QuickBooks Windows vs. Mac: What’s the difference?

If you’ve switched from QuickBooks for Windows to QuickBooks Desktop for Mac, you’ve probably noticed some differences. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac is built as a Mac product from the ground up, so the interface will be familiar if you’ve used other Mac applications. If you’re used to using keyboard shortcuts on Windows, they’ll be different on the Mac. See our article for a complete list of shortcuts on the Mac.

Converting your company file

Because QuickBooks Desktop for Mac doesn’t have all the features of its Windows counterpart, not all data converts when you move your company file from Windows. See our article on opening your company file on your Mac for a complete list of data that does and does not convert from QuickBooks for Windows.

Features

Here are some of the biggest differences between QuickBooks Desktop for Mac and QuickBooks for Windows:

  • Accountant’s Copy. You can share your QuickBooks Desktop for Mac file with your accountant, but you won’t be able to continue work in it. To find out how to do this, search for “roundtrip” in online Help.
  • Online payroll. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac exchanges data with the online QuickBooks Payroll for Mac service. Payroll is not part of QuickBooks Desktop for Mac as it is on Windows.
  • 3rd party app integration. Any applications that rely on the QuickBooks SDK, WebConnector, or App Center to access QuickBooks data will not integrate with QuickBooks Desktop for Mac.
  • Inventory. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac does not have units of measure or assembly items.
  • Multicurrency. QuickBooks Desktop for Mac does not support multicurrency.

About Shelly King

Shelly King works for Intuit as a member of the QuickBooks for Mac team. She’s the Managing Editor for Little Square and its main contributor. Shelly grew up in the South until 1994 when the Internet called her to Silicon Valley. She’s done a lot on the web ever since. Little Square was her idea. Yep, it’s all her fault. See all of Shelly's articles

You can also post your own question to the QuickBooks for Mac community.