Is QuickBooks Desktop Being Discontinued?

Posted April 5, 2023

In Post, QuickBooks Desktop, QuickBooks Enterprise, QuickBooks for Mfg + Distributors, QuickBooks for Service Businesses, QuickBooks Online (QBO), QuickBooks Tips and Training

Is QuickBooks desktop being discontinued?

I sure have fielded a boatload of inquiries on this question over the last several months!

Given that, I thought it made sense to take a closer look at this question and try to clear up the mountain of misinformation out there.

END OF QUICKBOOKS SERVICE/SUPPORT VS. QUICKBOOKS DISCONTINUATION?

Let’s break down this conversation into smaller, yet very important components.

This will allow you to better understand the bigger picture…

QuickBooks Service Discontinuation Policy – This is the Intuit policy that has been in place for decades now. This policy states that Intuit will stop support for their desktop products after three years. For example, support for QuickBooks 2020 will end on May 31, 2023. Support for QuickBooks 2021 will end on May 31, 2024 (assuming Intuit follows the same plan they have had for years). Please review the specifics of the QuickBooks service discontinuation policy.
- This does NOT mean that QuickBooks desktop software will stop working as of the applicable date. It does mean that certain connected services (i.e. payroll, online banking, credit card processing and others) will no longer work. QuickBooks will still be able to create invoices, pay bills and run financial reports after the applicable date
- Nor does this policy by itself mean that QuickBooks desktop products are being discontinued! (though you’ll want to read on for more…)

QUICKBOOKS UPDATES VS. QUICKBOOKS UPGRADES

This is another area of great confusion, so here are some additional insights to help…

QuickBooks updates – these are the product enhancements and “bug fixes” that Intuit pushes out periodically for each of their versions (i.e. 2021, 2022, 2023, etc.). You’ll see messages pop up when you open the software indicating that QuickBooks needs to be updated. This simply means that you should download and install these patches (code named “Rx” releases, where the R stands for “Release” and x stands for “release #”). For example, I just looked at my QuickBooks 2021, and it shows R12, meaning there have been 12 releases/updates since QuickBooks 2021 was released to fix various issues.
QuickBooks upgrades – this is when you make a conscious decision to move from one YEAR of QuickBooks to another. For example, if I decided to move from QuickBooks 2021 to QuickBooks 2023 (released in the fall 2022), this would be an upgrade (not an update). I would be upgrading my QuickBooks from 2021 to 2023 and enjoying any new features and benefits added to the software in the 2022 and 2023 editions.

QUICKBOOKS DESKTOP VERSIONS – UNDERSTANDING JUST WHAT EDITION YOU USE EVERY DAY

It’s essential to understand what version of QuickBooks you’re using every day so you know what options you have.

QuickBooks desktop products boil down to 3 key editions:

Pro
Premier (includes the Mfg, Contractor, Non-Profit and other specialized versions)
Enterprise (includes the Mfg, Contractor, Non-Profit and other specialized versions)

But wait, there’s more…

In 2022, because Intuit moved to the annual subscription model for their Pro and Premier versions, there are now these editions too:

Pro Plus
Premier Plus (includes the Mfg, Contractor, Non-Profit and other specialized versions)
Enterprise had been on the subscription basis since 2015, so there is no “Enterprise Plus”, just Enterprise (including the Mfg, Contractor, etc. versions)

What is the annual subscription model you ask?

Put bluntly – you don’t pay, QuickBooks doesn’t play. Starting with Pro Plus and Premier Plus 2022, you now have to pay for the software each and every year or it WILL stop working. The days where you purchased QuickBooks once and used it for many years are gone, gone, gone!

PRO TIP: To find the version of QuickBooks you have, either look at the blue bar across the top of the software or tap the F2 key for a product information screen to appear.

Here is a handy chart to help you understand the versions and how/where they actually work (i.e. PC, etc.). In addition, I’ve added information to help you understand the potential migration paths depending on the version you have – and be sure to read the very, very important notes at the bottom of the table too!

Want to download a copy of this table? Click here.

PRO TIP: There is NO such thing as QuickBooks Enterprise Online! Nor is there QuickBooks Pro Online or QuickBooks Premier Online! The online versions of QuickBooks (QBO in shorthand) are very different and have their own terminology as referenced above.

BUT WAIT – I CAN’T FIND QUICKBOOKS PRO OR PREMIER ANYWHERE!

Ah – if you’ve made it this far, you’re now getting into the really, really good stuff…

If you are trying to upgrade (see the definition above) your QuickBooks into the 2023 edition, you’ve encountered a big, big problem!

You can’t find QuickBooks Pro Plus or Premier Plus anywhere…I dare you to try and find it on the QuickBooks web site.

And hence the dilemma facing you…

The only way you are able to acquire QuickBooks Pro Plus or QuickBooks Premier Plus is to call Intuit directly. As of this writing, all links to these versions have been removed from the main QuickBooks web site.

That’s right – you can’t buy QuickBooks Pro Plus or QuickBooks Premier Plus from your favorite store or online retailer.

You have to call.

Oh, that is so 1995…

WHY DO I HAVE TO CALL INTUIT TO NOW PURCHASE QUICKBOOKS PRO OR PREMIER?

Intuit has made it abundantly clear time and again that they are moving full steam ahead with QBO.

Intuit insists to their advisor community that Pro and Premier are still available for those that want them – that is technically true.

Be forewarned….

FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELT AND PREPARE!!!

If/when you call Intuit to purchase QuickBooks Pro Plus or Premier Plus, fasten your seat belt and prepare for a hyper-aggressive push to move you to QBO.

This is no joke.

I’ve had several clients that have recently done just this, as they were not yet ready to make the move to QBO for various reasons.

Each of them told me they were subject to high and relentless pressure to migrate to QBO.

In fact, one client shared with me that she had to tell the sales desk not once, not three times, not five times, but eight times to finally get her copy of QuickBooks Pro Plus 2023 and the sales agent finally relented.

When the only place you can get the product is via a telephone call, Intuit has you trapped for the QBO sales pitch. There is no way out.

QUICKBOOKS PRO AND PREMIER – THE END IS NEAR?!

Speaking as a consultant, I see where this is all going…

QuickBooks Pro and Premier move to subscription only status in 2022
Intuit raises the prices substantially on QuickBooks Pro and Premier in 2022 and 2023
Intuit pulls QuickBooks Pro and Premier from all retail channels
Intuit removes all references to QuickBooks Pro and Premier from their home page
Intuit forces customers to call to acquire QuickBooks Pro and Premier

Are you seeing what I’m seeing here?

I thought you might…

From my vantage point, QuickBooks Pro and Premier have been laid to rest. Not officially of course, but we know better.

It’s on to QBO, Enterprise, or maybe even a different package altogether!

Would love to hear your take on this topic! Please drop your comments below…