Actually, it is quite a bit of a difference.  Being able to buy it retail (now in the past), the version was supported by intuit for 3 years, therefore paying for it once every three years.  Now, getting it through QuickBooks, you have to pay for it every year, at an increased price of course, thus more than tripling the price.

Also, we are forced to pay the monthly payroll fee, even though we don't use their payroll service!  Complete corporate greed.  We will being changing platforms next year before our May renewal.