though I'm not sure if they have access to it with the desktop version since I imagine you have to be connected to the internet to use it now

If you use payroll yes, if you don't use the payroll option then only when you check for updates!

Not anymore.  We have QuickBooks Enterprise Silver Edition Desktop, and it's a monthly fee.  We don't use Payroll.  If you only have one user, then you can get away without the subscription - which was maybe what you are doing? 

I think we're going to stick with Desktop.  You also lose a lot of features with online.  We have too many inventory items and a backup file size that requires more than online allows. 

Thank you both for your input.   

I've always used Quick Books since I switched from Peachtree many years ago. I started with the desktop version and when they came out with the online, I wasn't going there. Desktop was a "buy it and it's yours forever". Online was always subscription. Pay every month or year. Made money for them. Now I believe even the desktop is subscription. Makes more money for them. 

That aside, I think Larry will have more to say about the aspect of where your private information resides and why it's not a good idea to give up your possession of it. Online it resides on their server, though I'm not sure if they have access to it with the desktop version since I imagine you have to be connected to the internet to use it now.

-Hal

I miss those days. 

Way to go, Ed!


Sam

Jim, it was my pleasure to assist you.  That's what we all do for each other, right?  We knocked it out in what, 25 minutes or so?  It really helps when the person on the phone has some prior knowledge to working on systems, such as yourself.

Incidentally, you have either a Talkpath or Dispatch voice mail/auto attendant system there.  I'm not sure if it's digital or analog (both versions were available), but they generally function the same.  The analog versions offer more flexibility since they'll interface with any phone system that can use in-band signaling.