FreshBooks vs Xero: which should you pick in 2026?

Both are strong choices. The short answer: pick FreshBooks if you are freelancers and agencies that invoice for time. Pick Xero if you are teams that want modern UX and unlimited seats.

FreshBooksXero
In one lineInvoicing-first accounting for service businesses.Clean cloud accounting with unlimited users on every plan.
PricingFrom $21/moFrom $20/mo
Free tierNoNo
Best forFreelancers and agencies that invoice for timeTeams that want modern UX and unlimited seats
CategoryAccounting & BookkeepingAccounting & Bookkeeping
Websitefreshbooks.comxero.com

FreshBooks details Xero details

Other options

QuickBooks OnlineWaveZoho BooksBench