Item: QuickBooks Online
Rating: 6
Author: Verified User

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use the online version of QuickBooks for cloud connectivity, and to enable multiple machines to have access to the same workbook without running into licensing or duplicate instance issues. The ease of access is also much easier to deal with than with the local premier version on a virtual machine.

Pros and Cons

constant availability as long as you have an internet connection
no need to manage VMs
ease of web access or local desktop installation access

Subscription structure can be prohibitively expensive
You have far less control over the app because it is no longer hosted by you
You are trading one set of problems for another set by moving to the cloud

Return on Investment

Ease of use reduces IT burden
Lack of access to the cloud reduces customizability
Annual discussions for contract renegotiations are a slog

Alternatives Considered

Xero

While my experience with Xero is limited, QuickBooks Online and Premier versions both seem to be more polished overall. Xero's user interface is a bit more oqaque and clunkier, and Intuit just offers a more seamless experience with its QuickBooks products. However, pricing should be a heavy consideration here in this case.

Key Insights

Do you think QuickBooks Online delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with QuickBooks Online's feature set?

Yes

Did QuickBooks Online live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of QuickBooks Online go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy QuickBooks Online again?

Yes

Usability

QuickBooks Online is really simple to use. That's the whole thing with it and many other application software that are cloud based. You trade in control and the toil of manual maintenance for convenience and ease of use, and ease of use really shows with QuickBooks Online. It is not fussy at all.

Support Rating

Support for both Online and Premier versions of QuickBooks have historically been patchy, uneven, and inconsistent for me. Sometimes, their techs are really responsive; other times, they take days and drag out resolution. Sometimes there is a language barrier to contend with, or customer support reps who just don't seem all that warm or knowledgeable with the product.

Likelihood to Recommend

If you want accounting software that you can set up quickly and begin work, QuickBooks Online fits the bill. It checks those boxes and is easy to deploy and configure from an sysadmin perspective. Also, there is no overhead with managing servers or VMs or having to manually upgrade the Premier version of the software, because QB Online is stored in the cloud.

However, due to the pricing structure of the subscription, it may be cost-prohibitive for smaller companies or nonprofits, even with nonprofit pricing. Price hikes come annually, and it is a grind to have to renegotiate the terms of the contract every year.

Pricey but excellent cloud software solution for accounting and finance

Overall Satisfaction with QuickBooks Online