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QuickBooks Online is more versatile than Xero in terms of invoicing. There are plenty of customization options, which can be a great deal for those wanting to present and maintain a professional brand image. Another reason QuickBooks Online stands out is its ability to calculate sales tax rates automatically based on the customer address, which is something Xero can’t do. Hence, it’s no surprise that QuickBooks Online is our overall best invoicing accounting software. Yes, QuickBooks’ accounting tools do come in a little higher in overall pricing, but the plan options are more flexible and offer more features than Xero’s plans. For those on the go, Xero has a mobile app accounting tool for both iOS and Android devices, though the app does not give you access to all of the features found in the full version.

Xero is the newer product, having made its way onto the market in 2006. In a relatively short time, it has established itself as a top accounting tool, and its great user reviews mean it has an enviable reputation. Let’s start by looking closer at QuickBooks, seen as it is the original accounting software of its kind. First created in 1983, QuickBooks has been very popular over the years, and it has remained relevant more recently by bringing out its cloud-based software, QuickBooks Online. Xero has been praised for its intuitive user interface and ease of use, while QuickBooks Online offers more robust features suited for larger businesses. Ultimately, when deciding between Xero vs. QuickBooks, it depends on the complexity and size of your business.

When you might choose Xero instead

For example, QuickBooks Online has 2,800+ reviews on G2 versus Xero’s 470+ reviews. Despite having more reviews, QBO’s overall ratings from users are on-par with (and in some cases, even exceed) Xero’s ratings. In evaluating pricing, we considered the billing cycle (monthly or annual) and number of users.

You can enter as much or as little information as you need, and simply add the rest when it’s necessary. An important though often overlooked component of any software product is how easy it is to use. You may never need to call support, but it’s nice to know it’s an option. Xero’s accounting functionalities are fairly simple to navigate, so it’s likely these resources will be sufficient if and when something goes wrong. User preference can play a role in which style you prefer, but generally, the more self-explanatory a central navigation screen is, the easier it is for new users to find their way around.

QuickBooks provides robust bookkeeping tools, invoicing capabilities, and payroll management, making it an all-in-one solution for businesses. Its user-friendly interface and extensive integrations with other applications make it a popular choice for businesses seeking convenience and a seamless user experience. Xero and QuickBooks are two the of most popular accounting software solutions for small businesses looking to keep track of finances.

Project Management

All three plans have optional add-ons for an extra cost, such as Payroll from an additional £5 a month. Consider factors such as the size of your business, your industry, and the specific features that matter most to you. By evaluating your unique needs, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals. Additionally, Xero’s reporting capabilities, although comprehensive, may not cater to the specific requirements of certain industries or businesses with complex reporting needs. Xero and QuickBooks both understand the importance of education and offer extensive resources to help users learn and navigate their software effectively. QuickBooks Payroll is available as an add-on to any QuickBooks plan, or you can purchase it separately.

Wave’s reporting features are also easy to use but lack depth when it comes to sales tax, inventory, and employee data. This could work well for freelancers, solopreneurs, and businesses with only a couple of employees. Larger businesses — even startups — will not find Wave’s offering here to meet their needs. While Xero provides solid email tracking functionality, QuickBooks emerges as the winner in this category. Its seamless integration with popular email platforms and comprehensive tracking capabilities make it the preferred choice for businesses seeking robust email tracking solutions. While both QuickBooks and Xero offer similar functionalities, the choice ultimately depends on the specific needs and preferences of your business.

Sage Accounting Software

The biggest issue with QBO, according to reviewers, is customer support — or the lack thereof. Numerous reviews claim that customer support is unhelpful, with multiple users spending hours talking to representatives only to receive no resolution to seemingly minor issues. QuickBooks Online has over 650 integrations encompassing how to calculate prepaid rent expenses everything from customer management and payment processing to tax preparation and lending. Both Xero and QuickBooks Online include invoicing, but there are a few reasons why QBO has the edge. Xero’s Growing and Established plans have unlimited invoicing, while the Early plan caps users at 20 invoices per month.

• While the two both offer similar features, such as tax management, financial reports, integrated payroll, inventory and file storage, the two are not without their differences.
• With Xero, you have to hook up your account to reconcile your transactions.
• Both platforms offer payroll capabilities, but they differ in how they’re implemented.
• Xero’s Marketplace has pre-built integrations with over 800 tools across categories like time tracking, project management, and more.
• If you’re a freelancer or solopreneur and don’t have complex financial needs, this might work best for you.

Xero’s main value lies in the customizable dashboard and the Xero Marketplace. There are 50 reports and, while we found that reports didn’t generate on demand when we tested the platform, customers have not reported this as a consistent issue. For a more in-depth overview of Xero’s features, check out the full Xero review. The most notable shortcoming is that users widely report that QuickBooks Online is not user-friendly. While this may not be a problem for your company, as your accountant will likely be doing most of the work within the software, it’s still something to keep in mind. Freelancers in particular might opt for a more user-friendly tool that’s less overwhelming to learn to use.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date. Hopefully after reading this guide, you should have a better idea of what both Xero and QuickBooks have to offer. The good news is that both platforms let you cancel at short to no notice, so you can test each out before making up your mind. QuickBooks is based in the U.S. and is best for U.S. and Canadian companies.

How long does it take to learn Xero?

Xero best suits medium to large businesses but works for all businesses. In addition, Xero has a far more user-friendly interface than QuickBooks, so its ease of use makes it the perfect choice for the self-employed and those with less accounting experience. The user experience is as important as any feature of your accounting solution.

Pilot is not a public accounting firm and does not provide services that would require a license to practice public accountancy. At Pilot, we have a team of expert bookkeepers using unique tools to automate the most error-prone aspects of bookkeeping. Xero works well for some small businesses, startups, and e-commerce businesses, but if you plan to scale, it’s not ideal. Xero’s support appears to be the most responsive via phone and email support. There were several complaints about either slow responses or long phone support hold times with both Wave and QuickBooks.

Xero vs QuickBooks Online Comparison

Xero also has inventory management, but it’s not one of its core functions. FreshBooks can be a good option for freelancers and contractors looking for an affordable, simple accounting software. There’s time tracking in all plans and phone support is available from 8 a.m.

The final thing to consider for your small business accounting software is your budget. It is worth noting that the pricing plans for all three platforms include add-ons and extra fees on top of their base plans. For example, a $9 per month plan could end up costing you $75 per month if you add on extra features such as payroll services. Fully understanding pricing will involve more than we can cover here, because it depends on your cloud accounting and specific business needs.

This means it can be accessed from any internet-connected device. The software offers a variety of features, including invoicing, tracking expenses and creating financial reports. Xero also integrates with other business applications, such as payroll and inventory management systems. This makes it a versatile tool for small businesses that need to streamline their operations.

When you compare Xero vs QuickBooks on price, Xero is again the clear winner. With packages ranging from $12 to $65 per month compared to $30 to $200, Xero is definitely the more affordable option. Plus, Quickbooks integrates with more than 750 third-party solutions, such as Paypal, Square, and Shopify. Another thing to consider is the learning curve and overall platform UI. BigCommerce vs Magento ⁠— here is the ultimate guide to comparing these two great platforms to help you determine the best for your business. Another difference between Xero vs. QuickBooks Online is platform flexibility.