Accounting Software

freee vs Xero

Both are accounting software. The short answer: choose freee if you are japanese sole proprietors and small companies; choose Xero if you are small businesses and accountants in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

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freee logo freeeXero logo Xero
Best forJapanese sole proprietors and small companiesSmall businesses and accountants in the UK, Australia and New Zealand
Free planNo (trial may exist)No (trial may exist)
PricingSee providerSee provider
Built for IndiaGlobalGlobal
CategoriesAccounting Software, HR & Payroll SoftwareBilling & Invoicing Software, Accounting Software
Strengths
  • Designed for Japanese tax rules
  • Covers accounting and HR
  • Bank and card sync
  • Clean, fast reconciliation
  • Unlimited users on plans
  • Big integration marketplace
Watch out for
  • Japanese-language
  • Japan only
  • Payroll availability depends on country
  • Lower plans cap some transactions
Visit freeeVisit Xero

Which should you choose?

freee: Japanese cloud accounting and HR software for bookkeeping, tax returns, invoices and payroll.

Xero: Cloud accounting platform known for bank reconciliation, invoicing and a large app marketplace.

The best way to decide is to run the same week of real work through both — most offer a free plan or trial — and compare how long tasks take, what your team prefers, and the total cost for your number of users including renewal pricing.

Not sure either fits? See all accounting software compared.