Table of Contents
Evaluating QuickBooks for the first time, renewing a subscription, or deciding whether to move off Desktop? This guide covers the paid QuickBooks Online plans, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, Desktop Pro, Premier, and Mac, and cloud-hosted Desktop, with pricing, features, and honest guidance. It does not cover the free QuickBooks Online plan or Intuit Enterprise Suite.
Who this is for: Business owners evaluating QuickBooks for the first time, renewing an existing subscription, or deciding whether and where to move off Desktop. If your firm is a law practice with trust accounting needs, this guide addresses that specifically.
Quick Recommendation
If you don’t want to read the whole article, here’s our guidance based on what we see across our client base:
For Most Businesses
- Most businesses → QuickBooks Online Plus ($140/mo, 5 users). [1] Intuit QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial View source ↗ Covers invoicing, expense tracking, inventory basics, project tracking, and payroll (add-on). The right default for professional services firms, law offices, and most small businesses under 25 employees.
- Larger teams or complex workflows → QuickBooks Online Advanced ($340/mo, 25 users). Adds batch invoicing, custom roles, deeper reporting, and workflow automation. [1] Intuit QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial View source ↗
- Inventory-heavy or manufacturing → QuickBooks Enterprise Platinum or Diamond. Only if you genuinely need multi-location inventory, barcode scanning, assembly builds, or ODBC connectivity.
- Stuck on Desktop and need time → Cloud-hosted Desktop as a bridge. Preserves your current features and buys time, but doesn’t solve the long-term problem.
- Not sure? → That’s what we’re here for. We’ll look at your setup and give you a direct recommendation.
QuickBooks Online (QBO)
What It Is
QuickBooks Online is Intuit’s cloud-based accounting platform and the company’s flagship product going forward. It runs in a web browser, stores data in the cloud with automatic backups, and can be accessed from any device. This is where Intuit is investing, and for the majority of small to mid-size businesses, it’s the right choice.
QBO includes AI-powered features (currently branded “Intuit Intelligence”) for expense categorization, invoice reminders, and transaction matching, though these features evolve frequently. [1] Intuit QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial View source ↗
Plans and Pricing
List pricing as of September 2026: [2] Intuit Self-Employed Accounting Software for Solopreneurs View source ↗ [1] Intuit QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial View source ↗
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Users | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solopreneur Lite | $20/mo | 1 | Side gigs, Schedule C filers |
| Simple Start | $38/mo | 1 | Solo businesses needing real accounting |
| Essentials | $85/mo | 3 | Bill management, time tracking |
| Plus | $140/mo | 5 | Our default recommendation |
| Advanced | $340/mo | 25 | Complex workflows, batch invoicing, custom roles |
Payroll is not included. It is sold separately as QuickBooks Workforce: Workforce Payroll with Simple Start lists at $88/mo + $6.50/employee. [3] Intuit Payroll Services Pricing View source ↗ 30-day free trial available. [1] Intuit QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial View source ↗ Accountant partners can offer a 30% discount. [4] Intuit QuickBooks ProAdvisor Preferred Pricing View source ↗
What Actually Matters for Most Businesses
Not every feature is equally important. Here’s what our clients use and value most:
- Bank feed connections — automatic transaction imports save hours per week
- Invoicing with online payment — clients pay faster when they can click a link
- Multi-user access — your bookkeeper or accountant works in the same file without swapping files
- Receipt capture — snap a photo from your phone, done
- Reporting — P&L, Balance Sheet, AR/AP aging, cash flow
Features That Sound Important but Usually Aren't
The AI categorization (useful but not reliable enough to trust blindly), the mobile mileage tracker (most people forget to use it), and many of the 800+ app integrations (you’ll use 3–5, not 800).
What QBO Can’t Do
These are the real limitations — not minor inconveniences, but actual capability gaps versus Desktop:
- Inventory costing is FIFO or moving average cost only (no LIFO) [5] Intuit Inventory valuation methods for cost accounting View source ↗
- Batch invoicing and batch editing in Advanced only [1] Intuit QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial View source ↗
- No industry-specific editions
- Less granular user permissions than Enterprise
- No offline access [6] Intuit Move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online View source ↗
- Limited job costing compared to Desktop
If none of these affect your daily operations, stop deliberating and move to QBO.
For Law Firms: Trust Accounting
In our assessment, QBO does not include built-in IOLTA or trust accounting. There is no native trust accounting module, no per-matter client ledger, and no three-way reconciliation report. Trust accounting can be configured manually (separate bank accounts, trust liability accounts, sub-accounts per client), but it requires careful setup and disciplined processes.
We recommend that law firms pair QBO with legal practice management software — Clio, LeanLaw, or CosmoLex — to handle trust accounting, compliance safeguards, and audit trail requirements. If your firm manages client trust funds, this is a critical part of your evaluation — not a nice-to-have.
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise
What It Is
Enterprise is the most powerful edition in the QuickBooks Desktop family and the only Desktop version Intuit still sells to new customers. [7] Intuit Can’t buy QuickBooks Desktop as a new US subscriber View source ↗ It’s a locally installed Windows application with expanded capacity, advanced features, and higher user limits.
Do Not Choose Enterprise Unless You Specifically Need It
Do not choose Enterprise unless you specifically need at least one of these: advanced inventory with multi-location tracking, barcode scanning, or serial/lot numbers; more than 25 concurrent users; sales orders with backorder management; ODBC connectivity; intercompany transaction management; or bill and PO workflow approvals.
If you don’t need any of these, Enterprise is an expensive way to stay in familiar territory. You’ll pay $2,210–$5,363/year for capabilities you won’t use. [8] Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Pricing View source ↗
Editions and Pricing
Intuit’s listed annual starting prices for a single user: [8] Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Pricing View source ↗
| Edition | Max Users | Annual Price (1 User) | Key Additions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 30 | $2,210/yr | + Enhanced Payroll |
| Platinum | 30 | $2,717/yr | + Advanced Inventory, Advanced Pricing, Intercompany Transactions |
| Diamond | 40 | $5,363/yr | + Assisted Payroll, QuickBooks Time Elite |
Per-employee payroll fee added to Gold and Platinum in February 2026: $3/mo per employee (1–9 employees), scaling down to $0/mo (220+). [9] Intuit Understand changes to your per employee fees in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise View source ↗
Key Limitation
As of September 2026, Intuit has set no sunset date for Enterprise 24.0. [10] Intuit What’s new in QuickBooks Desktop 2024 View source ↗ But no new Desktop versions are coming, and Intuit raised Desktop renewal prices twice in 2026, [11] Insightful Accountant Intuit Announces Pricing Changes for QuickBooks Desktop View source ↗ [12] Insightful Accountant Breaking News: Intuit Announces Desktop Pricing Changes for Fall 2026 View source ↗ so we expect Enterprise users to face the same decision later. Plan accordingly.
QuickBooks Desktop (Pro / Premier / Mac)
Status: End of Life
No longer available to new customers as of September 30, 2024. [7] Intuit Can’t buy QuickBooks Desktop as a new US subscriber View source ↗ Desktop 2024 is the final version. [13] Intuit Understand the QuickBooks Desktop release process View source ↗
Existing subscribers can renew, [7] Intuit Can’t buy QuickBooks Desktop as a new US subscriber View source ↗ at prices Intuit raised on February 1, 2026 and again for renewals on or after October 1, 2026. [11] Insightful Accountant Intuit Announces Pricing Changes for QuickBooks Desktop View source ↗ [12] Insightful Accountant Breaking News: Intuit Announces Desktop Pricing Changes for Fall 2026 View source ↗ Support is version-specific — Desktop 2023 support ended May 31, 2026; [14] Intuit QuickBooks Desktop 2023 service discontinuation policy View source ↗ Intuit says Desktop 2024 won’t be discontinued in May 2027 and has no sunset deadline. [10] Intuit What’s new in QuickBooks Desktop 2024 View source ↗
Our Position
If you’re still on Desktop Pro or Premier, you should be actively planning your next move. Renewing buys time, but it doesn’t solve the underlying problem — you’re on a product with no future.
For the full timeline and migration guide, see our companion article: Moving from QuickBooks Desktop: What You Need to Know.
Cloud-Hosted QuickBooks Desktop
What It Is
Your existing Desktop software running on a remote server managed by a hosting provider. You access it via Remote Desktop from any device. Full Desktop feature set preserved — advanced inventory, job costing, batch processing, sales orders, ODBC, all third-party integrations.
When It’s the Right Move
Cloud hosting is a bridge strategy, not a destination. It makes sense when:
- You need Desktop-specific features that QBO can’t replicate right now
- You want remote access and multi-user collaboration without managing your own server
- You need time to plan a proper migration without rushing
Hosting is billed by the provider on top of the QuickBooks license. Hosted-Desktop providers price per user per month, so get quotes from more than one. Intuit maintains a list of authorized providers. Authorized providers include Rightworks, Apps4Rent, and Ace Cloud Hosting. [15] Intuit Compare the best QuickBooks Desktop hosting providers View source ↗ Rightworks provides technical support for Intuit’s own Enterprise cloud hosting. [8] Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Pricing View source ↗
Hosting Does Not Extend Support
Hosting does not extend Intuit’s support lifecycle. When your Desktop version reaches its end date, payroll, bank feeds, and patches stop regardless of where the software runs.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| QBO | Enterprise | Desktop (Pro/Premier) | Cloud-Hosted Desktop | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New customers? | Yes | Yes | No | Depends on license |
| Access | Browser, any device | Local Windows (or hosted) | Local Windows | Remote Desktop |
| Max users | 1–25 | 30–40 | 3–5 | Same as license |
| Auto updates | Yes | Yes, while subscribed | No | Depends on host |
| Offline | No | Yes | Yes | Partial |
| Sales orders | Plus and Advanced | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced inventory | FIFO or average cost | Yes (Platinum+) | Limited | Same as license |
| Job costing | Limited | Advanced | Yes | Yes |
| Payroll | Add-on | Included (Gold+) | Add-on | Same as license |
| App integrations | 800+ | 200+ | Not listed | Same as Desktop |
| Intuit support | Yes | Yes | Ending | Yes, plus host |
| Starting price | $38/mo | $2,210/yr | Renewals only | License + host fee |
Integration counts are approximate and based on Intuit’s marketing materials. [16] Intuit QuickBooks Integrations View source ↗ [8] Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Pricing View source ↗ Intuit’s support policies are the same for hosted and locally installed QuickBooks. [15] Intuit Compare the best QuickBooks Desktop hosting providers View source ↗
QBO Payroll: Automatic Tax Payments and Filings
Automated Taxes Can No Longer Be Turned Off
QBO Payroll (now QuickBooks Workforce) automatically pays your payroll taxes and files your forms once your tax setup is complete, and Intuit has removed the option to turn off Automated Taxes. [17] Intuit Set up payroll taxes and forms in QuickBooks Online Payroll View source ↗
This means QuickBooks will automatically withdraw payroll taxes from your bank account when payroll is processed. Make sure your bank account has sufficient funds and that your tax setup is complete in the Payroll Tax Center.
How to Choose
Default to QBO unless you have a specific reason not to. Here’s the decision framework:
Choose QBO If Any of These Are True
- Your accounting needs are invoicing, expenses, payroll, and reporting
- Remote access matters
- You have fewer than 25 users needing accounting access
- You work with an external accountant or bookkeeper
- You’re a professional services firm or law office (paired with legal practice management software for trust accounting)
Choose Enterprise Only If You Meet at Least One of These
- You need advanced inventory (multi-location, barcode, serial/lot)
- You require more than 25 concurrent users
- You depend on sales orders, ODBC, or intercompany transactions
- You’re in manufacturing, wholesale, or construction with complex workflows
Consider Cloud-Hosted Desktop If
- You need Desktop-specific features that QBO can’t replicate
- You’re using it as a bridge while planning migration
- You want remote access without managing your own server
If none of the Enterprise criteria apply to you, choose QBO. It’s less expensive, requires no infrastructure, and is the only QuickBooks product with a clear long-term future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which QuickBooks plan do most businesses need?
QBO Plus ($140/mo, 5 users) is the right starting point for most small businesses. It covers invoicing, expense tracking, basic inventory, project profitability, and budgeting. If you need batch invoicing, custom roles, or more than 5 users, step up to Advanced.
Is QuickBooks Online good enough for law firms?
For general accounting — yes. For trust accounting — not on its own. In our assessment, QBO lacks built-in IOLTA compliance features. We recommend that law firms pair it with Clio, LeanLaw, or CosmoLex to handle trust ledgers, three-way reconciliation, and audit trails.
Should I switch to Enterprise instead of QBO?
Only if you need features QBO can’t provide (advanced inventory, 25+ users, ODBC, intercompany transactions). For most professional services firms, Enterprise is overkill and more expensive.
How often does QuickBooks Online raise prices?
Intuit does not publish a schedule for price changes. Budget for increases in multi-year planning.
What happens to QuickBooks Desktop?
Intuit no longer sells Desktop Pro Plus, Premier Plus, and Mac Plus to new customers. Desktop 2024 is the final version, and Intuit has set no sunset date for it. Enterprise is the only Desktop edition still sold to new customers. See our companion article on moving from Desktop for the full timeline and migration guide.
Not Sure Which Product Is Right for You?
We’ll look at your current setup — what you’re running, how you use it, and what your team actually needs — and tell you which QuickBooks product fits. No pitch, just a clear recommendation.
If you need help migrating, we handle that too — data prep, migration, bank feed reconnection, team training, and post-migration verification.
Contact us to schedule a review
References and Standards
- [1] Intuit, QuickBooks Online Pricing & Free Trial, QuickBooks. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/
- [2] Intuit, Self-Employed Accounting Software for Solopreneurs, QuickBooks. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/solopreneur/
- [3] Intuit, Payroll Services Pricing, QuickBooks. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/payroll/pricing/
- [4] Intuit, QuickBooks ProAdvisor Preferred Pricing, QuickBooks. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/accountants/proadvisor/pricing/
- [5] Intuit, Inventory valuation methods for cost accounting, QuickBooks Support, updated August 14, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/inventory-management/fifo-used-inventory-cost-accounting/L1x3hkunE_US_en_US
- [6] Intuit, Move from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Support, updated August 5, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/migrate-services/migrate-quickbooks-desktop-quickbooks-online/L3qXKVcIK_US_en_US
- [7] Intuit, Can’t buy QuickBooks Desktop as a new US subscriber, QuickBooks Support, updated August 4, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/new-subscriptions/us-quickbooks-desktop-sold-july-2024/L5lkQNq7L_US_en_US
- [8] Intuit, QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Pricing, QuickBooks. Accessed September 30, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/desktop/enterprise/pricing/
- [9] Intuit, Understand changes to your per employee fees in QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise, QuickBooks Support, updated September 1, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/intuit-subscriptions/understand-changes-per-employee-multi-company-file/L4uifTLCZ_US_en_US
- [10] Intuit, What’s new in QuickBooks Desktop 2024, QuickBooks Support, updated September 18, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/inventory-management/whats-new-quickbooks-desktop-2024/L381Krc4A_US_en_US
- [11] William Murphy, Intuit Announces Pricing Changes for QuickBooks Desktop, Insightful Accountant, December 2, 2025. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://blog.insightfulaccountant.com/intuit-announces-pricing-changes-for-quickbooks-desktop
- [12] Insightful Accountant, Breaking News: Intuit Announces Desktop Pricing Changes for Fall 2026, Insightful Accountant, July 14, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://blog.insightfulaccountant.com/breaking-news-intuit-announces-desktop-pricing-changes-for-fall-2026
- [13] Intuit, Understand the QuickBooks Desktop release process, QuickBooks Support, updated August 5, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/update-products/understand-quickbooks-desktop-release-process/L2tnnGnFE_US_en_US
- [14] Intuit, QuickBooks Desktop 2023 service discontinuation policy, QuickBooks Support, updated August 5, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/feature-preferences/quickbooks-desktop-service-discontinuation-policy/L17cXxlie_US_en_US
- [15] Intuit, Compare the best QuickBooks Desktop hosting providers, QuickBooks Support, updated August 4, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/product-setup/hosting-providers-authorized-intuit/L3RAbICtq_US_en_US
- [16] Intuit, QuickBooks Integrations, QuickBooks. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/online/integrations/
- [17] Intuit, Set up payroll taxes and forms in QuickBooks Online Payroll, QuickBooks Support, updated August 3, 2026. Accessed September 25, 2026. https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/payroll-forms/manage-automatic-tax-payments-form-filings/L8IgYMkDo_US_en_US
This article is provided for informational purposes by DP3. Product details, pricing, and timelines are based on publicly available information from Intuit and third-party sources as of September 2026 and are subject to change. Always verify current details directly with Intuit before making purchasing or migration decisions.