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Alternatives to Quickbooks desktop

Posted on 11/8/23 at 1:01 pm
Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26564 posts
Posted on 11/8/23 at 1:01 pm
I do accounting for several companies I am involved in. Intuit continues to push the online version, which sucks. I understand why. I'm not really concerned with the motivations. But the product doesn't work as well for me as the desktop version. One thing that has pushed me to look at change is the payroll function. I use it for one company. I like it. It works well. Well, intuit discontinues online services regardless of you being willing to pay for them after 3 years for the desktop versions. Now, there is no standalone desktop version that you can buy for 2023 for a set price. They have a version but you subscribe. Again, I understand.

My question for those with small business that do the bookkeeping and other functions - do any of you use a quickbooks desktop alternative? Or should I just continue to use 2020 quickbooks desktop pro and have a 3rd party service like ADP/paychex/whoever/my accountant deal with payroll? We are talking about a few employees.
This post was edited on 11/8/23 at 1:02 pm
Posted by LigerFan
Member since Jan 2014
2715 posts
Posted on 11/8/23 at 1:03 pm to
Most move to Quickbooks Online. What specifically do you not like about the online platform? My firm manages bookkeeping for 100+ small businesses mostly through QBO
Posted by rmc
Truth or Consequences
Member since Sep 2004
26564 posts
Posted on 11/8/23 at 1:37 pm to
I tried. I do not like it. I don't like the user interface. I know how to do just about everything I need to know how to do on desktop. I have no need for it to be online other than that is what QB has forced me into if I go that route. Neither of my CPAs are huge fans. I know I sound like a boomer but I am not and I am fairly technologically able. That's my gripe about usability.

Money is a big part of it also - I have more than one company. For the past 7 years or so I have run quickbooks desktop to the tune of about $14 a month for ALL of my companies.

To run QBO for all of those companies would put me around $1,050 per month.
This post was edited on 11/8/23 at 1:39 pm
Posted by bobdylan
Cankton
Member since Aug 2018
1530 posts
Posted on 11/8/23 at 8:27 pm to
quote:

Or should I just continue to use 2020 quickbooks desktop pro and have a 3rd party service like ADP/paychex/whoever/my accountant deal with payroll? We are talking about a few employees.


I think that’s your best bet if you don’t want to switch to qbo.

I’d first ask your CPA for an estimate for them to take over payroll.

Another option would be to find an economical program just for payroll - if there is such a thing. Something basic for the payroll returns if it’s just a few EE’s.
Posted by CHiPs25
ATL
Member since Apr 2014
2908 posts
Posted on 11/9/23 at 4:43 am to
quote:

find an economical program just for payroll


My company of 42 people uses BusinessOnlinePayroll.com and we’ve never had any issues with it. We have also never found anything cheaper and we’ve looked at every platform you can imagine. It does everything we need.
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