QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Desktop Enterprise are both versions of QuickBooks’ on-premise accounting software. Desktop Pro is the core accounting product that Enterprise is built upon, and features a greater focus on SMB customers. However, some enterprises also use the product since it offers relatively advanced features like automated reporting, live updates, and other scalability improvements.
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise builds on these capabilities by adding tools frequently found in ERP products. These features include inventory management, fulfillment processing, pricing rules, etc. It also grants additional scalability, by raising the cap on tracked entities (clients, partners, assets, etc.) from 14,500 to 1 million.
Features
Desktop Pro and Desktop Enterprise both have strong feature sets, which are specialized for distinct use cases.
Desktop Pro is an excellent accounting platform for SMBs. It provides a one-stop-shop for accounting and payroll needs. Desktop Pro is also easy to use and learn by end-users, which is particularly valuable for smaller organizations and less experienced teams.
In contrast, Desktop Enterprise stands out for larger companies that need light ERP capabilities. In particular, small to midsize manufacturing or construction companies would benefit from the set of capabilities offered without having to adopt a platform that is overpowered and more expensive than what they need.
Limitations
While both Desktop Pro and Desktop Enterprise have some benefits, there are also drawbacks to the products.
Desktop Pro is designed to be QuickBooks’s on-premise accounting software option for businesses. As such, it lacks some of the benefits that online platforms have. In particular, it’s not remotely accessible and has little to no mobile accessibility. Pro also lacks the extended features and functionality of the Desktop Enterprise version, should businesses have need of those specific capabilities.
Desktop Enterprise, in contrast, comes with a higher price tag than Desktop Pro, in order to access the additional features. However, since it is not a fully-fledged ERP product, there is a risk that organizations may scale out of the product and require a more robust ERP platform as they grow.
Pricing
Quickbooks Desktop Pro has two pricing packages. The Pro package, at $299.95, includes 3 seats and the ability to import data from 3rd-party sources into the accounting platform. Pro Plus, at $149.95/year, is a subscription model that includes unlimited support, upgrades, and data backups.
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise has 3 packages, each of which are sold either as a local license or through a cloud-based subscription. The Silver plan, at $1091.70/yr for local or $134/month for the hosted version, offers the core software, customer support, online backup storage, automatic upgrades, and reporting. The Platinum package, at $1746/yr for the local version or $189.80/month for the hosted version, adds on Inventory management, pricing, and bundled payroll. The Diamond package, at $3442.88/yr for the local version and $311.91/month for the hosted version, adds timesheets and a CRM connector.
