QuickBooks Online vs Xero2026
QuickBooks Online
Accounting & Finance
The world's most widely used small business accounting software for bookkeeping, payroll, and tax.
Xero
Accounting & Finance
Cloud accounting software for small businesses — the leading QuickBooks alternative used in 180+ countries.
Our Verdict
Xero is the more affordable option.
Choose QuickBooks Online if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Choose Xero if…
teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage
Side-by-Side Comparison
Green highlight = advantage on that metric.
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $35/mo | $15/mo |
| Free tier | ||
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days |
| Ratings & Reviews | ||
| User rating | No reviews yet | No reviews yet |
| Features & Capabilities | ||
| Best for | small to mid-sized businesses | small to mid-sized businesses |
| Tracked features | 12 | 11 |
| Company | ||
| Founded | 1992 | 2006 |
| Verified listing | ||
Pricing
QuickBooks Online
SubscriptionXero
SubscriptionQuickBooks Online
$35/moXero
$15/moQuickBooks Online
Xero
QuickBooks Online
30 daysXero
30 daysRatings & Reviews
QuickBooks Online
No reviews yetXero
No reviews yetFeatures & Capabilities
QuickBooks Online
small to mid-sized businessesXero
small to mid-sized businessesQuickBooks Online
12Xero
11Company
QuickBooks Online
1992Xero
2006QuickBooks Online
Xero
Key Differences
QuickBooks Online
$35/mo
Xero
✓$15/mo
QuickBooks Online is best for…
Strengths
- Industry standard — every accountant knows it
- Most comprehensive feature set
- 750+ integrations
- Strong inventory management
Xero is best for…
Strengths
- Cleaner interface than QuickBooks
- Strong in UK Australia NZ Canada
- Real-time bank feeds
- 1,000+ integrations
Pricing Comparison
QuickBooks Online
From $35/mo
Simple Start from $35/month. Frequent discounts for new customers.
Xero
From $15/mo
Starter plan from $15/month. Standard at $42/month. Premium at $78/month.
Pricing information is verified periodically. Visit each vendor's pricing page for current rates and plan details.
Feature Comparison
Only in QuickBooks Online
- Automatic Tax Filing
Both tools
- Invoicing
- Expense Tracking
- Bank Reconciliation
- Financial Reporting
- Multi-Currency Support
- Double-Entry Bookkeeping
- API Access
- Inventory Management
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between QuickBooks Online and Xero?
- Xero is the more affordable option. Choose QuickBooks Online if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage. Choose Xero if you need it for teams at the small to mid-sized businesses stage.
- Is QuickBooks Online cheaper than Xero?
- Xero is cheaper at From $15/mo vs From $35/mo. Note that pricing tiers vary — check each vendor's current pricing page for up-to-date details.
- Can I switch from QuickBooks Online to Xero?
- Yes — most teams can migrate from QuickBooks Online to Xero with a data export/import process. Check whether both tools support CSV or API data export before starting. Xero offers a free trial, so you can test it before cancelling QuickBooks Online.
- Does QuickBooks Online or Xero offer a free trial?
- Both QuickBooks Online (30 days) and Xero (30 days) offer free trials. Try both before committing.