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Xero alternatives: 6 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Xero: entry plan limits the number of invoices and bills, and US payroll relies on a Gusto add-on. We ranked 6 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Xero, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. QuickBooks Online currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1QuickBooks Online logoQuickBooks OnlineFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 566.5
2Zoho Books logoZoho BooksFree plan + paidNoWeb, Windows, macOS +25 of 562.6
3FreeAgent logoFreeAgentPaidNoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 559.6
4MYOB logoMYOBPaidNoWeb, Windows, iOS +14 of 457.2
5FreshBooks logoFreshBooksPaidNoWeb, iOS, Android5 of 553.6
6Sage Accounting logoSage AccountingPaidNoWeb, iOS, Android0 of 044.8
  1. QuickBooks Online logo

    1. QuickBooks OnlineTop pick

    Best for: US small businesses that work with an accountant and want the most widely supported tool

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xero

    The US default, with more native add-ons such as payroll built by Intuit.

    Pros

    • Almost every US accountant and bookkeeper knows it
    • Large integration catalogue plus payroll and payments add-ons
    • Scales from a sole trader to a mid-sized company on one product

    Cons

    • Prices have risen repeatedly and add-ons add up
    • Free tier is limited to one user and basic tracking
    • Support quality is a frequent complaint
    Visit QuickBooks Online Compare with XeroDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is QuickBooks Online a good Xero alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, 1 user
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbooks.intuit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Simple Start price
    $38/month (regular price)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbooks.intuit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbooks.intuit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    800+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbooks.intuit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mobile apps
    iOS and Android
    Checked Oct 25, 2026quickbooks.intuit.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Zoho Books logo

    2. Zoho Books

    Best for: Cost-conscious small businesses, especially those already using other Zoho apps

    Free plan + paidWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xero

    Similar feature set at lower prices, plus a free plan for micro businesses.

    Pros

    • Free plan plus low per-organisation pricing
    • Automation rules and custom fields at small-business prices
    • Works closely with Zoho CRM, Inventory and Payroll

    Cons

    • Fewer accountants know it than QuickBooks or Xero
    • Features and pricing vary by country edition
    • Interface can feel crowded
    Visit Zoho Books Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Zoho Books a good Xero alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan users
    1 user + 1 accountant
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Standard plan
    $15/org/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Professional plan
    $40/org/month billed annually
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Apps
    Mobile and desktop
    Checked Oct 25, 2026zoho.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. FreeAgent logo

    3. FreeAgent

    Best for: UK freelancers, contractors and small limited companies that want tax filing in one place

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xero

    UK-focused alternative built for freelancers and small limited companies.

    Pros

    • Self Assessment, VAT and company tax filings built in
    • Free with qualifying NatWest Group and Mettle accounts
    • Clear pricing by business type

    Cons

    • Built almost entirely for the UK
    • No inventory management
    • Less suited to larger or multi-entity businesses
    Visit FreeAgent Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is FreeAgent a good Xero alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Sole trader price
    £19/month excl. VAT (regular)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freeagent.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Limited company price
    £33/month excl. VAT (regular)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freeagent.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freeagent.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Making Tax Digital
    Compatible
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freeagent.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free with bank account
    NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank, Mettle
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freeagent.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. MYOB logo

    4. MYOB

    Best for: Australian and New Zealand small businesses that want local payroll and tax compliance

    PaidWeb, Windows, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xero

    Local alternative for Australian businesses that want payroll in the same product.

    Pros

    • Payroll, GST and BAS built for Australian rules
    • Range from a sole-trader app to mid-sized businesses
    • Familiar to many local accountants

    Cons

    • Only relevant in Australia and New Zealand
    • Product range and plan names can be confusing
    • Smaller app ecosystem than Xero
    Visit MYOB Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is MYOB a good Xero alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Solo price
    A$99/year after intro offer
    Checked Oct 25, 2026myob.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business Lite price
    A$315/year after intro offer
    Checked Oct 25, 2026myob.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Business Pro price
    A$70/month after intro offer
    Checked Oct 25, 2026myob.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days (Business Pro)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026myob.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. FreshBooks logo

    5. FreshBooks

    Best for: Freelancers and service businesses that mostly need invoicing, time tracking and expenses

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    53.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xero

    Easier for service businesses that mostly need invoicing and time tracking.

    Pros

    • Very easy invoicing, estimates and payment reminders
    • Time and expense tracking tied to client projects
    • Friendly for owners who are not bookkeepers

    Cons

    • Lower tiers cap the number of billable clients
    • Each extra team member costs more
    • Weak for inventory-heavy businesses
    Visit FreshBooks Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.357
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is FreshBooks a good Xero alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Starting price
    $23 USD/month (Lite, regular price)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freshbooks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freshbooks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Team members
    $11/month per extra user
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freshbooks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Lite plan client limit
    5 clients
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freshbooks.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Integrations
    100+ apps
    Checked Oct 25, 2026freshbooks.com(opens source in a new tab)
  6. Sage Accounting logo

    6. Sage Accounting

    Best for: UK and Irish small businesses whose accountant already works in Sage

    PaidWeb, iOS, Android

    44.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Xero

    Long-standing UK option many accountants already support.

    Pros

    • Strong UK compliance, including Making Tax Digital
    • Familiar to many UK accountants
    • Links to Sage payroll products

    Cons

    • Smaller app ecosystem than Xero or QuickBooks
    • Several overlapping Sage products cause confusion
    • Interface feels dated next to newer rivals
    Visit Sage Accounting Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1515
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Sage Accounting a good Xero alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 0 verified

    No sourced facts yet.

The best Xero alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

QuickBooks Online logo

Best Xero alternative for most people

QuickBooks Online

The US default, with more native add-ons such as payroll built by Intuit.

Zoho Books logo

Best Xero alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Zoho Books

Similar feature set at lower prices, plus a free plan for micro businesses.

Zoho Books logo

Best Xero alternative for Mac

Zoho Books

Similar feature set at lower prices, plus a free plan for micro businesses.

MYOB logo

Best Xero alternative for Windows

MYOB

Local alternative for Australian businesses that want payroll in the same product.

FreeAgent logo

Best Xero alternative for iPhone and Android

FreeAgent

UK-focused alternative built for freelancers and small limited companies.

FreshBooks logo

Best Xero alternative for working in the browser

FreshBooks

Easier for service businesses that mostly need invoicing and time tracking.

Xero alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Xero?

QuickBooks Online ranks first right now. The US default, with more native add-ons such as payroll built by Intuit. Zoho Books and FreeAgent follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Xero?

Yes. QuickBooks Online (free plan + paid) and Zoho Books (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Xero?

None of the 6 alternatives in this list is open source.

Why do people switch from Xero?

The complaints we hear most: entry plan limits the number of invoices and bills; US payroll relies on a Gusto add-on; costs climb once you need projects or multi-currency.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Xero, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.