Understanding the Shift Away from QuickBooks Pro and Premier: Insights from Squire
Intuit’s decision to discontinue the sale of new licenses for QuickBooks Pro and Premier after July 31st is a signal of their continued commitment and investment in QuickBooks Online. Because of this, Squire experienced an abrupt halt in the mainstream sales channels, despite the announced future deadline, reflecting a sense of urgency from Intuit’s end. Squire acknowledges this challenge and has leveraged our long-standing relationship with Intuit to help clients maintain access to new Pro and Premier subscription licenses through July 31, 2024.
The situation becomes more complex when considering Intuit’s shift to a subscription model for Pro and Premier since 2021. This move tripled the cost of these versions, effectively eliminating the cost advantage they once held over QuickBooks Online. Intuit’s intention seems clear: nudging users towards QuickBooks Online by making the desktop versions less financially appealing. Squire can facilitate the transition to the subscription model, though you can expect it to be at a higher cost and with annual subscription charges instead of the previous multi-year licensing.
Looking ahead, there are concerns about the long-term viability of Pro and Premier. With Intuit ceasing the sale of new licenses, questions arise about the company’s commitment to future updates and support. Squire’s analysis suggests a potential scenario where Intuit may discontinue releasing new versions for Pro and Premier in the coming years, possibly as soon as this year as a new release of Pro and Premier 2025 version would result in NO additional sales, only fulfilling the subscription commitments to existing licenses.
If Intuit follows a similar path to what they’ve done in the past, they will maintain support and bug updates for 3 years following the release of the software. We are currently looking at the 3 years expiring for the 2021 version by the end of May. If this trend continues, clients may face the prospect of “sunset” for their desktop software as soon as 3 years from now, compelling them to consider alternatives like QuickBooks Online or Enterprise.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the future of Pro and Premier, clients can find reassurance in the availability of alternatives like QuickBooks Online or Enterprise. QuickBooks Online provides a QuickBooks Desktop App that can help ease the transition and provide a familiar look and feel until you are accustomed to the full browser version. While Enterprise may offer the same desktop experience you’re used to, it comes with higher costs, aligning with the broader trend of Intuit’s pricing strategy. Squire predicts Enterprise to remain viable for the foreseeable future, providing clients with a reliable option should they choose to stay within the desktop ecosystem. This prediction is likely to change once Intuit achieves more feature-sets in the online Advanced version, such as better inventory management, including lite manufacturing, and better job costing reporting that users can currently get in the desktop versions.
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of QuickBooks Pro and Premier reflects Intuit’s strategic shifts towards subscription models and cloud-based solutions. While the future of these desktop versions remains uncertain, Squire stands ready to assist clients in navigating the transitions, whether towards QuickBooks Online, Enterprise, or alternative solutions. Adapting to these changes may involve adjustments in pricing and workflows, but Squire remains committed to supporting clients through these transitions and ensuring they continue to have access to robust accounting solutions that meet their evolving needs.