Xero vs QuickBooks Online
Xero and QuickBooks Online are both accounting apps in the GasStack directory. This page compares them using only what's in our listings: prices copied from each vendor's pricing page on the date shown, plus the features and trial details we recorded. Where we don't have a fact, we say so rather than guess.
Side by side
| Xero | QuickBooks Online | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | from £18/mo | from £10/mo |
| Price details (from the vendor page) | Ignite £18/mo; Grow £39; Comprehensive £55; Ultimate £70 (ex VAT). Page showed 90% off for the first 6 months. | Sole Trader Plus £10/mo, Simple Start £16, Essentials £38, Plus £56, Advanced £123 per month. The page showed 90% off for the first 6 months (or a 30-day free trial instead). VAT treatment was not stated on the page we saw. |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Free trial | Offer instead of trial at time of check | 30 days (offered instead of the discount) |
| Suits | sole trader, small firm | sole trader, small firm |
| Trades | gas, heating, plumbing | gas, heating, plumbing |
| Certificates in our feature list | Not in our feature list. Ask the vendor. | Not in our feature list. Ask the vendor. |
| Price checked | 20 Oct 2026 | 20 Oct 2026 |
| Listed features |
|
|
| Price source | Xero pricing page | QuickBooks Online pricing page |
Which to pick
Pick Xero if…
- you need any of these, which are in our feature list for Xero: Bank feeds and reconciliation; Invoices and quotes; CIS returns add-on; MTD-compatible. (QuickBooks Online may offer some of them too; our list isn't exhaustive.)
Pick QuickBooks Online if…
- you want the lower starting price: QuickBooks Online starts with from £10/mo, Xero from £18/mo (both checked on the vendors' pricing pages). That's the cheapest plan each shows, so compare the plan you'd actually use.
- you need any of these, which are in our feature list for QuickBooks Online: CIS calculation and submission; MTD for Income Tax ready; Mileage and receipt capture; Invoices and estimates. (Xero may offer some of them too; our list isn't exhaustive.)
Before you choose
- From 6 April 2026 sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 must keep records with MTD-compatible software (see GOV.UK). Check the app is HMRC-recognised.
- If you do CIS work, check CIS is supported.
- Look at the price after the introductory offer ends.
Which is cheaper, Xero or QuickBooks Online?
QuickBooks Online has the lower starting price: Xero starts with from £18/mo and QuickBooks Online from £10/mo, as shown on the vendors' pricing pages (checked 20 Oct 2026).
Does Xero or QuickBooks Online have a free plan?
Xero: no, per its pricing page. QuickBooks Online: no, per its pricing page.
More comparisons
Prices are as shown on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown, usually excluding VAT, and can change. Always check before you buy. Spotted something wrong? Report a correction.
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