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QuickBooks vs Xero: Complete Comparison (2026)

QuickBooks vs Xero: two accounting tools, two very different assumptions about your business.

Both handle the core accounting workflow: bank feeds, invoicing, expense tracking, and financial reports. But once the comparison gets past the basics, the two tools diverge sharply on user limits, payroll, multi-currency, and geographic fit. Neither one handles client proposals, contracts, or project portals.

QuickBooks Online holds 82% of the US small-business accounting market with native payroll integration and deep US tax compliance, but plans cap at 1, 3, 5, or 25 users depending on tier. Time tracking locks behind the Essentials plan at $75/month, multi-currency behind the $275/month Advanced plan, and pricing has increased repeatedly since 2023.

Xero offers unlimited users on all plans starting at $20/month and includes multi-currency at the $80/month Established plan, but has no native US payroll. US users must integrate Gusto ($49/month base plus per-employee fees). The mobile app gets lower ratings than QuickBooks, and 46% of Xero users rate the value negatively after factoring in add-on costs.

Plutio handles billing and the complete client workflow that follows: proposals that convert to projects, contracts with e-signature, time tracking that flows directly into invoices, and a branded client portal where clients check progress and pay without emailing for updates. Try Plutio free.

Last updated February 2026

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7.4out of 10
7.6out of 10

Quick comparison (TLDR)

QuickBooks Online is the dominant US accounting platform with native payroll, strong inventory tracking, and a large accountant ecosystem. Plans start at $38/month for a single user. Time tracking requires the $75/month Essentials plan. Payroll is a separate add-on starting at $50/month plus $6.50 per employee. No proposals, no contracts, no client portal.

Xero is a cloud accounting platform with unlimited users on all plans, starting at $20/month. Multi-currency support arrives at the $80/month Established plan, compared to QuickBooks' $275/month Advanced plan. No native US payroll. Xero handles invoicing and reconciliation but stops at the accounting boundary. No proposals, no contracts, no client portal.

Key differences at a glance

  • Users: Xero has unlimited users on every plan. QuickBooks caps at 1, 3, 5, or 25 users per tier.
  • Multi-currency: Xero includes it at $80/month. QuickBooks locks it to the $275/month Advanced plan.
  • Payroll (US): QuickBooks has native payroll as an add-on. Xero has no native US payroll and requires Gusto or a third-party.
  • Time tracking: Both require a mid-tier upgrade: QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) or Xero Established ($80/month).
  • Pricing: Xero's entry plan ($20/month) costs less than QuickBooks' entry plan ($38/month) but limits invoices to 20/month.
  • Integrations: Xero has 1,000+ apps in its marketplace. QuickBooks has 750+.

The verdict? QuickBooks fits US-based businesses that need payroll and strong inventory. Xero fits international teams and growing businesses that hit QuickBooks' user caps. Neither handles proposals, contracts, or client portals. If you need one platform that runs the complete client workflow, Plutio covers it for $19/month.

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Interface and ease of use

Both tools run in the browser. What's the learning curve for a freelancer or small team starting fresh with either platform?

QuickBooks Online

Guided setup with a large accountant and support ecosystem. QuickBooks Online runs through a browser with web, iOS, and Android apps. The onboarding flow walks through business type, bank connection, and chart of accounts setup. The interface uses a left-side navigation with categories that mirror standard accounting workflows. Most users connect a bank account and import transactions within the first session. QuickBooks has an extensive network of certified ProAdvisors, over 700,000 accountants globally who specialize in the software. The mobile app was updated in January 2026 and is generally rated well for on-the-go expense capture and invoice creation.


  • Web browser + iOS and Android apps
  • Guided onboarding for new businesses
  • 700,000+ certified ProAdvisor accountants
  • 30-day free trial, no credit card
  • User limits require plan upgrades (1, 3, 5, or 25 users)
  • Pricing has increased significantly since 2023

VS

Xero

Clean interface with unlimited users included on every plan. Xero runs as a web application with iOS and Android apps. Setup connects a bank account and imports transactions for categorization. The interface uses a horizontal top navigation that new users often find harder to navigate than QuickBooks' sidebar layout. Xero's dashboard focuses on cash position, invoices owed, and bills to pay. The mobile app gets lower ratings than QuickBooks, with recurring reviews noting that key features available on desktop don't appear in the app. Customer support has no phone option. Email and chat support works, with response times varying widely.


  • Unlimited users on all plans
  • Web browser + iOS and Android apps
  • 30-day free trial, no credit card
  • 1,000+ apps in the Xero marketplace
  • Mobile app rated lower than QuickBooks across review platforms
  • No phone support, email and chat only

Invoicing and billing

Both tools invoice clients. Can they handle the full billing cycle: quotes, invoices, payment links, and overdue follow-ups?

QuickBooks Online

Invoicing across all plans with payment links and recurring billing. QuickBooks includes invoicing on every paid plan. The Simple Start plan ($38/month) allows one user to create invoices, add tax codes, and send payment links via QuickBooks Payments (Visa, Mastercard, ACH). Recurring invoices and billable expense tracking are on the Essentials plan. Progress invoicing, where clients pay in stages against an estimate, is on the Advanced plan. QuickBooks applies its own branding on invoices across all plans unless custom branding is added, available on Simple Start and above. Overdue invoice reminders are built in. The invoicing workflow ties to the bank feed and auto-reconciles when payment comes in.


  • Invoicing with payment links on all paid plans
  • QuickBooks Payments for credit cards and ACH
  • Recurring invoices on Essentials+ ($75/month)
  • Invoice reminders and overdue tracking
  • Progress invoicing only on Advanced ($275/month)
  • QuickBooks branding on invoices without customization

VS

Xero

Invoicing on all plans, with quotes, payment terms, and online payment links. Xero includes invoicing on every plan. The Early plan ($20/month) limits invoices to 20 per month. Growing and Established have unlimited invoicing. Xero connects to Stripe, PayPal, and other payment gateways to add payment links directly to invoices. Quotes convert to invoices with one click. Invoice reminders send automatically when payment is overdue. Batch invoicing lets service businesses create invoices for multiple clients at once. Xero's invoice branding uses templates, but the level of customization is more limited than dedicated proposal tools. Invoicing on Xero doesn't connect to proposals or contracts. The billing starts after the work is already agreed upon and tracked.


  • Invoicing on all plans (capped at 20/month on Early)
  • Quotes that convert to invoices
  • Online payment links via Stripe, PayPal
  • Automatic invoice reminders
  • No progress invoicing
  • No proposals or contract workflow before invoicing

Time tracking and project management

Freelancers and agencies bill by the hour. Can either tool track those hours against projects and turn them into invoices without opening another app?

QuickBooks Online

Basic time tracking on Essentials+, project tracking on Plus. QuickBooks Essentials ($75/month) adds time tracking where users log hours against clients and projects, and those hours become billable line items on invoices. Project tracking with budget vs. actual reporting and job costing comes with the Plus plan ($115/month). QuickBooks Time is a separate, more capable time tracking product that integrates with QuickBooks Online, included with the Payroll Premium and Elite add-ons. For basic hourly billing, the native tracking on Essentials covers most freelancer use cases. For team scheduling, GPS tracking, or mobile clock-in, QuickBooks Time requires a separate subscription.


  • Time tracking on Essentials+ ($75/month)
  • Project tracking with budget vs. actual on Plus+ ($115/month)
  • Hours flow directly to billable invoices
  • QuickBooks Time available as separate add-on
  • No kanban boards, task dependencies, or deliverable tracking
  • QuickBooks Time is a separate paid product

VS

Xero

Projects module on Established plan for time tracking and budget monitoring. Xero's Projects module comes with the Established plan ($80/month) and also available as a standalone add-on starting at $4/month on lower tiers. Projects lets users log time against tasks, track expenses against project budgets, and create invoices directly from logged hours. The project dashboard shows real-time cost vs. revenue for each project. The mobile app for Xero Projects is iOS and Android. Xero Projects covers the time-to-invoice workflow but doesn't include task boards, milestone tracking, client collaboration, or deliverable approvals. For service businesses, it connects tracked hours to billing but stops there.


  • Time tracking via Projects module (Established plan, $80/month)
  • Projects add-on available from $4/month on lower plans
  • Real-time budget vs. actual cost monitoring
  • Hours flow to invoices from the Projects module
  • No task boards, milestones, or client collaboration
  • No deliverable tracking or file sharing for clients

Payroll and HR

Running payroll alongside accounting removes a manual data transfer step. Does either tool include it, and what does it actually cost?

QuickBooks Online

Native US payroll as an add-on, tightly integrated with the ledger. QuickBooks Payroll connects directly to QuickBooks Online and calculates federal and state tax withholdings, files payroll taxes, and handles direct deposit. The Core plan adds $50/month plus $6.50 per employee per month. Premium adds $88/month plus $10 per employee and includes QuickBooks Time Premium for team scheduling. Elite adds $134/month plus $12 per employee, adds tax penalty protection, and includes QuickBooks Time Elite. Multi-state payroll filings add $12 per state per month (waived on Elite). For US businesses that need to run payroll and maintain a single general ledger, QuickBooks is the most integrated option on the market.


  • Native US payroll with automatic tax filing
  • Direct deposit on Core+ ($50/month + $6.50/employee)
  • Multi-state payroll (additional $12/state/month)
  • Same-day direct deposit on Elite plan
  • Payroll is always an add-on, not included in any base plan
  • Total cost can exceed $100/month before per-employee fees

VS

Xero

No native US payroll. Requires a third-party integration like Gusto. Xero does not offer payroll for US users. Gusto is Xero's recommended payroll partner, starting at $49/month plus $6 per employee per month for the Simple plan. The integration syncs payroll journal entries back to Xero automatically, but the payroll system itself lives in Gusto. For non-US users, Xero offers native payroll in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. For US-based businesses, the absence of native payroll means two separate platforms, two logins, and a sync dependency. If Gusto and Xero disconnect, payroll journal entries require manual entry until reconnected.


  • No native US payroll
  • Gusto integration recommended ($49/month + $6/employee)
  • Native payroll in Australia, NZ, and UK
  • Payroll journal entries sync automatically via Gusto
  • Two separate subscriptions and logins for US payroll workflow
  • Manual journal entry needed if sync breaks

Pricing and user limits

The plan structure determines what a growing team actually pays. User caps, feature gating, and add-on costs all affect the true monthly total.

QuickBooks Online

Per-plan user caps that force upgrades as teams grow. QuickBooks Simple Start allows one user. Essentials allows three. Plus allows five. Advanced allows 25 and also includes an unlimited time tracking add-on. An accountant gets one additional user slot on all plans at no extra cost. Users beyond the plan limit require upgrading to the next tier. For a 6-person team, Simple Start through Plus are all unavailable. The jump goes straight to Advanced at $275/month. QuickBooks runs promotional pricing at 50% off for the first 3 months for new customers. After the promotional period, full price applies. Prices have increased multiple times since 2022.


  • Simple Start: $38/month, 1 user
  • Essentials: $75/month, 3 users. Adds time tracking and multi-currency on some plans
  • Plus: $115/month, 5 users. Adds inventory, project tracking, and 1099s
  • Advanced: $275/month, 25 users. Adds custom roles and forecasting
  • No per-seat pricing. Must jump to the next full plan
  • Repeated price increases since 2022

VS

Xero

Unlimited users on all plans, with flat monthly pricing. Xero's Early plan allows unlimited users at $20/month, but limits invoices to 20 per month and bills to 5 per month. Growing at $47/month has no transaction limits. Established at $80/month adds multi-currency (160+ currencies), expenses tracking, and the Projects module for time and project billing. Xero does not offer annual billing discounts in the US. Pricing is month-to-month only. For a 6-person team, Xero Growing at $47/month costs the same as for a 1-person team. The unlimited-user model is the main structural advantage over QuickBooks for growing teams.


  • Early: $20/month, unlimited users (20 invoices/month limit)
  • Growing: $47/month, unlimited users, unlimited invoices
  • Established: $80/month. Adds multi-currency, projects, and expenses
  • Same price regardless of team size
  • No annual billing discount (US market)
  • Early plan invoice limit (20/month) is restrictive for active businesses

Integrations and geographic fit

Accounting software rarely stands alone; it connects to payroll, CRM, payment processors, and project tools. Which platform fits where the business operates?

QuickBooks Online

750+ integrations with deep US-market focus and accountant ecosystem. QuickBooks connects with 750+ apps through the QuickBooks App Store. Native connections include PayPal, Square, Shopify, HubSpot, Salesforce, and most major US payment processors. TurboTax and Tax1099 integrations cover self-employed tax filing. The ProAdvisor network means any US accountant or bookkeeper is likely familiar with QuickBooks. QuickBooks is strongest for US-based businesses with US employees, US taxes, and USD billing. For businesses invoicing in multiple currencies or hiring internationally, the platform forces an upgrade to the $275/month Advanced plan before multi-currency becomes available.


  • 750+ integrations in the QuickBooks App Store
  • Native PayPal, Square, Shopify, HubSpot, Salesforce connections
  • US tax compliance and 1099 management
  • 700,000+ certified ProAdvisor accountants in the US
  • Multi-currency locked to Advanced plan ($275/month)
  • Less relevant for UK, Australia, or NZ-based businesses

VS

Xero

1,000+ integrations with global reach and 160+ currency support at the mid tier. Xero's app marketplace includes 1,000+ integrations covering payroll (Gusto, ADP), CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), e-commerce (Shopify, WooCommerce), and project management (Asana, Trello, ClickUp). The open REST API lets developers build custom connections. Multi-currency support for 160+ currencies arrives at the $80/month Established plan, which makes Xero the more cost-effective choice for businesses billing internationally. Xero has 4.6 million subscribers across 180+ countries and holds approximately 60% of the online accounting market in Australia and New Zealand. For US-only businesses with payroll needs, Xero requires additional subscriptions that close the cost gap with QuickBooks.


  • 1,000+ integrations in the Xero App Store
  • Multi-currency (160+) at the $80/month Established plan
  • Open REST API for custom integrations
  • Dominant in UK, Australia, and New Zealand
  • No native US payroll, requires Gusto or ADP
  • Weaker US accountant ecosystem compared to QuickBooks

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Both tools stop at accounting. Plutio starts where accounting ends.

No credit card required. No contracts. Just the tools you need to run, grow, and automate your business with Super Work AI.

No credit card required

Plutio - Your entire business, one login away

QuickBooks vs Xero vs Plutio: full feature comparison

See how all three platforms compare on invoicing, time tracking, user limits, payroll, and client management

PRICING

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Starting price

$19/month (Core plan)

$38/month (Simple Start), promo: 50% off for first 3 months

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Free plan

No free plan (14-day trial available)

No free plan (30-day trial)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Trial period

14-day free trial

30-day free trial

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Manage projects and tasks

Fully flexible project and task setup you can shape to your workflow

Basic project tracking (Plus plan and above, limited to budgets and time)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Project roles and permissions

Control exactly who can view or edit each part of a project

No project-level roles or permissions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Multiple task boards

Unlimited boards to run parallel workflows in the same project

No Kanban, Gantt, or calendar views

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Embeddable project boards

Live project boards embedded into client portals or websites

No embeddable boards

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Sharable project boards

Read-only public links for sharing progress without risk

No sharable boards

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Project stages and milestones

Define custom project lifecycles for different types of work

No custom project statuses

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Connected proposals, contracts, and invoices

Everything related stays connected to the project automatically

Projects link to invoices and expenses (no proposals or contracts)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom project data fields

Track, sort, filter, and report on custom project data

No custom project fields

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Kanban boards

Drag-and-drop tasks across customizable columns

No Kanban board

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Table view

Bulk-edit tasks like a spreadsheet

Transaction list view within projects

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

List view

Clean task lists with clear hierarchy

Transaction list view within projects

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Calendar view

See tasks and deadlines on a calendar

No calendar view

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Gantt view

Plan work visually with task order and dependencies

No Gantt chart

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Subtasks

Break work down into multiple nested levels

No subtask support

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Email to task

Turn emails into tasks without manual copying

No email to task

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task comments

Keep discussions tied directly to each task

No task management system

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task attachments

Store files directly on the task they belong to

No task management system

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task priorities

Define priority levels that fit your workflow

No task management system

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task labels & color coding

Use unlimited labels to visually organize tasks

No task management system

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Multiple task assignees

Assign tasks to one or multiple teammates

No task assignees

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task templates

Reuse task-level structures across projects

No task templates

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task permissions

Control access at the individual task level

No task-level permissions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task dependencies

Prevent work from starting out of order

No task dependencies

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Recurring tasks

Automate repeating work with flexible schedules

Recurring transactions only (not tasks)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom task data fields

Add task-level fields for tracking custom details

No custom task fields

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

TIME TRACKING

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Time tracking system

Easily track time using timers or manual entries

Built-in time tracking (Essentials plan and above)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Task-level tracking

Log time directly against tasks and subtasks

Time tracked per service item and project (not per task)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Project-level tracking

See time spent per project and per client

Time tracked per project (Plus and Advanced plans)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Billable time tracking

Clearly separate billable and non-billable time

Billable and non-billable time categorization

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Billable time invoicing

Turn tracked time into invoices without extra steps

Add billable time directly to invoices

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Timesheet reports

View detailed time reports by task, project, or client

Detailed time reports available

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Team timesheets

See how each team member tracks their time

Team timesheets with weekly view (Essentials plan and above)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

PROPOSALS

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Create and send proposals

Create proposals clients can review, approve, and sign in one flow

Estimates only (not full proposals)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Drag-and-drop proposal builder

Create custom, branded proposals without layout limits or code

No visual proposal builder

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Reusable proposal templates

Reuse proven proposal layouts across clients

Estimate templates available (not full proposals)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Real-time proposal analytics

See exactly when proposals are opened and reviewed

No proposal view tracking

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Live messenger on proposals

Answer questions directly while clients review proposals

No in-proposal messaging

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Proposal flow automation

Move from proposal to contract, invoice, or booking automatically

Estimate to invoice only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Convert proposal to invoice

Create invoices directly from approved proposals

Convert estimates to invoices

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Packages and add-ons

Offer upsells and add-ons directly inside proposals

No packages or add-ons

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Interactive pricing tables

Let clients choose options before approving

Static pricing only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Dynamic data and variables

Auto-fill proposal content with client and project data

Basic placeholders available

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Expiration dates

Automatically expire proposals after a set date

Manual expiry dates on estimates

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

PDF Export

Download as branded PDFs

PDF export included

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Reusable content blocks

Create reusable proposal sections you can reuse on demand

No reusable content blocks

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Legally binding e-signatures

Collect secure electronic signatures on proposals

Basic e-signature on estimates (DocuSign integration on Advanced plan)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom proposal data fields

Create custom proposal data you can sort, filter, and report on

Custom fields on Advanced plan only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

CONTRACTS

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Create and sign contracts

Create, send, and sign contracts in one continuous flow

QuickBooks Online does not handle contracts

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Drag-and-drop contract builder

Create fully custom contracts with flexible layouts, no code or formatting limits

No contract builder

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Legally binding e-signatures

Collect secure signatures with audit trails and signer verification

No e-signatures on contracts

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Multi-signature / signees

Collect signatures from multiple people on the same contract

No multi-signature support

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Reusable contract templates

Reuse contract structures to create new agreements faster

No contract templates

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Auto-reminders automation

Automatically follow up until contracts are signed

No contract reminders

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Dynamic data/variables

Auto-fill contract content with client and project data

No contract variables

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Contract automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows the moment a contract is signed

No contract automation triggers

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

View notifications

See when contracts are opened and reviewed

Invoice and estimate view notifications only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

PDF download with signature certificate

Download signed contracts with official proof of signature

No contract signatures or certificates

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom signer data fields

Collect structured signer information during signing

No signer data fields

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom contract data fields

Create custom contract data you can sort, filter, and report on

No contract features

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

INVOICES & PAYMENTS

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Create invoices and get paid

Send invoices and collect payments in one connected flow

Full invoicing with online payments (credit card, ACH, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Fully branded invoices

Match invoices to your brand with custom logos, colors, and layout

Customizable invoice branding with logo, colors, and layout

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Drag and drop invoice builder

Create custom invoice layouts visually without formatting limits

Template-based editor only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Customizable line items

Edit pricing, quantities, descriptions, and structure freely

Fully customizable line items with products/services catalog

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Item or invoice discounts

Apply discounts at the item or full invoice level

Discounts supported

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Customizable taxes

Create tax rules that match your location and use case

Automated sales tax calculation

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

ACH payments

Accept bank transfers for lower-fee payments

ACH bank payments supported

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Stripe integration

Accept credit and debit cards instantly

QuickBooks Payments built-in (Stripe via third-party integration)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Square integration

Collect in-person payments when needed

Square integration for sales sync (not direct invoice payments)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

PayPal integration

Let clients pay using PayPal

PayPal and Venmo payments on invoices

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Flexible partial payments

Collect deposits and split payments across milestones

Partial payments supported

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Payment plans

Break invoices into scheduled installments

Recurring invoices only (no structured installment plans)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Automated recurring invoices

Automatically send invoices on a recurring schedule

Automated recurring invoices with flexible schedules

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Subscription management

Manage ongoing client subscriptions and billing

Recurring invoices only (no subscription portal)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Automated payment reminders

Follow up automatically until invoices are paid

Automated late payment reminders

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Reusable invoice templates

Reuse invoice layouts without rebuilding each time

Reusable invoice templates available

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Multiple currency support

Bill clients globally in their local currency

Multi-currency supported (Essentials plan and above)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Invoice automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows when invoices are sent or paid

Recurring transaction automation (custom workflows on Advanced only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

View notifications

See when invoices are opened and paid

Email notifications when invoices are viewed and paid

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Built-in expense tracking

Track project-related costs alongside invoices

Full expense tracking with receipt scanning, bank sync, and auto-categorization

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Invoice deposits

Collect upfront payments before work starts

Deposit invoicing supported

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Auto-invoice billable time

Turn tracked time into invoices automatically

Add billable time directly to invoices

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom invoice data fields

Create custom invoice data you can sort, filter, and report on

Custom fields on sales forms (3 fields on Plus, more on Advanced)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

INBOX

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Centralized unified inbox

Manage email, chat, and messages from one shared inbox

No unified inbox

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Full email integration

Connect and manage all your email accounts in one place

No email integration (notifications only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Embeddable live chat

Add real-time chat to your website and client portals

No live chat

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Instant direct messages

Message teammates privately without leaving your workspace

No direct messaging

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Contextual project conversations

Keep conversations tied directly to the project they belong to

No project messaging

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Team channels

Create shared spaces for team-wide discussions

No team channels

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Customized channels

Organize channels by team, topic, or workflow

No channels

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

@mentions

Notify teammates instantly inside conversations

No @mentions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Message read receipts

See when messages are read

No read receipts

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

File sharing in chat

Share files directly inside conversations

No chat feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Shared email inbox

Collaborate on incoming emails as a team

No shared inbox

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Inbox mobile app

Access and respond to messages on mobile

No inbox feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Email reply to inbox

Reply from your email client and keep conversations synced

No inbox feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

FILES

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Store and manage files

Keep all client and project files in one organized place

File attachments on transactions (no centralized file manager)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Advanced folder organization

Organize files by project, client, or structure you choose

No folder organization

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Folder permissions

Control who can view or edit folders

No folder permissions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

People folders

Group files by person when needed

No people folders

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Project folders

Keep files scoped to each project

Files organized within project transactions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

In-app previews

Preview files instantly without downloading

Basic file previews for receipts and documents

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom file data fields

Capture file metadata you can sort and filter

No custom file fields

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Built-in documents

Create and edit documents directly inside Plutio

No built-in document editor

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Comments on files and docs

Leave comments directly on files and documents

No file comments

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Bulk file actions

Move, tag, or manage many files at once

No bulk file actions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Files search & filter

Find files quickly using search and filters

Basic search across transactions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

External cloud sync

Sync files with Google Drive or Dropbox

Google Drive and Dropbox integrations

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Secure sharing controls

Restrict access with permissions or passwords

Account-level role-based access

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

File sharing links

Share files externally with controlled access

No shareable file links

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

SCHEDULING

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Schedule meetings

Let clients book meetings directly without back-and-forth emails

QuickBooks Online does not have scheduling

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Branded booking page

Build a fully branded, customizable booking system using a drag-and-drop editor

No booking pages

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Advanced availability management

Define flexible availability rules applied automatically to bookings

No availability management

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Automatic buffer times

Add buffer time automatically between meetings

No buffer times

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Multiple meeting types

Create unlimited booking types with different rules and setups

No meeting types

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Calendar sync (Google/Outlook)

Two-way calendar sync that stays up to date automatically

No calendar sync for scheduling

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Customizable booking confirmations

Fully customizable confirmation pages with no layout or branding limits

No booking confirmations

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Redirect after booking

Send bookers anywhere after scheduling, not just a fixed thank-you page

No booking system

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Booking automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows the moment a meeting is booked

No booking automation

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Smart meeting reminders

Send automatic reminders without manual follow-ups

No meeting reminders

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Automatic timezone detection

Handle timezones automatically without manual adjustments

Account timezone setting only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Paid appointments (Stripe/PayPal)

Collect payments during booking without extra steps

No paid appointments

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom booking forms

Build booking forms with full control over questions and layout

No booking forms

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Minimum notice / daily booking limits

Set booking limits to control lead time and daily volume

No booking limits

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Rescheduling and cancellation controls

Define flexible rules for rescheduling and cancellations

No scheduling controls

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

AUTOMATION

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Automated workflows builder

Build advanced workflows visually without code or rigid templates

Custom workflows (Advanced plan only, $275/month)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Trigger-based workflows

Start workflows from real events across projects, clients, and payments

Bank rules and transaction triggers (custom workflows on Advanced only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Schedule-based workflows

Run workflows on schedules you control, not fixed intervals

Recurring transactions only (no independent schedule workflows)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Multi-step workflows

Chain multiple actions into one continuous automation

Multi-condition workflows (Advanced plan only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

True/False branching

Create conditional paths instead of one-size-fits-all flows

Conditional approval workflows (Advanced plan only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Delay-based actions

Add precise timing between steps, down to minutes or days

Payment reminder delays only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Create & update records

Create, update, or move records automatically across the system

Auto-create recurring invoices and transactions

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Move & duplicate records

Reorganize work automatically without manual cleanup

Duplicate estimates and transactions manually

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Delete & archive records

Automatically archive or remove records based on rules

Manual deletion and voiding only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

API calls (webhooks)

Trigger or receive real-time events from external systems

Full REST API and webhooks via Intuit Developer Platform

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Send emails

Send automated emails tied to real workflow events

Automated invoice and reminder emails

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Post comments

Add notes or comments automatically where work happens

No automated comments

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Complete automation logs

See exactly what ran, when, and why

Audit trail tracks all user actions and changes

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Auto-fill data/variables

Pass data between steps dynamically without manual mapping

Basic invoice placeholders

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Cross-entity connections

Run workflows that span projects, tasks, proposals, invoices, and more

Invoices link to projects and customers (limited cross-entity scope)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

FORMS

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Create branded forms

Build fully branded forms that match your workflow and client experience

No form builder

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Drag-and-drop form builder

Design forms visually with full layout control, no code required

No form builder

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Reusable form templates

Reuse form structures without rebuilding from scratch

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom form data fields

Collect structured data you can sort, filter, and report on

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Smart conditional logic

Show or hide fields based on responses, not static forms

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Instant email notifications

Get notified immediately when forms are submitted

Invoice and payment notifications only

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Form automation triggers

Trigger automated workflows when a form is submitted

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Embed forms

Embed forms anywhere without layout restrictions

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Advanced field preferences

Control required, hidden, and default field behavior

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Comprehensive field types

Collect text, files, dates, selections, and more

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Form signature field

Collect legally binding signatures directly inside forms

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

File upload fields

Accept file uploads as part of form submissions

Receipt capture via mobile app (not form-based)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Redirect after submission

Send submitters to a custom next step, not a fixed thank-you page

No form feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

CRM

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Manage clients and leads

Manage contacts and companies in one connected system

Basic customer and vendor contact management (no pipeline or lead tracking)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Full company management

Track organizations, not just individual contacts

Customer records for individuals and companies (basic info only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom contact data fields

Collect and manage structured contact data you define

Custom fields on customers (all plans)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Complete activity timeline

See every interaction with a client in one place

Full transaction history per customer

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Contacts labeling and grouping

Organize contacts flexibly without rigid pipelines

Customer types and sub-customers (no tags or segmentation)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

WIKI

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Comprehensive knowledge base

Create an internal wiki for processes, docs, and guides

No knowledge base

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Beautiful rich text pages

Write structured, formatted content without complexity

No rich text pages

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Unlimited nested pages

Build deep knowledge hierarchies without limits

No nested pages

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Granular page permissions

Control exactly who can view or edit each page

No wiki feature

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

DASHBOARDS

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Custom dashboards and pages

Build dashboards around what matters to you, not fixed metrics

Performance Center, custom reports, and Business Performance dashboard (Fathom removed July 2022)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Drag-and-drop dashboard builder

Design dashboards visually with full layout control

No custom dashboard builder

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Charts widget

Visualize data with customizable charts

Financial charts (P&L, cash flow, expense breakdown)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Metrics widget

Track key numbers without manual reporting

Key financial metrics displayed

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Goals widget

Monitor progress toward defined goals

No goals widget

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Notes widget

Add contextual notes directly to dashboards

No notes widget

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Calendar widget

View upcoming events alongside work and metrics

No calendar widget

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Financial widgets

Track revenue and expenses in the same view

Comprehensive financial widgets (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, A/R, A/P)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

BRANDING

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

White-label and branding

Run the entire platform under your brand

Branding on invoices only (cannot remove QuickBooks branding)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom interface theme

Apply your brand colors across the system

Color themes on Deliver+ (no Free plan theme customization)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Stylesheet customization

Fine-tune styling beyond basic theming

No custom CSS

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom login/signup pages

Use branded authentication pages instead of generic screens

No custom login pages

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Email branding

Send all system emails with your branding

Logo on emails (limited customization)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom brand fonts

Use your own fonts throughout the platform

No custom fonts

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom brand logos

Replace all platform logos with your own

Logo upload on invoices and sales forms

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom domain name

Run everything on your own domain

No custom domain

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom email SMTP

Send emails from your own email infrastructure

No custom SMTP

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Full workspace embedding

Embed Plutio directly into your website or product

No workspace embedding

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

CUSTOMIZATION

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Flexible workspace setup

Shape the platform to match how your business works

Fixed workspace structure

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Main menu editor

Add, remove, or reorder navigation items freely

Dashboard report tiles can be rearranged (limited menu control)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

User-based menus

Show different navigation for different roles

Menu varies by user role (not customizable)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Custom user roles

Create role types beyond preset permissions

Custom roles on Advanced plan only ($275/month)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Advanced user permissions

Control access at a granular level

Role-based permissions (custom roles on Advanced plan only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

SSO / OAuth

Support enterprise-grade single sign-on

No SSO for end users (OAuth 2.0 for API only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

INTEGRATIONS

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Connect with other tools

Integrate with external systems without lock-in

800+ integrations in the QuickBooks App Store

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Zapier integration

Connect to thousands of apps without custom code

Zapier integration supported

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Make.com integration

Build advanced automation scenarios visually

Make.com integration available

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Pabbly Connect

Connect services without usage-based limits

Possible via API

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Full REST API access

Build custom integrations with full system access

Full REST API via Intuit Developer Platform

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Incoming & outgoing webhooks

Send and receive real-time events

Webhooks supported via developer platform

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

PLATFORM

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Plutio

198/199

QuickBooks Online

43/199

Xero

0/198

Mobile apps

Access your business from native mobile apps

iOS and Android apps with receipt scanning and mileage tracking

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

iOS app

Full-featured iPhone app

Full iOS app available

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Android app

Full-featured Android app

Full Android app available

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Mac desktop app

Native macOS app for desktop workflows

No Mac desktop app (QuickBooks Online is web-based only)

Xero is accounting software with no proposals, contracts, or client portal

Windows desktop app

Native Windows app for desktop workflows

No Windows desktop app (QuickBooks Online is web-based only)

QuickBooks vs Xero: frequently asked questions

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