QuickBooks Online vs Xero: which is better for your business?
QuickBooks Online and Xero are both Accounting tools we’ve reviewed against their official websites and pricing pages. Here’s how they differ on what each provider says about features, pricing and fit — there’s no single winner, so use this to decide which suits how your team works.
Desk research — not hands-on tested
| Attribute | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | Cloud accounting software for invoicing, expenses, bookkeeping and financial reports. | Online accounting software for invoices, bills, bank reconciliation and reporting. |
| Best for | Small businesses that work closely with an accountant. | Small businesses wanting straightforward cloud bookkeeping. |
| Key features |
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| Limitations |
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| Pricing model | Monthly subscription tiers | Monthly subscription tiers |
| Free plan | Not verified | Not verified |
| Team sizes | Solo, Small teams, Mid-sized | Solo, Small teams, Mid-sized |
| Capabilities | Invoicing, Reporting | Invoicing, Reporting |
| Official pricing | QuickBooks Online pricing pageChecked 11 October 2026 | Xero pricing pageChecked 11 October 2026 |
Prices change often — always confirm on the provider’s pricing page. We don’t publish ratings or scores.
Choose QuickBooks Online if…
- You are: small businesses that work closely with an accountant.
- Xero’s limitation matters to you: plans and features differ by country.
Choose Xero if…
- You are: small businesses wanting straightforward cloud bookkeeping.
- QuickBooks Online’s limitation matters to you: plans and features differ by country.
More on these tools
Other comparisons
Not sure yet? Tell us what you need and we’ll suggest a shortlist, or ask for a demo or help switching.