FreshBooks vs Xero
FreshBooks rates 4.5/5 and starts at $19/mo. Xero rates 4.4/5 and starts at $20/mo. FreshBooks is the cheaper entry point. FreshBooks is the higher rated.
FreshBooks rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). FreshBooks is cheaper to start ($19/mo vs $20/mo). FreshBooks suits Freelancers & service businesses, while Xero is aimed at Small businesses & startups.
FreshBooks vs Xero at a glance
| Measure | FreshBooks | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 6,200 | 8,700 |
| Starting price | $19/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
Pricing side by side
FreshBooks
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Lite | $19/mo | $228 |
| Plus | $33/mo | $396 |
| Premium | $60/mo | $720 |
Xero
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Early | $20/mo | $240 |
| Growing | $47/mo | $564 |
| Established | $80/mo | $960 |
Which should you choose?
Choose FreshBooks if…
- Very easy to use matters to you.
- Great invoicing matters to you.
- Strong time tracking matters to you.
- Entry plan caps invoices would be a problem.
Choose Xero if…
- Unlimited users matters to you.
- Clean modern UI matters to you.
- Great app ecosystem matters to you.
- Client limits on low tiers would be a problem.
FreshBooks
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Great invoicing
- Strong time tracking
Cons
- Client limits on low tiers
- Lighter on full bookkeeping
Xero
Pros
- Unlimited users
- Clean modern UI
- Great app ecosystem
Cons
- Entry plan caps invoices
- US payroll via partners
Frequently asked questions
Is FreshBooks better than Xero?+
FreshBooks rates higher (4.5/5 vs 4.4/5). FreshBooks is cheaper to start ($19/mo vs $20/mo). FreshBooks suits Freelancers & service businesses, while Xero is aimed at Small businesses & startups.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or Xero?+
FreshBooks — it starts at $19/mo, versus $20/mo for Xero.
Do FreshBooks or Xero have a free plan?+
Neither offers a permanently free plan, but free trials are often available.
Which is better rated, FreshBooks or Xero?+
FreshBooks, at 4.5/5 across 6,200 reviews, versus 4.4/5 for Xero.
What is FreshBooks best for, and what is Xero best for?+
FreshBooks is aimed at Freelancers & service businesses (freelancers, agencies billing clients). Xero is aimed at Small businesses & startups (startups, multi-user teams).