QuickBooks Pro vs. Pro Plus – What are the Differences?

When it comes to managing your business finances, QuickBooks is a name that needs no introduction. Yet, within the QuickBooks ecosystem, there are versions catering to specific business needs.

Among these, QuickBooks Pro, ideal for growing businesses, now offers an upgraded version called Pro Plus.

Whether you’re seeking more features, better support, or just a clearer understanding of what sets the QuickBooks desktop versions apart, we have got you covered.

Let’s explore the expanded functionality that QuickBooks Pro Plus brings to the table and delve into a comparative analysis of QuickBooks Pro and Pro Plus to understand their distinctions.

Important Note: After May 31, 2025, QuickBooks Desktop 2022, including QuickBooks Desktop Pro, QuickBooks Desktop Premier, QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, and QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions v22, will be discontinued.

We recommend transitioning to QuickBooks Enterprise or QuickBooks Online 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. To know more about when making a choice between QuickBooks Enterprise and QuickBooks Online, read – QuickBooks Online Vs QuickBooks Enterprises: Which Accounting Software Is Right for Your Business.

What is QuickBooks Pro?

QuickBooks Pro is a reliable accounting software designed by Intuit tailored to 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 tracking income and expenses, allowing you to 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 while sending alerts for outstanding payments to keep your cash flow steady.
• Automated Reminders: Its automated reminders ensure customers are notified about 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.

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, wherein you receive the latest updates and improvements to the software without any additional cost, ensuring that 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.

Also Read: QuickBooks Pro Plus vs Premier vs Enterprise

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.

For just $50 more than the Pro version, QuickBooks Pro Plus delivers valuable extras like security upgrades and payroll add-ons, making it a worthwhile choice for businesses seeking a more robust desktop solution.

Difference Between QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Pro Plus

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 given in a subscription model now in three different versions: Pro Plus, Premier Plus, and Enterprise, with both Pro and Pro Plus allowing simultaneous access for up to three users.

One-Time Purchase vs. Subscription Model

• QuickBooks Pro: 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 Pro Plus: QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus operates on an annual subscription model that aligns with businesses that prioritize subscription-based solutions with enhanced payroll tools.

Validity Purchase

• QuickBooks Pro: 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: 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.

Local Access without Annual Upgrades

• QuickBooks Pro: 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 Version.
• 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.

Budget-Friendly Approach

• QuickBooks Pro: The Pro version primarily relies on community support via forums, offering a different level of assistance.
• QuickBooks Pro Plus: The Pro Plus edition offers the advantage of unlimited phone support, ensuring you have immediate assistance available for troubleshooting or addressing organizational needs.

Unlocking Added Advantages: 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.

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: Forget manual data backups; QuickBooks hosting providers offer automated data backup solutions for up to 45 days. It means your financial data is routinely backed up and can be restored if needed, ensuring business continuity even in challenging situations.
• 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 minimized 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.

While the QuickBooks Pro Plus local version already offers unique advantages, hosting it on the cloud can elevate these features to new heights.

Ace Cloud Hosting is your trusted partner for QuickBooks Pro Plus hosting, ensuring seamless access, security, and support for your accountancy needs. Our QuickBooks Hosting solutions are engineered to reduce complexities, reduce costs, and ensure information availability across all devices and locations.

QuickBooks Pro Plus Hosting: Next-level Secure Data Backups

In QuickBooks Pro Plus desktop software, Intuit employs its own data-saving software, Intuit Data Protect. However, an issue to note is that this program has encountered stability concerns and garnered less favorable reviews.

Once configured, automatic data backup occurs, but it’s essential to recognize that the data is stored in Intuit’s data center, not at a location specified by the user. Furthermore, the software lacks support for popular cloud storage solutions like Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

This is where QuickBooks Pro Plus Hosting shines brighter. Hosting QuickBooks Pro Plus on cloud not only offers more reliability but also provides superior support, ensuring your data is secure and accessible whenever you need it.

Conclusion: Which One to Choose?

As we’ve explored the differences between QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Pro Plus, it’s clear that QuickBooks Pro Plus brings its own set of advantage to the table. In conclusion, the distinctions between QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Pro Plus are vital considerations for businesses seeking the right financial management solution.

QuickBooks Pro offers robust accounting tools for those who prefer a traditional software model with a one-time purchase.

On the other hand, QuickBooks Pro Plus is just an updated version of QuickBooks Pro software that provides the added advantage of automatic updates and a subscription model. Your choice ultimately depends on your business’s specific needs and preferences.

As you navigate this crossroads, remember that confusion is only a question away from clarity; if you have confusions about QuickBooks Pro Plus features or setup, we are here to address them. Our dedicated Solutions Consultant stands ready to guide you through the process, ensuring that the path you choose aligns seamlessly with your business goals.