Learn why Intuit is discontinuing its popular QuickBooks Desktop Software and how easy it it to switch from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online. Intuit has announced that it will be discontinuing older versions of QuickBooks software, including its QuickBooks Desktop 2020 accounting software, effective May 31, 2022. Intuit is doing this to further its initiative to grow its cloud-based accounting software platform, QuickBooks Online,

Why is Intuit doing this?

The world is moving to the cloud!  Cloud-based software has many advantages to both the user and the software provider.  It’s easier to install, update and support.  Instead of needing to support and maintain QuickBooks software installed on hundreds of thousands of different computers all around the world, Intuit can centrally manage its QuickBooks application.  Cloud software offers instant updates, no need to manually install new version and patches and easier integrations with third party applications.  Users do not need to worry about managing servers – this is done in the cloud.  Cloud-base software is also much newer and will be easier to enhance and maintain than the 20+ year old software code in QuickBooks Desktop.  This will lead to a better and lower cost experience for the end user.

When does this happen?

After May 31, 2023, access to add-on services for QuickBooks Desktop for Windows 2020 will be discontinued. This includes the QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise Solutions v20 versions of QuickBooks Desktop.

The good news is that your QuickBooks Desktop 2020 product will continue to work for you, as long as you do not use any of the add-on services. However, you will no longer be able to receive live technical support and other Intuit services will no longer be integrated with QuickBooks Desktop. Additionally, security patches and updates to QuickBooks Desktop will no longer be published.

What services are being discontinued after May 31, 2023?

The following services will be shut off in QuickBooks Desktop 2020 software after May 31, 2023:

  • QuickBooks Desktop Payroll Services
  • Live Support
  • Online Backup
  • Online Banking,
  • Critical security updates (starting June 1, 2023)

If QuickBooks is fully used to automate your financial and HR operations, these will dramatically reduce the value of QuickBooks 2020.  Clearly, Intuit wants to move users to its cloud software.

What products and versions will be discontinued after May 31, 2023?

The following QuickBooks products will be discontinued after May 31, 2023:

  1. QuickBooks Desktop Pro 2020
  2. QuickBooks Desktop Premier 2020 (General Business, Contractor, Manufacturing & Wholesale, Nonprofit, Professional Services, and Retail)
  3. QuickBooks Enterprise Solutions 20
  4. QuickBooks Premier Accountant Edition 2020
  5. QuickBooks Enterprise Accountant 20
  6. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac 2020

Is QuickBooks Point of Sale being discontinued?

The popular QuickBooks Point of Sale 19.0 software will be discontinued after October 3, 2023.  This will have a similar end-of-life strategy as the QuickBooks 2020 Accounting software (cut off integrations, no updates, no support, no security patches).  For more information, see our blog article on this announcement.

How easy is it to move to QuickBooks Online?

While many people like the control of having their QuickBooks software installed on their own computer, the move to QuickBooks Online is easy.  Here is a quick overview on this process.

In most cases, businesses can move their system to QuickBooks Online in less than an hour. Obviously, the larger your company and its data files, the longer this will take.

When you switch to QuickBooks Online, you will receive unlimited customer support from Intuit.

During and after the switch to QuickBooks Online, can continue to reference you QuickBooks Desktop files.  Your existing system is left unchanged. You can also continue to manage your financials books in QuickBooks Desktop while you are completing the switchover and setup of your company in QuickBooks Online.

QuickBooks Online offers most of the key features as QuickBooks Desktop, including automatic bank account updates.  For the detailed list of QuickBooks Online subscription features, check out the QuickBooks Online pricing page.  However, be prepared for certain features and workflow to be different, or even missing in QuickBooks Online.  However, there will be many other benefits of using a cloud-based accounting platform.

Is this a good move?

The big picture is the unwanted change can be disruptive and distracting.  Time will need to be invested to make this switch.  And you will need to learn different workflows and potential work around for missing features.  However, once things settle, you will benefit from a more modern system that offers many benefits not available in QuickBooks Desktop software.  Welcome to the cloud?