QuickBooks has gained massive popularity over all these years. Although it is not wrong, it offers such advance features that have made accounting tasks easier and effortless. In contrast, many people may assume that QuickBooks Online is simply a cloud version of QuickBooks Desktop. But, in reality, both these versions are different from each other. So, let's go ahead and compare QuickBooks Online to its desktop counterpart. It will help you to decide between these two popular small business accounting applications. And thus, you can make a wise decision for your business. So stay tuned!
Both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop are excellent small business accounting software applications. It offers you with complete double-entry accounting along with automatic processing of closing entries.
No matter. Whether you want to convert to QuickBooks Online or switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online, you need to first glance at the features of both the applications. Once you undergo a thorough analysis, you’ll immediately notice the difference as QuickBooks Online offers a streamlined user interface. On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop depends on the flow-chart based interface. Moreover, both have their unique sets of features and functions; it’s you who can decide which one will work best for your accounting process.
Initially, it was designed for small businesses that wanted easy online access. Further, web-based QuickBooks Online evolved into a reliable small business accounting application that is extremely easy to use. Moreover, you can access it from any location on any internet-connected device.
QuickBooks Desktop is designed by taking into consideration the needs of small to mid-sized businesses. You can consider it as a reliable desktop software solution. Niche businesses such as nonprofit organizations, retailers, and general contractors can also take up the benefit of QuickBooks Desktop, as it offers more industry-specific solution.
When you compare the features of both QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Desktop applications, you will realize that none no them is behind. But, you may think after a proper analysis of the features of both that the features of QuickBooks Desktop tend to be more comprehensive.
The users can choose the features and functions that one needs while using the QuickBooks online during the setup process. There is no hassle if you miss any as you can always go back and add the others at a later date.
The features of QuickBooks Online features vary depending on the plan that you choose. Hence, you must be sure, and thus, a proper investigation of each plan is required to ensure that you don’t miss on the features that your business needs. Some of the features that you may found in QuickBooks Online include easy online banking connectivity. It will match bank and credit card transactions with expenses on its own, and thus reducing the amount of journal entries drastically whenever required. Below we have mentioned some of its other features:
ACCOUNTING: you can avail reliable accounting capability with QuickBooks Online. However, it includes only 250 accounts in their standard plan. Its automatic bank reconciliation feature makes it easy for you to keep your bank balance reconciled with your general ledger. Additionally, you get a budget feature that allows you to create monthly, quarterly, or annual budgets.
SALES: If you want to keep track of all of your customers, create custom invoices, and post payments, then you can use the sales feature of QuickBooks online. Along with that, you can send payment reminders to the customers with due payment. Further, you can add a payment link in the invoice that can make it easier for the users to pay online.
EXPENSES: QB Online allows you to track all of your business expenses from a single screen, including the option to pay bills electronically. Besides, you can view any upcoming bills that you need to pay, as well as view the status of any bill by the vendor or by the due date.
If you talk about the features of QuickBooks Desktop, then you will see that they are better developed than QuickBooks Online. Though it is not web-based, if required you can host QuickBooks Desktop online or opt for QuickBooks Cloud Hosting services for more convenient access. Use of centres is one of the best features of QuickBooks Desktop, which provide a central point for all activity.
Similar to the online version, the features of QB Desktop are also plan-driven, where you can select the plan as per your business requirement and budget. It also offers automatic bank feeds that allow you to connect and download transactions regularly. Below we have mentioned some other features of QuickBooks Desktop:
THE VENDOR CENTER: You can manage all vendor activities with QuickBooks Desktop's Vendor Center, from the initial entry of vendor details to the ability to enter information for each vendor. You can view all current bills including due dates, recently paid bills with the Bill Tracker feature with options to pay bills by check, ACH transfer, or credit card.
CUSTOMER CENTER: It allows you to manage all customers by providing features that include the ability to create invoices, process customer statements, record payments, and process sales orders and sales receipts.
INVENTORY: you avail the feature of reliable inventory management capability with the Inventory module in QuickBooks Desktop. With the Premier edition, the user is benefited with inventory functions such as a low stock alert notification, the ability to set reorder levels, product tracking by part number, and custom fields for tracking additional information. QuickBooks Desktop makes it easier for you to accept online payments from customers by offering easy integration with QuickBooks Payments.
Once you compared and analyzed, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that QuickBooks Desktop wins. While the features are a bit similar but QuickBooks Desktop offers more functionality. It includes features such as the ability to run checks to pay bills and a reliable customer and vendor management capability.
Whenever you think of buying any software, ease of use is one of the foremost things that you take into account. Well, what’s great is that neither QuickBooks Online nor QuickBooks Desktop is challenging to use, even though they offer different user experiences.
Several browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, as well as Safari 11 or later for Mac, are supported by QuickBooks Online.
You can access all the features of QuickBooks Online from the dashboard, on the left side of your screen. Moreover, you can customize the dashboard so that it displays only the information that you need. If you want to expedite product setup, then, you can go for you the default chart of accounts that are included in the application. Further, you can avoid the hassle of re-entering the data by importing products and services into the application.
The user interface of QuickBooks Desktop is quite different from QuickBooks Online. The desktop provides you with navigation centre that makes it easier for you to find the feature or function that your business needs. The yellow tab at the right of your screen offers quick access to new features that are available in your application.
When it comes to ease of use, without a doubt, QuickBooks Online wins this one. It offers easy system navigation from the user dashboard.
While approaching the end of this article, you must have seen significant differences between QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online. Undoubtedly, both applications offer reliable accounting capability that businesses of today’s time need. And, after all this analysis QuickBooks Desktop comes out on top. Rest, the decision is on the users as they know what their business needs to move to the next level.