QuickBooks Point of Sale Downloads and Pricing: What's Legitimate and What to Avoid

Marina Harper
55 minutes ago
6 min read

Even though QuickBooks Point of Sale stopped being sold in October 2023, search interest hasn't disappeared. Some business owners are trying to reinstall software they already legitimately purchased years ago. Others are small business owners who used an old version and assume they can simply redownload it for a new computer. And unfortunately, the "free download" and "crack" search terms attract a different kind of user entirely — people looking to avoid paying for licensed software altogether, which creates its own set of risks.

QuickBooks Point of Sale is discontinued, and Intuit no longer sells new licenses or offers an official current download for new customers. If you already own a licensed copy, the legitimate way to reinstall it is through your existing Intuit account, not through third-party download sites. Be cautious of any site offering a "free download," a "crack," or an unusually old version like QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 — these are common vectors for outdated, unsupported, or unsafe software, and using unlicensed software can also create real compliance and data-security problems for your business.

The Legitimate Scenario: You Already Own a License

If you purchased QuickBooks Point of Sale before it was discontinued, you likely still have rights to reinstall the version you paid for, on your own hardware, for your own business use. Here's how to handle that properly.

Step 1: Locate Your Original License and Product Information

Check your original purchase confirmation email, your Intuit account, or the physical packaging if you bought a boxed retail version. You'll typically need a license number and product number to reinstall.

Step 2: Check Your Intuit Account for Download Access

Sign in to your Intuit account through Intuit's official site. Many past purchases, especially digital ones, remain listed under your account's purchase history, and downloads for owned products are sometimes still accessible there even after a product line is discontinued.

Step 3: Contact Intuit Support Directly If You Can't Locate the Installer

If you can't find the installer through your account, Intuit's own customer support is the appropriate channel to ask about reinstalling software you've already purchased. Since QBPOS support has officially ended, be prepared for the possibility that Intuit may not be able to provide further help, but it's still the correct first step rather than searching third-party sites.

Step 4: Back Up Before Reinstalling

Before you reinstall on a new machine, make sure your existing company data file is backed up separately (see the earlier steps on exporting reports and backing up your company file), so a failed reinstall doesn't put your records at risk.

Understanding "QuickBooks Point of Sale Price" and Version History

Search interest in QuickBooks Point of Sale price and older releases like QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013 usually comes from people trying to understand what they paid, what they're entitled to, or what changed between versions. A few points of clarity:

QBPOS was sold in tiers over the years — commonly Basic, Pro, and Multi-Store — with pricing that varied by tier and by whether you were buying new or renewing.
Older version numbers (like 2013) reflect the annual release cycle Intuit used for years before eventually consolidating toward versions like QuickBooks Point of Sale 12.0 (sometimes referred to informally as "8.0" in earlier release naming conventions circulating online, which has added to search confusion).
Since the product is discontinued, there is no current, actively sold "latest version" — any page claiming to offer the newest QuickBooks Point of Sale for purchase should be treated with skepticism.

If you're trying to verify your specific version or entitlement, the version number is usually visible inside the software itself under Help > About, or on your original purchase documentation.

Why "Free Download" and "Crack" Searches Are Risky

It's worth being direct about this, because it affects real business risk, not just software functionality.

Unlicensed or "cracked" software is not simply a shortcut around a fee — it's a common malware distribution method. Point-of-sale software specifically handles customer payment data, which makes it a particularly high-value target. Installing software from an unofficial source means you have no way to verify what else was bundled into that installer.

Discontinued software with unofficial patches has no accountability. Even setting aside licensing, a "cracked" version of discontinued software receives no security updates from any accountable source, and any modifications made to bypass licensing may also have altered other parts of the program in ways you can't verify.

Using unlicensed business software creates compliance exposure. Beyond the software risk itself, running unlicensed commercial software in a business context can create liability under software licensing law, separate from any tax or IRS considerations. It's not a trade-off worth making for a product that's already been phased out in favor of supported alternatives.

Step-by-Step: If You Need Point-of-Sale Software Now

Step 1: Confirm Whether You Actually Need QuickBooks Point of Sale Specifically

Since it's discontinued and unsupported, ask whether your goal is really "get QBPOS" or "get a working point-of-sale system that connects to QuickBooks." For almost everyone searching now, it's the latter.

Step 2: Look at Currently Supported, QuickBooks-Compatible POS Systems

Rather than chasing an old installer, evaluate current point-of-sale systems that offer a QuickBooks online pos integration or QuickBooks Desktop connection. These are actively maintained, receive security updates, and are built for today's payment processing standards.

Step 3: Request a Trial Before Committing

Most legitimate POS vendors offer a trial period. Use it to confirm the system handles your inventory, tax jurisdictions, and reporting needs before paying for a subscription.

Step 4: Keep Your Old QBPOS Data Accessible, Even If You Stop Using the Software

Even after you move to a new system, retain your original QBPOS backups and exported reports. You may need them for historical tax records or an audit, regardless of what point-of-sale software you use going forward.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Downloading installers from sites that aren't Intuit's official domain. This is the single biggest risk factor in this whole topic. If a site is offering a "free download" of commercial software that was never free, that's a signal to stop.

Assuming an old, unsupported version will handle current tax rules correctly. Sales tax rates and rules change. Software that hasn't been updated since 2013 will not reflect current tax rates in most jurisdictions.

Reusing a license key across more machines than your agreement allows. Even with a legitimately purchased license, most software agreements limit the number of installations. Check your original terms before installing on multiple registers or locations.

Ignoring payment card industry (PCI) compliance concerns. Point-of-sale systems that process card payments need to meet current PCI standards. A discontinued, unpatched system is increasingly unlikely to meet those standards over time, which can create liability if a data breach occurs.

Retail businesses experiencing QuickBooks Point of Sale installation or setup challenges can get step-by-step assistance at 📞 +1-866-408-0444.

Expert Tips

If you're unsure whether a download source is legitimate, go directly to Intuit's official site by typing the address yourself rather than clicking a search result or ad link.
Keep records of your original QuickBooks Point of Sale purchase (receipt, license number, product number) in a permanent file, not just in your email inbox, in case you need to prove ownership later.
If your business handles any card payments, prioritize PCI-compliant, actively maintained systems over trying to keep old software running, even if the old software is technically still installable.
When comparing pricing for a replacement system, factor in the full subscription cost over 2–3 years, not just the first-month or promotional rate, so you're comparing it fairly against what you previously paid for QBPOS.

FAQs

Where can I get a legitimate QuickBooks Point of Sale download?

If you already own a license, check your Intuit account purchase history or contact Intuit support directly. Intuit is not currently offering QuickBooks Point of Sale for new purchase, since the product is discontinued.

Is there a QuickBooks Point of Sale free download available anywhere?

QuickBooks Point of Sale was never distributed as free software, and it isn't now. Sites offering a "free download" of commercial software that was always paid should be treated as untrustworthy.

Is it safe to use a cracked version of QuickBooks Point of Sale?

No. Beyond the legal licensing issues, cracked software installers are a common way malware gets onto business computers, and this is especially risky for software that handles payment data.

What was the QuickBooks Point of Sale price when it was sold?

Pricing varied by tier (Basic, Pro, Multi-Store) and by year, with additional costs for payment processing and hardware. Since it's discontinued, current published pricing is no longer maintained by Intuit.

Conclusion

The safest path with QuickBooks Point of Sale at this point isn't chasing down an old installer or a discounted "free" copy — it's confirming what you're legitimately entitled to, securing your existing data, and evaluating currently supported alternatives if you need active point-of-sale functionality. Unlicensed or unofficial downloads carry real risk for a product that handles payment data, and that risk isn't worth it for software that Intuit itself has already moved away from.