Xero vs QuickBooks Online (2026): Price, Users and Which to Choose

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Updated October 31, 2026. Prices below were checked on Xero’s US pricing page and QuickBooks’ pricing page on this date.

Xero and QuickBooks Online are the two most popular cloud accounting tools for small businesses. Both handle invoicing, bank feeds, bills and reports. The biggest differences are price and users: Xero includes unlimited users on every plan, while QuickBooks charges more as you add people but is the tool most US accountants already know.

The short answer

• Choose Xero if several people need access to your books, or you want lower monthly prices. Every Xero plan includes unlimited users.
• Choose QuickBooks Online if your accountant or bookkeeper already uses it, you want a free plan to start, or you plan to add payroll from the same company.

Xero vs QuickBooks at a glance

	Xero	QuickBooks Online
Best for	Teams that need many users	Businesses that work with an accountant
Free plan	No	Yes (QuickBooks Free)
Entry plan	$27/mo (Early)	$38/mo (Simple Start)
Middle plan	$59/mo (Growing)	$85/mo (Essentials)
Higher plans	$97/mo (Established)	$140/mo (Plus), $340/mo (Advanced)
Users	Unlimited on every plan	1, 3, 5 or 25 depending on plan
Intro offer when we checked	90% off for 6 months, or one month free	50% off for 3 months, or a 30-day free trial

Regular monthly prices. Xero’s 90% offer was listed as ending November 2, 2026; check both sites for current offers.

Pricing compared

Plan for plan, Xero is cheaper at regular prices: $27 vs $38 a month at the entry level, and $59 vs $85 for the middle plans. Xero’s intro offer was also bigger when we checked. Here’s what each would cost in the first year with the intro offer, then every year after:

Plan	First year with offer	Each year after
Xero Early	$178.20	$324
QuickBooks Simple Start	$399	$456
Xero Growing	$389.40	$708
QuickBooks Essentials	$892.50	$1,020

First-year totals use 90% off for 6 months (Xero) and 50% off for 3 months (QuickBooks), before taxes and add-ons.

The catch: Xero’s Early plan lets you send only 20 invoices and enter 5 bills, so most businesses that invoice regularly need Growing. Compare QuickBooks Simple Start with Xero Growing if you send more than a handful of invoices a month. See every QuickBooks plan in our QuickBooks Online pricing breakdown.

Where Xero wins

• Unlimited users. Xero has no per-user license fees, so your whole team, your bookkeeper and your accountant can all log in on any plan.
• Lower regular prices. Each Xero plan costs less than the comparable QuickBooks plan.
• Cash flow forecasting. Every plan includes a cash flow forecast (30 days on Early, 60 on Growing, 180 on Established).
• Multi-currency and projects. Established adds multiple currencies, project time and cost tracking, and expense and mileage claims.

Where QuickBooks wins

• Accountant familiarity. QuickBooks is the tool most US accountants and bookkeepers already use, and every paid plan includes access for your accountant.
• A free plan. QuickBooks Free costs $0, though it leaves out the mobile app and third-party integrations.
• Payroll from the same company. QuickBooks Payroll is a built-in add-on; see Gusto vs QuickBooks Payroll.
• No invoice cap on the entry plan. Xero’s cheapest plan limits you to 20 invoices and 5 bills.

Our verdict

If more than one or two people need to work in your books, Xero is usually the better value: unlimited users and lower prices add up quickly. If you work with a US accountant who uses QuickBooks, or you want payroll and accounting from one company, QuickBooks Online is the safer choice, and it’s our best overall pick in our accounting software guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is Xero cheaper than QuickBooks?

Yes, at regular prices. Xero’s plans are $27, $59 and $97 a month; QuickBooks Online’s paid plans are $38, $85, $140 and $340 a month. QuickBooks also has a free plan with fewer features.

Can I switch from QuickBooks to Xero?

Yes. Xero offers free expert setup help, and both tools let you import your data. Talk to your accountant before switching mid-year.

Which is better for a small team?

Xero, because every plan includes unlimited users. On QuickBooks, Simple Start covers one user, Essentials three and Plus five.

Comparing more options? See our QuickBooks alternatives, FreshBooks vs QuickBooks, or all five tools in our guide to the best accounting software for small business.