How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- QuickBooks is the best all-around pick, with Intuit Intelligence, 10 million businesses, and 800-plus integrations.
- FreshBooks is the best pick for service businesses, with invoicing, time tracking, and a large small-business user base.
- Zoho Books is the best pick for value, with a free tier and plans from $15 to $240 per organization per month billed annually.
- FreeAgent is the best pick for UK freelancers and small businesses, with Making Tax Digital support and a 30-day trial.
- Akaunting is the best pick for free open-source accounting, with self-hosting, 300,000-plus users, and 100-plus countries.
- Bench is the best pick for done-for-you bookkeeping, with dedicated bookkeepers and plans from $199 per month.
- Kashoo is the best pick for simple accounting, with free unlimited users, 5,000-plus bank connections, and a 14-day trial.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 QuickBooks | All-around accounting | See website | See website |
 FreshBooks | Service businesses | See website | See website |
 Zoho Books | Value | $0 | Yes |
 FreeAgent | UK freelancers | $33/month | See website |
 Sage | Growing businesses | See website | See website |
 Bench | Done-for-you books | $199/month | See website |
 Akaunting | Free open source | $0 | Yes |
 Kashoo | Simple accounting | See website | See website |
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The best Xero alternatives
Starting priceSee website
Free planSee website
QuickBooks positions itself as the default small-business accounting suite, and its homepage leads with Intuit Intelligence, 10 million businesses, and 800-plus integrations. Its range covers invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, payments, and reporting, with prices shown as "See website" here because plan pricing varies by bundle and promotion.
For Xero users who want the largest ecosystem and the most integrations, QuickBooks is the best alternative, since its market depth means most accountants and apps already support it. Solo freelancers may prefer FreshBooks or Kashoo simplicity, but for growth, QuickBooks leads.
What we like- Intuit Intelligence with AI features across the platform
- 10 million businesses use QuickBooks
- 800-plus integrations
- Full payroll, payments, and reporting in one suite
Watch out for- Pricing requires a plan page visit and varies by bundle
- Breadth may exceed very small businesses
Starting priceSee website
Free planSee website
FreshBooks describes itself around service-business accounting, and its homepage highlights a claim of 553 hours saved per year, 500,000-plus small businesses, and 100-plus apps. Its core strengths are invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and client payments, with prices listed as "See website" because the homepage extract did not include plan figures.
For service businesses that bill by time or project, FreshBooks is the best Xero alternative, since its invoicing and time tracking fit agency and consulting workflows directly. Inventory-heavy businesses should compare QuickBooks or Zoho Books instead.
What we like- Invoicing and time tracking built for service businesses
- 500,000-plus small businesses
- 100-plus app integrations
- Claim of 553 hours saved per year on admin
Watch out for- Homepage extract is thin, so plan pricing requires a pricing page visit
- Less depth for inventory-heavy businesses
#3Zoho Books
Best for: Value4.4/5 on
G2 (329 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit zoho.com
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Zoho Books describes itself as online accounting software for growing businesses, and its homepage pricing is unusually transparent: Free $0, Standard $15, Professional $40, Premium $60, Elite $120, and Ultimate $240 per organization per month billed annually, with free migration and AI features through Zia. Its range covers invoicing, expenses, projects, and inventory across tiers.
For value-conscious businesses, Zoho Books is the best Xero alternative, since its free tier and $15 starting paid tier undercut most rivals. Businesses already using Zoho CRM or other Zoho apps gain extra integration value.
What we like- Free tier at $0 per organization per month
- Standard $15, Professional $40, Premium $60, Elite $120, and Ultimate $240 per organization per month billed annually
- Free migration from other tools
- AI assistant Zia included
Watch out for- Zoho ecosystem breadth can confuse buyers who only need accounting
- Advanced tiers cost more than simpler tools
Starting price$33/month
Free planSee website
FreeAgent describes itself as accounting software for freelancers and small businesses, and its homepage pricing is clear: 33 pounds per month billed monthly or 165 pounds per year, with 50 percent off the first six months or year, plus a 30-day trial. Its UK focus includes HMRC Making Tax Digital readiness, tax timelines, and self-assessment support.
For UK freelancers and small businesses, FreeAgent is the best Xero alternative, since its tax timelines and Making Tax Digital support fit UK filing directly. US businesses should prefer QuickBooks or FreshBooks, since FreeAgent's tax features target UK rules.
What we like- UK-focused with HMRC Making Tax Digital support
- 33 pounds per month billed monthly or 165 pounds per year, with 50 percent off first six months or year
- 30-day trial
- Invoicing, expenses, and tax timelines for freelancers
Watch out for- UK focus limits fit for US businesses
- Pricing shown in pounds, so US buyers should check conversion
Starting priceSee website
Free planSee website
Sage describes itself as a global accounting and business software provider, and its homepage currently centers Intacct, its enterprise and mid-market cloud financial management suite. Its broader range covers small-business accounting, payroll, HR, and payments, with prices listed as "See website" because the homepage extract did not include small-business plan figures.
For growing businesses that may outgrow entry-level tools, Sage is the best Xero alternative, since its path from small-business accounting to Intacct covers the full growth journey. Solo freelancers may find it larger than needed, but for scaling firms, Sage is a safe long-term choice.
What we like- Long-standing accounting brand with a broad product range
- Intacct-focused homepage for enterprise and mid-market
- Payroll, HR, and payments alongside accounting
- Global presence across many countries
Watch out for- Homepage is Intacct-focused, so small-business plan pricing requires a product page visit
- Breadth can confuse small buyers
#6Bench
Best for: Done-for-you books4.2/5 on
G2 (77 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit bench.co
Starting price$199/month
Free planSee website
Bench describes itself as done-for-you bookkeeping, and its homepage pricing is transparent: Bookkeeping Light $199 per month, Bookkeeping $399 per month, and Bookkeeping plus Tax $649 per month, with 20 percent annual saving and 35,000-plus business owners served. Its model pairs software with dedicated bookkeepers who categorize transactions and close books monthly.
For owners who want books done for them rather than doing accounting themselves, Bench is the best Xero alternative, since it replaces software-plus-effort with a service. DIY users who enjoy controlling their books should prefer QuickBooks or Zoho Books, but for hands-off owners, Bench leads.
What we like- Bookkeeping Light $199 per month, Bookkeeping $399 per month, and Bookkeeping plus Tax $649 per month
- 20 percent annual saving on yearly billing
- 35,000-plus business owners
- Dedicated bookkeepers rather than DIY software alone
Watch out for- Service model costs more than DIY software
- Less hands-on control than self-managed accounting
Starting price$0
Free planYes
Akaunting describes itself as free open-source accounting software, and its homepage highlights 300,000-plus users, 100-plus countries, and 10 million-plus invoices. Its self-hosted model means you run it on your own server, with free core features and paid apps for extras, giving full data control without subscription fees.
For budget-conscious businesses with technical skills, Akaunting is the best Xero alternative, since its free open-source model eliminates subscription costs. Non-technical users should prefer Zoho Books free tier or Kashoo, but for control and cost, Akaunting is unmatched.
What we like- Free open-source self-hosted accounting
- 300,000-plus users across 100-plus countries
- 10 million-plus invoices created
- Apps and modules to extend invoicing, expenses, and inventory
Watch out for- Self-hosting requires technical setup
- Support depends on community and paid apps rather than a vendor help desk
#8Kashoo
Best for: Simple accounting4.6/5 on
G2 (55 reviews, checked Oct 2026)
Visit kashoo.com
Starting priceSee website
Free planSee website
Kashoo describes itself as simple online accounting for small businesses, regardless of what you do, whether you are a sole proprietor or self-employed, and its homepage explains the approach: automate and simplify manual tasks with auto-imported bank transactions, Plaid connections, and receipt uploads, plus invoicing with Square and Stripe payments. Its standout feature is free unlimited users, so you can share data with your accountant, bookkeeper, and employees without extra cost, and its autopilot features promise monthly books in under 30 minutes.
For owners who want the simplest possible accounting, Kashoo is the best Xero alternative, since its free unlimited users and autopilot posting reduce both cost and effort. Larger businesses needing deep inventory or payroll should compare QuickBooks, but for simplicity, Kashoo leads.
What we like- Simple online accounting for sole proprietors and self-employed owners
- Free unlimited users to share data with accountants and staff at no extra cost
- Connections to 5,000-plus banks and credit unions in real time
- 14-day free trial with no credit card required
- Auto-post and categorize with smart receipt scanning
Watch out for- Homepage pricing toggle shows monthly and annual options without figures in the extract, so pricing requires a plan page visit
- Smaller app ecosystem than QuickBooks
How we chose
We compared accounting tools on vendor homepages, weighing invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, payroll, tax support, pricing transparency, free tiers, and support models. We favored tools with live homepages and current offerings, and we included both DIY software and done-for-you services because Xero users range from hands-on owners to hands-off outsourcers. This article compares software only and is not financial or tax advice; verify tax rules, payroll compliance, and pricing directly with each vendor before choosing, since accounting decisions affect filings and cash flow.
What to check before you commit
Start with your size and country. UK freelancers should shortlist FreeAgent, while US service businesses should compare FreshBooks and Kashoo, and growing firms should compare QuickBooks, Sage, and Zoho Books. Solo owners who want hands-off books should price Bench against DIY tools plus their own time.
Next, test bank feeds and invoicing end to end. Connect your real bank, import transactions, and send a test invoice through a trial, since feed reliability and payment speed matter more than feature lists. Ask each vendor about payroll add-ons and accountant access, since these costs hide inside quotes.
Finally, plan migration carefully. Confirm data export from Xero, chart-of-accounts mapping, and opening balances before signing, since accounting migration errors affect tax filings. Confirm contract length and exit terms, and keep a backup export of your Xero data regardless of which tool you choose.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Xero alternative overall?
QuickBooks for the largest ecosystem, Zoho Books for value, and FreshBooks for service businesses. Bench leads for done-for-you bookkeeping, while Akaunting leads for free open-source accounting.
Which alternative is cheapest?
Akaunting at $0 self-hosted, and Zoho Books with a free tier plus paid plans from $15 per organization per month billed annually. Kashoo offers a 14-day trial, and FreeAgent offers a 30-day trial.
Which alternative is best for freelancers?
FreshBooks for service billing, Kashoo for simplicity, and FreeAgent for UK freelancers. All three cover invoicing, expenses, and client payments without enterprise complexity.
Which alternative offers done-for-you bookkeeping?
Bench, with dedicated bookkeepers and plans from $199 per month, including a Bookkeeping plus Tax tier at $649 per month. Other tools here are DIY software with optional advisor support.
Which alternative is best for UK businesses?
FreeAgent, with HMRC Making Tax Digital support, tax timelines, and pricing in pounds. Xero itself is strong in the UK, so compare FreeAgent's tax features against Xero before switching.
How hard is it to switch from Xero?
Expect days to weeks for data export, chart mapping, and opening balances. Ask each vendor for a migration plan, test bank feeds and invoicing in a trial, and keep a backup export of your Xero data.
Sources we checked (8)
- https://quickbooks.intuit.com
- https://freshbooks.com
- https://www.zoho.com/books/
- https://www.freeagent.com
- https://www.sage.com
- https://bench.co
- https://akaunting.com
- https://kashoo.com
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.