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QuickBooks Pro VS Xero

Compare QuickBooks Pro VS Xero and see what are their differences

QuickBooks Pro logo QuickBooks Pro

Learn why QuickBooks Desktop Pro is the desktop accounting software 94% of users would recommend to a friend. Learn about features, pricing and what's new for 2020.

Xero logo Xero

Xero is online accounting for your small business.
  • QuickBooks Pro Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22
  • Xero Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19

Xero

Website
xero.com
$ Details
paid Free Trial $9.0 / Monthly (Send 5 invoices and quotes / Enter 5 bills)

QuickBooks Pro features and specs

  • Comprehensive Features
    QuickBooks Pro offers a wide range of features including invoicing, expense tracking, payroll management, and financial reporting, making it a robust tool for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The software has a well-organized and intuitive interface, which simplifies navigation and reduces the learning curve for new users.
  • Integration Capabilities
    QuickBooks Pro can seamlessly integrate with various third-party applications, including payment gateways, CRM systems, and e-commerce platforms, enhancing its versatility and functionality.
  • Customer Support
    Intuit provides comprehensive customer support options including phone support, live chat, and an extensive online knowledge base, ensuring that users can get help when they need it.
  • Regular Updates
    QuickBooks Pro receives regular updates and improvements, which helps in keeping the software aligned with modern accounting standards and user needs.
  • Data Security
    QuickBooks Pro offers strong data security measures including encryption and regular backups, ensuring that sensitive financial data is protected.

Possible disadvantages of QuickBooks Pro

  • Cost
    QuickBooks Pro can be relatively expensive, particularly for very small businesses or freelancers, with upfront costs and ongoing subscription fees for updates and support.
  • Limited User Licenses
    The software typically supports a limited number of users (up to three), which may not be sufficient for growing businesses with more extensive accounting needs.
  • Installation and Setup
    As a desktop-based software, QuickBooks Pro requires installation and setup on individual computers, which can be time-consuming and complicated for users not familiar with software installation.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, the depth and breadth of features can result in a significant learning curve, especially for users who are new to accounting software.
  • Limited Mobile Access
    Being a desktop-based application, QuickBooks Pro lacks the flexibility that cloud-based solutions offer, resulting in limited access for users who need to manage their finances on the go.
  • Performance Issues
    The software can experience performance issues such as slow loading times or occasional crashes, particularly when handling large volumes of data.

Xero features and specs

  • Cloud-based Access
    Xero is cloud-based, allowing users to access their accounting data from anywhere with an internet connection.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Xero features a clean, intuitive interface, making it easier for users to navigate and manage their finances.
  • Integration Options
    Xero integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, enhancing its functionality and flexibility for business needs.
  • Real-time Updates
    Xero provides real-time updates on financial data, enabling more accurate and timely decision-making.
  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    Includes a variety of tools for invoicing, bank reconciliation, inventory management, and more, making it a one-stop solution for many businesses.
  • Customer Support
    Offers 24/7 customer support, ensuring that users can get help whenever they need it.

Possible disadvantages of Xero

  • Cost
    While Xero offers a range of pricing plans, the cost can add up, especially for small businesses or freelancers on a tight budget.
  • Complexity for Larger Businesses
    May not be as robust in handling the needs of very large businesses compared to some of its enterprise-level competitors.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, there can be a learning curve for users who are not familiar with accounting software.
  • Limited Customization
    Some users may find the customization options for reports and invoices to be limited compared to other accounting software.
  • Occasional Connectivity Issues
    As a cloud-based service, it can sometimes suffer from internet connectivity issues that can disrupt access to financial data.

Analysis of QuickBooks Pro

Overall verdict

  • Overall, QuickBooks Pro is considered a reliable and efficient software for businesses looking to streamline their financial processes. While it may have a learning curve for complete beginners, its functionality and feature set generally outweigh any drawbacks.

Why this product is good

  • QuickBooks Pro is widely regarded as a good accounting software due to its comprehensive set of features tailored for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides robust tools for managing finances, tracking expenses, generating reports, and processing payroll. The user-friendly interface and integration capabilities with other Intuit products and third-party applications make it a popular choice among business owners and accountants.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized businesses
  • Freelancers and self-employed professionals
  • Business owners needing payroll and expense management tools
  • Accountants looking for robust reporting capabilities
  • Users seeking integration with other Intuit products

Analysis of Xero

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Xero is a highly recommended accounting solution, especially for small to medium-sized businesses seeking efficient and scalable accounting software. Its ease of use, combined with comprehensive features, makes it a popular choice among business owners and accountants alike.

Why this product is good

  • Xero is considered a good accounting software for several reasons. It provides a user-friendly interface and offers robust cloud-based features such as invoicing, inventory tracking, and payroll management. It integrates with a wide range of third-party applications, which helps in automating various business processes. Xero is also appreciated for its mobile app, enabling users to manage their finances on the go. Furthermore, Xero offers comprehensive customer support and detailed reporting tools that assist businesses in making informed financial decisions.

Recommended for

    Xero is particularly recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, freelancers, accountants, and bookkeepers who need an efficient, scalable, and integrated accounting solution. It is also ideal for businesses that seek seamless collaboration between team members and wish to manage their finances through a cloud-based platform.

QuickBooks Pro videos

QuickBooks Premier for New Desktop Users

Xero videos

Xero vs QuickBooks Online 2019

More videos:

  • Review - Xero Accounting Software Review
  • Review - 3 Minute Overview of Xero Accounting Software

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to QuickBooks Pro and Xero)
Accounting
15 15%
85% 85
Small Business
30 30%
70% 70
Bookkeeping
10 10%
90% 90
ERP
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare QuickBooks Pro and Xero

QuickBooks Pro Reviews

We have no reviews of QuickBooks Pro yet.
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Xero Reviews

11 Alternatives to QuickBooks in 2024
Xero lets you access your finances on any device with an internet connection and automatically imports all of your transactions. It also gives you (and your accountant) many of the financial reporting features that make QuickBooks so attractive, without the feature overload. An inexpensive alternative, packages are starting at just $15/month and going up to $78/month...
Source: www.bench.co
Top 3 Best Xero Payroll Alternatives in Australia
Xero Payroll has long been a popular choice for businesses managing payroll, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, recent changes in pricing and plan availability are prompting many business owners to look for alternatives. As of July 2024, Xero's Payroll-Only plan will no longer be available, and the comparable plan costs a significant amount...
The 10 Best Alternatives to GnuCash for Managing Your Finances
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software platform designed for small and medium-sized businesses. With a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with third-party apps, Xero simplifies financial management and helps businesses keep their finances organized and up to date.
Top 10 QuickBooks Alternatives (Free/Paid)
Xero is the best yet small accounting software that allows you to collaborate with advisors and lets you provide access to your employees to work on it. Using this free version of QuickBooks Desktop, you can send online invoices when online payments are made. Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering a wide range of...
Top 9 NetSuite Alternative Software for Professional Services
Xero offers an accessible, intuitive user experience suitable for smaller companies. However, certain reviewers have noted that the pricing points can be high for the tool’s value. As Xero doesn’t provide end-to-end project management support, investing in a unified platform with Xero integration is something you can consider.
Source: productive.io

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, QuickBooks Pro should be more popular than Xero. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

QuickBooks Pro mentions (2)

  • Intuit Misleading Info
    I'm a MSP and am trying to assist my client in getting Quickbooks Premier Plus 2023 for 3 users. When going to the product page for Quickbooks desktop (https://quickbooks.intuit.com/desktop/) it shows that Premier "Includes 5 Users." However, it only includes 1 user and makes you pay $300/additional user, up to 5. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Emergency help needed!!!!! not very tech savvy mom, tasked with acquiring a laptop to use to run QuickBooks with payroll.
    According to this: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/desktop/pro/ The requirements are for a Windows PC. Source: over 3 years ago

Xero mentions (1)

  • I would like some input on accounting software
    Thanks, will you be able to sign me up on South African packages as well? The naming scheme and pricing is different for xero.com/us and xero.com/za. Source: over 3 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing QuickBooks Pro and Xero, you can also consider the following products

FreshBooks - The ideal accounting software for small business owners.

Oracle NetSuite - NetSuite is the leading integrated cloud business software suite, including business accounting, ERP, CRM and ecommerce software.

QuickBooks Online - QuickBooks Online is a Cloud Accounting for small business that can be used on iPad, mobile phone or computer to do invoicing, billing, run reports, or even pay employees online.

Sage Intacct - Intacct is a cloud-based accounting and financial management system that is designed for the businesses of all levels.

QuickBooks - Business runs better with QuickBooks, the #1 accounting solution for small business.

PeopleSoft - Discover how Oracle's PeopleSoft applications are designed to address the most complex business requirements. They provide comprehensive business and industry solutions, enabling organizations.