What users are saying about

QuickBooks Self-Employed vs Xero

QuickBooks Self-Employed
43 Ratings
Xero
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring#question3' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>Customer Verified: Read more.</a>
Top Rated
530 Ratings

QuickBooks Self-Employed

43 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>
Score 7.5 out of 100

Based on 43 reviews and ratings

Xero

<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring#question3' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>Customer Verified: Read more.</a>
Top Rated
530 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>
Score 8.7 out of 100

Based on 530 reviews and ratings

Feature Set Ratings

  • QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 3 feature sets: General Ledger and Configurable Accounting, Inventory Management, Order Management
  • Xero ranks higher in 3 feature sets: Payroll Management, Security, Reporting & Analytics
  • QuickBooks Self-Employed and Xero are tied in 1 feature set: Customization

Payroll Management

7.8

QuickBooks Self-Employed

78%
8.3

Xero

83%
Xero ranks higher in 3/5 features
Xero ranks higher in 3/5 features

Pay calculation

10.0
100%
2 Ratings
8.2
82%
64 Ratings

Benefit plan administration

5.0
50%
2 Ratings
8.2
82%
23 Ratings

Direct deposit files

8.1
81%
3 Ratings
8.9
89%
49 Ratings

Salary revision and increment management

8.0
80%
2 Ratings
8.8
88%
41 Ratings

Reimbursement management

8.0
80%
3 Ratings
7.6
76%
54 Ratings

Customization

7.7

QuickBooks Self-Employed

77%
7.7

Xero

77%
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 1/2 features
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 1/2 features

API for custom integration

8.5
85%
3 Ratings
7.3
73%
78 Ratings

Plug-ins

7.0
70%
3 Ratings
8.1
81%
85 Ratings

Security

8.5

QuickBooks Self-Employed

85%
8.6

Xero

86%
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 1/2 features
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 1/2 features

Single sign-on capability

9.0
90%
7 Ratings
8.7
87%
72 Ratings

Role-based user permissions

8.0
80%
4 Ratings
8.4
84%
114 Ratings

Reporting & Analytics

7.5

QuickBooks Self-Employed

75%
8.2

Xero

82%
Xero ranks higher in 2/3 features
Xero ranks higher in 2/3 features

Dashboards

8.5
85%
11 Ratings
8.0
80%
129 Ratings

Standard reports

8.5
85%
13 Ratings
8.7
87%
132 Ratings

Custom reports

5.4
54%
7 Ratings
7.9
79%
121 Ratings

General Ledger and Configurable Accounting

8.9

QuickBooks Self-Employed

89%
8.0

Xero

80%
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 17/21 features
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 17/21 features

Accounts payable

9.0
90%
8 Ratings
8.7
87%
130 Ratings

Accounts receivable

8.6
86%
9 Ratings
8.7
87%
131 Ratings

Cash management

8.9
89%
8 Ratings
8.1
81%
121 Ratings

Bank reconciliation

8.5
85%
9 Ratings
8.9
89%
137 Ratings

Expense management

8.1
81%
13 Ratings
8.1
81%
125 Ratings

Time tracking

7.9
79%
6 Ratings
6.9
69%
42 Ratings

Fixed asset management

6.0
60%
3 Ratings
7.2
72%
86 Ratings

Multi-currency support

10.0
100%
1 Rating
8.2
82%
82 Ratings

Multi-division support

10.0
100%
1 Rating
7.5
75%
74 Ratings

Regulations compliance

9.0
90%
2 Ratings
8.3
83%
67 Ratings

Electronic tax filing

9.9
99%
12 Ratings
8.3
83%
65 Ratings

Self-service portal

7.2
72%
7 Ratings
7.8
78%
80 Ratings

Global Financial Support

10.0
100%
1 Rating
8.1
81%
36 Ratings

Primary and Secondary Ledgers

10.0
100%
1 Rating
7.8
78%
34 Ratings

Intercompany Accounting

9.0
90%
2 Ratings
7.4
74%
40 Ratings

Localizations

10.0
100%
2 Ratings
8.2
82%
40 Ratings

Journals and Reconciliations

9.0
90%
5 Ratings
8.7
87%
89 Ratings

Enterprise Accounting

10.0
100%
1 Rating
7.4
74%
33 Ratings

Configurable Accounting

9.0
90%
3 Ratings
8.3
83%
59 Ratings

Centralized Rules Framework

8.0
80%
2 Ratings
8.0
80%
33 Ratings

Standardized Processes

9.0
90%
4 Ratings
8.4
84%
59 Ratings

Inventory Management

7.3

QuickBooks Self-Employed

73%
6.8

Xero

68%
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 2/4 features
QuickBooks Self-Employed ranks higher in 2/4 features

Inventory tracking

7.0
70%
2 Ratings
6.1
61%
60 Ratings

Automatic reordering

5.0
50%
2 Ratings
7.0
70%
24 Ratings

Location management

7.0
70%
2 Ratings
7.7
77%
29 Ratings

Manufacturing module

10.0
100%
1 Rating
6.3
63%
16 Ratings

Order Management

8.1

QuickBooks Self-Employed

81%
7.7

Xero

77%
Xero ranks higher in 4/7 features
Xero ranks higher in 4/7 features

Pricing

7.0
70%
3 Ratings
7.3
73%
61 Ratings

Order entry

8.1
81%
3 Ratings
7.8
78%
56 Ratings

Credit card processing

7.9
79%
4 Ratings
8.6
86%
57 Ratings

Cost of goods sold

7.0
70%
2 Ratings
8.1
81%
65 Ratings

Order Orchestration

10.0
100%
1 Rating
7.3
73%
21 Ratings

End-to-end order visibility

7.0
70%
2 Ratings
7.4
74%
24 Ratings

Order exception Resolution

10.0
100%
1 Rating
7.4
74%
17 Ratings

Attribute Ratings

  • QuickBooks Self-Employed is rated higher in 4 areas: Likelihood to Recommend, Likelihood to Renew, Usability, Support Rating

Likelihood to Recommend

9.0

QuickBooks Self-Employed

90%
14 Ratings
8.8

Xero

88%
155 Ratings

Likelihood to Renew

10.0

QuickBooks Self-Employed

100%
1 Rating
8.8

Xero

88%
29 Ratings

Usability

9.5

QuickBooks Self-Employed

95%
2 Ratings
8.9

Xero

89%
80 Ratings

Availability

QuickBooks Self-Employed

N/A
0 Ratings
9.0

Xero

90%
20 Ratings

Performance

QuickBooks Self-Employed

N/A
0 Ratings
10.0

Xero

100%
16 Ratings

Support Rating

10.0

QuickBooks Self-Employed

100%
2 Ratings
7.1

Xero

71%
37 Ratings

In-Person Training

QuickBooks Self-Employed

N/A
0 Ratings
9.1

Xero

91%
1 Rating

Online Training

QuickBooks Self-Employed

N/A
0 Ratings
10.0

Xero

100%
5 Ratings

Implementation Rating

QuickBooks Self-Employed

N/A
0 Ratings
9.5

Xero

95%
18 Ratings

Product Scalability

QuickBooks Self-Employed

N/A
0 Ratings
10.0

Xero

100%
6 Ratings

Likelihood to Recommend

QuickBooks Self-Employed

QuickBooks is a great tool for new SoleTraders that need basic accounting software and require digital invoicing for their clients to send via email and access key features via a mobile app on the go. QuickBooks is a straightforward tool to use with a simple design and learning curve for business owners that are not very tech-savvy.For businesses that operate on a larger scale and need to provide access to other users on their team, QuickBooks is limited. This type of business may also require more insights into the business outside of accounting, and QuickBooks won't be able to supply insights outside of that.

Read full review

Ayo Bamgbose, Assoc CIPD, MSc | TrustRadius Reviewer
Ayo Bamgbose, Assoc CIPD, MSc
View all 14 answers on this topic

Xero

Xero is a 10-point software since it streamlines accounting and financial processes with great agility, generating immediate productivity. I recommend using all its features since, from creating reports to paying bills, the whole process is easy and does not require much knowledge. We can use it remotely with our phones and still build fluidity, plus it can be integrated with Salesforce, building even more power for short-term results.

Read full review

Bernadette Johnsen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Bernadette Johnsen
View all 155 answers on this topic

Pros

QuickBooks Self-Employed

  • QuickBooks Self-Employed does keep a running total of your income and estimated taxes. Of course, this requires that your entries are accurate.
  • The mileage feature is particularly helpful. One just needs to either use the phone app in conjunction with QuickBooks Self-Employed, or keep a log of all mileage.
  • When tax time comes around, it's easy to use TurboTax software and import your data from QuickBooks.

Read full review

Tim Vahsholtz | TrustRadius Reviewer
Tim Vahsholtz
View all 14 answers on this topic

Xero

  • Reporting (customizing look and contents and the ability to add multiple comparative periods is brilliant and not found in many other competitors.
  • Bank feeds. The way they organize bank feed and subsequent matching or coding is very user-friendly for non-accountants and fast for accountants.
  • Can file VAT returns and is MTD compliant in UK.
  • Customer support has been helpful (at least in my experience).

Read full review

Mohsin Ejaz | TrustRadius Reviewer
Mohsin Ejaz
View all 155 answers on this topic

Cons

QuickBooks Self-Employed

  • Doesn't integrate with Mint, which I use for my home expenses. I think this would be a nice addition to the program, so I could keep track of my whole financial situation.
  • A Windows 10 app would be a nice addition to the program, so I could access it securely from my desktop.

Read full review

Benjamin E. Jerew | TrustRadius Reviewer
Benjamin E. Jerew
View all 14 answers on this topic

Xero

  • Overall it is a great platform and quite comprehensive for US based users.
  • However, if we focus on multinational companies that want to integrate the information of different companies in several countries within the same solution, we find the need to carry out reports outside the platform to provide the accounting structure and compliance necessary in countries outside the US.

Read full review

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Verified User
View all 155 answers on this topic

Pricing Details

QuickBooks Self-Employed

General

Free Trial
—
Free/Freemium Version
—
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—
Entry-level set up fee?
No

Starting Price

—

QuickBooks Self-Employed Editions & Modules

—
Additional Pricing Details
—

Xero

General

Free Trial
Yes
Free/Freemium Version
—
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—
Entry-level set up fee?
No

Starting Price

$11 per month

Xero Editions & Modules

Edition
Early$111
Growing$321
Established$621
  1. per month
Additional Pricing Details
—

Likelihood to Renew

QuickBooks Self-Employed

QuickBooks Self-Employed 10.0
Based on 1 answer
No answer on this topic is available.

Xero

Xero 8.8
Based on 29 answers
In addition to the matters covered in this review, my reason for renewing this product is that Xero's functionality and the constant updates that the company provides, makes the software even more business friendly. The software therefore builds a brand loyalty among customers.

Read full review

Sarang Mandke | TrustRadius Reviewer
Sarang Mandke
View all 29 answers on this topic

Usability

QuickBooks Self-Employed

QuickBooks Self-Employed 9.5
Based on 2 answers
I have been using this software for several years now and it has always put out my data in beautiful generated reports that I can use for verification purposes with my financial institute and the IRS. It has all the tools I need to run my business without loosing track of anything

Read full review

Shannon Allen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Shannon Allen
View all 2 answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 8.9
Based on 80 answers
It has deep functionality, and it's easy to use for invoicing, quoting, financial reporting, and customer management. This product manages financial information for small business owners in a unique way. The phone interface is really good as well-meaning I can keep on top of the finances on my phone and feel confident about the financial decisions I'm making.

Read full review

Carolyn Swora | TrustRadius Reviewer
Carolyn Swora
View all 80 answers on this topic

Reliability and Availability

QuickBooks Self-Employed

No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 9.0
Based on 20 answers
We have been actively using and 100% Xero based for our ecommerce accounting practice for over 4 years. There has on been one real outage for more than 5 minutes. Xero was open and transparent about the outage, what they were doing to resolve the issue, and provided 15 minute updates. Showing how they care about their customers and partners. Plus, showing that their customers care too, were understanding, and went surfing or in our case took a nap. Couldn't run our business without Xero as a partner.

Read full review

Scott Scharf | TrustRadius Reviewer
Scott Scharf
View all 20 answers on this topic

Performance

QuickBooks Self-Employed

No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 10.0
Based on 16 answers
Pages generally load quickly, but it's a fairly common occurrence to have pages taking a bit longer than I'd like to load (as in, 4+ seconds). Occasionally I have to refresh a page to get it to work. Bank feed and integrations tend to be slow in general, but that could easily be due to API latency on the side of the other parties. Most of the time, though, the bank feeds refresh before I login so it's not a huge problem. Not necessarily good performance compared to a local app like QuickBooks desktop, but definitely good performance for a cloud application. Room for growth? yes.

Read full review

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Verified User
View all 16 answers on this topic

Support Rating

QuickBooks Self-Employed

QuickBooks Self-Employed 10.0
Based on 2 answers
I have never faced any difficulties that required me to contact QuickBooks customer service. QuickBooks has plenty of online tutorials, blog posts, and helpful tips and advice for almost any issues you may face using the desktop or app version of the software. Even if you can not find the right answer on the QuickBooks webpages, there are loads of YouTube videos from experts.

Read full review

Ayo Bamgbose, Assoc CIPD, MSc | TrustRadius Reviewer
Ayo Bamgbose, Assoc CIPD, MSc
View all 2 answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 7.1
Based on 37 answers
Support has always been responsive and quickly resolved any questions I have. The only reason I don't give full points is because there's no way to call for immediate help. I'm fine with this because I don't need it badly enough to pay for it

Read full review

Dave Olsen | TrustRadius Reviewer
Dave Olsen
View all 37 answers on this topic

In-Person Training

QuickBooks Self-Employed

No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 9.1
Based on 1 answer
The format was great; someone was there to ask questions or help if you were stuck.

Read full review

Garreth Collard | TrustRadius Reviewer
Garreth Collard
View all 1 answers on this topic

Online Training

QuickBooks Self-Employed

No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 10.0
Based on 5 answers
All of Xero's training is online and available for anyone (business owner or accountants) to learn and become experts in their system. There is a range of content from product training to real world webinars from their partners. Xero is beautiful accounting software and their training is the same.

Read full review

Scott Scharf | TrustRadius Reviewer
Scott Scharf
View all 5 answers on this topic

Implementation Rating

QuickBooks Self-Employed

No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 9.5
Based on 18 answers
If it can be done, time the implementation near a new fiscal year so you can start clean. Otherwise, you have to go back and do historical data from the beginning of the fiscal year, which can be brain draining.

Read full review

Andre Yeu | TrustRadius Reviewer
Andre Yeu
View all 18 answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

QuickBooks Self-Employed

FreshBooks limited my ability to categorize transactions, specifically removing duplicates or excluding them. I selected QuickBooks Self-Employed because it allowed me to be in control of items. Sometimes accounting is just making sure things are organized the way YOU think, and FreshBooks wasn't doing that for me.

Read full review

Jonathan Palance | TrustRadius Reviewer
Jonathan Palance
View all 14 answers on this topic

Xero

Solely the ease of use. This has saved me so much time on day-to-day tracking it is astonishing. Not only does it make it super easy to send invoices, but it also makes it easy to print invoices off, eases the process of partial payments, and keeps good track of all notes made to the account.

Read full review

Molly Felber | TrustRadius Reviewer
Molly Felber
View all 155 answers on this topic

Scalability

QuickBooks Self-Employed

No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic

Xero

Xero 10.0
Based on 6 answers
Over 600 plus apps available for integration and easy to create standard charts of account and report templates to implement across multiple entities. Same pricing regardless of number of transactions or users. Real benefit is variety of integrated apps that allow you to automate processes and have functionality that 10 years ago was only available in ERP systems costing hundreds of thousands.

Read full review

Anonymous | TrustRadius Reviewer
Verified User
View all 6 answers on this topic

Return on Investment

QuickBooks Self-Employed

  • Overall, tagging expenses and mileage has saved me thousands in taxes, for a relatively low cost of around $8/mo.
  • QuickBooks allows me to get invoices to clients quickly and accept online payments, which helps with cashflow.
  • The app has stopped tracking mileage automatically on my device, so I worry that sometimes I am not tracking business miles effectively, which could end up costing me at the EOY.

Read full review

Aaron Metzger | TrustRadius Reviewer
Aaron Metzger
View all 14 answers on this topic

Xero

  • Makes bookkeeping easier for clients or for us to do on behalf of clients.
  • Time saving reports for BAS preparation.
  • Picks up on potential issues in General Ledger Exceptions report.
  • Dashboard can show accounts watchlist and current payables/receivables.
  • Matches bills/sales to bank feed transactions and you can select multiple or split payments.

Read full review

Lauren Boyle | TrustRadius Reviewer
Lauren Boyle
View all 155 answers on this topic

Screenshots

QuickBooks Self-Employed

—

Add comparison