Accounting · Head to head
Zoho Books vs Xero: which is better?
Short answer
Zoho Books costs less in the first year ($120 vs $324). Pick Zoho Books for free tier for micro businesses; pick Xero for unlimited-user cloud accounting.
| Fact | Zoho Books | Xero | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Free tier for micro businesses | Unlimited-user cloud accounting | — |
| Free plan | Yes, 1 user, revenue under 50K USD | No, 30-day trial | Zoho Books |
| Entry plan | Standard: $10 / mo | Early: $27 / mo | Zoho Books |
| Mid plan | Professional: $20 / mo | Growing: $59 / mo | Zoho Books |
| Top plan | Premium: $30 / mo | Established: $97 / mo | Zoho Books |
| 1st year | $120 | $324 | Zoho Books |
| 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, Zoho Books or Xero?
Zoho Books costs less in the first year ($120 vs $324).
| 1st year | Zoho Books | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | $120 | $324 |
| Mid | $240 | $708 |
| Top | $360 | $1,164 |
Which has the better free plan, Zoho Books or Xero?
Zoho Books: Yes, 1 user, revenue under 50K USD.
Should you pick Zoho Books or Xero?
Pick Zoho Books if
- you want free tier for micro businesses
- the free plan is enough (1 user, revenue under 50K USD)
Pick Xero if
- you want unlimited-user cloud accounting
- you can pay $27 / mo from day one
Sources
| Vendor page | URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Zoho Books pricing | zoho.com/books/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