QuickBooks Online
What most US accountants know; Simple Start $38/month for one user.
- $38/mo Simple Start
- Accountant-friendly
- Largest app ecosystem
Business
QuickBooks Online vs Xero: which accounting software?
Short version: QuickBooks Online is the safer default because most US accountants use it; Xero is the better value when several people need to log in, since every plan includes unlimited users.
QuickBooks Online Simple Start lists at $38 a month for one user, with more users on higher tiers. Xero includes unlimited users on every plan: Early at $27 (capped at 20 invoices and 5 bills a month), Growing at $59 and Established at $97 (US list prices, October 2026).
Based on IRS · Intuit · Xero
Which one should you buy?
Xero
Unlimited users on every plan; Early $27, Growing $59, Established $97.
- Unlimited users
- From $27/mo
- Gusto integration
Prices are official list prices as of October 2026 and can change. We don’t use affiliate links on this site. How we choose.
The short answer: QuickBooks Online if your accountant uses it or you want the biggest app ecosystem. Xero if partners, staff and a bookkeeper all need access without per-user upgrades.
This is a focused guide. For the full category with every pick, read the best accounting software for small business.
QuickBooks Online vs Xero: feature by feature
Swipe the table sideways to see both →
| Spec | Best defaultQuickBooks Online | Best for teamsXero |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Simple Start $38/mo; higher tiers cost more | Early $27 / Growing $59 / Established $97 |
| Users | 1 on Simple Start; more on higher tiers | Unlimited on all plans |
| Plan limits | No invoice cap on Simple Start | Early: 20 invoices, 5 bills a month |
| Payroll | QuickBooks Payroll add-on | Gusto integration (US) |
| Integrations | Largest app marketplace | Large app marketplace |
| Best for | Working with a US accountant | Several people need access |
| Plans | See plans | See plans |
Why pick QuickBooks Online?
Compared with Xero, QuickBooks Online’s biggest advantage isn’t a feature; it’s familiarity. In the US most bookkeepers and tax preparers work in it daily, so handing over your books, getting help, or hiring a bookkeeper later tends to be quicker and cheaper.
Its app marketplace is the largest, and payroll is native: QuickBooks Payroll runs inside the same account, so wages post to your books without a sync.
The tradeoff is per-user pricing. Simple Start, $38 a month at October 2026 list price, includes one user; adding a partner or employee means a higher tier, so a team’s bill climbs faster than on Xero.
Great if you
- Work with a US accountant or bookkeeper
- Want native payroll
- Need a specific integration
Skip it if you
- Need several people logged in cheaply
- Want the lowest entry price
- Dislike frequent upsells
Key specs
- Simple Start
- $38/month (list, Oct 2026)
- Users
- 1 on Simple Start; more on higher tiers
- Integrations
- Large app marketplace
QuickBooks OnlinePrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick Xero?
Xero’s headline difference is that every plan includes unlimited users. A business owner, a partner, an office manager and an outside bookkeeper can all have their own login on the $27 plan without paying more.
Watch the Early plan’s caps: 20 invoices and 5 bills a month. Most businesses that invoice weekly will need Growing at $59, which removes those limits for typical small-business volumes; Established at $97 adds more advanced features.
US payroll comes through a Gusto integration rather than a native product, and fewer US accountants use Xero than QuickBooks, so ask yours before switching.
Great if you
- Have several people who need access
- Invoice lightly and want a low start price
- Already use Gusto for payroll
Skip it if you
- Send more than 20 invoices a month on a tight budget
- Want native US payroll
- Have an accountant who only uses QuickBooks
Key specs
- Early
- $27/month (20 invoices, 5 bills)
- Growing
- $59/month
- Established
- $97/month
- Users
- Unlimited
XeroPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site How to choose between QuickBooks and Xero
Both handle invoicing, bank feeds, reconciliation and reports well. The deciding factors are people and partners.
Your accountant
Ask first. Using what your accountant knows saves time and fees at year-end.
How many logins
Xero never charges for users. QuickBooks Simple Start is single-user, so more users means a higher tier.
Invoice volume
Xero Early caps you at 20 invoices and 5 bills a month; most growing businesses need Growing.
Payroll
QuickBooks has native payroll; Xero integrates with Gusto in the US.
QuickBooks OnlinePrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site QuickBooks vs Xero: common questions
Is Xero cheaper than QuickBooks?
Xero’s Early plan ($27) is cheaper than Simple Start ($38), but it limits invoices and bills. With several users, Xero usually costs less.
Do accountants prefer QuickBooks or Xero?
In the US, QuickBooks Online is more widely used by accountants. Xero is popular too, especially outside the US.
Can I switch from QuickBooks to Xero?
Yes. Conversion tools exist; switching at a fiscal year start is cleanest.
Does Xero include payroll in the US?
Xero integrates with Gusto for US payroll rather than offering its own.
Which is better for a freelancer?
For a solo freelancer with few invoices, either works; Wave’s free plan is also worth a look.
How we compared them
We compared Intuit’s and Xero’s official US pricing pages as of October 2026, plan limits and user counts. Prices exclude promotions and taxes.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- Intuit: QuickBooks Online pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Xero: US pricing plans (accessed October 23, 2026)
- IRS: recordkeeping (accessed October 23, 2026)