Webgility's QuickBooks integration provides everything you need for cloud-based ecommerce automation. It syncs QuickBooks Online with sales channels and marketplaces to simplify bookkeeping. It also supports easy collaboration, letting you share your account with your preferred accounting expert or an outsourced accounting agency. It’s an especially good choice for small-business owners without a consistent internet connection and big businesses with complex, industry-specific financial needs. But for most small-business owners in most industries, QuickBooks Online has better automation, better access, and a better price point.

Reviews by real users were on the basis of value for money, ease of use, customer support, features and functionality. In addition to industry-specific features, QuickBooks Desktop Premier and Enterprise have unique reports tailored to each industry. For instance, the QuickBooks Desktop Contractor Edition has unique reports, such as Job Profitability Summary and Job Profitability Detail to track costs and profitability on a per-job basis. These reports help in assessing project profitability, estimating future jobs, and identifying areas for cost optimization.

There are two versions of QuickBooks Desktop (Premier Plus and Enterprise) and four versions of QuickBooks Online (Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced). Sign up to receive more well-researched small business articles and topics in your inbox, personalized for you. Alternatively, you can hire a QuickBooks ProAdvisor to help with your bookkeeping needs. To help you get started, we prepared a guide on how to find a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Meanwhile, if you or your accountant want to become a ProAdvisor to demonstrate expertise in QuickBooks, read our article on how to become a QuickBooks ProAdvisor. Here’s a quick way to tell which version of QuickBooks is right for your business.

What Real Professionals Say

The issue with accounting software like QuickBooks Desktop is that it's designed to work locally and independently, which doesn't leave a lot of room for integration with other programs, especially cloud-based ones. The software itself may look like an outdated image on some monitor within a cubicle maze, but it's versatile in what it can do. The dashboard does an excellent job dividing all accounting aspects into a flowchart type of view, while the sidebar provides quick access to a list of features. That said, it can feel overwhelming and confusing if you don't have prior accounting knowledge. QuickBooks Online is optimized to be as user-friendly as possible and very easy to navigate.

• The issue with accounting software like QuickBooks Desktop is that it's designed to work locally and independently, which doesn't leave a lot of room for integration with other programs, especially cloud-based ones.
• Until Intuit’s announced that they were no longer going to support QuickBooks Desktop products after May 2023, this was a hard question to answer.
• Nevertheless, you may use the following general guidelines when deciding on the best product for your business.
• One key integration we always recommend for either QuickBooks Online or QuickBooks Desktop is the Workyard app.
• While both software types have plenty of perks, QuickBooks Online is a more flexible, affordable, and scalable option for most small-business owners.

QuickBooks Online is the cloud-based, mobile-friendly version of the popular accounting software. It began as a "light" counterpart of QuickBooks Desktop but quickly evolved into a sophisticated version in itself.Mobility and ease of use are the primary focus of the online edition. Thanks to cloud computing, businesses can manage their finances anywhere in the world using any device they choose.

But based on the nature of your business and its unique needs, one of these programs is likely to be of more benefit to you than the other. If QuickBooks Online seems like an appropriate solution for your home-service business, it’s easy to get started. Begin by visiting the QuickBooks Online signup page and choosing the plan that meets your needs.

Optional QuickBooks Desktop add-ons

QuickBooks Desktop is preferable for companies that want to manage their books without an internet connection. It’s also a better option for businesses requiring complex inventory accounting features. QuickBooks Online’s monthly subscription may be easier for some small businesses to fit into their financial situation.

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It can handle a large volume of data, and has advanced reporting options that give users more flexibility. However, if you need access to add-on services to replicate some or all of the features accounting by wave review of QuickBooks Desktop software, you may wish to explore QuickBooks Online options instead. That’s because access to online apps for Desktop users is being discontinued after May 31, 2023.

Multiple tiers

Stay up to date on all things Lady Pros and have the chance to join our monthly online meetups, raffles, and more. Here’s a look at the biggest advantages and potential drawbacks of using QuickBooks Online for your home-service business. Here’s a look at the biggest advantages and potential drawbacks of using QuickBooks Desktop for your home-service business.

This model is beneficial for businesses looking for flexibility and scalability as they can easily upgrade or downgrade their subscription as their needs change. Depending on how many users you want to share access among (3 or 5), you’ll either select the Pro or Premier plan. (The Enterprise version is overkill for the majority of home-service businesses.) From there, you’ll be prompted to download and install the software before importing your company’s financial information.

There’s also an option for an annual subscription which includes updates and upgrades. On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop is known for its robust and comprehensive features. It outperforms the Online version when it comes to advanced job costing, batch invoicing, and industry-specific features. According to research reports from Gartner and Forrester, QuickBooks Desktop often scores higher than QuickBooks Online in terms of functionality. While QuickBooks Online does offer security features like multi-factor authorization and encrypted data storage, it's accessible by anyone with employee login credentials and an internet connection.

QuickBooks

The mobile app for Online is robust, and Desktop’s mobile app is so limited, that it essentially functions as a receipt uploader. Working from the cloud means you need an internet connection, so a poor signal or an intermittent connection can be an issue. It has some strong features, and out of most cloud-based accounting software apps, it’s the leader in reporting – but it’s still just a step behind QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks Online is web-hosted, allowing users to access their accounting data from any device with an internet connection. This web-based hosting significantly enhances accessibility and makes QuickBooks Online more mobile-friendly. QuickBooks Online provides the convenience of automatic updates and accessibility for multiple users.