QuickBooks dominates the US market with 4.5M+ users and deeper accounting features, while Xero leads globally with 3.3M+ users and superior mobile-first design. QuickBooks offers better for traditional accountants; Xero excels for modern, cloud-native businesses.
Xero vs QuickBooks — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Cloud-first accounting software optimized for global small businesses and freelancers.
US-dominant accounting platform with comprehensive tax compliance and accountant tools.
Global User Base. Mobile App Rating. Starting Monthly Price. Multi-Currency Support. API Rate Limits. Accountant-Specific Features. Free Trial Duration
Choose QuickBooks if you're a US-based small business or accountant managing multiple clients with complex payroll needs — it dominates the accountancy market with deeper tax compliance and a mature ecosystem. Choose Xero if you're a growing global business, freelancer, or startup prioritizing modern mobile-first workflows, multi-currency transactions, and lower entry costs — it's the future-forward choice with 23% faster mobile performance.
Xero: 61% growth | QuickBooks Online: Enhanced 2026 features
Xero: Unlimited/Higher | QuickBooks Online: 25 users
Xero: 68.92% | QuickBooks Online: Strong integration
Xero: Good but secondary focus | QuickBooks Online: Deepest in market
Xero: Separate paid tool | QuickBooks Online: Free (QBO Accountant)
Xero: Strong alternative | QuickBooks Online: Industry-leading recommendation
Xero: Comprehensive accounting-focused | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: LLM-powered (2026) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Moderate to high | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Standard tools included | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Native multi-entity support | QuickBooks Online: Limited (separate subscriptions)
Xero: Available (Select tier+) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Third-party required | QuickBooks Online: Built-in
Xero: 4.6/5.0 | QuickBooks Online: 4.5/5
Xero: $8-15 (Standard plan) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 190+ | QuickBooks Online: Multiple (Online Plus+)
Xero: 4.7/5 (G2 2024) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 5 (Standard), Unlimited (Premium) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Full capability with offline mode | QuickBooks Online: Full invoicing + real-time sync
Xero: $13/month | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 140+ currencies | QuickBooks Online: Limited USD focus
Xero: 12+ | QuickBooks Online: Unlimited custom templates
Xero: Advanced tracking with stock levels | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Unlimited (all tiers) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 60 (standard tier) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 1-2 weeks | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Unlimited organizations | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Yes (Snap Invoice) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 4.7/5 (45K reviews) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: No (Cloud only) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: No | QuickBooks Online: No (14-day trial only)
Xero: 24-48 hours | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 120+ | QuickBooks Online: 1 (U.S. primary)
Xero: 60,000 | QuickBooks Online: 10,000
Xero: 168 (24/7) | QuickBooks Online: 50 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm ET)
Xero: Third-party add-on (Guidepoint, Namely) | QuickBooks Online: Native (Payroll Plus plan included)
Xero: $13 | QuickBooks Online: $30 (Simple Start)
Xero: 50+ customizable reports | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Full accounting and expense tracking | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Advanced automation saves ~8 hours | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Varies by Starter plan | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Not available | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Full (multi-user simultaneous editing) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 1.9 million | QuickBooks Online: 4.6 million
Xero: 1,000+ | QuickBooks Online: 500+ integrations
Xero: Full invoicing, payments, expense tracking | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 1-3 limited (unlimited on higher tiers) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: $13/month | QuickBooks Online: $35
Xero: $66/month | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 1,200+ (US/UK/AU/NZ) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 4.6 stars (18,000+ reviews) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 500+ native integrations | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Manual entry + basic matching | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: $13/month (Early plan) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 190+ currencies | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: No, 1-3 users max | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 1,000+ integrations | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 24/7 phone + email + chat | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: Unlimited | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 2.4% (Xero Payments) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 3.6+ million | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 30+ | QuickBooks Online: Single currency per company
Xero: 4.8/5 | QuickBooks Online: 4.6/5 (89,000 reviews)
Xero: $5-10 extra | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 195 currencies | QuickBooks Online: 160 (limited real-time conversion)
Xero: Advanced (multi-location, real-time tracking) | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 4.4 stars | QuickBooks Online: N/A
Xero: 160+ | QuickBooks Online: Single currency per file
Max Client Accounts (Accountant Edition)
Xero: Unlimited with portal | QuickBooks Online: 50+ simultaneous
Xero: Third-party integration only | QuickBooks Online: Native with tax calculations
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 3+ (scalable)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Yes, included
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Phone, chat, and expert-assisted
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Yes (Advanced plan)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Available via add-ons
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Unlimited per plan tier
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Unlimited
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Available in higher tiers
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Advanced (Intuit Intelligence, Tax AI beta, batch processing)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Supported with advanced workflows
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: No (add-on $10/user/month)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Limited/Premium plans only
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 1-2 hours
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: iOS, Android (full-featured)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $540/year
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Single entity focus
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 2-4 weeks
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Up to 500 SKUs
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $30/month
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 10,000+ banks
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 300,000+ certified
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: iOS & Android
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 50+ customizable reports
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Advanced (recurring transactions, bill pay, expense automation)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Full accounting, reporting, and transaction management
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $180-$2400
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $15/month
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 3 users (Essentials plan)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 5 standard roles
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Automated (SmartMatch AI)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Included in plan
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 16,000+ global institutions
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 100+ customizable reports
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Limited: invoice viewing only
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Yes, native QuickBooks Payroll
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 1-2 weeks
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Basic (serial/lot tracking, stock transfers)
Average Total Cost of Ownership (Year 1)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $600-$1,200
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $55 (Plus)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 80+ templates
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $15/month (Self-Employed)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: $55/month (Plus plan)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: 3 users (Self-Employed plan)
Payroll Module Cost (Per Employee/Month)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Included in Plus plan ($55/month)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Automatic (10,000+ institutions)
Xero: N/A | QuickBooks Online: Available (Paid app)
How to choose between Xero and QuickBooks Online
Xero vs QuickBooks — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Xero vs QuickBooks. Contains 171 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Xero vs QuickBooks — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Xero vs QuickBooks.
Which is better for US small businesses with payroll needs?
QuickBooks Online is the clear choice. It has native, integrated US payroll with real-time tax calculations, 1099-NEC/W-2 generation, and is used by 78% of US accountants. Xero requires third-party payroll integration (like Guidepoint), adding complexity and cost.
Which is better for freelancers operating internationally?
Xero is significantly better. It natively supports 160+ currencies with real-time conversion, has a 4.8/5-rated mobile app for on-the-go invoicing, and costs just $13/month to start. QuickBooks' single-currency limitation and US-centric design make it less suitable for global freelancers.
Can accountants manage multiple client accounts with both?
Both support multi-client management, but differently. QuickBooks Accountant edition is purpose-built for firms managing 50+ clients with dedicated tools, forms, and bulk operations. Xero uses an unlimited client portal approach but with fewer accountant-specific bulk features. QuickBooks wins for traditional accounting firms.
How do their mobile apps compare for remote accounting work?
Xero's mobile app (4.8/5 rating) has superior offline capabilities, real-time bank synchronization, and loads 23% faster on average. QuickBooks' app (4.2/5) is functional but heavier and requires more internet connectivity. For mobile-first work, Xero's mobile offering is measurably better.
What are the total costs for a growing business at year two?
For a growing US business with 3 users and payroll: Xero would cost $156/month (Plus tier at $52/month × 3) plus ~$40 payroll integration = $196/month. QuickBooks costs $180/month (Plus tier at $60/month × 3) with payroll included. QuickBooks has lower TCO for US businesses with payroll; Xero wins globally where payroll integration is optional.
How to Choose Between Xero and QuickBooks Online
Global User Base: Xero has 3.3M+ users across 200+ countries, while QuickBooks Online has 4.5M+ users primarily US/Canada focused.
Mobile App Rating: Xero has 4.8/5 stars (iOS/Android combined), while QuickBooks Online has 4.2/5 stars (iOS/Android combined).
Starting Monthly Price: Xero has $13/month (Early), while QuickBooks Online has $30/month (Simple Start).
Multi-Currency Support: Xero has 160+ currencies native support, while QuickBooks Online has Single currency per company file.
API Rate Limits: Xero has 5,000 requests per 24-hour period, while QuickBooks Online has Up to 10,000 requests per 24-hour period.
Accountant-Specific Features: Xero has Limited multi-tenant workspace, while QuickBooks Online has QuickBooks Accountant with 50+ client access tools.
Free Trial Duration: Xero has 30 days full feature access, while QuickBooks Online has 30 days full feature access.