Xero vs QuickBooks: best MTD software in 2026

Xero

From £7/month

Aimed at: Sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations

4.3/5

Try Xero Read the full review →

QuickBooks

From £10/month

Aimed at: Sole traders & small businesses already in the Intuit ecosystem

4.2/5

Try QuickBooks Read the full review →

Last verified on 30 September 2026. Sources: Xero and QuickBooks provider websites, and the HMRC list of MTD software . Prices may include VAT or be promotional and can change at any time.

Xero and QuickBooks are both HMRC-recognised for MTD Income Tax. Xero is sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations; QuickBooks is sole traders & small businesses already in the intuit ecosystem.

Quick comparison

	Xero	QuickBooks
Pricing	From £7/month (Simple) to £33/month (Grow)	From £10/month (Sole Trader) to £24/month (Essentials)
Best for	Sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations	Sole traders & small businesses already in the Intuit ecosystem
Free tier	No	No
Bank feeds	Yes	Yes
Multi-currency	No	No
Invoicing	Yes	Yes
Mobile app	Yes	Yes

Xero overview

Xero is sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations. Key strengths: 1,000+ integrations, 50+ bank feeds, Scales well. Limitations: No free tier, Steeper learning curve.

QuickBooks overview

QuickBooks is sole traders & small businesses already in the intuit ecosystem. Key strengths: Strong invoicing, Good reporting, Multi-user access. Limitations: No free tier, No multi-currency.

Which should you choose?

Pick Xero if…

1,000+ integrations
50+ bank feeds
Scales well

Pick QuickBooks if…

Strong invoicing
Good reporting
Multi-user access

Verdict

Xero vs QuickBooks: Both are solid MTD-recognised options. Xero excels for sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations, while QuickBooks is better for sole traders & small businesses already in the intuit ecosystem. Choose based on your specific needs and budget.

Still not sure which one fits?

Comparing prices and features only gets you so far. Answer five quick questions about how your business actually works and the MTD Software Finder will shortlist the tools that genuinely suit your situation — and be honest about what each one can't do.

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Xero vs QuickBooks: how we researched this

We checked both Xero and QuickBooks against the official HMRC list of MTD-compatible software on 30 September 2026, and verified pricing from each provider's own website on the same date. We judge what each tool genuinely can and can't do for a real UK sole trader, freelancer or landlord — including limitations a free trial won't volunteer — and we never let commission influence the order we present things. Some links on this page are affiliate links; we may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you.

Also worth considering

If neither Xero nor QuickBooks feels right, these HMRC-recognised options are worth a look:

FreeAgent UK sole traders & micro limited companies who want a simple all-in-one package Read the review →
Sage Accounting Established UK businesses & landlords who want a recognisable UK brand Read the review →
Zoho Books Sole traders who want a free MTD-recognised option with full accounting features Read the review →

Bottom line: who should pick what

Your situation	Our pick	Why
Best for landlords	Xero	Sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations

Not sure which camp you fall into? Run the 5-question Software Finder and we'll shortlist the tools that fit you.

Xero vs QuickBooks: common questions

Which is better, Xero or QuickBooks?

The honest answer is "it depends on your situation". Xero is aimed at traders who fit "Sole traders & landlords who want a mature ecosystem and lots of integrations", while QuickBooks is aimed at people who fit "Sole traders & small businesses already in the Intuit ecosystem". If that doesn't settle it for you, run the 5-question MTD Software Finder and it will shortlist the tools that actually fit your circumstances.

Is Xero or QuickBooks cheaper?

Xero starts from a lower headline price (From £7/month) than QuickBooks (From £10/month). Check the plans on each provider's site for the full picture — the cheapest headline tier is often not the one you'll end up on.

Can I move from Xero to QuickBooks later?

Yes. MTD just requires you to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC — it does not lock you into any one tool. Most MTD software lets you export your accounting data, so you can switch providers and simply start your next quarterly update in the new software. Keep your old records for at least six years.