Top 5 Alternatives To Xero

Best for small to large-sized businesses in need of strong accounting, advanced features, and the best overall small business accounting software.

QuickBooks Online is a cloud-based software with over 2.5 million users and a long history of strong accounting. The software is relatively easy to use, offers over 650 integrations, and has solid invoicing automations and customizations. The software boasts an incredible number of features, including project management, inventory, contact management, and tax support. There’s even a built-in lending service called QuickBooks Capital.

QBO does receive a fair number of user complaints, and its customer support could be improved, but despite these drawbacks, this accounting solution still has a lot going for it.

QuickBooks Online is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses in need of strong accounting, integrations, and features. The recent addition of the new QuickBooks Online Advanced plan has made QBO suitable for larger businesses. This software is not a good fit for companies with more than 25 users.

Pricing

QuickBooks Online offers four pricing plans ranging from $30/month to $200/month. The larger the plan, the more features/users you have access to.

Features

QuickBooks Online has an impressive number of features. The software offers almost the exact same features as Xero but with better invoice templates and customizations. One of the best parts about QBO’s features is the number of time-saving automations available — such as the ability to auto-schedule invoices in advance.

Here’s a list of some of QuickBooks Online’s most notable features:

• Invoicing
• Estimates
• Contact management
• Expense tracking
• Bank reconciliation
• Accounts payable
• Chart of accounts
• Inventory
• Project management
• Time tracking
• Over 80 reports
• Budgeting
• Tax support
• Multicurrency support

How QuickBooks Online Compares To Xero

In many areas, QuickBooks Online and Xero are neck and neck. They both offer hundreds of integrations, have strong security, and their feature sets are nigh identical. Both offer contact management, invoicing, fixed asset management, inventory, check-printing, class tracking, budgeting — you get the picture.

Xero comes with better contact management and unlimited users, but it also comes with a steeper learning curve. On the other hand, QuickBooks Online has better invoice templates, more invoice automations, and better mobile apps. QuickBooks Online is also easier to use than Xero and offers a built-in lending solution called QuickBooks Capital.

QBO’s feature set and usability make it a good alternative for users who want strong accounting and ample features without such a steep learning curve.  Learn more about how QuickBooks Online compares to Xero in our detailed Xero vs. QuickBooks Online post for more details.

Best for small businesses searching for a locally-installed accounting solution with traditional accounting and advanced features.

Over 1.5 million people use this product — and for good reason. QuickBooks Pro offers incredibly robust accounting and provides more features than almost any other accounting software at its level. The software is not SaaS; it is installed on a single computer, old-school-style (although you can purchase hosting at an additional cost). While we know that many users prefer the cloud, this locally-installed software is the only one of the five apps in this article that beats out Xero in terms of features. And even though it’s locally-installed, QB Pro still offers over 200 integrations.

QuickBooks Pro is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses that need strong accounting but don’t require a lot of users or mobility. The software does have quite a steep learning curve, so it may be difficult for users with no previous accounting experience.

Pricing

QuickBooks Pro has three plans: Pro Plus, Premier Plus, and Enterprise. Plans range from $349.99/year for Pro Plus to $1,340+/year for Enterprise plans. There are some extra costs, such as customer support, so be sure to read the Complete Guide To QuickBooks Desktop Pricing to see exactly how much the software will cost you.

Features

QuickBooks Pro has an incredible number of well-developed features and offers a lot of functionality and customizability. Here’s a sampling of what QuickBooks Pro has to offer:

• Invoicing
• Estimates
• Contact and vendor management
• Expense tracking
• Mileage deductions
• Bank reconciliation
• Chart of accounts
• Accounts payable
• Inventory
• Project management
• Time tracking
• 130 reports
• Budgeting
• Letter templates
• Calendar and to-do lists
• Tax support

How QuickBooks Desktop Pro Compares To Xero

When it comes down to it, QuickBooks Pro offers more comprehensive accounting and more features than Xero, but the software does have a steeper learning curve (so if you thought Xero’s learning curve was steep, QB Pro is probably not the software for you). The software could also be potentially less expensive than Xero if you purchased it once every three years.

Xero does offer more users, better customer support, and mobility. It also receives far more positive reviews than QuickBooks Pro (though there are plenty of happy QuickBooks Pro users out there).

QuickBooks Pro is a good alternative for users looking for a locally-installed alternative to Xero with more features. Learn more about how QuickBooks Pro compares to Xero in our detailed QuickBooks vs. Xero post to learn more.

Best for small to large businesses in need of cash flow management and business analytics.

This startup launched in 2014 but already puts up some strong competition in the cloud-accounting sphere. FINSYNC was designed to help businesses get their finances in sync. While the software doesn’t have as many features as Xero and only has four integrations, it is the only software on this list to offer cash flow management and business trends and analytics. It also provides a unique payment processing lockbox. The software also has unlimited users, is easy to use, and offers good customer support.

FINSYNC isn’t as tried and true as Xero or QuickBooks, but it’s earned a spot in this article because of its unique cash flow, payment offerings, and usability. FINSYNC is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, though large businesses could benefit from it as well.

Pricing

FINSYNC pricing plans range from $10-$55/month. There’s also a $95/month plan that gives you access to all FINSYNC services, including payroll and project management.

Features

FINSYNC’s features aren’t quite as advanced as Xero’s, but you’ll find the basics that you need to manage your accounting, as well as some advanced financial management features that can help you forecast and control your business’s cash flow.

• Invoicing
• Estimates
• Contact management
• Expense tracking
• Bank reconciliation
• Chart of accounts
• Inventory
• Eight reports
• Budgeting
• Cash flow management
• Business analytics

How FINSYNC Compares To Xero

Xero and FINSYNC are similar in many ways. Both have ample features, capable accounting, unlimited users, and a similar target audience. However, FINSYNC sets itself apart with cash flow management, unique payment management, analytics, and built-in lending. The software is also easier to use and has an attractive UI.

Xero still beats this startup in a few areas. Xero has far more reports and integrations. Xero has received more positive reviews as well (due in part to how much longer the software has been around). But despite these areas, FINSYNC is more than worth looking into as a Xero alternative.

FINSYNC is ideal for businesses looking for easy-to-use software with good customer support and cash flow management.

Best for small to medium-sized businesses looking for affordable, easy-to-use software. Ideal for UK businesses.

Previously known as Sage One, Sage Business Cloud Accounting is an easy-to-use cloud-based software solution. Sage Business Cloud Accounting has a solid UI with strong accounting and invoicing features as well as competitive pricing and 65+ integrations. The software is missing key features, such as project management, time tracking, and payroll, but it has many time-saving automations and a unique cash flow forecaster.

The software is ideal for small businesses that want an affordable alternative to Xero; it is particularly well-suited for UK businesses.

Pricing

Sage Business Cloud Accounting offers two pricing plans ranging from $10-$25/month. The larger plan gives you more features and unlimited users.

Features

Despite missing some key features like project management and time tracking, Sage Business Cloud Accounting still has some of the best inventory and automation capabilities. Here are some of the best features Sage Business Cloud Accounting has to offer:

• Invoicing
• Estimates
• Contact management
• Expense tracking
• Accounts payable
• Inventory
• 23 reports
• Cash flow forecasts

How Sage Compares To Xero

Sage Business Cloud Accounting is more affordable and easier to use than Xero. It offers the same unlimited users and a unique cash flow forecaster. Xero still beats Sage out in terms of integrations and features since Sage does not provide time tracking, project management, or payroll.

However, Sage could still be an affordable, easy-to-use alternative to Xero. The software is ideal for small businesses and UK-based businesses that don’t want or need the complexity of Xero.

Best for small businesses in need of a cheaper accounting solution with strong features and international invoicing.

Time to shift gears a bit. This final Xero alternative doesn’t cater to the same audience. Zoho Books is for small businesses that want a more affordable or easier-to-use option than Xero and might not need Xero’s complexity.

Zoho Books is a complete accounting package with some of the best invoicing on the market. Overall, Zoho Books is incredibly affordable, offers good customer support, has amazing mobile apps, and even offers international invoicing.

Zoho Books is ideal for small to medium businesses that value usability and are looking for strong accounting software. Zoho Books has almost all of the features you’ll find in QuickBooks or Xero, potentially at a lower cost.

Pricing

Zoho Books offers six pricing plans ranging from $0-$275/month. The larger the plan, the more features, contacts, and users you have access to. Each paid plan comes with unlimited invoicing and estimates. The free plan is limited to 1,000 invoices per year. Based on the plan you select, up to 15 users are included, although you can add more for an additional cost.

Features

Zoho Books offers an impressive number of features. Recent updates have propelled it to the level of more advanced accounting solutions, such as QuickBooks Online and Xero. Here are some of Zoho Books’ features:

• Invoicing
• Estimates
• Contact management
• Expense tracking
• Mileage deductions
• Accounts payable
• Chart of accounts
• Fixed asset management
• Inventory
• Time tracking
• Project management
• 50+ Reports
• Tax support
• Multicurrency support
• Invoice in multiple languages

How Zoho Books Compares To Xero

Zoho Books is far easier to use than Xero and offers almost all of the same complex features, including bank reconciliation, a chart of accounts, invoice automations, and even check printing. In addition, Zoho Books has much better customer service than Xero.

Xero still has more developed accounting features and a larger selection of integrations.

Zoho Books is ideal for small businesses looking for a capable accounting solution with international invoicing and good customer support.