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.
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
Top alternatives
See how the top Xero alternatives compare on use case fit and core strengths.
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
Head-to-head
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