If you’re considering QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Gold vs. Silver, you’re probably asking the same question we hear from many of our clients: What’s the real difference, and which one do I actually need?
Both editions offer the full power of Enterprise—industry-specific features, advanced reporting, and serious scalability. But the key difference comes down to payroll. And depending on how your business handles it, choosing the right version can either streamline your operations or leave you paying for features you’ll never use.
In this quick breakdown, we’ll walk you through what’s included in each plan, who they’re best suited for, and how to avoid choosing the wrong fit just because it sounds more “complete.”
If you’re still comparing all the available options, you may want to start with our full QuickBooks Enterprise Pricing Guide, where we break down every edition, including Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond, so you can see how they all stack up!
Related Reading: Is QuickBooks Enterprise a Fit for Your Business’s Needs?
What’s Included in the QuickBooks Enterprise Silver Plan?
The Silver edition of QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise provides the essential tools that mid-sized and growing businesses rely on. It includes:
- Advanced reporting tools for better financial insights
- Custom workflows based on industry (retail, construction, nonprofit, etc.)
- Data protection and backup features
- U.S.-based support via Priority Circle
But it does not include payroll. If you already have a payroll provider (like Gusto or ADP), or you don’t run payroll internally, Silver could be a cost-effective solution.
Silver is ideal for businesses that:
- Don’t need integrated payroll
- Want full access to industry-specific features without the added cost
- Prefer managing payroll separately or outsourcing it
What Does QuickBooks Enterprise Gold Include?
QuickBooks Desktop Enterprise Gold includes everything in Silver, but adds Enhanced Payroll directly into the platform. This makes a huge difference for teams that want to keep payroll in-house, simplify compliance, and cut down on third-party software.
Related Reading: 5 QuickBooks Enterprise Features To Revolutionize Your Accounting
Here’s what Gold adds to the package:
- Unlimited payroll processing: Run payroll as often as you need with no extra charges. Whether you pay weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, or need to issue off-cycle payments, you won’t be hit with per-payroll fees.
- Direct deposit and W-2s: Employees can be paid via direct deposit at no additional cost, and end-of-year W-2 forms are automatically generated and included. This saves time and reduces manual paperwork during tax season.
- Automatic federal and state tax calculations: Gold handles all payroll tax calculations for you—federal, state, and even local—helping reduce the risk of errors or missed filings. You’ll know exactly what you owe and when to file.
- No extra monthly payroll fees: Unlike third-party payroll services that charge separately (and often scale with the number of employees), payroll is bundled into your Gold plan cost. This can lead to significant savings over time, especially as your team grows.
Bottom line: If you want to manage payroll directly within QuickBooks and eliminate the need for a separate payroll provider, Gold makes the process smoother, and often more affordable.
Key Questions to Ask Before Choosing Between Gold and Silver
Picking between QuickBooks Enterprise Silver and Gold is about understanding how those features support the way your business runs. Here are a few key questions to help guide your decision:
- Do you currently run payroll in-house or outsource it?
If you’re already paying for a third-party payroll service, Silver may be all you need. But if you’re handling payroll manually, or want to bring it in-house, Gold could streamline everything.
- Would built-in payroll reduce your software stack and costs?
Gold includes Enhanced Payroll at no additional monthly cost. That alone might replace a separate payroll subscription and simplify your software lineup.
- How many employees do you pay?
The more people on your team, the more valuable unlimited payroll processing becomes, especially if you’re processing multiple pay runs each month.
- Are you growing into needing integrated payroll?
If your business is expanding, or you expect to add employees soon, choosing Gold now might save you the hassle of upgrading later.
What About Payroll in QuickBooks Online?
If you’re using QuickBooks Online, you still have access to payroll, just in a different format. QuickBooks offers standalone payroll services (like QuickBooks Online Payroll Core, Premium, or Elite) that integrate seamlessly with your QBO setup. These plans include full-service payroll, tax filing, direct deposit, and more.
Additionally, employees can use QuickBooks Workforce, a companion app that lets them access pay stubs, W-2s, and time tracking data without needing to go through your admin team.
However, unlike Enterprise Gold, payroll in QuickBooks Online is a separate add-on. It’s not bundled into the main subscription, which can make pricing and integration a little more complex.
Related Reading: QuickBooks Online vs Enterprise: Going Beyond the Basics
Still Not Sure? Let’s Talk.
Choosing the right QuickBooks Enterprise edition can feel like a balancing act, especially if you’re trying to avoid paying for features you won’t use! That’s where we come in.
At MISSION Accounting, we help businesses like yours cut through the noise and choose the QuickBooks plan that truly fits. We’ve worked with companies across industries to assess workflows, compare real costs, and avoid common mistakes.
If you’re weighing QuickBooks Enterprise Gold vs. Silver, reach out for a free consultation. We’ll help you find the version that supports how you actually work.
