QuickBooks vs Xero
QuickBooks vs Xero, and a cheerier third option.
An honest look at QuickBooks Online and Xero, plan by plan, with current US prices. And where Cheery Books fits if you want the same everyday accounting for less.
All prices: official US pricing pages, checked November 3, 2026.
At a glance
Two big names. One clear difference.
Xero costs less than QuickBooks
Xero runs $27 to $97 a month with unlimited users. QuickBooks Online runs $38 to $340 a month for 1 to 25 users.
QuickBooks packs more into each tier
QuickBooks unlocks time tracking and multicurrency on Essentials; Xero saves them for Established. Xero caps its Early plan at 20 invoices and 5 bills a month.
Cheery Books undercuts both
Cheery Books starts at $19 with unlimited invoices, and tops out at $129 for 25 users, with forms, bookings and automations built in.
Price comparison
Three apps, one table.
Monthly list prices in USD.
| Cheery Books | QuickBooks Online | Xero | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | Starter · $19 | Simple Start · $38 | Early · $27 |
| Middle plan | Growing · $39 | Essentials · $85 | Growing · $59 |
| Full plan | Pro · $59 | Plus · $140 | Established · $97 |
| Largest plan | Scale · $129 | Advanced · $340 | — |
| Users | 1, 3, 5 or 25 | 1, 3, 5 or 25 | Unlimited |
| Entry-plan limits | None on invoices | 1 user | 20 invoices, 5 bills a month |
| Free accountant access | 2–3 seats | 2–3 seats | Unlimited users |
| Payroll | Calculations only | Add-on bundles from $88/mo | Gusto add-on from $36/mo |
QuickBooks: quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing. Xero: xero.com/us/pricing-plans. Both checked November 3, 2026, before introductory discounts.
Feature comparison
Where each feature starts.
| Feature | Cheery Books | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | Growing | Simple Start | Early (5 a month) |
| Time tracking | Growing | Essentials | Established |
| Multicurrency | Growing | Essentials | Established |
| Projects | Pro | Plus | Established |
| Inventory | Pro | Plus | Basic on every plan |
| Purchase orders | Pro | Plus | |
| Budgets | Pro | Plus | Growing (3) |
| Workflow automation & bill approval | Scale | Advanced | — |
| Online forms, bookings & selling pages | Lead form on Essentials | — | |
| AI assistant | Every plan | AI chat (beta) | JAX (rolling out) |
“—” means we could not find it on the vendor's public pricing pages.
Our take
Which one should you pick?
- Pick QuickBooks Online — if you need full-service payroll in the same place and the biggest app ecosystem, and the price is fine.
- Pick Xero — if you want unlimited users and are happy to pay for Established to get time tracking, projects and multicurrency.
- Pick Cheery Books — if you want QuickBooks-style books at less than half the price, with forms, bookings and automations built in, and an accountant who can resell it to you at partner rates.
Questions
QuickBooks vs Xero, answered.
Which is cheaper, QuickBooks Online or Xero?
At US list prices checked in November 2026, Xero is cheaper: $27 to $97 a month against $38 to $340 for QuickBooks Online. Cheery Books is cheaper than both, from $19 to $129.
Which has more users?
Xero includes unlimited users. QuickBooks Online includes 1, 3, 5 or 25 users depending on the plan, and Cheery Books does the same at lower prices.
Which is better for accountants?
QuickBooks has the biggest accountant community and Xero has a long-running partner program. Cheery Books gives partners 30% to 40% off client subscriptions and a free firm workspace with unlimited clients.
Can I switch from either to Cheery Books?
Yes. The import wizard reads QuickBooks Online, QuickBooks Desktop and Xero exports.
QuickBooks is a trademark of Intuit Inc. Xero is a trademark of Xero Limited. Cheery Books is independent and not affiliated with either. Prices are US list prices, checked November 3, 2026, and can change at any time.
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