Difference between QuickBooks online vs Quickbooks Hosting

QuickBooks is a widely-used accounting software that helps businesses manage their financials efficiently. Two popular options for using QuickBooks are QuickBooks Online (QBO) and QuickBooks Hosting.

While both options provide access to the features and functionalities of QuickBooks, they differ in terms of their deployment, accessibility, scalability, and pricing.

In this article, we will explore the differences between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Hosting in detail.

Deployment:

One of the primary differences between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Hosting is the way they are deployed.

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based solution, which means that the software and data are stored on Intuit's servers and accessed through a web browser.

Users can log in from any device with internet access and work on their financials in real-time, without the need to install any software locally.

On the other hand, QuickBooks Hosting, also known as QuickBooks Desktop Hosting or QuickBooks Cloud Hosting, involves hosting the desktop version of QuickBooks on a third-party server.

The software and data are installed and stored on the hosting provider's servers, and users can access it remotely through a virtual desktop interface using a web browser or a remote desktop client.

Accessibility:

Accessibility is another key difference between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Hosting.

QuickBooks Online offers greater accessibility as users can access their financials from any device with an internet connection and a compatible web browser.

This allows users to work on their books from multiple locations and devices, making it convenient for remote or mobile work.

On the other hand, QuickBooks Hosting provides remote access to the desktop version of QuickBooks, which means that users need to connect to the hosting provider's server to access the software and data.

This may require a remote desktop client or a web browser, and the performance and user experience may vary depending on the hosting provider's infrastructure and network connectivity.

Scalability:

Scalability is an important factor to consider when choosing between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Hosting.

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based solution that offers scalable plans, allowing businesses to upgrade or downgrade their subscription as their needs change.

This flexibility makes it easy for businesses to adjust their accounting software requirements based on their growth or seasonal fluctuations.

On the other hand, QuickBooks Hosting may have limitations in terms of scalability.

The hosting provider's server resources, such as processing power, memory, and storage, may have limitations that can affect performance and responsiveness, especially if the hosted version of QuickBooks is accessed by multiple users simultaneously.

Upgrading server resources or adding more users may require additional costs or technical adjustments.

Pricing:

Pricing is an important consideration for businesses when choosing between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Hosting. QuickBooks Online offers a subscription-based pricing model, where businesses pay a monthly or annual fee based on the plan they choose.

The cost is typically determined by the number of users, features, and add-ons included in the plan.

QuickBooks Online also offers a free trial period, and businesses can cancel or change their subscription at any time.

On the other hand, QuickBooks Hosting Pricing may have a different structure.

Hosting providers may charge a monthly or annual fee for hosting the software and data on their servers, and additional charges may apply for server resources, user licenses, data storage, backups, and technical support.

The overall cost of QuickBooks Hosting may vary depending on the hosting provider's pricing model and the specific services and features included in the hosting plan.

Features and Functionality:

In terms of features and functionality, QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks Hosting offer similar capabilities as they are both based on the same QuickBooks software.

However, there may be some differences in terms of how certain features are accessed or used.

With QuickBooks Online, users can access the latest version of QuickBooks with regular updates and patches. The software

Why Quickbooks hosting is better than Quickbooks online

QuickBooks hosting, also known as QuickBooks Desktop Hosting or QuickBooks Cloud Hosting, offers several advantages over QuickBooks Online for certain businesses and use cases.

Here are some reasons why QuickBooks hosting may be considered better than QuickBooks Online:

Full-featured Desktop Version: QuickBooks Desktop, the software that is hosted in QuickBooks hosting, is a feature-rich accounting solution with advanced functionalities that may not be available in QuickBooks Online.

QuickBooks Desktop offers more robust inventory management, job costing, and advanced reporting capabilities, which can be critical for businesses with complex accounting needs or specific industry requirements.

Customization and Integration: QuickBooks Desktop allows for more customization and integration options compared to QuickBooks Online.

Businesses can customize forms, templates, and reports to suit their specific branding and reporting needs.

Additionally, QuickBooks Desktop can integrate with a wide range of third-party applications, providing businesses with more flexibility in integrating their accounting processes with other business systems.

Familiar Desktop Interface: QuickBooks Desktop has a familiar desktop interface that many users find comfortable and easy to use.

Users who are accustomed to the desktop version of QuickBooks may prefer the familiarity and workflow of the desktop interface, making QuickBooks hosting a preferred option.

Offline Access: QuickBooks Desktop hosted in a cloud environment allows for offline access, which means that users can continue working on their books even without internet connectivity.

This can be beneficial for businesses that operate in remote locations or have limited access to the internet.

Better Performance for Large Data Files: QuickBooks Desktop is known to perform better with large data files compared to QuickBooks Online.

Businesses with a large number of transactions or extensive data may experience better performance and faster processing times with QuickBooks hosting.

Enhanced Security: QuickBooks hosting provides advanced security measures to protect sensitive financial data.

Hosting providers typically offer multiple layers of security, such as firewalls, encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular data backups, to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data.

User Access Control: QuickBooks hosting allows businesses to have more control over user access and permissions.

Businesses can set up specific user roles and permissions to restrict access to certain features or data within QuickBooks, providing better control and security.

Compatibility with Add-ons: QuickBooks Desktop has a larger ecosystem of third-party add-ons and integrations compared to QuickBooks Online.

Some businesses may rely on specific add-ons for their accounting processes, and QuickBooks hosting provides the ability to continue using those add-ons seamlessly.

Cost-Effective for Multiple Users: QuickBooks hosting can be more cost-effective for businesses with multiple users compared to QuickBooks Online.

QuickBooks Online charges per user, and the cost can add up if a business has several users who require access to the software.

In contrast, QuickBooks hosting may offer more cost-effective pricing models for multiple users, depending on the hosting provider.

Data Ownership and Control: QuickBooks hosting provides businesses with more control and ownership of their data. Since the data is hosted on a third-party server, businesses can choose to backup, export, or migrate their data as needed, giving them more control over their financial data.

It's important to note that the decision between QuickBooks Online and QuickBooks hosting depends on the specific needs and requirements of a business.

Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and businesses should carefully evaluate their accounting needs, budget, and other factors to determine which option is best suited for their unique circumstances.