Accounting · Head to head
Xero vs QuickBooks Online: which is better?
Short answer
Xero costs less in the first year ($324 vs $456). Pick Xero for unlimited-user cloud accounting; pick QuickBooks Online for US small-business bookkeeping standard.
| Fact | Xero | QuickBooks Online | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Unlimited-user cloud accounting | US small-business bookkeeping standard | — |
| Free plan | No, 30-day trial | No, 30-day trial | Tie |
| Entry plan | Early: $27 / mo | Simple Start: $38 / mo | Xero |
| Mid plan | Growing: $59 / mo | Essentials: $85 / mo | Xero |
| Top plan | Established: $97 / mo | Advanced: $340 / mo | Xero |
| 1st year | $324 | $456 | Xero |
| 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, Xero or QuickBooks Online?
Xero costs less in the first year ($324 vs $456).
| 1st year | Xero | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $324 | $456 |
| Mid | $708 | $1,020 |
| Top | $1,164 | $4,080 |
Which has the better free plan, Xero or QuickBooks Online?
Neither stands out: Xero: No, 30-day trial; QuickBooks Online: No, 30-day trial.
Should you pick Xero or QuickBooks Online?
Pick Xero if
- you want unlimited-user cloud accounting
- you can pay $27 / mo from day one
Pick QuickBooks Online if
- you want US small-business bookkeeping standard
- you can pay $38 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Xero pricing | xero.com/us/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
| QuickBooks Online pricing | quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/ | 27 Oct 2026 |
Prices in USD as published by each vendor, billed yearly where offered. How we compare