Xero vs QuickBooks for Accounting Features, Fees, Support

Unlike Xero and QuickBooks, businesses can get started on Wave for completely free and the software is also available to an unlimited number of users — extending its use even further. Unlike QuickBooks, Xero users do not have any phone support options. To get it, you’ll just need to log in, visit Xero Central, and submit a query.

We collect the data for our software ratings from products’ public-facing websites and from company representatives. Information is gathered on a regular basis and reviewed by our editorial team for consistency and accuracy. Both accounting software products let users invite their accountants by prepaid insurance definition email. If you’re located in the United States, though, there’s a better chance your accountant is familiar with QuickBooks Online than Xero. QuickBooks Online is an industry standard with more than 5 million users worldwide.

How much does QuickBooks accounting software cost?

QuickBooks’ user-friendly interface makes navigating your finances a breeze, even if you’re not an accounting expert. The layout quiz and worksheet accounts receivable process and simple design ensure that you can find what you need quickly and efficiently. Xero and QuickBooks have similar pricing, except when it comes to QuickBooks Desktop.

We also liked Xero’s built-in integrations with the payment processor Stripe, the CRM HubSpot, the email marketing platform Mailchimp and the e-commerce platform Shopify. Learn about the differences between QuickBooks and Xero accounting software to decide which one is right for your business’s needs. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. QuickBooks is generally praised for having a more intuitive user interface, especially for users without an accounting background. Xero, on the other hand, might be slightly more suited to accountants and bookkeepers due to its design.

Expense and mileage tracking

QuickBooks Online offers much better invoicing with multiple templates to choose from as well as built-in packing slips. Xero only has one invoice template, and you have to download and import a packing slip template into the software. Then, we award each piece of software a rating out of five for each of these categories to understand how they compare against each what is classification of cost definition explanation and examples other. Aside from helping us to determine which solution is stronger overall, these scores also help us to determine which product is better suited to different types of businesses.

QuickBooks Online has over 750 integrations encompassing everything from customer management and payment processing to tax preparation and lending. Since Xero no longer has built-in payroll, its tax support is limited only to sales tax. However, if you take advantage of this trial, you will not be able to receive a new user discount, so choose wisely. Speaking of pricing, QuickBooks Online can get a little expensive and may be out of budget for smaller businesses looking for a more cost-effective accounting solution. Xero’s support and learning portal, Xero Central, offers access to a searchable database categorized by topics like ‘Inventory’ or ‘Reporting and Tracking,’ among others. Resources include how-tos, explainers, and professional development courses.

Integration with Other Software and Apps

1. It’s easy to see why QuickBooks is a standout choice for small-to mid-size businesses.
2. Xero supports unlimited users and grows with your business, making it a more suitable choice for mid-to-large-sized businesses.
3. It’s tempting to go for the cheapest plan, but this could mean having to pay extra for the add-on features your business needs.
4. All Xero accounts allow unlimited users; many other platforms cap user allotments.

Phone support and live chat support are available 24/5 to all paying customers, but third-party integrations are limited compared to QuickBooks Online and Xero. Xero and QuickBooks are both great accounting software options for small businesses. They both offer a wide range of features, an easy-to-use interface and competitive pricing. The desktop version is installed on a computer, while the online version is accessed through a web browser.

You can also take photos of receipts and upload them from the mobile app. QuickBooks will automatically match receipts to recorded expenses or generate new expenses accordingly. We also like that you can use Xero to set recurring bills, generate billing reports, and store and organize all your bills. This makes the tool as great for payment as for understanding your cash outflows. Plus, you get bill pay tools no matter which package you choose, although you can only pay five bills per month with the Early plan.

QuickBooks offers a more integrated suite of features compared to Xero. With features like automatic expense tracking, a user-friendly interface, and extensive reporting options, QuickBooks aims to streamline financial management for small businesses. It’s particularly well-suited for businesses who prioritize an all-in-one solution. Another option is Wave, which is a free accounting software program that includes invoicing, payroll, double-entry and sales tax tracking. Whatever your needs, there’s sure to be an accounting software program that’s a perfect fit.