So hard to find QB PRO desktop

QBD 2021 Pro for 1 user with a one time license = $400. Company is increasing the price for QBD 2021. Why do your friend need upgrading from QBD 2018? Company still supports it until May 2021. 

I already told him to stay put actually. 

So that $400 price is really the upgrade price? I always thought the "first time" vs. "upgrade" was different price (cheaper to upgrade vs. become a brand new user). Also, they're selling QB 2021 PLUS for $199 but it's "annual" ... what does that even mean?? Does it stop working after a year??

But what IS QB PRO PLUS? And why is it an "ongoing" subscription vs. one time fee? Can you answer this in easily understandable layman's terms vs. posting a link? I have already seen the "compare pro with pro plus" and all it shows is a list of extra features. What it does NOT explain is why QB PRO is one price, and QB PRO  PLUS is another price, but billed every year. In other words, one's an apple and one's an orange but the difference is not explained intuitively so someone over 30 can understand it. 

I'd also argue extensively against the statement that Intuit always makes QuickBooks Desktop better and easier to use. That has not ever been my experience, and I've been a user since 2002. (despite my loving the program itself...)

@hotwired99 

A simple answer

QBD Pro/Premier = One time license. You may use the license for good. Make sure to ask the activation code at the earliest time and keep it safe. You may use it later anytime if required.

QBD Pro Plus/Premier Plus/Enterprise = Subscription license. You have to pay the renewal every year to run QuickBooks.

I've been using QB since the days of DOS in the 90's. Intuit seems to be on a crusade to switch people to a subscription based model to increase their revenue stream. Specifically, they want you to move to QB Online which is substantially more expensive.

From what I am able to gather by comparing various web screen shots is the following: There is no difference in the functionality between QuickBooks Pro and QuickBooks Pro Plus. The Pro product is non-subscription and runs $399. You'll receive misc program updates for 3 years after which the product is discontinued. You can still use it, but it will no longer support bank feeds, payroll, accountant's copy exchange, etc. You'll receive tech support for a limited time after purchase (90 days???) The Pro Plus product is an annual subscription which allows for increased technical support. The 3 years still applies in regards to the bank feeds, payroll, etc. BUT the annual subscription gives you a free upgrade to the latest release. So toward the end of your 3 years you'd need to upgrade from QB 2021 to QB 2024 in order to continue to receive support, bank feeds, payroll functionality.

I've been a ProAdvisor for over a decade now and have to admit I have seen a noticeable change quality of their support representatives. Also, the software seems to be released a bit prematurely making me feel like a beta tester rather than a user of their product.

It's the industry defacto standard and remains the top product on the  market. Just not a fan of the direction it's going.

Dan Aksel

Thank you. That's interesting. So basically the only difference is that with one, you okay twice as much but you can use it for a few years. Plus the plus version has a few extra features

It was a relief to hear your perspective. I sometimes feel like I've turned into a cynical old curmudgeon at a fairly early age! My associate and I joke about bad customer service, especially this year. It's not really true but it sometimes SEEMS like every company is using COVID-19 as permission to just let themselves go. All they have to say is, 'Well, due to COVID....(fill in the blank with whatever sloppy mistake they've made!)

Cheers and thanks for the great reply. I am beginning to understand the "infrastructure" a bit better now. Luckily, the people I bought 2020 from have a deal whereby I get a free upgrade to 2021. So I'm going to fully take advantage of that to extend my 3 year update period a bit. (Though I'm a little hesitant where it's just come out!)

Stay well, stay safe. 

I do have and paid for years the QB Desktop Pro Plus so I could get upgrades automatically.  Now I want to totally overhaul from 2018 version to 2021 which I've been paying for years additionally to get it FREE and now I can't figure out how to get it anywhere!
The agents are terrible!  I have never had such bad experiences before with QB and I am about to leave.  Where is the link to upgrade to 2021 if I am on QB Pro Plus???????????????????????????

I've already been on a subscription - I went from the web version which was not good to the desktop.  I have never had an issue until now.  I am billed yearly and alll upgrades including going from 2018 to 2021 at no additional charge.  But it is becoming obvious they don't want a client like me to do it for free - which is what I have been paying additional for all along!   I PAY extra to get support but there isn't any support!!!  I want to try a different program at this point.

I have tried calling the support number and it disconneted me.  I went through 4 agents on chat.  I now opened the link you provided and it is blank.

This may not be an easy process for you, but know I'm always here to help get your QuickBooks Desktop updated, lizziesem.

I can provide another way on how to get the 2021 version of your QuickBooks. You can follow these steps below for guidance:

1. Go to this link: https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products, then choose your country.
2. Choose if you want to use QuickBooks Desktop on multiple computers or not, then click Next.
   
3. Select a product and its version, then click Search.
   
4. Click Download.
5. Then, here's how to install and activate the newly downloaded version of QuickBooks.

To upgrade your subscription, I recommend getting back in touch with our Live Support Team. I know you've already contacted them. However, they can help set up the plan that you need. 

You can refer to this link on how to contact us outside of QuickBooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/contact.

I'll also take note of your customer service experience and pass it along to our management team. This way, they can discuss how to improve our performance.

Stay in touch with me if you need anything else by commenting below. I'll be around to help ensure you're able to get the subscription that you need.

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@lizziesem wrote:

I have tried calling the support number and it disconneted me.  I went through 4 agents on chat.  I now opened the link you provided and it is blank.

---

@lizziesem 

Which number did you call?

Login to your CAMPS and you should find all license information you have up to now to upgrade your QBD.

I signed up for a course which I am going to have to quit as I can not find how you download the desktop version anywhere!!! I even called but, just like the website all I can get is the stupid on line version.  Doesnt any one still use the desktop version?? why do they not want to sell it?????

@K Rickard 

Download the installer files from the following link

https://downloads.quickbooks.com/app/qbdt/products

Yes, it does stop working after a year if you do not renew the subscription!!! Short version of their support was no it isnt your info unless you renew the subscription then you can get your info back.  The desktop version will no longer open unless you renew so no way of getting your information out.  I was able to hit ok and cancel enough times it opened 1 time hasn't opened again since I got it to open once. Spent 3 hours on the help line and they said just renew and you can reopen my desktop version. Such BS 

It's my pleasure to handle your concern for today, Shwinn.

QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) releases a new version every year and only supports the software for up to 3 years. If you're using QuickBooks for basic accounting and record-keeping purposes, then you can continue to use any old version of QuickBooks Desktop.

Please check this article to learn more about the discontinuation policy of QuickBooks Desktop: QuickBooks Desktop service discontinuation policy and upgrade information.

Alternatively, you can download the free trial and most updated version of the software and then open the backup company file from there.

For the complete instructions on how to download the trial version, kindly check out this link: Download a trial of QuickBooks Desktop.

After the complete download, you can now restore the old file. To do this, here's how:

1. Open QuickBooks.
2. Select the File menu, then Open or Restore Company...
3. Restore the file based on its type: Windows backup file (.qbb)

Learn more about the process of restoring your file through this article: Restore your file.

However, if you have add-on services such as payroll, online banking, and merchant services, I recommend upgrading the software to a supported version. Once you have the latest version, it would be best to know  What’s new in QuickBooks Desktop 2021.
 

Additionally, here's a link that will help you learn more about how the product works: Help articles for QuickBooks Desktop.

Keep in touch if you need any more assistance managing your QuickBooks Desktop account. I've got your back. Have a great day ahead!

@Shwinn 

You were using QBD 2021, correct? You can install the trial license of it to open your backup file. Then you have time to decide to buy the one time license of QBD 2021 or else.

I also have been long time QB user, still running QB Desktop Pro 2017.  For the most part it's all I need, I don't do bank downloads or payroll.  If you are running a Desktop version prior to 2019 and haven't started your 1099-NEC process yet, be advised that the QB print function is still set up for 2 forms per page, where the 2021 NEC form is now 3 per page.  If you only have a few 1099's, you can do what I did and build an Excel template to print 3 per page and type in info.  If you have a lot of them, then you might have to bite the bullet and pay QB their extortion fee -- oops, subscription fee -- to do your 1099's.