View all Accounting Alternatives
Best Free Alternatives to Xero
Stop paying $42/mo (Standard). Discover professional-grade tools that won't break your budget.
Category: AccountingVerified for 2025
Top Recommended Replacements
Wave
FREEBest Cloud Replacement (US/CAN)
Why we like it
100% free for invoicing, accounting, and banking connections; unlimited users and unlimited invoices (unlike Xero's 'Early' plan); beautiful interface that clients love.
Keep in mind
Bank feeds are primarily for US/Canada only; no inventory management; customer support is paid-only.
Manager.io
FREEBest Global Alternative
Why we like it
The most feature-rich free tool on the market; works offline on Windows/Mac/Linux; handles complex inventory, multi-currency, and capital accounts for free; you own your data file.
Keep in mind
No automatic bank feeds on the free desktop version (requires importing CSV statements); manual backups required.
Frappe Books
Best Modern Offline
Why we like it
A clean, modern desktop app that feels like a cloud tool; completely local (privacy-focused); free forever; simplifies invoicing and expense tracking without the bloat of enterprise ERPs.
Keep in mind
Still maturing; fewer integrations than the massive Xero ecosystem.
Zoho Books
FREEBest Ecosystem Choice
Why we like it
Free for businesses with <$50k annual revenue; incredible automation features (e.g., auto-charge cards, recurring invoices); integrates seamlessly with Zoho CRM.
Keep in mind
Strict revenue limits on the free plan; payroll is a separate paid add-on.
Odoo Accounting
FREEBest for Growth
Why we like it
If you need more than just accounting (e.g., Inventory, Manufacturing, eCommerce), Odoo is the answer; the 'One App Free' plan lets you use the full Accounting module for $0.
Keep in mind
Steep learning curve; setting up the full ERP suite can be complex.
ZipBooks
FREEBest for Agencies
Why we like it
Focuses on 'Project Accounting' and time tracking; free tier includes unlimited invoices and customers; very simple, colorful UI.
Keep in mind
Connecting bank accounts (auto-import) is a paid feature ($15/mo).
GnuCash
Best for Double-Entry Purists
Why we like it
The 'Excel of Accounting'; extremely powerful double-entry system; handles investments and multi-currency perfectly; runs on any OS; zero tracking or ads.
Keep in mind
Interface is dated (looks like Windows 98); steep learning curve for non-accountants.
Akaunting
FREEBest Self-Hosted Cloud
Why we like it
Allows you to host your own 'Xero' on your own server; modern UI; has an App Store to add features like 'Double Entry' or 'Inventory'.
Keep in mind
Many 'essential' apps in their marketplace are paid; reliability depends on your server hosting.
Reviso (TeamSystem)
Best for Accountants
Why we like it
Built specifically for collaboration between business owners and accountants; strong audit trails.
Keep in mind
Less user-friendly for the average freelancer than Wave or Xero.
Excel / Google Sheets
FREEBest for Micro-Business
Why we like it
If you have <50 transactions a month, you don't need Xero. A simple spreadsheet template is faster, free, and infinitely customizable.
Keep in mind
Prone to human error; no double-entry checks; manual invoicing.
Need more options?
Explore our full directory of Accounting software alternatives.
Browse the Accounting Hub