Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. This helps support our work in maintaining this directory.
Top Alternatives to Xero
While Xero excels at small business cloud accounting, users often seek alternatives because limited transaction count on starter plan and can be expensive with add-ons. Here are the best alternatives compared side-by-side.
Sarah Chen
Editor-in-Chief
Quick Comparison
| Name | Best For | Pricing | Monthly Solo Cost | Free Tier | Rating | Solo-Friendly | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks | Solo-Friendly Pick | Paid | $15 | limited free tier | 4/5 | Solo-Friendly | Compare |
| FreshBooks | Solo-Friendly Pick | Paid | $8.50 | limited free tier | 4.2/5 | Solo-Friendly | Compare |
| Stripe | Best Free Option | Paid | $0 | excellent free tier | 4.7/5 | Solo-Friendly | Compare |
| Rippling | Startups | Enterprise | $8 | none free tier | 4.5/5 | — | Compare |
| Mercury | Best Free Option | Freemium | $0 | excellent free tier | 4.5/5 | Solo-Friendly | Compare |
All Alternatives
Accounting software for small businesses and solopreneurs.
Invoicing and accounting built for self-employed professionals.
Payment processing and financial infrastructure for the internet.
Unified HR, IT, and Finance platform for workforce management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free alternative to Xero?
Stripe is a strong free alternative to Xero. It offers a generous free tier and covers similar use cases. Other free options include Mercury.
Which Xero alternative is best for solo founders?
QuickBooks is an excellent choice for solo founders at $15/month. It is rated 4/5 by our editors and is designed to work well for individuals running a business on their own.
Is Stripe better than Xero?
Stripe has an editorial rating of 4.7/5, while Xero is rated 4.2/5. The best choice depends on your specific needs — Stripe may be a better fit if you value SaaS subscription billing, while Xero excels at Small business cloud accounting.