QuickBooks Online vs Xero: Full Comparison (2026)
Quick Answer
QuickBooks Online wins on ecosystem size and US tax integrations. Xero wins on pricing (unlimited users on every plan), UI design, and international support. For US-based SMBs already working with a QBO-fluent accountant, stick with QuickBooks. For everyone else — especially international businesses — Xero is the better value.
QuickBooks Online vs Xero at a Glance
| Dimension | QuickBooks Online | Xero | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ease Of Use | 7.5/10 | 8.0/10 | Xero |
| Features | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 | QuickBooks Online |
| Overall | 7.5/10 | 7.8/10 | Xero |
| Pricing | 6.5/10 | 8.0/10 | Xero |
| Support | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 | Xero |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Start / Starter | $30/monthly | $15/monthly |
| Essentials / Standard | $60/monthly | $42/monthly |
| Plus / Premium | $90/monthly | $78/monthly |
| Advanced | $200/monthly |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Receipt scanning | Yes | No |
| Audit trail | Yes | Yes |
| Tax preparation | Yes | No |
| Accountant access | Yes | Yes |
| Bank reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Bill pay | Yes | Yes |
| Double-entry accounting | Yes | Yes |
| Expense tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Inventory tracking | Yes | No |
| Invoicing | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-currency | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-entity | Yes | Yes |
| Role-based permissions | Yes | Yes |
| Time tracking | Yes | No |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Bank feeds | Yes | Yes |
| Payroll integration | Yes | Yes |
| Budgeting | Yes | Yes |
| Custom reports | Yes | Yes |
| Financial reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) | Yes | Yes |
| Project profitability | Yes | Yes |
Ease Of Use: QuickBooks Online vs Xero
Xero's interface is cleaner and more modern. QBO's UI has gotten cluttered over the years as Intuit bolted on features. Both have solid mobile apps, but Xero's dashboard design is superior.
Features: QuickBooks Online vs Xero
QBO has deeper inventory tracking, built-in mileage tracking, and stronger US tax preparation features. Xero's project tracking and multi-currency are included at lower tiers. QBO requires the $90/mo Plus plan for inventory and project profitability.
Overall: QuickBooks Online vs Xero
Both are excellent accounting platforms. The choice usually comes down to your accountant's preference and whether you need US-specific tax features (QBO) or unlimited users and international support (Xero).
Pricing: QuickBooks Online vs Xero
Xero includes unlimited users on all plans. QBO charges $30/mo for a single user and caps at 25 users on its $200/mo Advanced plan. For any business with more than one person who needs access, Xero's pricing model wins decisively.
Support: QuickBooks Online vs Xero
QBO's support quality has declined as Intuit scaled. Long wait times and inconsistent agent knowledge are common complaints. Xero's support is smaller but more consistent in quality.
Our Recommendation
Xero is the better value for most businesses. QBO's $30-$200/mo range for 1-25 users can't compete with Xero's unlimited users at $15-$78/mo. However, QBO's deeper US tax ecosystem and massive accountant network make it the pragmatic choice for US businesses with complex tax situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from QuickBooks to Xero?
Yes. Xero has a built-in QBO migration tool that imports your chart of accounts, contacts, and invoices. The process takes 1-3 hours for most businesses. Your accountant can help with the transition.
Does Xero work with US accountants?
Yes, but most US accountants are trained on QuickBooks. Xero has a growing US accountant network, but QBO's is much larger. Check if your specific accountant supports Xero before switching.