We earn referral fees from both QuickBooks and Xero. The winner is decided on the same six-category rubric we use for everything else. Read the full policy.
QuickBooks vs Xero
The two best small-business accounting platforms in the world, and the one to pick is mostly decided by where you live and which one your accountant prefers. Here is the version with all the geography included.
Pick QuickBooks if you are in the US the payroll integration, the sales tax handling and the fact that almost every American accountant already uses it makes it the obvious answer. Pick Xero if you are in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere with multi-currency invoicing the interface is cleaner, the bank reconciliation is friendlier, and the international support is years ahead.
Side by side.
| What we measured | QuickBooks | Xero | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall verdict | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 | Tie |
| Starting price | $30/mo | $15/mo | Xero |
| US accountant familiarity | Universal | Growing | QuickBooks |
| UK / AU strength | Adequate | Dominant | Xero |
| Multi-currency | Higher tier only | Built in | Xero |
| Payroll integration | Best in US | Limited in US | QuickBooks |
| Bank reconciliation | Capable | Friendlier | Xero |
| Inventory | Strong | Adequate | QuickBooks |
| Mobile app | Excellent | Very good | QuickBooks |
| Time to live | 10 days | 7 days | Xero |
- ◆ Your business is based in the United States
- ◆ Your accountant uses QuickBooks (most do)
- ◆ You need US payroll, sales tax and 1099 handling tightly integrated
- ◆ You manage inventory and need inventory-aware accounting
- ◆ Your team has used QuickBooks before
- ◆ You are in the UK, Australia, New Zealand or Singapore
- ◆ You invoice in multiple currencies
- ◆ You hated bank reconciliation in QuickBooks
- ◆ You want a cleaner, friendlier interface for non-accountants
- ◆ You work with a bookkeeper who already runs Xero clients
Almost no business has switched accounting software and called the experience fun. The single best move you can make is to ask your accountant which one they want to use, and then use that. Both will do the books well the difference is who is helping you when something goes wrong at month-end.