If you’re looking for the best accounting software in the business, look no further than QuickBooks. QuickBooks is an accounting program by Intuit that allows you to keep track of where and how you spend your money. Whether you’re a new business, a non-profit, or part of any other commerce (including ecommerce), QuickBooks has an accounting solution to fit your style and needs. QuickBooks has two main options available for their customers: QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online. Both have great features, but they differ slightly. While there are several different package variations for each one (including a separate Desktop version for Mac), the packages both fit varying types of needs and price ranges.
QuickBooks Desktop
Desktop functions like it sounds, running software from a computer. QuickBooks Desktop is a great program for all your basic accounting needs. With Desktop you can create invoices, track your sales and expenses, and manage your accounts payable. You’ll also be able to generate one-click sales and tax reports.
Desktop’s reports are in-depth and exact. Desktop supplies detailed sales and financial reports, as well as tailoring other reports specific to your industry. You can also keep track of your sales leads with Lead Center. In addition, Desktop is easy to switch to from another software program. If you have previously been using Microsoft Office Accounting, Quicken, or Excel, Desktop allows you to easily import your information into QuickBooks Desktop format.
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online shares many features with the Desktop version. Invoice creation, tracking sales and expenses, one-click sales and tax reports, and accounts payable management are all standard with Online, just like with Desktop. Reports are a little different with Online, and it only allows you to upload previous information from another QuickBooks format or Excel.
However, there are several addition features included with Online. To begin with, Online allows you to automatically schedule and send invoices. Another handy feature Online includes is the ability to use the program anywhere. Since it lives on the cloud, you can work from any Mac, PC, smartphone, or tablet with internet access. Its cloud properties also allow multiple people to access your files, if you wish, and let you access over 300 cloud-based apps. Bank transactions and phone support are included with QuickBooks Online, too.
Conclusion
QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online are both great solutions for your accounting needs. While some features are more beneficial than others for each type, no one version is better than the other. While it must be said that cloud-based solutions are revolutionizing the business world—and will continue to drive commerce in the years to come—the Desktop version has some qualities the Online version lacks. It all depends on your needs, price range, and preferences.