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QuickBooks for Small Business: Which Version Do You Need?
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Table of Contents
QuickBooks accounting products at a glance
How to choose the right quickbooks accounting product, quickbooks accounting alternatives, quickbooks accounting comparisons, other quickbooks-related products.
QuickBooks offers six accounting products, but one of its online accounting plans will be the best choice for most small businesses. Freelancers and independent contractors may opt for simpler options, while larger small businesses might turn to QuickBooks products with advanced inventory, sales and reporting features.
Here's a look at all of QuickBooks' small-business products, including accounting, point-of-sale and payroll software. Plus, you’ll find details on how QuickBooks stacks up against its competitors, as well as alternatives to consider.
» MORE: How much does QuickBooks cost?
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online — often considered the industry standard for accounting software — is fairly user-friendly, but some basic accounting knowledge will help you get started. Higher-tier plans include more advanced capabilities like inventory management and job costing. Because the product is cloud-based, it’s accessible anywhere with an internet connection.
QuickBooks Online Review
QuickBooks Online vs. QuickBooks Desktop
QuickBooks Solopreneur
QuickBooks Solopreneur helps freelancers and independent contractors separate their business and personal expenses and prepare their taxes. It includes basic invoicing capabilities, a receipt capture feature and mileage tracking. Top-tier plans also offer direct support for tax filing.
QuickBooks Solopreneur Review
QuickBooks Pro Plus
QuickBooks Pro Plus is the most basic version of QuickBooks Desktop. This is a desktop product, meaning you download and install it on your computer. QuickBooks Pro Plus has a full range of features including invoicing, inventory tracking, reporting, billing, and income and expense tracking.
QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus Review
QuickBooks Premier Plus
Premier Plus is also a QuickBooks Desktop product, but compared with Pro Plus, it offers more in-depth capabilities — especially for reporting, job costing, inventory management, sales orders and project profitability. Additionally, Premier Plus includes industry-specific features for manufacturers, wholesalers, nonprofits and retailers.
QuickBooks Premier Plus Review
QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus vs. Premier Plus
QuickBooks Enterprise
QuickBooks Enterprise is the most customizable and powerful version of all the QuickBooks products, making it ideal for larger businesses with complex finances. It builds on Premier Plus with QuickBooks’ most advanced inventory, reporting and pricing capabilities. Enterprise is more easily scalable than other QuickBooks Desktop products, offering four plans and the option to add remote access.
QuickBooks Enterprise Review
QuickBooks Mac Plus
QuickBooks Mac Plus is similar to QuickBooks Pro Plus, but it's the only desktop version of QuickBooks that is compatible with Mac systems.
QuickBooks for Mac Review
Consider these factors when determining which version of QuickBooks is best for your small business.
Think about the specific features you want in your software and which are most important to your business’s success. Use a free trial or ask QuickBooks for a software demo if you’re stuck between products.
If you want to use your software anywhere you have an internet connection, you’ll likely want to focus on QuickBooks Online or pay more to add remote access through hosting to QuickBooks Enterprise.
Consider what the system’s interface looks like, how the navigation works and what setup entails. Your familiarity with accounting concepts and the availability of customer support is also worth weighing.
Not all versions of QuickBooks offer multiple plans or make it simple to move your business from one product to another. If you think you’ll need more advanced features in the future, it’s important to make sure you choose an option that can accommodate those needs.
All QuickBooks products have a maximum user limit, so think about who will need access to your account, especially since the desktop products are priced based on the number of users. Also consider whether you’ll work with an accountant or bookkeeper, now or in the future.
Some QuickBooks products can be much more expensive than others — like the higher tiers of QuickBooks Online, as well as QuickBooks Enterprise — so evaluating what your business can afford ahead of time can help as you narrow down the options.
If you’re looking for an accounting product with features QuickBooks doesn’t offer — like a free starter plan — consider these alternative solutions.
Best Accounting Software for Small Businesses
Best QuickBooks Alternatives
These articles contain more in-depth information on how QuickBooks differs from competitors.
Xero vs. QuickBooks Online
FreshBooks vs. QuickBooks Online
Wave vs. QuickBooks Online
Sage 50 Accounting vs. QuickBooks Online
NetSuite vs. QuickBooks
Quicken vs. QuickBooks
In addition to accounting products, QuickBooks offers payroll and POS software, along with payment processing services.
QuickBooks for Nonprofits Review
QuickBooks Payroll Review
QuickBooks POS Review
Best POS Systems That Integrate With QuickBooks
QuickBooks Payments Review
QuickBooks GoPayment App Review
» MORE: 11 most common QuickBooks questions, plus answers
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Get the right QuickBooks® Online plan for your business at the best possible price. Start your free trial to join 7 million businesses already using QuickBooks.
QuickBooks small business software solutions are designed to help manage your business efficiently. Explore the software solutions that work for you.
Here's a look at all of QuickBooks' small-business products, including accounting, point-of-sale and payroll software.
Learn more about QuickBooks Online pricing, including plans, key features, and alternative platform costs so you can decide which option is best for you.
Compare QuickBooks products, including Online, Self-Employed, Money, Payroll, Time, Payments, Enterprise, and Accountant solutions. Choose your best option.