QuickBooks to Xero Conversion

How we make money: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you click one and sign up or buy, SwitchMyApps may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Partners don't pay for placement in our guides or approve what we write, and we cover the limits and downsides of every tool, including the ones we earn from. Prices and features change, so check the vendor's site before you decide. Every price on this page lists the date we last verified it.

This guide is general information, not tax or accounting advice. Talk to your accountant before you change your books.

Why businesses switch

Common reasons: lower list prices at comparable tiers (see below), and accountants who prefer Xero.

Price comparison (US)

QuickBooks Online (source: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/, verified 2026-10-14)	List price	Xero (source: https://www.xero.com/us/pricing-plans/, verified 2026-10-14)	List price
Free	$0 (1 user, 2 invoices/mo)	Early	$27/mo (20 invoices, 5 bills)
Simple Start	$38/mo	Growing	$59/mo
Essentials	$85/mo (3 users)	Established	$97/mo (multi-currency, projects)
Plus	$140/mo	Payroll add-on	$36/mo + $6 per person (powered by Gusto)
Advanced	$340/mo (25 users)
Both run intro discounts: QuickBooks 50% off for 3 months on some plans, and Xero 80% off for 3 months for new US customers (same sources). Compare the regular prices.

Start a Xero trial

Pros and cons

Xero pros: lower list prices at each comparable tier; free 90-day onboarding with a Xero Coach; ACH bill pay included; multi-currency on Established (Xero pricing, verified 2026-10-14). Xero cons: the Early plan's invoice and bill caps are tight; payroll is an add-on; QuickBooks now has a $0 plan for very small businesses (QuickBooks pricing, verified 2026-10-14).

What converts

Xero's conversion partner Jet Convert sets up Xero from your QuickBooks data, including the current and previous fiscal year's transactions (source: https://central.xero.com/0/article/Convert-your-client-to-Xero-from-QuickBooks, verified 2026-10-14). Its listing covers the chart of accounts, contacts, invoices, bills, historical transactions and inventory. Ask your provider exactly what's included before you start.

Conversion options

A conversion service from the Xero App Store: Jet Convert (Xero's conversion partner; eligible conversions get a $250 Xero subsidy, so many are free), MMC Convert (quote-based, with paid add-ons such as payroll) or Q2X (source: https://apps.xero.com/us/search?q=conversion, verified 2026-10-14).
Manual: import opening balances and contacts, and start fresh from a conversion date.

Step-by-step

Pick a conversion date, ideally the start of a quarter or fiscal year.
Reconcile everything in QuickBooks up to that date.
Run and save the final reports (P&L, Balance Sheet, AR/AP aging, Trial Balance).
Create your Xero organization and run the conversion, or import manually.
Connect bank feeds and compare balances to your reports.
Keep read-only access to QuickBooks for your records. After you cancel, QBO keeps your data read-only for one year, and you can export it to Excel or QuickBooks Desktop (source: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/learn-support/en-us/help-article/access-permissions/happens-quickbooks-online-data-cancel/L6qDpbE1B_US_en_US, verified 2026-10-14).

Bank feeds and payroll

Reconnect every bank feed in Xero. For US payroll, Xero Payroll (powered by Gusto) is $36/mo + $6 per employee/contractor (Xero pricing, verified 2026-10-14).

FAQ

How long does it take? A conversion service: days. Manual: 1–3 weeks [estimate]. UK users: Xero UK plans (excluding VAT) are Ignite £18, Grow £39, Comprehensive £55 and Ultimate £70 a month, with promotional discounts often shown (source: https://www.xero.com/uk/pricing-plans/, verified 2026-10-14).