QuickBooks Desktop Mac vs Windows: Which Edition?

QuickBooks Desktop comes in separate editions for macOS and Windows, so the first decision is simply which computers your business uses. Digilico sells the genuine 2024 Mac edition and the Windows Pro Plus and Enterprise editions, all with the official Intuit download and pay-after-activation delivery.

The editions side by side

Choose Mac if your team works on macOS

The Mac edition is the right choice when your accountant, bookkeeper and owners all use Macs. It is a genuine 2024 license for up to 3 users at $299 for a year. It includes the same core reporting set as the Windows Pro Plus edition, and you install it from Intuit's official download, then activate with your license key.

Choose Pro Plus if you run Windows

Pro Plus is built for Windows PCs and comes in 3-user ($299) and 5-user ($399) versions. If you have a mix of up to five Windows machines, Pro Plus is the straightforward option and gives you more seats than the Mac edition.

Choose Enterprise for larger Windows teams

Enterprise is also a Windows edition. It adds advanced inventory and advanced reporting and roles, and it scales up to 40 users. If you are weighing these two Windows editions, read our Pro Plus vs Enterprise comparison.

Mixed Mac and Windows offices

If some of your team use Macs and others use Windows, check how your company file will be shared before you buy. User counts are tied to the edition you purchase, so it is worth talking with our team about your setup. Contact us, describe your computers, and we will point you to the right edition.

System requirements

QuickBooks Desktop 2024 for Windows runs on Windows 10/11 64-bit, with at least 4 GB RAM (8 GB recommended) and around 2.5 GB of disk space. QuickBooks for Mac 2024 requires a supported version of macOS. We are happy to confirm compatibility for your specific machine before you buy.

What stays the same on every platform

Every edition we sell is a genuine 2024 Desktop license with an official Intuit download and a license key that validates with Intuit when you activate. The delivery email arrives in about 5 minutes, and you pay only after activation, once our team has confirmed the software is installed and working. All editions are Yearly licenses with no monthly fees, and our refund policy allows you to request a refund within 30 days of payment.

Moving your existing data

QuickBooks Desktop 2024 opens and upgrades your existing company file, so customers, vendors, history and reports carry over. Back up your file first. If you are moving between platforms, contact our team and we will walk you through the safest way to migrate.

Next steps

Open the product page for your platform, pick a 1-year or 3-year term, and order. If you are still comparing options, see QuickBooks Desktop 2024 pricing for every price in one table.

Which edition do most Mac businesses pick

If every computer in your office is a Mac and your team is three people or fewer, the answer is simple: the Mac edition at $299 for a year, or $899 for three years. Owners who expect to grow past three users should think ahead. The Mac edition is a 3-user product, so a growing team may eventually need to look at the Windows editions, which offer 5 users in Pro Plus and 5 to 40 in Enterprise. Telling us your plans now lets us suggest an edition that will not need replacing in a year.

Common questions we hear

Buyers most often ask whether they can try the software first. With pay after activation, you effectively can: you install and activate, our team confirms it is working, and you pay after that. Buyers also ask whether the key is genuine, and the answer is yes. The download comes from Intuit and the key validates with Intuit when you activate.