Guide 2026
Starting price: $29 per user per month
Free plan: No
Free trial: Yes
Paid plans: Starter, Standard, Premium
Save BIG on
Xero
Save up to $432 on Xero
Xero
Used by 1469 members
90% off for 6 months
Save up to $432 on Xero
Save BIG on
Xero
Secret has already helped tens of thousands of startups save millions on the best SaaS like Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace & many more. Join Secret now to buy software the smart way.
Pricing: $29 per user per month
Best for:
Small businesses ready to take control of their finances
The Xero Starter Plan is the perfect non-complicated solution for freelancers, solopreneurs, small business owners who want to manage their finances in a simple and efficient way. It gives freelancers, solopreneurs, and small business owners all the key tools that they need to stay on top of their finances, including invoicing, tracking expenses and easily reconciling your bank account transactions. With the Xero Starter Plan, you will be able to send invoices and quotes professionally, keep track of bills, and keep track of your expenses easily — all in one place! And using Hubdoc will make snap shots of receipts even easier, saving you valuable time. The core purpose of Xero Starter Plan is to provide freelancers, solopreneurs, and small business owners with simple yet effective tools, so they can absolutely focus on growing their business. The idea of Xero is simple — keep it simple, stay organized, and take control of your finances.
Main features
Invoice & Quote Management
Expense Tracking & Receipt Capture
Bank Reconciliation Automation
Pricing: $50 / month
Best for:
Growing businesses looking for a powerful & easy-to-use financial tool
If your business is growing and you're ready to take your finances to the next level, you need the Xero Standard Plan in your life. For just $50 per month, the Xero Standard Plan gives you unlimited invoicing, quotes, and bill management, meaning you can easily manage your cash flow. You can totally say goodbye to the days of reconciling your transactions manually. From automated bank reconciliation to multi-currency, Xero can streamline your finances and relieve the stress of managing your finances, even as your business keeps growing. If you need more information to make better decisions and track your financial ability, the Standard Plan has smart reporting tools that will give you deeper insights to stay on top of your financial health. Whether you're dealing with clients, multiple team members, or multiple projects, the standard plan was designed to make your finances easier and save your time - so you can grow without the business headaches. It's everything a small business needs, in one place.
Main features
Unlimited invoicing, bills and quotes
Automated bank reconciliation
Advanced reporting tools
Pricing: $75 / month
Best for:
Mid-sized teams looking for an upgrade and advanced features
If you're looking to plan for growth, the Xero Premium Plan has everything you need for your financial complexity. With a subscription starting at $75.00 per month, Xero Premium might be ideal for businesses that have global transactions, require advanced reporting options or want much deeper details around projects. The Premium Plan includes multi-currency support, has automatic bank reconciliation from up to 9,000+ banks, automated bank reconciliations and smarter forecasting of your finances will provide you with everything you need to keep your finances in order and be better prepared for tomorrow. The Premium Plan not only includes the basics, but it also allows you to extend your business, fulfil more transactions and makes it easier for you to follow every detail. The ultimate tool for your financial purpose, direction and growth.
Main features
Multi currency support for smooth global transactions
Advanced financial reporting and cash flow forecasting tools
Project tracking and time management for better control
The Xero Starter and Standard Plans are both designed to make managing your finances easier, but they’re meant for different stages of business growth. The Starter Plan is great for solopreneurs and small businesses that need the basics: invoicing, expense tracking, and simple bank reconciliation—all for $29/month.
When you're ready to scale, the Standard Plan at $50/month is the upgrade you need. It offers unlimited invoices and quotes, better reporting, and the skill to manage global transactions with multi-currency support. It’s perfect for businesses looking to manage more and acquire more profound financial insights as they grow.
The Starter Plan is all about simplicity, while the Standard Plan gives you the flexibility to expand your business without missing a beat. It’s the best next step when you're ready to take control of your financial future.
The Standard and Premium plans cater to businesses at different growth stages. For 50$/month, the Standard Plan offers unlimited invoicing, expense tracking, and multi-currency support, perfect for small businesses expanding their operations.
When your business grows even more, the Premium Plan ($75/month) adds powerful features like advanced project tracking, detailed financial forecasting, and multi-currency capabilities for global businesses. It's designed to give you better control over more complex financial needs, which makes it perfect for businesses looking for that extra level of insight and flexibility.
Choosing your Xero plan is similar to choosing the right fly bonnet for your horse at a stage of their development. If you are a sole-trader or a small business, just starting out, the Xero Starter Plan ($20/month) is probably going to be your best fit. Picture it like a simple, handy, and easy to use financial notebook. It will allow you to manage invoices, receipts, and expenses without any hassles.
As you become busier managing more clients or orders, the Standard Plan ($34/month) will allow you to build on the basics. Picture it like managing multi-projects and clients. The Standard Plan allows you to track invoices without limits, and you will also have better access to insights including tracking multiple currencies growing your business globally.
As you become more established with complex financial needs, the Premium Plan ($65/month) can change your business. If you are managing international clients, having to track large projects, and need forecasting capabilities that are sophisticated, the Premium Plan gives you total management of these processes.
In short, the plan you choose needs to have the ability to grow with you, so you have access to the right tools at the right time.
When you define "better" by the ability to provide capabilities under increasing stress (more reporting requests, more integrated systems, etc.) -- then QuickBooks Online is probably the better option. When you think of your finance function as a business process (not just something you do at the end of the quarter), then QuickBooks Online is usually the stronger foundation.
Even though Xero may have the advantage of being more elegant, QuickBooks Online is almost always the safer bet when you anticipate your financial operations are going to require more sophisticated capabilities (such as segmented reporting, exception handling, and providing stakeholders with a level of visibility that extends beyond simple P&L snapshot).
Quickbooks Online vs Xero
Whether Zoho or Xero is better for your business depends on your specific needs and priorities. Both platforms offer different strengths and cater to different aspects of business management.
Zoho is known for its wide range of integrated applications, including CRM, project management, HR, and more. It provides a comprehensive suite of tools that can streamline various aspects of your business operations. If you are looking for an all-in-one platform that can handle multiple functions, Zoho might be the preferable option.
On the other hand, Xero is a specialized accounting software known for its strong accounting capabilities. It excels in financial tracking, invoicing, billing, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting. If your main focus is on robust accounting features, Xero may be the better fit for your business.
Zoho vs Xero
When evaluating whether Xero is better than QuickBooks, it's essential to consider the nuanced differences that make each platform unique. Xero's appeal lies in its simplicity and effectiveness for small to medium-sized businesses. Its intuitive design streamlines accounting processes, making it less daunting for users with limited accounting experience.
On the flip side, QuickBooks stands out for its ability to grow with a business. Its versatility is a significant advantage for companies that anticipate evolving financial complexities. Moreover, QuickBooks' in-depth reporting capabilities and strong customer support system are invaluable for businesses requiring detailed financial analysis and guidance. Therefore, the choice between Xero and QuickBooks is not a matter of superiority, but rather of aligning each software's strengths with the specific demands and growth trajectory of a business.
Xero vs QuickBooks
Xero is a well-known accounting software, but depending on your business’s needs, there are several alternatives that might work better for you.
QuickBooks is a well-known name in the space, offering a full range of features like invoicing, expense tracking, and tax tools. It’s perfect for small to medium-sized businesses that need a robust accounting solution that covers all the bases.
On the other hand, FreshBooks is a favorite for freelancers and small business owners who need straightforward tools for invoicing, time tracking, and project management. It’s super user-friendly and works well with a variety of third-party apps, making it easy to streamline your workflow.
Zoho Books stands out for its ability to automate tasks and create customizable reports. Each option has its own strengths, so the right pick depends on your business size, what you're looking for, and where you’re headed in the future.
In the end, it really comes down to whether you want something simple and easy to use or need a more feature-rich solution to dive deeper into advanced capabilities.
QuickBooks
Used by 896 members
Optimize your accounting and invoicing management with ease.
30% off for 6 months
Save up to $423
Quickbooks Online
Used by 191 members
Simplify your accounting, streamline your business.
50% off for 3 months (US-based companies)
Save up to $352
Sage Accounting
Used by 52 members
Keep your books balanced
90% off Accounting plans for 6 months
Save up to $318
Quickbooks Online
Used by 191 members
Simplify your accounting, streamline your business.
90% off for 7 months (UK-based companies)
Save up to $207
Xero’s 30-day free trial is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to explore the full range of features without any financial commitment.
It allows you to dive into Xero’s powerful accounting tools, including invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reporting, so you can truly understand how the software can boost your productivity.
Whether you're a small business owner or a freelancer, the trial gives you the chance to test out Xero’s ease of use and discover how its features can help you save time, manage your finances more efficiently, and make strategic business choices.
Plus, with full access to the software and 24/7 support, you get a comprehensive experience to decide if Xero is the right fit for your business, all risk-free.
The biggest limitation of Xero’s free trial is that it only lasts for 30 days—after that, you’ll need to choose a paid plan to continue using the software. Unlike some competitors that offer permanently free versions with basic features, Xero doesn’t have a free tier, meaning there’s no long-term access without a subscription.
Another key limitation is that while you can explore all features during the trial, some real-world functionalities—like live bank feeds and payment processing—may not fully integrate until you’ve set up a paid account. This can make it difficult to see exactly how Xero would function in your daily operations.
Support during the trial is also limited to online resources and email assistance, with no direct phone support. If you run into issues and need immediate help, this could be a drawback.
Additionally, while the trial grants access to advanced features like multi-currency support and project tracking, not every business needs these. Small businesses or freelancers looking for a simple bookkeeping tool may find Xero’s full feature set overwhelming, making it harder to assess whether the software is the right fit.
Accounting software
90% off for 6 months
Save up to $432
QuickBooks
Used by 896 members
Optimize your accounting and invoicing management with ease.
30% off for 6 months
Save up to $423
FreshBooks
Used by 280 members
Simplify your business accounting
90% off for 3 months
Save up to $175
Sophia Reynolds
“Our small business relied on spreadsheets for too long, so moving to Xero’s Standard pricing plan was a breath of fresh air. At $50 per month, we finally had automation, better reporting, and multi-currency support—all of which made managing our finances much smoother. But as we expanded internationally, we needed even more flexibility. The Premium pricing plan, though pricier at $75 per month, felt like the right investment for our better future. The ability to handle multiple currencies effortlessly has saved us hours every week, making the upgrade worth every dollar.”
David Thompson
“Running an e-commerce business with suppliers and customers in different countries meant we needed a robust accounting system from day one. Xero’s Premium pricing plan was the obvious choice. For $75 per month, we get everything—unlimited invoices, multi-currency support, and advanced financial tools that keep us on top of our cash flow. While it’s not the cheapest option out there, the time we save on manual work and the accuracy it provides make this pricing plan an essential part of our business operations.”
Michael Johnson
“As a freelance consultant, I started with Xero’s Starter pricing plan, and it was just what I needed to manage invoices and track expenses without overcomplicating things. The $29 per month price tag felt reasonable at first, but I quickly hit the limits—only 20 invoices per month wasn’t enough as my client base grew. Upgrading to the Standard pricing plan was an easy choice, and for $50 per month, the ability to send unlimited invoices and reconcile transactions without restrictions has been a game-changer for my workflow.”
Is Xero’s features worth the cost?
When you're running a small business, every dollar counts. So, when looking at Xero’s pricing plans, the big question is: Is it worth the cost? The short answer?Absolutely—if you want to save time, avoid financial headaches, and focus on growing your business instead of drowning in spreadsheets.
Think about it this way: manual bookkeeping and tracking invoices take hours out of your week. Xero automates most of that, from reconciling bank transactions to generating financial reports in seconds. Instead of stressing over cash flow, you get a real-time view of your finances, helping you make better business decisions—without an accounting degree.
Even the Starter pricing plan at $29/month is enough to get a freelancer or small business off the ground with invoicing, bill tracking, and automatic bank feeds. But if you’re processing more transactions, the Standard pricing plan ($50/month) removes limits on invoices and bills, making it a solid investment for growing businesses.
At the end of the day, Xero is more than just accounting software—it’s a tool that pays for itself in saved time, reduced stress, and better financial clarity. If that’s something your business needs, the pricing plan you choose isn’t just a cost—it’s an investment in smoother operations and smarter decision-making.
How to save money with Xero?
The key to saving with Xero is picking a plan that fits your business and really taking advantage of its built-in automation to cut down on busywork. If you’re a freelancer or small business with simple invoicing needs, the Starter plan is cost-effective.
As your business grows, upgrading makes sense—but only when you truly need those extra features. By automating time-consuming tasks like bank reconciliation, expense tracking, and tax calculations, Xero can save you hours—plus cut down on accounting fees or the need for extra admin support. And since it connects seamlessly with many of the tools you already use, there’s less need to invest in extra software just to keep things running smoothly.
How to get a discount on Xero?
Looking to cut down on your Xero costs? JoinSecret has an exclusive deal that gives you 90% off for the first 6 months on select plans—including Starter, Standard, Premium, and Ultimate. That’s up to $432 in savings, which can go a long way for startups trying to keep overhead low. If you’ve been thinking about trying Xero, this is a great chance to do it without paying full price. Just head over to JoinSecret’s website and follow the steps to claim the offer.
Which is better - Xero or Quickbooks?
Choosing between Xero and QuickBooks isn’t just about features—it’s about what fits your business best. If you’re after something intuitive and built around automation—with no cap on users—Xero is a solid choice for small businesses and startups. It makes invoicing easy, keeps bank reconciliation simple, and grows with you without turning accounting into a headache.
QuickBooks, on the flip side, is better suited for businesses that need deeper financial insights or tools tailored to specific industries. It offers more advanced reporting and features that can support more complex accounting needs. It’s a long-time favorite of accountants due to its customizable reports, tax features, and deep expense tracking. That said, all those extra features can mean a bit more of a learning curve—and the price tends to climb as your needs grow.
If you’re a freelancer or small business owner looking for an intuitive, budget-friendly way to manage your finances, Xero’s pricing plans make it a great pick. If you’re running a larger operation, need detailed financial reporting, or regularly collaborate with an accountant, QuickBooks could be the better fit.
How to save money on Xero?
You can save money on Xero with the following tips:
1)Right now, they are offering 90% off on their pricing plans —a great opportunity to get started at a fraction of the cost.
2)Xero also tends to run limited-time deals, like offering new users 50% off for the first few months—definitely worth checking before you sign up. If you’re planning to sign up, checking for ongoing deals can help you secure the best price.
3)Another way to keep your costs in check is by going with annual billing. It might feel like a bigger commitment upfront, but it often comes with a better rate compared to paying month to month. And if you work with an accountant or bookkeeper who partners with Xero, they may have exclusive discounts you won’t find publicly.
4)The biggest saver? Choosing the plan that actually fits your needs—no more, no less. If your business doesn’t need multi-currency support or advanced analytics, the Starter or Standard plan can provide everything you need without paying for extra features.