QuickBooks Desktop vs Online compared on pricing, features, and support in 2026. Desktop is phasing out for most users — here’s what that means for your business.
QuickBooks Articles
How to Enter Opening Balances in QuickBooks Desktop
Setting up a new QuickBooks company file? Learn how to enter opening balances in QuickBooks Desktop for banks, A/R, A/P, and how Opening Balance Equity works.
How to Reconcile a Credit Card Account in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to reconcile a credit card in QuickBooks Desktop step by step — statement balances, finance charges, matching transactions, and fixing differences.
How to Use Bank Rules in QuickBooks Desktop
Tired of renaming the same bank transactions every month? Learn how to use bank rules in QuickBooks Desktop to auto-categorize downloads and save hours.
How to Track a Loan and Record Loan Payments in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to set up a loan in QuickBooks Desktop and record loan payments correctly — splitting principal and interest every time.
How to Record Owner Contributions and Owner’s Draw in QuickBooks
Learn how to record an owner contribution and owner’s draw in QuickBooks Desktop. Step-by-step guide with equity accounts, deposits, and checks.
How to Create Progress Invoices in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to set up and create progress invoices in QuickBooks Desktop. Bill clients in stages from an estimate and keep your project cash flow steady.
How to Adjust Inventory Quantity and Value in QuickBooks Desktop
Need to adjust inventory in QuickBooks Desktop? Step-by-step guide to fix quantity and value on hand after counts, shrinkage, or errors.
How to Set Up Items in QuickBooks Desktop (Inventory, Non-Inventory, Service)
Learn how to set up items in QuickBooks Desktop — inventory parts, non-inventory parts, and service items. Step-by-step with the right accounts.
How to Use the Audit Trail in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to use the audit trail in QuickBooks Desktop to track who changed what, find deleted transactions, and protect your books.
How to Apply Customer Payments to Invoices in QuickBooks Desktop
How to apply customer payments to invoices in QuickBooks Desktop: Receive Payments, partial payments, credits and discounts, and fixing misapplied payments.
How to Create Customer Statements in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to create customer statements in QuickBooks Desktop — balance forward vs open item, statement dates, emailing, and common mistakes to avoid.
How to Print Checks in QuickBooks Desktop (and Fix Alignment Issues)
How to print checks in QuickBooks Desktop: printer setup, writing checks, batch printing with File > Print Forms > Checks, plus fixing alignment issues.
How to Record a Bounced (NSF) Check in QuickBooks Desktop
A customer’s check bounced? Learn how to record an NSF check in QuickBooks Desktop — mark the invoice unpaid, log the bank fee, and bill the customer.
How to Set Up Direct Deposit in QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
Pay employees electronically with direct deposit in QuickBooks Desktop. Follow this step-by-step guide: activation, bank setup, and employee enrollment.
How to Add an Employee to QuickBooks Desktop Payroll
Hired someone new? Learn how to add an employee to QuickBooks Desktop payroll — from personal details to pay rates, taxes, and deductions.
How to Run Payroll in QuickBooks Desktop: A Step-by-Step Guide
First time running payroll? This step-by-step guide walks you through pay schedules, paychecks, direct deposit, and payroll liabilities in QuickBooks Desktop.
How to Track Time and Create Timesheets in QuickBooks Desktop
Losing billable hours? Learn how to track time and create timesheets in QuickBooks Desktop — single activities, weekly timesheets, invoicing, and payroll.
How to Set Up Recurring (Memorized) Transactions in QuickBooks Desktop
Tired of entering the same bills and invoices every month? Learn how to set up recurring (memorized) transactions in QuickBooks Desktop and automate them safely.
How to Use Price Levels in QuickBooks Desktop
Price levels in QuickBooks Desktop let you set custom prices for different customers. Learn to enable them, create fixed-percentage or per-item levels.
How to Create a Budget in QuickBooks Desktop
Want a budget in QuickBooks Desktop? Go to Company > Planning & Budgeting > Set Up Budgets, pick your fiscal year and budget type, then enter monthly amounts.
How to Create Purchase Orders in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to create purchase orders in QuickBooks Desktop: turn on POs, fill out the form, send it to your vendor, and receive items when they arrive.
How to Create and Apply a Credit Memo in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to create and apply a credit memo in QuickBooks Desktop — from entering the credit to applying it against an invoice or refunding it.
How to Customize Invoice Templates in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to customize invoices in QuickBooks Desktop — logos, fonts, colors, columns, and layouts. Step-by-step guide with tips for a pro look.
QuickBooks Payroll Update 22616: What Changed and How to Install It
QuickBooks Payroll Update 22616 (released Sept 22, 2026) adds new Maine withholding tables and Maryland FAMLI payroll items. Here’s how to install it, verify it took effect, and fix it if the update gets stuck.
How to Void or Delete a Check in QuickBooks Desktop
Need to cancel a check in QuickBooks Desktop? Learn the difference between voiding and deleting a check, plus step-by-step instructions for both.
How to Create a Sales Receipt in QuickBooks Desktop
Learn how to create a sales receipt in QuickBooks Desktop for cash sales. Step-by-step guide covering items, payments, deposits, and printing.
What is QuickBooks Cloud Hosting and How it Works?
QuickBooks cloud hosting indicates the installation of QuickBooks desktop version on a network server hosted over the internet to enable access via a web browser from any location. In simple words, data and...
How to Fix Issues when Importing from QuickBooks Desktop for Windows to QuickBooks Online?
Found QuickBooks online more appropriate for your business, as compared to QuickBooks desktop and started with the process to import from QuickBooks desktop for windows to QuickBooks online, but suddenly...
How to Set up Folder and Windows Access Permissions in QuickBooks Desktop?
Accessing folders in multi-user mode, right Windows permissions are a must. Each QuickBooks version has corresponding components that require an update to work when in multi-user mode. The user might face...
How to Un-Apply a Payments in QuickBooks?
By un-applying a payment or unapplied payment, it is meant that you have performed the function of receiving payments and it is not attached to an invoice. This can be the basic definition of unapplied...
How to Troubleshoot QuickBooks Banking Error 9999?
The QuickBooks user might end up in QuickBooks online error 9999, when trying to refresh the bank details. The error comes up with an error message that says “Sorry, we can’t refresh your record. It would be...
How to Merge List Entries in QuickBooks Desktop?
Want to learn the process to merge list entries in QuickBooks? Or entered the same item twice, but different names? Well, need not to worry, as today, we will be discussing the process to merge duplicate...
How to Create and Open Portable Company Files in QuickBooks Desktop?
Well, if you are in search of a guide to create and open portable company files in QuickBooks desktop, then in that case your search ends over here. This is a comprehensive guide to the process for creating...
How to Get Instant Deposits in QuickBooks Desktop?
Are you in search of the guide to get instant deposits in QuickBooks desktop? If yes, then your search ends over here. This article contains the nitty-gritty of the process to get instant deposits in your...
Update QuickBooks Desktop to the Latest Release Version
Keeping your QuickBooks Desktop updated is an important thing for ensuring smooth business operations. Regular updates not only fix bugs but also enhance data security, improve performance, and introduce...
QuickBooks Database Server Manager: Setup, Install & Update Process
All that you needed to know about QuickBooks Database Server Manager - Install Update and Set Up QuickBooks is one of the most used accounting and bookkeeping software available in the market today. This...
What are the Common 8004 Series Errors (80040408, 80070057) in QuickBooks and How to Fix Them?
QuickBooks is an important accounting software trusted by millions, but even robust software like this can run into technical hiccups. Among the most frequently reported issues are the 8004 series in...
Remote Bookkeeping: How Businesses Are Cutting Costs Without Losing Control
In today’s business environment, agility is everything. Whether you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise, managing your books efficiently is crucial — but maintaining an in-house accounting team is often...
Accounting for Travel Agencies: Managing Client Deposits, Vendor Payments & Commissions
Running a travel agency is as exciting as it is complex. Between managing client deposits, vendor payments, commissions, and frequent cancellations, maintaining accurate financial records can feel like...
How to Clear Cache and Cookies to Fix Errors When Using QuickBooks?
The issues when you work on QuickBooks online software can be endless, and every error that you experience brings in a whole new challenge for you to tackle through. And for a smooth experience with your...
Update QuickBooks Desktop Older Versions to Latest Release Easily
QuickBooks is an accounting software which needs to be updated every year or when the new update comes. Using its latest version helps to avoid unwanted errors and automatically optimize the software...
How to Fix ‘Enter a Payroll Service Key’ Error Message in QuickBooks Desktop?
Are trying to activate or use QuickBooks payroll and suddenly receive the "Enter a Payroll Service key when running payroll" error message? Don't worry., it is a common payroll activation issue that usually...
How to Give your Customer a Credit or Refund in QuickBooks Desktop for Windows?
If a customer has overpaid, returned an item or you are issuing a goodwill adjustment, QuickBooks desktop allows you to either apply the credit to a future invoice, refund the payment or issue a credit...
How to Export Reports as Excel Workbooks in QuickBooks Desktop?
Want to explore and analyze reports out of QuickBooks in Microsoft Excel? Well, this is possible, by exporting reports as excel workbooks in QuickBooks desktop. You can save the reports as excel workbooks, CSV...
How to Connect QuickBooks Payments Account to QuickBooks Desktop?
Connecting your QuickBooks Payments account to QuickBooks Desktop is important if you want to accept credit card and bank payments directly within your accounting software. This process not only saves your...
How to Import Credit Card Transactions into QuickBooks?
Importing credit card transactions into QuickBooks Desktop is one of the best ways to keep your books accurate without spending hours on manual data entry. If you want to import your credit card transactions...
How to Record Deposits in QuickBooks Desktop?
At the time of depositing in a bank, a user usually deposit payments from multiple sources at the same time. The bank records everything that is deposited as a single record. In case the user enters these...
How to Close your Books in QuickBooks Desktop?
Are you looking for a guide to close your books in QuickBooks desktop? If yes, then you have stopped by the right article. This article will show how to close your accounting periods to ensure that old...
How to Add QuickBooks Firewall Ports Manually?
A firewall is an essential application which keeps the system safe from virus or malware attacks. At times, the firewall blocks some QuickBooks company files to access the internet. QuickBooks desktop requires...
How to Deposit Payments into the Undeposited Funds Account in QuickBooks Desktop?
Talking about the undeposited funds account, it holds the customer payments in QuickBooks till the user deposit them at the bank. After the users gets the deposit slip, they can simply combine these payments...