QBO Test Drive for QuickBooks Online
[full guide]

The best way to know a car and its features is to take it for a test drive. What if we tell you that you can do the same with QuickBooks? Yes, you heard it right. QuickBooks offers a demo for its users, famously known as the QBO test drive, to help them explore every aspect of the software. The best part about the QuickBooks test drive is that you can operate QuickBooks like you normally would, but with a demo company file. Therefore, any blunders made during the QuickBooks online test drive will not affect your work at all.

We know you’re thrilled to learn about this further. To make it more interesting, QBO’s advanced test drive is completely secure. Since you don’t have to sign in, connect any bank account, or even use a real company. So, without any delay, let’s proceed.

QuickBooks Online Test Drive: An Overview

The thing about selecting the right accounting software is that there is no room for mistakes. Any mistake can lead to huge losses. Therefore, QuickBooks offers this amazing QuickBooks online test drive feature. It is a demo of how each function of QuickBooks works and how one can operate the software. If you want to learn, all you have to do is create a demo company file, and you’re all set for the QBO test drive, QuickBooks Online. 

This will allow you to make invoices, pay bills, maintain accounts, and perform any other function you’d normally perform in your QuickBooks accounting software. But the twist is, you will not be operating a real company, but a sample one. Hence, even if things go south, there will not be any consequences. Cherry on top is that there isn’t any requirement to sign in. You’ll get a sample account to run your sample company.

Summing up, the advanced QBO test drive is a demo for you to learn and experience the use of every feature of QuickBooks with a sample company. You can experiment and test QuickBooks features so that when you actually operate it using your real company, you will not make blunders and run it like a pro.

QBO Test Drive: Important Things To Know

There’s always more when it comes to QuickBooks. Before you get started on the QBO test drive journey, there are some things you need to catch on to. Below we’ve enlisted important pin pointers:

• QBO test drive: QuickBooks Online is available in only a few countries. Therefore, make sure you check if it is available to you before starting.
• When you run a sample company and decide to purchase a subscription, your data will not be carried on your subscribed account.
• Since you are using a sample account, there is absolutely no need to connect the bank account. Moreover, test drive QBO does not permit connecting to the same.
• Suppose there comes a time when you decide to purchase a subscription. But you want your sample account data to transfer to your subscription account. We recommend you go for the trial version first.

Characteristics of QuickBooks Online Test Drive

Before you start using the QuickBooks Online test drive, it’s important to understand the features you can explore. The demo version gives you access to almost all the tools with a sample company file, so you can learn without risk.

• Dashboard: QuickBooks Online has a dashboard where you can view different reports and other features. You can experience the dashboard with the advanced QuickBooks test drive with your sample company. The test drive of QuickBooks Online offers a fully functional dashboard with access to all features.
• Sample Company Data: The test drive includes a prebuilt sample company file. You can explore transactions, reports, and workflows without entering your own business details. Any changes you make are temporary and will not be saved permanently.
• Modify Reports: You know QuickBooks is accounting software, and accounting is impossible without reports like Profit and Loss Statements or Purchase Orders. QBO Test Drive allows you to preview and modify these reports. You can track how your sample company is doing by looking into these reports. All you have to do is navigate to the reports tab, and you’ll see some features on top and others when you scroll.
• The Inventory Tracking: If you really want to familiarise yourself with the features of QuickBooks, you’ll have to work with your sample company as you would with a real one. Therefore, you can also access the inventory feature in the QuickBooks test drive advanced. Here, you can track your inventory and stock. Having said that, you can even track inventory surplus or deficit and therefore manage it accordingly.
• Personalised Invoice: Test drive QuickBooks Online offers a whole lot of templates for invoices. You can use them or start fresh. You can design invoices as you wish and have full control over them. The point of this feature is that you can prepare yourself for creating customised invoices for your clients.
• Create Form 1099: When running a company, you need to give details to the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) about every income. That is what Form 1099 is for. You can create a 1099 tax form in the test drive of QuickBooks Online without any charges, solely for practice. You can even learn to file it with the Internal Revenue Service(IRS).
• Sales and Invoicing: With the demo version, you can create and customise invoices, track sales, and manage customer transactions. It allows you to understand the complete sales process without affecting real data.  
• Expenses and Bills: You can record expenses, create bills, and manage vendor transactions. This helps you learn how to track outgoing money and maintain accurate financial records. 
• Payroll: Demo version lets you explore basic payroll features, such as employee details, salary structure, and payment processes. This helps you understand how payroll works in QuickBooks, though some advanced options may be limited in the demo.

QBO Test Drive: System Requirements

When users get knowledge about any such feature that thrills them, it is a normal human tendency to wonder what they’ll benefit from it. Well, for starters, users get a chance to test, explore, and experience QuickBooks features. However, there are certain system requirements you need to meet:

• A fixed and good connection to the internet.
• A well-working, up-to-date browser.
• In case you are operating a QuickBooks online test drive on your mobile, you need to download Chrome or Safari for Android and iOS, respectively. 

Read More - What are the System requirements for QuickBooks Desktop and Enterprise?

QuickBooks Test Drive: Let’s Get Started

As already mentioned, the QBO test drive advanced feature is not available in all countries, only a few. Here’s a list of countries where you can operate a test drive of QuickBooks Online:

• United Kingdom
• India
• United States of America (advanced version also available)
• Singapore
• France
• Australia
• Canada

After making sure that the QBO advanced test drive is available in your country, you can finally get started if it is. Here’s how you can access the free QuickBooks online test drive feature on your system:

• Start by opening your internet browser.
• In the search field, type https://quickbooks.intuit.com/online/advanced/test-drive/ and press the enter key.
• You’ll see the test drive now button, hit it.
• Next, go through security verification.
• Press continue after successful verification.
• You will automatically be signed into your sample company for a demo.

Read More - How to Setup QuickBooks Advanced Inventory?

Benefits of QuickBooks Online Test Drive

The QBO Test Drive is a great way to try the platform before you go for a subscription. The test drive enables one to know how the features, tools, and processes operate in real-life without any risk.

• No Risk Involved: Explore all features without risking your business information.  
• Sign-in Not Needed: Get started for free without providing any personal information. 
• Real Features: Utilise all features such as invoicing, reporting, and inventory management. 
• Informed Decision Making: Find out whether QuickBooks services suit your business before subscribing.  
• Secure Environment: QBO Test Drive mode poses no danger to your real transactions, as you can test functions on demo company files.  
• Boost Productivity: Learn faster and work more efficiently with the actual QuickBooks software.

Who Should Use QuickBooks Online Test Drive? 

QBO Test Drive is designed for all users who want to try the QuickBooks accounting software without any risk. The tool lets you evaluate the software before subscribing.

• Novice in Accounting Software: For beginners, the test drive helps to learn the basics of invoice, expense, and report management through an easy interface.
• Small Business Owners: The small business owners can use this demo version to understand if QuickBooks is right for their day-to-day accounting activities.
• Accountants and Bookkeepers: Professionals can use it to see if the features, workflow, and tools fit their clients’ requirements.
• Student and Learners: It’s a great practice tool for students who want real-world experience with accounting software. 
• Switching Users: If you are moving to QuickBooks from another accounting software, the demo version helps you understand QuickBooks before making the switch. 
• Teams and Employees: Companies can use it to train staff without risking real financial data. 

How to Access QuickBooks Online Test Drive?

Accessing the QBO Test Drive is quick and does not require any sign-in. You can start exploring the demo company file and its features within minutes. Follow these simple steps: 

• Open your preferred web browser on your system. 
• In the search bar, type the QuickBooks Online Test Drive page link and press Enter. 
• On the page, click on the “Test Drive” or “Try it Now” button. 
• Complete the security verification if prompted. 
• Click on Continue to proceed. 
• You will be automatically logged into a sample company. 
• Start exploring features like invoicing, reports, expenses, and more. 

 The QBO test drive gives you instant access to a fully functional demo environment, allowing you to learn and practise without using real business data. 

Limitations of QuickBooks Online Test Drive

The QuickBooks Online Test Drive is useful for learning and exploring features, but it also comes with a few limitations. Since it is a demo environment, some functionalities are restricted to ensure security and prevent misuse. Understanding these limitations will help you set the right expectations before using the tool. 

• No Data Saving: Any changes you make in the sample company are temporary and will not be saved permanently. 
• No Bank Integrations: You cannot connect your bank account or perform real-time banking transactions. 
• Limited Payroll Features: Payroll functions are available only for basic understanding and may not be fully functional. 
• No Data Transfer: Data from the test drive cannot be transferred to a paid subscription account. 
• Restricted Access by Region: The test drive feature is not available in all countries. 
• Sample Data Only: You can only work with pre-loaded sample data, not your actual business information.

QBO Test Drive: Clearing Security Concerns

Many of you might be wondering if using the QuickBooks online test drive is safe. The straightforward answer is yes! First of all, you will not be operating on your real company, but a demo one. Any mishaps or blunders will not cause harm to you. Therefore, your original company will not be affected by what you do in your sample company.

Secondly, the advanced QuickBooks test drive does not allow you to connect your bank account. This is because you are operating a sample company, and you don’t need a bank account for that. Therefore, for your own safety, you are deprived of the bank account feature from the QBO test drive.

Lastly, you do not need to sign in or make an account for that matter. You are given a sample account, in which you are automatically logged in when you start the QuickBooks test drive advanced. Again, any mishaps will not cause any consequences to you, your accounts, or your company.

Conclusion