Accounting · Head to head
FreshBooks vs Xero: which is better?
Short answer
FreshBooks costs less in the first year ($276 vs $324). Pick FreshBooks for freelancers invoicing clients; pick Xero for unlimited-user cloud accounting.
| Fact | FreshBooks | Xero | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers invoicing clients | Unlimited-user cloud accounting | — |
| Free plan | No, 30-day trial | No, 30-day trial | Tie |
| Entry plan | Lite: $23 / mo | Early: $27 / mo | FreshBooks |
| Mid plan | Plus: $43 / mo | Growing: $59 / mo | FreshBooks |
| Top plan | Premium: $70 / mo | Established: $97 / mo | FreshBooks |
| 1st year | $276 | $324 | FreshBooks |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android | Tie |
Edge = the better published number or limit; we do not test the tools hands-on.
Which is cheaper, FreshBooks or Xero?
FreshBooks costs less in the first year ($276 vs $324).
| 1st year | FreshBooks | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $276 | $324 |
| Mid | $516 | $708 |
| Top | $840 | $1,164 |
Which has the better free plan, FreshBooks or Xero?
Neither stands out: FreshBooks: No, 30-day trial; Xero: No, 30-day trial.
Should you pick FreshBooks or Xero?
Pick FreshBooks if
- you want freelancers invoicing clients
- you can pay $23 / mo from day one
Pick Xero if
- you want unlimited-user cloud accounting
- you can pay $27 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| FreshBooks pricing | freshbooks.com/pricing | 27 Oct 2026 |
| Xero pricing | xero.com/us/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare