2026 Best Software Awards are here!See the list

Compare FreshBooks and Xero

Save
    Log in to your account
    to save comparisons,
    products and more.
At a Glance
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Star Rating
(959)4.5 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (86.7% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
Starting at $6.30 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 4 pricing plans
Xero
Xero
Star Rating
(1,560)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (66.6% of reviews)
Information
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
$13.00 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 3 pricing plans
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
  • G2 reviewers report that Xero excels in overall user satisfaction, boasting a significantly higher G2 Score compared to FreshBooks. Users appreciate its intuitive dashboard that avoids clutter, making it easier to manage accounting tasks without unnecessary distractions.
  • Users say that FreshBooks shines in its invoicing capabilities, with many highlighting how easy it is to create and edit invoices. This user-friendly design is particularly beneficial for those without extensive accounting knowledge, allowing them to navigate the software effectively.
  • According to verified reviews, Xero's implementation process is praised for its simplicity, with users noting that the initial setup was straightforward and quick. This ease of setup is a significant advantage for teams looking to get started without a steep learning curve.
  • Reviewers mention that FreshBooks offers excellent customer support, which is a key factor for many users. They appreciate the responsive assistance that helps them resolve issues quickly, enhancing their overall experience with the software.
  • G2 reviewers highlight that while Xero has a robust feature set for expense management, FreshBooks provides a more streamlined approach for small businesses, making it easier to track time, projects, and expenses in one place.
  • Users report that Xero's strong performance in areas like bank integration and reconciliation makes it a preferred choice for those needing comprehensive accounting features, while FreshBooks is favored for its simplicity and effectiveness in managing client relationships and payments.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
FreshBooks
Lite
Starting at $6.30
Per Month
Browse all 4 pricing plans
Xero
Starter / Early
$13.00
Per Month
Browse all 3 pricing plans
Free Trial
FreshBooks
Free Trial is available
Xero
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.8
765
8.8
1,276
Ease of Use
9.1
861
9.0
1,329
Ease of Setup
9.2
466
8.8
1,022
Ease of Admin
9.2
336
8.7
389
Quality of Support
9.2
714
8.4
1,193
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
9.2
331
8.6
383
Product Direction (% positive)
8.7
762
8.9
1,258
Features by Category
7.4
150
8.5
346
Expense Reports
8.6
106
8.9
284
8.0
100
9.1
287
7.6
99
8.7
262
8.1
98
8.8
268
7.1
80
8.7
252
7.2
87
8.6
253
7.9
90
8.9
264
Agentic AI - Expense Management
Not enough data
9.2
144
Not enough data
9.3
143
Travel Management
6.8
79
8.2
236
6.5
76
7.8
224
6.1
71
7.5
219
6.5
72
8.0
225
Client Invoicing
9.0
136
9.2
270
8.4
119
8.9
252
8.2
124
8.8
248
Mobile
8.2
84
8.6
251
6.9
81
8.1
226
5.6
73
7.8
219
Platform
6.2
63
8.5
210
6.3
66
8.5
213
Administration
7.0
63
8.7
205
Administration
7.2
105
8.6
251
7.8
106
8.7
249
7.6
113
8.5
244
7.2
103
8.5
233
7.9
111
8.8
255
Platform
8.3
128
9.0
281
7.2
97
8.7
238
7.0
94
8.6
227
9.0
126
9.2
259
8.3
115
8.6
243
7.0
99
5.5
194
7.9
440
8.5
1,032
General Ledger
8.1
234
|
Verified
8.6
720
|
Verified
7.8
229
|
Verified
8.3
676
|
Verified
8.1
225
|
Verified
8.6
699
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.7
399
|
Verified
8.8
755
|
Verified
8.5
308
|
Verified
8.5
652
8.2
275
|
Verified
8.3
665
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
8.3
272
|
Verified
8.6
638
8.7
328
|
Verified
8.8
714
|
Verified
7.6
143
8.6
666
|
Verified
Other Functionality
7.2
126
8.0
606
Feature Not Available
8.0
598
7.5
157
|
Verified
8.2
583
|
Verified
7.0
129
7.9
616
|
Verified
7.3
133
8.5
646
|
Verified
7.5
144
9.0
782
|
Verified
7.6
155
8.2
644
|
Verified
8.6
316
|
Verified
8.5
641
Reporting & Analytics
8.7
362
|
Verified
8.9
790
|
Verified
8.1
201
8.6
743
|
Verified
7.6
192
|
Verified
8.5
634
|
Verified
8.8
387
|
Verified
8.8
757
|
Verified
Platform
7.9
165
8.3
686
|
Verified
7.6
151
8.3
647
8.4
288
|
Verified
8.6
703
|
Verified
7.4
138
8.3
608
|
Verified
9.1
380
|
Verified
8.9
744
|
Verified
8.3
154
8.7
653
|
Verified
Integration
8.2
271
|
Verified
8.6
691
|
Verified
8.0
195
|
Verified
8.6
621
7.6
217
8.5
658
|
Verified
Cash Flow
8.3
202
|
Verified
8.8
594
|
Verified
8.8
289
|
Verified
9.1
596
|
Verified
8.4
245
|
Verified
8.8
553
|
Verified
Budgeting & Forecasting
7.6
192
|
Verified
8.5
634
|
Verified
8.1
166
|
Verified
8.7
559
|
Verified
7.6
137
|
Verified
8.4
518
|
Verified
8.2
204
|
Verified
8.6
549
|
Verified
Revenue
8.4
228
|
Verified
8.8
574
|
Verified
7.8
170
|
Verified
8.7
561
|
Verified
8.0
164
8.5
530
|
Verified
Payroll
7.8
113
|
Verified
8.3
506
|
Verified
7.4
106
|
Verified
8.1
491
|
Verified
7.7
115
|
Verified
8.5
532
|
Verified
8.2
125
|
Verified
8.8
548
|
Verified
AI
7.6
39
8.4
383
7.5
36
8.9
385
7.8
36
8.7
387
7.5
37
8.5
380
7.4
36
8.5
376
7.0
39
8.2
375
7.4
46
9.0
388
7.6
40
8.8
383
7.1
43
8.7
373
7.5
38
8.5
372
Mobile Applications - Accounting
9.0
12
8.8
382
8.9
12
8.8
360
8.8
12
8.8
383
7.9
11
6.9
325
8.3
13
9.0
371
8.2
13
9.0
378
Agentic AI - Accounting
Not enough data
8.6
337
Nonprofit AccountingHide 9 FeaturesShow 9 Features
Not enough data
8.9
952
General Ledger
8.1
234
|
Verified
8.6
720
|
Verified
7.8
229
|
Verified
8.3
676
|
Verified
8.1
225
|
Verified
8.6
699
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.7
399
|
Verified
8.8
755
|
Verified
8.5
308
|
Verified
8.5
652
8.2
275
|
Verified
8.3
665
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
8.3
272
|
Verified
8.6
638
8.7
328
|
Verified
8.8
714
|
Verified
7.6
143
8.6
666
|
Verified
8.3
17
Not enough data
Employee Self Service
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Administration
8.6
15
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
9.3
16
Not enough data
8.3
11
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
7.6
14
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Taxes
8.0
17
Not enough data
7.7
14
Not enough data
7.9
14
Not enough data
Integration
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
7.9
13
Not enough data
Feature Not Available
Not enough data
Platform
8.1
14
Not enough data
8.7
15
Not enough data
8.7
13
Not enough data
8.6
14
Not enough data
Not enough data
8.9
329
Invoice Generation
Not enough data
8.7
274
Not enough data
9.2
281
Not enough data
9.2
274
Invoice Processing
Not enough data
8.9
268
Not enough data
8.9
269
Not enough data
8.7
263
Not enough data
9.2
275
Analytics
Not enough data
9.2
270
Not enough data
8.8
268
Not enough data
8.5
251
Not enough data
9.0
273
Integration
Not enough data
9.2
283
Not enough data
9.0
277
Not enough data
8.4
250
Not enough data
8.8
275
Agentic AI - Invoice Management
Not enough data
8.9
173
Not enough data
8.9
176
Not enough data
8.6
177
7.5
100
Not enough data
Payment Processing
8.3
80
Not enough data
8.5
87
Not enough data
8.2
79
Not enough data
7.3
67
Not enough data
Administration
8.3
84
Not enough data
6.8
68
Not enough data
6.6
84
Not enough data
7.0
64
Not enough data
7.1
66
Not enough data
6.8
67
Not enough data
7.0
67
Not enough data
Payment Options
7.3
64
Not enough data
8.4
75
Not enough data
Security
7.4
62
Not enough data
Platform
7.6
67
Not enough data
7.1
64
Not enough data
Not enough data
9.2
150
Multichannel inventory management
Not enough data
9.0
123
Not enough data
9.1
124
Not enough data
9.0
124
3PL inventory management
Not enough data
9.3
127
Not enough data
9.2
127
Not enough data
9.0
125
Inventory Management
Not enough data
9.2
130
Not enough data
9.1
128
Not enough data
9.1
120
Not enough data
9.0
126
Not enough data
9.5
126
Inventory Management Platform Features
Not enough data
9.3
132
Not enough data
9.3
135
Not enough data
9.2
132
Not enough data
9.1
130
Not enough data
9.2
129
Not enough data
9.4
137
Not enough data
9.2
133
Not enough data
9.5
131
Not enough data
9.5
136
Not enough data
9.6
135
Bill Generation
8.4
143
8.7
251
8.6
146
9.0
259
8.3
134
9.0
258
Bill Processing
7.6
128
8.5
249
7.8
124
8.8
251
8.3
127
8.9
252
Integration
7.9
131
9.1
267
8.4
133
8.9
262
7.1
102
8.3
237
Agentic AI - Billing
Not enough data
8.8
161
Accounting & FinanceHide 1 FeatureShow 1 Feature
Not enough data
Not enough data
Agentic AI - Accounting & Finance
Not enough data
Not enough data
8.0
145
Not enough data
Time Tracking
8.8
71
Not enough data
8.9
76
Not enough data
8.9
77
Not enough data
Client Invoicing
9.0
136
9.2
270
8.4
119
8.9
252
8.2
124
8.8
248
Mobile Time Tracking
8.6
76
Not enough data
Administration
7.2
105
8.6
251
7.8
106
8.7
249
7.6
113
8.5
244
7.2
103
8.5
233
7.9
111
8.8
255
Platform
8.3
128
9.0
281
7.2
97
8.7
238
7.0
94
8.6
227
9.0
126
9.2
259
8.3
115
8.6
243
7.0
99
5.5
194
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Xero
Xero
FreshBooks and Xero are categorized as Expense Management, Billing, and Accounting
Unique Categories
FreshBooks
FreshBooks is categorized as Time Tracking, Payroll, and Payment Processing
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
86.7%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
8.6%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
4.7%
Xero
Xero
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
66.6%
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
28.0%
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
5.4%
Reviewers' Industry
FreshBooks
FreshBooks
Marketing and Advertising
17.3%
Information Technology and Services
6.4%
Graphic Design
4.6%
Accounting
4.6%
Computer Software
4.1%
Other
63.0%
Xero
Xero
Accounting
19.7%
Information Technology and Services
10.4%
Computer Software
6.4%
Marketing and Advertising
5.1%
Consulting
3.3%
Other
55.1%
Alternatives
FreshBooks
FreshBooks Alternatives
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Desktop Pro
Add QuickBooks Desktop Pro
NetSuite
NetSuite
Add NetSuite
Wave
Wave
Add Wave
Zoho Books
Zoho Books
Add Zoho Books
Xero
Xero Alternatives
NetSuite
NetSuite
Add NetSuite
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online
Add QuickBooks Online
Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct
Add Sage Intacct
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Desktop Pro
Add QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Discussions
FreshBooks
FreshBooks Discussions
Does FreshBooks support recurring billing?
3 Comments
Pat M.
PM
I'm a long-time user, and yes. Freshbooks does recurring billing flawlessly. Your client can also have their credit card information stored so they don't...Read more
How do you like using Freshbooks
2 Comments
Zack B.
ZB
Hi Rodney, We have used Freshbooks since 2013, and are in no way affiliated with them. For the most part, our experience overall has been positive,...Read more
What is the best way to manage deposits against future work as a consultant?
2 Comments
DL
Hi Mark, You most likely would benefit from the retainer feature in FB which allows you to track time against a retainer payment....Read more
Xero
Xero Discussions
What is Xero software used for?
3 Comments
Bryant A.
BA
Bookkeeping and Accounting. Read more
Is XERO a good accounting software?
3 Comments
RB
Xerox is user-friendly accounting software. Read more
What is Xero used for?
3 Comments
Mitesh P.
MP
Accounting, bookkeeping, tax return, payroll, expenses management etc. For small or medium businessRead more