What Are the Pricing Plans for QuickBooks Desktop in 2026?

QuickBooks Desktop has long been a go-to accounting solution for small and medium businesses 888=394-9046. But as we move into 2026, its pricing landscape is changing — and for many users, that raises pressing questions. What will it cost to keep using QuickBooks Desktop?

Which editions are still available? And is the platform still a smart buy, or is it being phased out in favor of QuickBooks Online?

Let’s dig into the real picture — and what to watch out for.

QuickBooks Desktop Pricing Plans in 2026

1. What Happened with New Subscriptions?

• Intuit stopped selling new subscriptions for some QuickBooks Desktop versions — Pro Plus, Premier Plus, Mac Plus, and Enhanced Payroll — after July 31, 2024.
• However, existing subscribers for these editions can renew their plans.
• For newcomers, the only Desktop version still available for purchase is QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise.

In short: Pro, Premier, and Mac “Plus” subscriptions are now legacy, unless you already had them before the cut-off.

2. Annual Subscription Pricing for Pro, Premier, and Accountant Versions

For users who already have Pro Plus or Premier Plus subscriptions, here’s what to expect as of late 2025, which carries into 2026:

Also worth noting: QuickBooks Desktop Accountant edition has seen an increase. As of October 2025, it’s priced at US$ 1,799/year for a single user.

3. Payroll Add-Ons

Many users pair Desktop with QuickBooks Payroll. The recent changes affect that too:

• Basic Payroll: US$ 580/year (or US$ 58/month) under the new pricing.
• Enhanced Payroll: US$ 740/year.
• Assisted Payroll: US$ 126/month + US$ 2.50 per employee per pay period.

For Enterprise Desktop (Gold, Platinum, Diamond), payroll costs vary by number of employees. According to Intuit’s published breakdown:

• 1–9 employees: US$ 3.00 / EE / month
• 10–29: US$ 2.50 / EE / month
• 30–99: US$ 1.50 / EE / month
• 100–219: US$ 1.00 / EE / month
• 220+: US$ 0.00 / EE / month

4. Enterprise Edition

Because it’s one of the only Desktop versions still open to new sales, Enterprise deserves special attention:

• QuickBooks Enterprise (subscription) offers Gold, Platinum, and Diamond tiers.
• The base subscription price is $1,140/month for an annual plan, according to Intuit’s pricing page.
• Each tier brings different feature sets:
  • Gold: core accounting + payroll. Platinum: adds advanced inventory, intercompany transactions, pricing rules.
  • Diamond: the top-tier with maximum automation and “assisted payroll” options. 
• Additional costs: payroll, cloud hosting (if needed), and online backup are add-ons. 

5. Perpetual / One-Time Licenses

You might wonder: “Can I still buy a lifetime license for Desktop?” The short answer: rarely, but yes, occasionally, through third-party resellers or promotions.

• QuickBooks no longer sells regular perpetual licenses for Pro or Premier on their website — they’ve shifted to subscription-only for most Desktop versions. 
• That said, some resellers have offered “lifetime” licenses (or long-term licenses) for QuickBooks Desktop Pro Plus 2024.
• Be careful: such licenses may be from resellers, may not include full official support, or could have caveats. Always check authenticity.

Why Are Prices Going Up — Is QuickBooks Desktop Being Phased Out?

That’s a fair question. Here’s some context.

1. Intuit’s Strategy Shift
   The company seems to be nudging new customers toward QuickBooks Online. 
2. Price Increases for Existing Subscribers
   Many users have reported significant hikes — for example, Pro Plus renewal jumped from US$999/year to US$1,049/year.
3. Limited Availability
   As mentioned, several desktop versions are not available for new subscriptions anymore. 
4. User Concerns
   Some longtime users on forums suspect the desktop version will gradually “die” once prices make it impractical.

What Should Existing and Prospective Users Do?

Here are some actionable suggestions for businesses navigating the 2026 pricing landscape:

• If you’re already on Pro, Premier, or Mac Plus: You can continue renewing. But review whether the new cost still makes sense for your business.
• If you’re new and considering Desktop: Enterprise might be your only option — and it’s expensive. Compare with QuickBooks Online or other accounting software.
• If you’re using payroll: Re-evaluate your payroll plan: depending on the number of employees, different tiers may be more cost-efficient.
• If a one-time license appeals to you: Explore trusted resellers. But verify legitimacy — check reviews, ask for proof, and understand what support or updates are included.
• Budget for long term: With rising renewal prices, make sure your accounting budget includes these ongoing costs, not just initial setup.

Conclusion

In 2026, QuickBooks Desktop is still alive, but in a dramatically shifted form. The familiar Pro Plus, Premier Plus, and Mac Plus editions now only support renewals — no new subscriptions. For new users, Enterprise is essentially the only Desktop option on the table. And yes, prices have gone up.

If you’re already on QuickBooks Desktop, you can likely continue, but it’s the right time to ask: Does this still make financial sense for me? With higher renewal costs and limited future growth, weighing alternatives could be smart.

On the other hand, if you’re committed to Desktop — perhaps for data control, performance, or feature needs — now is the time to lock in your subscription, plan your payroll add-ons carefully, and budget accordingly. And if you spot a genuine lifetime license from a respected source, it might be worth exploring (if you’re okay with the trade-offs).

Comments (0 Comments)