quickbooks-desktop-for-mac-vs-quickbooks-online

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac and QuickBooks Online are both accounting software designed to handle financial data, invoicing, and reporting. Both solutions are popular with small businesses, though QuickBooks online is also used by many mid-sized companies.

QuickBooks Online is a popular choice for businesses looking for a cloud-based accounting solution. In contrast, organizations wanting to use a desktop application prefer QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.

Features

Both QuickBooks Desktop for Mac and QuickBooks Online provide essential accounting features such, but both solutions also have some standout features.

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac includes a simple user interface that is familiar for Mac users and simple to learn for Windows users. Additionally, data is easy to convert from windows accounting software to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac. Almost all features available on QuickBooks Windows software is also available on the Mac version.

QuickBooks online offers robust remote access features, allowing accounting teams to access records and data easily. Additionally, QuickBooks Online includes flexible administration tools that enable simple setup for user roles and permissions. Lastly, QuickBooks online can update and generate reports on the fly as data is added, ensuring that reports are always up to date.

Limitations

Though QuickBooks Desktop for Mac and QuickBooks Online both offer robust accounting features, there are a few areas where they have limitations as well.

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac can have some difficulties migrating data from other tools or apps. Similarly, some users have noted that when restoring data to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, small user errors can result in loss of data. Lastly, users familiar with QuickBooks for Windows may notice a few missing features.

QuickBooks Online users report occasional data loss when transitioning from desktop apps to the cloud. Additionally, QuickBooks Online reporting lacks some features available on the desktop version. Reporting on QuickBooks Online is also a little slower than other cloud-based accounting software.

Pricing

QuickBooks Desktop for Mac costs $299.95 for up to three users and includes all reporting features.

Free trials are available for the software for thirty days. QuickBooks Online offers three pricing tiers. The Simple Start package includes essential features for a single user at $12.00 per month. The essentials tier is priced at $20.00 per month and supports up to three users with added invoicing features. Lastly, the Plus tier supports up to five users for $35.00 per month and includes inventory tracking features.