QuickBooks Online vs Xero
QuickBooks Online rates 4.4/5 and starts at $35/mo. Xero rates 4.4/5 and starts at $20/mo. Xero is the cheaper entry point.
QuickBooks wins in the US for its feature depth and accountant network; Xero wins for unlimited users and a cleaner experience, especially outside the US. Choose QuickBooks for US bookkeeping with an accountant, Xero for multi-user teams and value.
QuickBooks Online vs Xero at a glance
| Measure | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Reviews | 18,900 | 8,700 |
| Starting price | $35/mo | $20/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Public API | Yes | Yes |
| Integrations listed here | 5 | 5 |
Feature & pricing comparison
| Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Starting price | $35/mo | $20/mo |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| API available | ||
| Best for | Small businesses & accountants | Small businesses & startups |
| Invoicing & payments | ||
| Expense tracking | ||
| Financial reports | ||
| Payroll add-on | ||
| Accountant access | ||
| Unlimited users | ||
| Bank reconciliation | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| 1000+ app integrations | ||
| Visit | Visit |
Pricing side by side
QuickBooks Online
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Start | $35/mo | $420 |
| Essentials | $65/mo | $780 |
| Plus | $99/mo | $1,188 |
Xero
Full pricing →| Plan | Price | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Early | $20/mo | $240 |
| Growing | $47/mo | $564 |
| Established | $80/mo | $960 |
Which should you choose?
Choose QuickBooks Online if…
- Most complete feature set matters to you.
- Huge accountant network matters to you.
- Strong reporting 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.
- Pricey as you add features would be a problem.
QuickBooks Online
Pros
- Most complete feature set
- Huge accountant network
- Strong reporting
Cons
- Pricey as you add features
- Can feel complex
Xero
Pros
- Unlimited users
- Clean modern UI
- Great app ecosystem
Cons
- Entry plan caps invoices
- US payroll via partners
Frequently asked questions
Is QuickBooks Online better than Xero?+
QuickBooks wins in the US for its feature depth and accountant network; Xero wins for unlimited users and a cleaner experience, especially outside the US. Choose QuickBooks for US bookkeeping with an accountant, Xero for multi-user teams and value.
Which is cheaper, QuickBooks Online or Xero?+
Xero — it starts at $20/mo, versus $35/mo for QuickBooks Online.
Do QuickBooks Online or Xero have a free plan?+
Neither offers a permanently free plan, but free trials are often available.
Which is better rated, QuickBooks Online or Xero?+
They are tied at 4.4/5.
What is QuickBooks Online best for, and what is Xero best for?+
QuickBooks Online is aimed at Small businesses & accountants (small business accounting, working with an accountant). Xero is aimed at Small businesses & startups (startups, multi-user teams).