QuickBooks Hosting Vs. QuickBooks Online: Which Is Your Preference?

QuickBooks, developed by Intuit, has been the leading accounting software since its release in 2000. Since its stable release, it has been available in two affordable versions. One of them is cloud-based and the other is the online version (QBO). People often confuse the online and cloud-based versions as the same thing, but the difference is stark. Yes, both versions need Internet access to take advantage of the full functionality of the software, however, the feature provision of the two makes them polar opposites.

QuickBooks Online is created and piped through Intuit, which runs inside your web browser. Comparatively, QuickBooks software is hosted in the cloud through third-party cloud hosting companies, which can be accessed through an app-based platform.

So, here the question arises: which of them should be preferred? Well, there are many drawbacks to QuickBooks Online, which is a poor competitor to QuickBooks Hosting. As proof of this statement, let’s look at some of the drawbacks of QuickBooks Online.

Drawbacks of QuickBooks Online

While the desktop version of QuickBooks has all the functionality of the software, QuickBooks Online lags behind with countless limitations. The main reason is based on the construction that works on different databases.

1. It lacks complete accuracy and issues arise when data import and export is carried out from the desktop version of the software.

2. Without Internet, there is no way to access the program as it is completely web based. So no internet means a pause in the workflow.

3. A significant amount of manual input is required when you have to make changes from the desktop version to the online version and vice versa.

4. The maximum number of users allowed at one time is 5.

5. Limited technical support is available.

When you look at these drawbacks and compare the online version with the hosting platform, you can see the drawbacks in the light. But there are no such limitations or problems in the cloud-based version of QuickBooks. Now let’s take another look at the benefits of QB hosting.

Advantages of QuickBooks Hosting

Cloud-based QuickBooks is the desktop version of the software. It is mainly hosted in the cloud so that users can access and use its features. While you can take advantage of all the elements with cloud hosting, here is a list of advantages to give you a clear idea of ​​it.

1. The desktop version of QuickBooks can be accessed online through an app. Therefore, there are no worrying factors to encounter when switching between the desktop and the cloud version.

2. Instead of only 5 users using the facility at a time, the cloud version offers 30 users working simultaneously.

3. Features such as inventory tracking, purchase order creation, multiple item pricing, and online bill payment are available with QuickBooks in the cloud. This availability is missing for QuickBooks Online.

4. Supported versions are QuickBooks Pro, Premier, and Enterprise.

5. Technical support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There is no direct competition between the two as the cloud-based version has everything a business needs. QuickBooks Online lags behind on most of the important features that are available on QuickBooks Hosting.

With the cloud platform, everything remains similar to the desktop version. It also offers the ease of being accessible, bypassing geographic and time boundaries, along with the power of data security and scalability. There are not many renowned leading companies spread over the internet that host QuickBooks software in the cloud. Therefore, it is advisable to go for the best cloud service provider to get the best results.