QuickBooks Online vs Xero: which one fits your business?
Side-by-side comparison of QuickBooks Online and Xero — fees, features, ease, support, and which one fits your business. Scored on the same rubric.
Short answer: QuickBooks Online wins on our scorecard (7.3/10 vs 7.1/10).
| Scored on | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Right fit for small biz | 9 | 8 |
| Ease of use | 7 | 7 |
| Fees & pricing | 6 | 7 |
| Customer support | 5 | 5 |
| Features | 9 | 8 |
| Simple Start Tier | $35/mo | — |
| Essentials Tier | $60/mo | — |
| Plus Tier | $90/mo | — |
| Advanced Tier | $200/mo | — |
| Early Plan | — | $15/mo |
| Growing Plan | — | $42/mo |
| Established Plan | — | $78/mo |
| Gusto Payroll Add-on | — | Varies |
QuickBooks Online in one paragraph
The undisputed industry standard that justifies its high price through massive time savings and CPA compatibility.
Skip it if: You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.
Xero in one paragraph
Xero is a powerful, sleek alternative to QuickBooks that excels for businesses with international needs, provided you don't mind the lack of phone support.
Skip it if: Skip it if you need to call a human being on the phone whenever you have a software question.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, QuickBooks Online or Xero?
On our five-axis scorecard, QuickBooks Online scores higher (7.3/10 vs 7.1/10). The undisputed industry standard that justifies its high price through massive time savings and CPA compatibility.
Who should skip QuickBooks Online?
You are a micro-business with fewer than 10 transactions a month and don't mind manual spreadsheets.
Who should skip Xero?
Skip it if you need to call a human being on the phone whenever you have a software question.