QuickBooks Desktop Pro for Small Business: What You Get
QuickBooks Desktop Pro is the entry-level Desktop edition and the one most small businesses start with. It covers the everyday work of running your books: invoicing, paying bills, tracking expenses, reconciling accounts and producing the reports you need. This guide explains what Pro includes, who it fits best, what it does not do and when you might need a bigger edition.
QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus is built for small businesses that need solid everyday accounting for up to 3 users, with a one-time license available instead of a monthly subscription. If you need industry-specific reports or more users, move up to Premier Plus or Enterprise.
What QuickBooks Desktop Pro Includes
- Invoicing and estimates. Create professional invoices and estimates, track what customers owe and record payments.
- Bills and expenses. Enter vendor bills, pay them on time and track spending by category. See our guide to QuickBooks expense tracking.
- Bank and credit card reconciliation. Match your books to your statements so the numbers can be trusted.
- Reports. Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, A/R and A/P reports and the income tax reports you need at year end.
- Inventory basics. Track the products you buy and sell, with items and quantities.
- 1099 tracking. Track contractor payments so you know who may need a form.
- Multi-user access. Pro Plus supports up to 3 users on the same company file.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Best for | Small businesses with straightforward accounting needs |
| Users | Up to 3 |
| How you pay | One-time license available |
| Where it runs | Installed on a Windows computer |
| Industry editions | Not included, available in Premier and Enterprise |
Who Pro Is Right For
Pro fits freelancers, consultants, small retailers, tradespeople and service businesses that run their books from one office with a small team. If you work mostly from one computer, want to own your software and do not need industry-specific reports, Pro Plus is usually enough. It is also a good fit for a business that wants to avoid a monthly subscription that grows over time.
Ready to own QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus? Browse the one-time licenses with instant email delivery.
When to Move Up
- You need more than 3 users. Premier Plus supports up to 5 users, and Enterprise supports many more.
- You need industry reports. Premier offers editions for contractors, manufacturers, retailers, nonprofits and professional services.
- Your inventory is complex. Enterprise adds advanced inventory and pricing tools.
Read our guides to QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise, or use our comparison of Pro Plus, Premier Plus and Enterprise to decide.
Pro and Your Taxes
Pro gives you the reports your tax preparer needs. Follow our tax preparation workflow and see what to track in our small business tax guide. If you are choosing between Desktop and Online, read QuickBooks for small business: Desktop or Online?
Before You Buy
Check your computer meets the system requirements and that you understand the support timeline for your version. Our install and activation guide covers the requirements, and our article on what the discontinuation really means explains the real deadlines.
When you are ready, see the QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many users does QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus support?
Pro Plus supports up to 3 users on the same company file. For more users, look at Premier Plus or Enterprise.
Is QuickBooks Desktop Pro good for a small business?
Yes, for businesses with straightforward accounting needs. It covers invoicing, bills, expenses, reconciliation and reports, and it can be bought as a one-time license.
Can I buy QuickBooks Desktop Pro without a subscription?
Yes. A one-time license can be used without a recurring Intuit subscription, although connected services for older versions end on a schedule.
What is the difference between Pro and Premier?
Premier adds industry-specific editions and reports and supports more users. Pro is the simpler edition for everyday small business accounting.
QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus gives a small business the essentials: invoicing, bills, expenses, reconciliation and reports, for up to 3 users and with a one-time license available. If you outgrow it, Premier and Enterprise are there. Until then, it is a simple way to own your accounting software.
KeysDays is an independent reseller of software licenses and is not affiliated with, authorized, endorsed, or sponsored by Intuit Inc. Feature details are summarized from Intuit’s published information and independent reviews and may change. Check Intuit’s site for the latest. This article is general information, not tax or legal advice; talk to a qualified tax professional about your situation.