QuickBooks Desktop Discontinued: The Last Version and What Intuit Isn't Telling You

If you use QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, or Mac, you need to read this.

Intuit has made a series of announcements over the past year that, when pieced together, paint a concerning picture for Desktop users. The company has stopped selling new subscriptions, confirmed there will be no 2025 version, and gone completely silent about what happens after 2027.

This isn't speculation. These are facts, documented on Intuit's own website and support forums. Let's break down exactly what's happening, what it means for your business, and what your options are.

The Facts: What Intuit Has Actually Done

Here's the timeline of official Intuit actions, with sources:

No QuickBooks Desktop 2025: Confirmed

For decades, Intuit released a new version of QuickBooks Desktop every year. QuickBooks 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024... users expected 2025 to follow.

It's not coming.

Instead of annual versions, Intuit is now releasing periodic updates to the 2024 version. They call these "R" updates (R9, R10, R11, etc.). But make no mistake: QuickBooks Desktop 2024 is the last major version.

What Intuit Isn't Telling You

Here's where it gets concerning. Intuit has been very clear about what they're stopping. They've been completely silent about what comes next.

This silence is the problem. Businesses need to plan. You can't make software decisions when your vendor won't tell you if the product will exist in 3 years.

What Desktop Users Are Saying

The frustration in QuickBooks community forums is palpable:

Why Is Intuit Doing This?

The business rationale is straightforward: cloud subscriptions are more profitable than desktop software.

• Recurring revenue: Monthly subscriptions provide predictable income. Desktop sales were often one-time purchases or annual renewals.
• Price flexibility: Cloud pricing can be increased easily. Desktop users could stick with older versions to avoid paying more.
• Lower support costs: One cloud version to maintain vs. multiple desktop versions across different years.
• Data lock-in: When your data is in their cloud, switching is harder.

From Intuit's perspective, moving everyone to QuickBooks Online makes perfect business sense. From your perspective as a customer, it means less choice and higher long-term costs.

Your Options as a Desktop User

If you're currently using QuickBooks Desktop, here's what you need to consider:

Option 1: Stay on Desktop 2024 (Until 2027)

Pros:

• No immediate change required
• Familiar interface and workflows
• Payroll and bank feeds continue until 2027

Cons:

• Living on borrowed time — you'll need to switch eventually
• No new features, only maintenance updates
• Unknown future after 2027
• May be harder to migrate later (more years of data)

Option 2: Upgrade to QuickBooks Enterprise

Enterprise is the one Desktop product Intuit is keeping alive. They've explicitly stated Enterprise will continue to be sold and supported.

Pros:

• Stays on desktop platform
• More features than Pro/Premier
• Continued support from Intuit

Cons:

• Significantly more expensive ($1,500+/year vs ~$500/year for Pro)
• Overkill for many small businesses
• Same vendor that's discontinuing your current product

Option 3: Migrate to QuickBooks Online

This is what Intuit wants you to do. And for some businesses, it's the right choice.

Pros:

• Access from anywhere
• Automatic updates
• Large integration ecosystem
• Intuit's primary focus going forward

Cons:

• Many features from Desktop are missing or inferior (see our feature comparison)
• Subscription costs increase regularly (52% increase over 5 years)
• Internet required at all times
• Your data is on their servers, not yours
• Many users report slower performance than Desktop

Option 4: Switch to a Different Desktop Solution

If you prefer desktop software but don't trust Intuit's commitment to it, there are alternatives that are designed for desktop-first use.

Pros:

• Keep the desktop experience you prefer
• Your data stays on your computer
• Often more affordable than QuickBooks
• Not subject to Intuit's cloud-first strategy

Cons:

• Learning curve for new software
• Data migration effort
• Different feature sets

For a detailed look at desktop alternatives, see our QuickBooks Alternatives guide.

Key Takeaways

Our Recommendation

Don't wait until 2027 to figure this out. The longer you wait:

• The more data you'll need to migrate
• The fewer options you may have
• The more disruptive the eventual switch will be

Start evaluating alternatives now. Test them with your actual workflows. Make a decision while you still have time to do it thoughtfully.

Whether you choose QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Enterprise, or an alternative like BizBooks Pro, the worst option is to do nothing and be forced into a rushed decision when Intuit finally announces the end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still use QuickBooks Desktop after support ends?

Yes, the software won't stop working. But you'll lose payroll tax table updates, bank feed connections, payment processing, and technical support. Over time, compatibility with Windows updates may also become an issue.

Is Intuit forcing everyone to QuickBooks Online?

Intuit hasn't explicitly said that. But their actions — stopping Desktop sales, not releasing new versions, keeping Enterprise at premium pricing — strongly suggest they want most users on QuickBooks Online.

What about my data if I switch?

You can export your QuickBooks Desktop data before switching. Most alternatives (including QuickBooks Online and BizBooks Pro) can import QuickBooks data files. See our guide to exporting QuickBooks data.

How much time do I have to decide?

If you're on Desktop 2024, you have until May 2027 before support ends. But we recommend starting your evaluation now. Testing alternatives, migrating data, and training your team takes time.

Will Intuit announce more information?

Possibly. But they've had over a year since the stop-sell announcement to clarify post-2027 plans and haven't done so. We recommend planning based on what's known, not what might be announced.

Related Articles

• 7 Best QuickBooks Alternatives in 2025
• How to Export Your Data from QuickBooks
• Why Desktop Accounting Software is Making a Comeback
• The Hidden Costs of Cloud Accounting Software
• What QuickBooks Really Costs Over 5 Years

Sources: This article cites official Intuit announcements, QuickBooks Community forums, and Intuit support documentation. All sources are linked inline. Last updated January 2, 2026.