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QuickBooks is a widely trusted solution for managing business finances. Its ecosystem offers different versions that address specific business needs. Each option delivers a distinct set of features, support levels, and update models to match how businesses manage their accounting processes.
QuickBooks Pro supports growing businesses with essential accounting features for daily operations. QuickBooks Pro Plus enhances these capabilities by adding ongoing updates, improved support, and subscription-based benefits.
In this comparison, we break down QuickBooks Pro vs. Pro Plus to help you understand the key differences and choose the right solution for your business.
We recommend transitioning to QuickBooks Enterprise to ensure continued access to the latest features, updates, and support. These solutions offer enhanced functionality, improved performance, and the flexibility to scale with your business needs. Moving to either of these options will help keep your financial operations running smoothly without disruption.
Important Note: QuickBooks Desktop 2022 and 2023 will no longer receive support after May 31, 2026. Intuit will end new subscriptions for U.S.-specific versions, including Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Mac Plus, and Enhanced Payroll, after September 30, 2024.
Host QuickBooks on the cloud for secure, anytime access.
What is QuickBooks Pro?
QuickBooks Pro is a reliable accounting software from Intuit, tailored for small and medium-sized businesses seeking to streamline their accounting processes. It allows up to 3 users to access the same QuickBooks file simultaneously, promoting teamwork and collaboration.
With features ranging from efficient bookkeeping and customizable invoicing to detailed sales tracking and one-click financial, tax, and sales reporting, QuickBooks Pro simplifies the complexities of accounting. Its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities make it a go-to choice for businesses seeking a comprehensive tool to manage their finances effectively.
QuickBooks Pro Version Features
- Expense Tracking: QuickBooks Pro simplifies income and expense tracking, letting you log payments, import financial data from Excel, and print checks seamlessly.
- Inventory Tracking: Stay updated on stock levels with low-inventory alerts, purchase order tracking, and notifications to avoid shortages.
- Payroll Management: Efficiently manage employee payroll, store records, and export data as needed for streamlined operations.
- Client Tracking: Monitor time and expenses per client, which is ideal for commission-based systems to optimize cost management.
- Bills Management: Track unpaid bills, maintain cash flow, and manage vendor payments while staying updated on purchase orders.
- Sales Tax Tracking: Generate detailed reports on taxable amounts and track sales tax liabilities for accurate financial records.
- Invoice Creation: Design professional invoices, track billable time, and send payment reminders to ensure timely collections.
- Create Invoices: QuickBooks Pro simplifies invoice creation for goods, services, billable time, and expenses, and sends alerts for outstanding payments to keep your cash flow steady.
- Automated Reminders: Ensure customers are notified of upcoming payments, reducing delays and fostering timely transactions.
- Effortless Setup: QuickBooks Pro offers setup assistance, user-friendly guides, and a searchable help database to ensure a smooth start and ongoing support.
- Daily Efficiency: With local data storage and seamless integration into daily operations, QuickBooks Pro enhances workflow and keeps your financial data secure.
QuickBooks Pro Version Is Suitable For
- Streamlined Bookkeeping at Focus: Small to medium-sized companies looking for robust bookkeeping features but want to avoid the added complexities.
- Tracking Tax Deductions: Businesses that require features such as maximizing tax deductions, tracking business performance, and reporting
- Comprehensive Business Insights: Businesses that need to track business performance and seamless reporting.
Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Pro
When choosing the right QuickBooks version for your business, it’s important to weigh the benefits and limitations.
| Pros | Cons |
| Comprehensive tools for small business financial management | Requires purchasing via phone; no online option available |
| Robust invoicing and detailed reporting capabilities | Limited functionality in its mobile app |
| Less cost-effective compared to QuickBooks Online | |
| Less features than the Premier and Enterprise versions |
What is QuickBooks Pro Plus?
QuickBooks Pro Plus is an upgraded subscription-based version of the QuickBooks Pro accounting software. QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus by Intuit introduces increased efficiency through its annual subscription model. It includes all the features in Desktop Pro with additional benefits, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses seeking enhanced financial management tools and ongoing support.
QuickBooks Pro Plus Version Additional Features
- Annual Upgrades: Intuit QuickBooks Pro Plus offers annual upgrades as part of its subscription model, so you receive the latest updates and improvements to the software at no additional cost, ensuring you’re always equipped with the most up-to-date tools.
- Free Phone Support: With QuickBooks Pro Plus, you have access to free phone support from experts to help you with any queries or challenges you encounter while using the software.
- Free Automatic Data Backups: QuickBooks Pro Plus automatically backs up your QuickBooks files and data with its data-saving software, Intuit Data Protect, where data gets stored in Intuit’s data center, safeguarding it against potential data loss.
- Unlimited Customer Support: Enjoy unlimited customer support with QuickBooks Pro Plus. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or encounter issues, you can rely on customer support to assist you without limitations.
- Security Patches and Free Product Updates: The Pro Plus subscription includes regular security patches and free product updates to ensure your software remains secure and operates smoothly with the latest enhancements and fixes.
- Access to Latest Features: As part of the Intuit QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus subscription, you have access to the latest features introduced by QuickBooks that keep your software aligned with the evolving needs of your business and the changing financial landscape.
These exclusive features of QuickBooks Pro Plus are designed to deliver added value and support to businesses seeking continuous growth and enhanced assistance in managing their finances.
Pros and Cons of QuickBooks Pro Plus
QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus offers notable enhancements over the basic Pro version, but it’s essential to consider both its strengths and limitations.
| Pros | Cons |
| Includes advanced security features and disaster recovery support | Higher cost compared to QuickBooks Online |
| Offers the option to add enhanced payroll capabilities | The base plan supports only one user, with additional users requiring extra fees |
| Provides free annual upgrades to stay current with new features | Mobile app functionality remains limited |
For just $50 more than the Pro version, QuickBooks Pro Plus offers valuable extras, including security upgrades and payroll add-ons, making it a worthwhile choice for businesses seeking a more robust desktop solution.
QuickBooks Pro vs QuickBooks Pro Plus: Quick Comparison
| Features | QuickBooks Pro | QuickBooks Pro Plus |
| Type Of Software | Desktop | Desktop |
| One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription Model | One-time purchase | Subscription model |
| Validity Purchase | 3-year license | Choice between monthly and yearly payment cycles |
| Local Access without Annual Upgrades | Local access with no Annual upgrades | Includes annual upgrades with a subscription |
| Budget-Friendly Approach | Economical choice for ownership | Comes with added features at a slightly higher cost |
| Enhanced Payroll Features | Essential bookkeeping functionalities without enhanced payroll features | Comparatively enhanced payroll features |
| Data Backup & Security | Basic backup; manual processes are typically needed | Automatic data backup and enhanced security updates included |
QuickBooks Pro vs QuickBooks Pro Plus: Complete Comparison
In 2022, QuickBooks made a significant shift by discontinuing its traditional one-time license fee-based sales model. Now, even in a few regions where QuickBooks Desktop is offered, it is available on a subscription basis, in three versions: Pro Plus, Premier Plus, and Enterprise, with both Pro and Pro Plus allowing simultaneous access for up to three users.
1. One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription Model
QuickBooks Pro is available as a one-time purchase, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses that prefer ownership without ongoing subscription fees.
QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus operates on an annual subscription model that aligns with businesses that prioritize subscription-based solutions with enhanced payroll tools.
2. Validity Purchase
The purchase of QuickBooks Pro comes with a license that allows you to use the software for up to 3 years from the point of purchase. After this duration, you need to consider upgrading, renewing, or exploring other options based on the evolving needs of your business.
QuickBooks Pro Plus operates on a subscription model, allowing you to choose between monthly or yearly payment cycles. As long as your subscription is active and payments are maintained, you retain access to the software.
3. Local Access
With QuickBooks Pro, you have local access to the software version that you purchased, and to upgrade it, you’ll have to move to QuickBooks Pro Plus.
QuickBooks Pro Plus offers local access as well, but with the added benefit of annual upgrades. If your business thrives on staying up to date with the latest features and improvements, QuickBooks Pro Plus caters to your need for frequent feature updates while retaining the convenience of local access.
4. Data Backup & Security
QuickBooks Pro offers basic backup options, where businesses rely on manual backups or local storage. Security updates are limited to the supported version, and you may face risks once support ends.
QuickBooks Pro Plus includes automatic cloud backups with Intuit Data Protect, along with continuous security updates and patches. It ensures stronger data protection, encryption, and minimal manual effort.
5. Payroll and Add-Ons
QuickBooks Pro offers core bookkeeping features, with payroll available as an add-on (Enhanced for manual tax filing or Assisted for full-service). However, integration and updates depend on the version, which may limit performance and security over time.
QuickBooks Pro Plus supports the same payroll add-ons but delivers better integration with regular updates. It runs on a subscription model, includes automatic backups, and provides the latest security features, ensuring a more stable and secure environment for payroll processing and add-on services.
6. Support
The Pro version primarily relies on community support via forums, offering a different level of assistance. Whereas the Pro Plus edition offers the advantage of unlimited phone support, ensuring you have immediate assistance available for troubleshooting or addressing organizational needs.
Advantages of QuickBooks Pro Plus Hosting on Cloud
Transitioning from local QuickBooks software to the cloud can be a transformative move for businesses of any size. When it comes to QuickBooks Pro Plus, hosting the software on the cloud opens the doors to a range of additional benefits that go beyond what the local version offers. The following are the advantages that can reshape the way you manage your finances:
- Remote Accessibility: Hosting liberates your QuickBooks Pro Plus from the confines of a local device only. With internet access, you can securely log in and work on your financial data from any location using any device. Proving to be invaluable for business owners on the move or for collaborative efforts across different branches or remote teams.
- Real-time Collaboration: Hosting QuickBooks Pro Plus on the cloud fosters real-time collaboration wherein multiple users can work on the same QuickBooks file simultaneously without the hassle of transferring files back and forth.
- Enhanced Security Measures: QuickBooks providers implement robust security measures to safeguard your data. From advanced encryption protocols to regular security updates, your financial information remains shielded from potential threats.
- Automated Data Backups: QuickBooks Pro Plus hosting removes the limitations of local backups and Intuit Data Protect. While the desktop version stores backups within Intuit’s environment and lacks support for popular cloud storage solutions like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive, cloud hosting provides more flexible and reliable backup options. Data is automatically backed up (up to 45 days), securely stored, and can be quickly restored, ensuring better control, accessibility, and business continuity.
- Scalability: As your business grows, so do your requirements. You can easily upgrade resources as needed without the need for significant hardware investments.
- Cost-efficiency: QuickBooks Pro hosting often eliminates the need to invest in expensive hardware and IT infrastructure. Instead, you pay for the resources you use on a subscription basis, optimizing your expenses.
- Expert Technical Support: QuickBooks Pro hosting providers offer dedicated technical support to address any issues promptly to ensure your business is running smoothly and there is minimal downtime.
- Disaster Recovery: QuickBooks Pro hosting includes disaster recovery features that safeguard your data in case of unforeseen events. Your financial data remains secure and can be restored swiftly, minimizing disruptions to your business.
QuickBooks Pro vs QuickBooks Pro Plus: Which One to Choose for Your Business?
QuickBooks Pro suits businesses that prefer a traditional, one-time purchase model, while QuickBooks Pro Plus offers the advantage of a subscription-based approach with automatic updates, enhanced security, and ongoing support. The right choice depends on your operational needs and your long-term software maintenance budget.
While the QuickBooks Pro Plus desktop version offers strong built-in advantages, hosting it on the cloud further enhances accessibility and reliability.
Ace Cloud Hosting offers reliable QuickBooks hosting, making it a trusted partner for secure, efficient accounting operations. With 24/7 support, automated data backups, and real-time collaboration, it ensures business continuity, reduces complexities, optimizes costs, and keeps your data accessible across all devices and locations.
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Comments (1)
Couple questions which I didn’t see in this article.
Can I manage multiple businesses with either the desktop pro and pro plus?
Can I disable intuit secure backup on pro plus?
What are the subscription costs for pro plus?