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Compare QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Xero 
At a Glance
Market Segments
Small-Business (81.3% of reviews)
Small-Business (67.0% of reviews)
Entry-Level Pricing
$499.95
$13.00 Per Month
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Star Rating
(1,751)4.3 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (81.3% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
$499.95
Browse all 5 pricing plansXero
Star Rating
(1,591)4.4 out of 5
Market Segments
Small-Business (67.0% of reviews)
Pros & Cons
Entry-Level Pricing
$13.00 Per Month
Free Trial is available
Browse all 3 pricing plansSummary
AI Generated Summary
AI-generated. Powered by real user reviews.
- G2 reviewers report that Xero excels in user experience, with a clean interface that makes accounting feel less daunting. Users appreciate features like automated bank reconciliations, which simplify the process to just a few clicks, enhancing daily usability.
- Users say QuickBooks Desktop Pro offers robust functionality for small businesses, particularly in expense tracking and payroll management. Many find it easy to use, especially beginners, highlighting its ability to manage multiple tasks within one program.
- According to verified reviews, Xero's cloud-based nature allows for seamless access from anywhere, which is a significant advantage for users who need flexibility. This feature is particularly praised for enabling work from both mobile and desktop devices without hassle.
- Reviewers mention that QuickBooks Desktop Pro has a strong focus on small business needs, with features tailored for expense tracking and invoicing. However, some users express a desire for more intuitive setup processes, indicating that initial configuration can be a bit challenging.
- G2 reviewers highlight Xero's strong support and automation capabilities, which help streamline financial processes. Users appreciate the ease of integrating bank accounts and automating reconciliations, making it a time-saving choice for daily accounting tasks.
- Users report that while QuickBooks Desktop Pro has a solid reputation, it sometimes struggles with modern cloud integration compared to Xero. This can limit its appeal for users looking for a fully online solution, as some features may feel outdated in comparison.
Pricing
Entry-Level Pricing
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
QuickBooks Premier 2017
$499.95
Skip the high cost networking with QuickBooks Plus Hosting Service powered by Right Networks.
- One-time payment
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Xero
Starter / Early
$13.00
Per Month
Good for sole traders, new businesses, and the self-employed.
- Send quotes and 20 invoices
- Enter 5 bills
- Reconcile bank transactions
Free Trial
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Free Trial is available
Xero
Free Trial is available
Ratings
Meets Requirements
8.9
1,488
8.8
1,284
Ease of Use
8.6
1,496
9.0
1,337
Ease of Setup
8.3
632
8.8
1,028
Ease of Admin
8.6
623
8.7
389
Quality of Support
7.7
1,317
8.4
1,202
Has the product been a good partner in doing business?
8.2
606
8.6
383
Product Direction (% positive)
7.5
1,478
8.9
1,268
Features by Category
Expense Reports
Not enough data
8.9
283
Not enough data
9.1
286
Not enough data
8.7
261
Not enough data
8.8
267
Not enough data
8.7
249
Not enough data
8.6
252
Not enough data
8.9
263
Agentic AI - Expense Management
Not enough data
9.2
141
Not enough data
9.3
140
Travel Management
Not enough data
8.1
233
Not enough data
7.8
221
Not enough data
7.5
216
Not enough data
8.0
222
Client Invoicing
Not enough data
9.2
269
Not enough data
8.9
251
Not enough data
8.8
245
Mobile
Not enough data
8.6
249
Not enough data
8.1
223
Not enough data
7.8
216
Platform
Not enough data
8.5
207
Not enough data
8.5
210
Administration
Not enough data
8.7
202
Administration
Not enough data
8.6
248
Not enough data
8.7
248
Not enough data
8.5
241
Not enough data
8.5
231
Not enough data
8.8
252
Platform
Not enough data
9.0
278
Not enough data
8.7
235
Not enough data
8.6
225
Not enough data
9.2
256
Not enough data
8.5
241
Not enough data
5.4
191
General Ledger
8.7
946
|
Verified
8.6
714
|
Verified
8.3
609
|
Verified
8.3
671
|
Verified
8.5
763
|
Verified
8.6
693
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.6
939
|
Verified
8.7
754
|
Verified
8.4
729
|
Verified
8.5
655
8.1
598
|
Verified
8.3
661
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
8.6
754
|
Verified
8.6
633
8.7
851
|
Verified
8.8
715
|
Verified
8.6
658
|
Verified
8.6
658
|
Verified
Other Functionality
8.2
453
|
Verified
7.9
598
8.2
474
|
Verified
8.0
592
8.3
461
|
Verified
8.1
576
|
Verified
8.3
579
|
Verified
7.9
609
|
Verified
8.2
579
|
Verified
8.5
640
|
Verified
8.9
909
|
Verified
9.0
788
|
Verified
8.8
650
|
Verified
8.2
638
|
Verified
8.7
648
8.5
637
Reporting & Analytics
9.0
999
|
Verified
9.0
796
|
Verified
8.7
969
|
Verified
8.6
741
|
Verified
8.4
740
|
Verified
8.5
628
|
Verified
8.5
873
|
Verified
8.8
752
|
Verified
Platform
8.0
823
|
Verified
8.3
682
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
8.3
641
8.5
884
|
Verified
8.6
696
|
Verified
8.5
531
8.3
601
|
Verified
8.6
953
|
Verified
8.9
743
|
Verified
8.6
862
|
Verified
8.7
647
|
Verified
Integration
8.2
835
|
Verified
8.7
690
|
Verified
Feature Not Available
8.6
620
Feature Not Available
8.5
657
|
Verified
Cash Flow
8.9
126
|
Verified
8.8
596
|
Verified
9.1
141
|
Verified
9.1
590
|
Verified
8.9
131
|
Verified
8.8
546
|
Verified
Budgeting & Forecasting
8.4
740
|
Verified
8.5
628
|
Verified
8.4
115
|
Verified
8.7
552
|
Verified
8.3
90
|
Verified
8.4
511
|
Verified
8.7
115
|
Verified
8.6
542
|
Verified
Revenue
8.9
122
|
Verified
8.7
567
|
Verified
8.8
105
|
Verified
8.7
553
|
Verified
8.6
91
8.4
523
|
Verified
Payroll
8.7
96
8.3
498
|
Verified
8.8
108
8.1
484
|
Verified
8.7
108
|
Verified
8.5
525
|
Verified
8.9
121
|
Verified
8.8
541
|
Verified
AI
6.1
15
8.4
376
7.0
15
8.9
377
6.4
15
8.7
380
6.6
15
8.5
373
6.7
15
8.5
369
5.3
15
8.1
367
8.2
15
9.0
384
7.9
15
8.8
377
7.1
15
8.7
365
7.3
15
8.5
365
Mobile Applications - Accounting
7.9
11
8.8
378
7.5
10
8.8
353
7.8
10
8.8
378
5.0
11
6.8
318
6.3
10
9.0
363
7.3
10
9.0
370
Agentic AI - Accounting
4.6
8
8.5
329
General Ledger
8.7
946
|
Verified
8.6
714
|
Verified
8.3
609
|
Verified
8.3
671
|
Verified
8.5
763
|
Verified
8.6
693
|
Verified
Accounts Receivable
8.6
939
|
Verified
8.7
754
|
Verified
8.4
729
|
Verified
8.5
655
8.1
598
|
Verified
8.3
661
|
Verified
Accounts Payable
8.6
754
|
Verified
8.6
633
8.7
851
|
Verified
8.8
715
|
Verified
8.6
658
|
Verified
8.6
658
|
Verified
Employee Self Service
8.4
230
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.4
193
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
170
|
Verified
Not enough data
Administration
9.0
462
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.5
333
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.0
331
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
353
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
386
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
310
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.8
276
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.1
415
|
Verified
Not enough data
9.0
344
|
Verified
Not enough data
Taxes
9.1
430
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.9
114
Not enough data
8.8
335
|
Verified
Not enough data
Integration
8.4
255
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.2
89
Not enough data
8.6
293
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.3
72
Not enough data
Platform
8.7
445
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.9
437
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
464
|
Verified
Not enough data
8.7
410
|
Verified
Not enough data
Invoice Generation
Not enough data
8.7
271
Not enough data
9.2
278
Not enough data
9.2
272
Invoice Processing
Not enough data
8.9
265
Not enough data
8.9
266
Not enough data
8.7
260
Not enough data
9.2
273
Analytics
Not enough data
9.2
266
Not enough data
8.8
265
Not enough data
8.5
248
Not enough data
9.0
270
Integration
Not enough data
9.2
280
Not enough data
9.0
275
Not enough data
8.4
247
Not enough data
8.8
272
Agentic AI - Invoice Management
Not enough data
8.9
170
Not enough data
8.9
173
Not enough data
8.6
174
Multichannel inventory management
Not enough data
9.0
119
Not enough data
9.1
120
Not enough data
9.0
120
3PL inventory management
Not enough data
9.3
123
Not enough data
9.2
123
Not enough data
9.0
121
Inventory Management
Not enough data
9.2
126
Not enough data
9.1
125
Not enough data
9.1
116
Not enough data
9.1
122
Not enough data
9.5
122
Inventory Management Platform Features
Not enough data
9.3
128
Not enough data
9.3
131
Not enough data
9.2
128
Not enough data
9.1
126
Not enough data
9.2
125
Not enough data
9.4
133
Not enough data
9.2
129
Not enough data
9.5
127
Not enough data
9.6
132
Not enough data
9.6
131
Bill Generation
8.9
84
8.6
251
9.2
75
9.0
259
9.1
71
9.0
258
Bill Processing
8.7
70
8.5
249
8.8
74
8.7
251
9.1
80
8.9
252
Integration
9.0
89
9.1
267
9.0
85
8.9
262
8.6
61
8.3
237
Agentic AI - Billing
4.0
5
8.8
161
Agentic AI - Accounting & Finance
Not enough data
Not enough data
Categories
Categories
Shared Categories
QuickBooks Desktop Pro and Xero are categorized as Billing and Accounting
Unique Categories
QuickBooks Desktop Pro is categorized as Payroll
Xero is categorized as Invoice Management, Inventory Control, Expense Management, and Nonprofit Accounting
Reviews
Reviewers' Company Size
QuickBooks Desktop Pro
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Xero
Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise(> 1000 emp.)
Small-Business
(50 or fewer emp.)
Mid-Market
(51-1000 emp.)
Enterprise
(> 1000 emp.)
Reviewers' Industry
Accounting
17.0%
Construction
6.8%
Non-Profit Organization Management
5.5%
Marketing and Advertising
3.3%
Information Technology and Services
3.2%
Other
64.1%
Accounting
19.5%
Information Technology and Services
9.4%
Computer Software
6.4%
Marketing and Advertising
5.2%
Consulting
3.3%
Other
56.2%
Alternatives
Discussions
Does Quickbooks allow you to charge customers on a recurring basis?
I know that quickbooks is kind of the gold standard when it comes to accounting software, but does it have an online payment gateway?
2 Comments
EM
It can be set up in a few easy steps. Check out this guide: http://www.qbexpress.com/how-to-setup-recurring-charges-for-customers-in-quickbooks/Read more
Best unique feature ?
2 Comments
MA
User interface is simply fantastic. It has got a beautiful interface with excel. Like anything and everything in software can be exported and imported...Read more
What plans are there to migrate the features from quick books online?
2 Comments
BL
My understanding is that QuickBooks Desktop is more in "Maintenance Mode" right now. I would not expect big new features added to desktop.
As an example,...Read more
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