QuickBooks vs Xero for Small Business Bookkeeping: Which Is Right for You?
If you’re running a small business, two names dominate the accounting space: QuickBooks and Xero. Both offer cloud-based platforms for managing your books, invoicing, and financial reports – but which one is right for your business? In this guide, we’ll compare the two and show how Remote Books Online (RBO) can help manage your bookkeeping in either platform.
Download Our Free Brochure →QuickBooks: Built for the Traditional Small Business
Best For: Businesses with inventory, payroll, and local CPAs
- Strong ecosystem with QuickBooks Online and Desktop
- Advanced reporting, payroll, time tracking, and 3rd-party integrations
- Most U.S. CPAs and tax preparers are already QuickBooks-fluent
- Downside: Can feel bloated or overly complex for small service businesses
Xero: Built for Modern Cloud-Based Teams
Best For: Online-first businesses, agencies, or growing companies
- Clean, modern interface with unlimited users
- Strong bank feed sync and native automation features
- App integrations for e-commerce, CRM, and invoicing tools
- Downside: Not all CPAs are Xero-literate, limited U.S. payroll
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | QuickBooks | Xero |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| Invoicing | ✔️ Yes | ✔️ Yes |
| Inventory Management | ✔️ Built-In | Add-On Required |
| Users Included | 1 (more at cost) | Unlimited |
| Payroll | ✔️ U.S. Integrated | Limited |
| Ecosystem Familiarity | Most CPAs prefer | Growing slowly |
| Ease of Use | Intermediate | Easier for most |
| Mobile App | ✔️ Strong | ✔️ Strong |
Where Remote Books Online Fits In
You don’t have to choose based on complexity – because we handle the bookkeeping for you inside either platform.
With Remote Books Online:
- You keep your platform – we keep your books clean
- We reconcile, categorize, and deliver monthly reports
- We support QuickBooks Desktop, Online, and all Xero tiers
- Behind on books? We offer catch-up services for both
Test Case
Business: Home services company with 2 employees
Challenge: Using QuickBooks for 2 years, but books were disorganized and behind by 8 months.
Solution: RBO caught up and cleaned their books in under 2 weeks. Then migrated them to Xero for better user access and automated bank feeds.
Result: Owner now receives monthly reports, and CPA gets a clean package at year-end.
Download Our Free Brochure →No matter which software you use, we’ll handle the books so you can focus on your business.
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FAQs
Can RBO work with both QuickBooks and Xero?
Yes — we have certified experts in both platforms.
What if I want to switch from QuickBooks to Xero (or vice versa)?
We can assist with migration, data cleanup, and setup.
Is there a big cost difference between the two?
Yes, but mostly at the higher tiers. RBO helps you manage whichever option works best for your business.
Do I need to buy software separately?
Yes. RBO handles the bookkeeping but does not resell or bundle the accounting platforms.
What if I’m behind on my books?
We specialize in catch-up bookkeeping and can bring your QuickBooks or Xero file up to date.
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