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Best Xero alternatives

Xero is cloud-based accounting software for small businesses, covering invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense claims, and financial reporting, built with unlimited users on every plan and designed for close, real-time collaboration between a business and its accountant or bookkeeper.

4 alternatives compared

About Xero

Xero is cloud-based accounting software for small businesses, covering invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense claims, and financial reporting, built with unlimited users on every plan and designed for close, real-time collaboration between a business and its accountant or bookkeeper. Small businesses that want lower-cost accounting software with unlimited user seats and work closely with an accountant or bookkeeper who already uses Xero.

  • Invoicing and online payment collection
  • Bank feed reconciliation
  • Expense claims
  • Multi-currency accounting
  • Inventory tracking
  • Project time and cost tracking
  • Unlimited users on every plan
  • Large third-party app marketplace

Platforms

WebiOSAndroid
Visit Xero

Top alternatives

See how the top Xero alternatives compare on use case fit and core strengths.

#1Top pick

QuickBooks Online

Intuit cloud accounting software with the widest US bookkeeper and accountant ecosystem.

Best for

Small businesses that want the accounting software most US bookkeepers already know how to use

Largest accountant ecosystemNative payroll add-onUncapped invoicing on entry tier
View QuickBooks Online
#2

FreshBooks

Cloud accounting and invoicing software with built-in time tracking and client estimate workflows.

Best for

Freelancers and consultants needing simple client billing and project profitability

Built-in project time trackingClient estimate workflowsSimpler invoice customization
View FreshBooks
#3

Wave

Free cloud accounting and invoicing software designed for solopreneurs and micro-businesses.

Best for

Solopreneurs seeking zero-subscription invoicing and basic double-entry bookkeeping

Free starter tierZero monthly subscription costSimple setup
View Wave
#4

Zoho Books

Cloud accounting software that automates core financial workflows, handles multi-currency invoicing, manages inventory, and integrates with the wider Zoho ecosystem.

Best for

Small to mid-sized businesses and existing Zoho users wanting workflow automation and cost-effective multi-user accounting

Multi-currency invoicingInventory trackingDeep Zoho-suite integration
View Zoho Books

Pricing

Free trial: yes

Entry paid plan

USD 25/ monthly

  • Early

    USD 25 / monthly

    Send 20 invoices and enter 5 bills per month; reconcile bank transactions.

  • Growing

    USD 55 / monthly

    Unlimited invoices and bills; bulk transaction reconciliation.

  • Established

    USD 90 / monthly

    Adds multi-currency, expense claims, and project tracking.

Pricing checked August 18, 2026Official pricing page

How to choose

Before switching to Xero, weigh it against its listed alternatives: QuickBooks Online (Small businesses that want the accounting software most US bookkeepers already know how to use); FreshBooks (Freelancers and consultants needing simple client billing and project profitability); Wave (Solopreneurs seeking zero-subscription invoicing and basic double-entry bookkeeping); Zoho Books (Small to mid-sized businesses and existing Zoho users wanting workflow automation and cost-effective multi-user accounting). Compare each against the workflow you actually run today — integrations, customization, and the effort required to migrate your existing data usually matter more than headline features. Confirm it runs on the platforms you need (Web, iOS, Android) before switching.

If Xero's feature set above doesn't cover what you need, one of the alternatives compared here — QuickBooks Online, FreshBooks, Wave, Zoho Books — may be a closer fit.

Frequently asked questions

Does Xero charge per user?

No — every Xero plan includes unlimited users at no extra cost, which is a real structural difference from QuickBooks Online, where higher tiers cap the number of users.

Is Xero cheaper than QuickBooks Online?

At official list prices, yes — Xero's three tiers ($25/$55/$90 per month) each undercut QuickBooks Online's comparable tiers, though QuickBooks' Simple Start plan has no invoice/bill volume cap, which Xero's entry-level Early plan does.

Sources

The facts on this page come from Xero's own official site, accessed August 18, 2026. See our Sources Policy for how we handle sourcing.

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