Key takeaways
- Pick the one your accountant or bookkeeper already uses. If you have no preference, compare the regular prices and the user limits.
- Pick QuickBooks Online if: Your accountant already uses QuickBooks
- Pick Xero if: Your bookkeeper works in Xero
QuickBooks Online vs Xero side by side
| Detail | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Made by | Intuit | Xero |
| Best for | Businesses whose accountant already uses QuickBooks, Owners who want invoices and books in one place | Bookkeepers who already work in Xero, Businesses that want strong bank reconciliation |
| Not a fit for | Teams that want a flat price with no promotional discount ending, Businesses that need more than the listed user limits on a low plan | Teams that want a free trial, Businesses that want payroll included in the base price |
| Free plan | Not listed | Not listed |
| Paid plans from | $19 per month for the first 3 months then $38 per month for Simple Start | $27 per month for Early after the introductory offer |
Prices as listed on each vendor’s pricing page. See the QuickBooks Online and Xero pages for every plan and its source.
When to pick which
Pick QuickBooks Online if
- Your accountant already uses QuickBooks
- You want a trial before you pay
Pick Xero if
- Your bookkeeper works in Xero
- You want free onboarding help for the first 90 days
Our take
Pick the one your accountant or bookkeeper already uses. If you have no preference, compare the regular prices and the user limits.
More bookkeeping and expenses comparisons
QuickBooks Online vs Xero: common questions
How do QuickBooks Online and Xero pricing compare?
QuickBooks Simple Start lists at $38 per month and Xero Early at $27 per month. Both discount the first 3 months.
Sources
Read on November 6, 2026. Vendors change prices and menus, so check the live page before you buy.
About the author
Andy Kang, AI Partner Team. Andy Kang writes the AI directory for AI Partner Team, which sets up and builds AI tools for small businesses alongside managed IT. Each page is written from the vendor’s own pricing, help and trust pages, and shows the day those pages were checked.
- Facts come from the vendor’s own website and help docs, linked on every page.
- Each page shows the date we last read those sources.
- We do not score or rank tools. We say who each one suits and who it does not.
- If a vendor does not publish a price, we say so instead of guessing.