decide...
18:58 - Free Workshop
19:40 - Payroll vs. 1099
21:49 - Final Thoughts

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I’d love to connect with you 👇

#CandusKampfer

Share with me below which one you've decided on and if this video helped you 👇🏻

[kandijohnson]

I have my own bookkeeping business, graduated from BBL, and certified Pro-Advisor for QBO. Recently I gained about 15 clients in QBDT from a local CPA, and Qbox with them. I didn't work in QBDT before, but now find that I like QBDT much better than QBO. While I won't tell my clients who purchase their own QBO subscription that I can't work with them anymore, I'm considering keeping the majority of my business in QBDT. Your thoughts?

[paulaward]

I'm a new user and will be using the On-Line version, as my CPA suggested.

[jennifersanchez]

I was originally going for online but after your explanation I think desktop is more of a fit. Thanks for this!

[johnfoti]

New GM at a small business who is using online, but I am thinking of switching them over to enterprise or desktop. 3-5 employees needing logins

[angelashockley]

Thank you for the video, very helpful. Desktop will definitely be for me. I will be checking out more of your videos. I use desktop at work but was not sure if online would be a better fit for my husband's business.

[nancywoo]

great overview. I have used desktop for quite some time, but need to upgrade. Have multiple companies and in the end I think I will end up using both online and desktop. One or two of the companies I work with would probably benefit from the accessibility of the online format, whereas the desktop seems to have more flexibility for what I want to do.

[alyssabohack]

Hi Candus! I'm an office manager for a very small, family-owned service plumber in Vermont! We've used the same software for scheduling, receivables, payables, everything since 1990!! It is SO time to make a change and I'm not sure if we need the desktop features or if the online essentials is the right choice for us. Hoping your video here will help clear that up!

[anthonyengel]

Superb. Candus is very thorough here on the differences between desktop and online. We've been using desktop for several years and then ran into the dreaded 14, 500 max record limit which will stop QB desktop in its tracks. After painfully using a 3rd party app to regain space by archiving inactive customer records, we're getting ready to convert to QB online.

[viperbite]

Great overview- just what i was looking for. I have 2 LLCs and got a bit of sticker shock when I went in to set up the second LLC in simple start, 600 / year in year 2

[trishthorne]

Thank you Candace. I'm a Mac user, and currently use Quickbooks Desktop for Mac 2019. I've been using a Mac desktop version since 2012. I'm a small business owner and don't have a lot of requirements (mostly tracking expenses, income and running payroll), so I am considering moving to Online, primarily because of the ability to scan receipts and use OCR technology. None of the OCR Apps (DEXT Prepare/ReceiptBank, Neat, etc) seem to be compatible with QB Desktop for Mac.).

[shekhapatel]

What do your recommend for a dental office? Two different LLCs one for the practice and one for the building. Thank you!

[doyouluvit]

great video....hard to turn volume way up tho

[yvonnejostes]

Thank you for clarifying, very helpful. I don't want to loose my previous info if I choose to stop using QB. Plus I don't want to have to name every gas station name to use bank feed. So I'll be staying with desktop pro as long as intuit keeps it available.

[ghassankhanfar]

For desktop software can i install it on a server and creat multiple user on multiple computer for the accountant

[kathyheinzel]

I appreciated your video, thank you for a wonderful and clear presentation. I decided to go with the desktop version. I owned a business years ago and it's what best suits me. I went onto Costco website and the "desktop" version is subscription based. What is that about? What is the difference if you are paying an annual subscription or online version (cloud) or subscription? Please help me understand. What happened to downloading and having it in your harddrive? It has been 10 years since I have used quickbooks.

[lindamoss]

Hello, I have been using QB Desktop for over 20 years. I have tried the QBO and I do like some of the features. The feature I am use to the most is memorized transactions for Desktop. I use my accounting software as a CRM as well, which is probably not the right thing to do, but I do. I work for a pest control company and use the memorized transactions every day. I have it side by side with my customers. It seems in QBO, I can’t do that. So since I really need to see it all the time, I am not sure if I want to switch. I like the way the invoices look, and the features, but I really need to have the memorized transactions front and center. Is there a way to do that and I just didn’t figure it out? Enjoyed your video, but still on the fence lol.

[chrisaustin]

Thanks for this information. I've been using quickbooks desktop for 10 years, my accountant recommended to switch over to online, so that we may more easily collaborate on the books throughout the year. I started tinkering around. One thing that has driven me crazy already is the inability to copy and paste a line when creating an invoice. Is there a way to do this or do all lines on the invoice need to be entered manually?

[NorcalKarters]

Good content. My only suggestion is to work on sound levels. I had to turn up to 75, other videos I'm around 25-30.

[stephenhickman]

Candus, what about QB for MAC Desktop?

[AKRB]

Hi,
Thanks for the information.
How does the payroll work on QB desktop? Will it calculate tax deductions by itself and once we do the payroll what I am assuming is we would have to cut a check and pay the employee?