QuickBooks vs Xero — Which Is Right for You?

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between QuickBooks and Xero depends on your specific needs and priorities. Overall, Xero leads in 1 out of 1 comparable metrics, while QuickBooks has the edge in 0.

When it comes to subcategory, QuickBooks offers Accounting compared to Xero's Cloud Accounting. When it comes to founded, QuickBooks offers 1,983 compared to Xero's 2,006.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two tools.

Category
QuickBooks
Accounting & Finance
Xero
Accounting & Finance
Subcategory
QuickBooks
Accounting
Xero
Cloud Accounting
Pricing
QuickBooks
Paid
Xero
Paid
Free Tier
QuickBooks
Xero
Founded
QuickBooks
1,983
Xero
2,006
Headquarters
QuickBooks
Mountain View, CA
Xero
Wellington, New Zealand
Best For
QuickBooks
Small businesses and freelancers
Xero
Small businesses globally

QuickBooks

QuickBooks is an accounting software package developed and marketed by Intuit. First introduced in 1992, QuickBooks is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized businesses. The software offers both...

Xero

Xero Limited is a New Zealand technology company that provides cloud-based accounting software for small businesses. The company has offices in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United...

Comparison Details

MetricQuickBooksXero
CategoryAccounting & FinanceAccounting & Finance
SubcategoryAccountingCloud Accounting
Pricing ModelPaidPaid
Free TierNoNo
Founded19832006
HeadquartersMountain View, CAWellington, New Zealand
Key FeaturesInvoicing, Expense Tracking, Payroll, Tax PrepBank Feeds, Invoicing, Payroll, Inventory
Best ForSmall businesses and freelancersSmall businesses globally

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, QuickBooks or Xero?

QuickBooks is best for small businesses and freelancers, while Xero is best for small businesses globally. The right choice depends on your needs.

Is QuickBooks cheaper than Xero?

QuickBooks uses a Paid model, while Xero uses a Paid model.

Can I use QuickBooks and Xero together?

Many teams combine QuickBooks (Accounting) with Xero (Cloud Accounting) for different aspects of their workflow.

What are the main differences between QuickBooks and Xero?

QuickBooks focuses on Invoicing, Expense Tracking, Payroll, while Xero excels at Bank Feeds, Invoicing, Payroll.