FreshBooks vs Xero: Pricing Comparison (2026)
FreshBooks starts at $23/mo. Xero starts at $13/mo. Xero is $10/mo cheaper on the entry tier than FreshBooks.
See price history: FreshBooks · Xero
SMB accounting positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks for service-based businesses and freelancers. Distinctive for its focus on invoicing UX and time-tracking-to-invoice workflow (unusual in accounting software). Priced $21-$65/mo. Owned by JMI Equity (private equity) since 2015 — expect steady annual price increases. Popular with consultants, agencies, and service businesses that need to invoice clients more than manage inventory.
Cloud accounting from New Zealand, publicly traded, ~$18B market cap. Positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks outside the US (dominant in UK, Australia, and NZ). Distinctive for its bank feed depth (5,000+ banks worldwide) and its global accountant marketplace. Priced $15-$78/mo across three tiers. Recently added AI features and payments infrastructure to defend against Stripe's push into billing. Best choice if your accountant is outside the US.
All plans compared
| # | Plan | FreshBooks monthly | FreshBooks annual | Xero monthly | Xero annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lite / Early | 23 | 20.70 | 13 | 13 |
| 2 | Plus / Growing | 43 | 38.70 | 25 | 25 |
| 3 | Premium / Established | 70 | 63 | 50 | 50 |
| 4 | Select | custom | custom | — | — |
What each is best for
SMB accounting positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks for service-based businesses and freelancers. Distinctive for its focus on invoicing UX and time-tracking-to-invoice workflow (unusual in accounting software). Priced $21-$65/mo. Owned by JMI Equity (private equity) since 2015 — expect steady annual price increases. Popular with consultants, agencies, and service businesses that need to invoice clients more than manage inventory.
Cloud accounting from New Zealand, publicly traded, ~$18B market cap. Positioned as the alternative to QuickBooks outside the US (dominant in UK, Australia, and NZ). Distinctive for its bank feed depth (5,000+ banks worldwide) and its global accountant marketplace. Priced $15-$78/mo across three tiers. Recently added AI features and payments infrastructure to defend against Stripe's push into billing. Best choice if your accountant is outside the US.
At a glance
| FreshBooks | Xero | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | — | — |
| Entry price | $23/mo | $13/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Seat | Per Seat |
| Last verified | July 25, 2026 | July 28, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified July 28, 2026. Tracked daily.