QuickBooks Deskop vs QuickBooks Online

[curt swartz]

With desktop versions any the subscription services you use will eventually expire, you can continue to use the software as long as you have a computer that will run it. If you don't use their on line payroll or credit card services maybe some other online services but those two probably the biggest demand services, the main accounting software has no definite expiration date. You can still manually enter payroll figures, what you subscribe for mostly simplifies witholding and maybe filing the witholding returns. You can also take credit card payments via other methods and manually enter those payments into QB. Downloading banking/credit card purchase information and automatically generating transactions from that information may be something included in the services as well. All of which can also be manually entered.

The Desktop versions they are pushing now are subscription based. After your subscription expires you will not be able to use the software.

According to Intuit's web site you can call to purchase a non subscription version. Zbang also found this option on Amazon. It would not surprise me if next year they don't offer any none subscription versions. Most software companies have gone to subscription only.

Since I have to pay an anual fee for payroll its cheaper for me to order a new version of Quickbooks that includes 1 year of payroll from Amazon or Costco every year than to pay Intuits price just to renew payroll for another year. I believe I paid $385 this year.

 

[kwired]

The Desktop versions they are pushing now are subscription based. After your subscription expires you will not be able to use the software.

According to Intuit's web site you can call to purchase a non subscription version. Zbang also found this option on Amazon. It would not surprise me if next year they don't offer any none subscription versions. Most software companies have gone to subscription only.

Since I have to pay an anual fee for payroll its cheaper for me to order a new version of Quickbooks that includes 1 year of payroll from Amazon or Costco every year than to pay Intuits price just to renew payroll for another year. I believe I paid $385 this year.

Not what my understanding is. Even older versions had optional subscription services, were included with a new version but need to pay to renew if you want to use those services. Also they don't give much if any technical support for older versions. I did transfer 2007 desktop to a newer computer recently, they did help me activate it, but don't really offer much of any other support for it. Unfortunately having printing issues with it after moving it and am in process of setting up 2021 desktop version to start using soon. 2021 maybe has different look compared to my old 2007 version I don't think it really has much for new features other than those features are part of the subscription services. Maybe some enhancements but nothing one must absolutely have to do basic accounting for any business type.

 

[curt swartz]

Not what my understanding is. Even older versions had optional subscription services, were included with a new version but need to pay to renew if you want to use those services. Also they don't give much if any technical support for older versions. I did transfer 2007 desktop to a newer computer recently, they did help me activate it, but don't really offer much of any other support for it. Unfortunately having printing issues with it after moving it and am in process of setting up 2021 desktop version to start using soon. 2021 maybe has different look compared to my old 2007 version I don't think it really has much for new features other than those features are part of the subscription services. Maybe some enhancements but nothing one must absolutely have to do basic accounting for any business type.

Your talking about add on subscription services not the main software package. The main Quickbooks is now subscription based which requires an annual fee. You no longer purchase the software, you basically rent it just like Microsoft and Adobe do now.

Why would Intuit offer the non subscription version at twice the price of the subscription version if you can continue using the subscription version after the subscription expired?

Software companies have been moving to this model for years. They know a large percentage of users will not upgrade frequently. If they offer a subscription version for 1/2 the price they can guarantee a continuous revenue stream.

 

[kwired]

Your talking about add on subscription services not the main software package. The main Quickbooks is now subscription based which requires an annual fee. You no longer purchase the software, you basically rent it just like Microsoft and Adobe do now.

Why would Intuit offer the non subscription version at twice the price of the subscription version if you can continue using the subscription version after the subscription expired?

Software companies have been moving to this model for years. They know a large percentage of users will not upgrade frequently. If they offer a subscription version for 1/2 the price they can guarantee a continuous revenue stream.

See this site the extras or items that do expire in the desktop version you need to pay to renew, the software keeps working, it is downloaded to your computer and installed just like older versions were. If you want newest updates and such you either need to pay subscriptions or buy newer versions when time comes. Not every version has same features either, and if you want some the features the online versions have you may still need to pay subscriptions for them if using a desktop version that supports that feature.

 

[curt swartz]

If you purchase Desktop you can continue to use. If you opt for the subscription version of Desktop It will not work after your subscription expires.

This is from the Quickbooks Desktop site.
At the end of your current subscription period, you'll no longer be able to use or access QuickBooks Desktop.

Your will company file will remain on your device, but you'll need to re-activate your subscription or purchase an outright license to be able to open and view it.

 

[kwired]

If you purchase Desktop you can continue to use. If you opt for the subscription version of Desktop It will not work after your subscription expires.

This is from the Quickbooks Desktop site.
At the end of your current subscription period, you'll no longer be able to use or access QuickBooks Desktop.

Your will company file will remain on your device, but you'll need to re-activate your subscription or purchase an outright license to be able to open and view it.

Depends as you mentioned if you have a subscription product or an outright license product.

License products only have limited updates. You don't get newest version or latest features just bug fixes and such for as long as they will support your version - maybe only about three years. After 3 years or whatever time they support a product, you still can update but the only update available is the last one they had for your product.