QuickBooks dominates the US market with stronger desktop functionality and larger feature depth, while Xero leads globally with superior cloud-native design, multi-currency support, and lower pricing for small businesses. QuickBooks is best for established US businesses needing comprehensive reporting; Xero excels for growing international companies prioritizing real-time collaboration.
QuickBooks vs Xero — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose QuickBooks if you need comprehensive US-focused features, native payroll integration, desktop software options, or prefer the market-leading solution with strongest local support. Choose Xero if you operate internationally, need affordable cloud-native accounting, require unlimited team collaboration, or prioritize real-time multi-location visibility across 180+ countries.
Cloud-based accounting software by Intuit with strong US market presence and integrated payroll.
Cloud accounting software designed for small businesses with inventory and multi-location capabilities.
API Ecosystem & Third-Party Integrations
Structured comparison data for QuickBooks vs Xero with 154 attributes.
Average Total Cost of Ownership (Year 1)
QuickBooks vs Xero — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for QuickBooks vs Xero.
Which is better for US-based small businesses?
QuickBooks has the edge for US businesses due to 35-40% market dominance, integrated payroll capabilities, larger support community, and stronger local accounting firm partnerships. However, if you need multi-user collaboration or have international operations, Xero is the better choice despite lower US adoption rates.
Can multiple employees use these platforms simultaneously?
QuickBooks limits concurrent users to 2-3 on paid plans, while Xero offers unlimited concurrent users on all plans. This makes Xero significantly better for teams and distributed workforces where multiple people need to work simultaneously.
Is there a significant price difference?
Yes. Xero's basic plan starts at $11/month versus QuickBooks' $15/month. At scale, Xero remains cheaper: Xero's highest plan is ~$84/month for unlimited features, while QuickBooks Plus reaches $150/month. For international businesses, Xero's multi-currency pricing (same price globally) provides better value than QuickBooks' limited multi-currency support.
QuickBooks has native integrated payroll (QuickBooks Payroll), making it seamless for US businesses. Xero requires third-party payroll integrations (Gusto, Rippling, etc.), adding complexity and potential additional costs. For US payroll-dependent businesses, QuickBooks is the clear winner.
Which is better for international or multi-currency businesses?
Xero is far superior for international operations, supporting 180+ countries and operating as a true multi-currency system. QuickBooks supports only 50+ countries with limited multi-currency functionality. If your business operates across multiple countries, Xero is the only practical choice.