Billaroo vs Xero: which is right for you?
An honest comparison, not a takedown. Xero is a genuinely capable full accounting suite — Billaroo is a much smaller tool built for a much smaller need. Here's how they actually differ.
Side by side
| Feature | Billaroo | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | from around $35/mo (indicative — check current pricing) |
| Invoicing | Unlimited on every account | Included, often with entry-tier limits |
| GST tax invoices & BAS figures | Built in | Built in |
| Bank reconciliation | Statement import (CSV/OFX/QIF) — no live-feed fee | Live bank feeds |
| Payroll | Not available | Available (often as an add-on) |
| Inventory & multi-currency | Not available | Available |
| Learning curve | Minimal — a handful of screens | Moderate — a full accounting suite |
| Accountant export | Clean CSV + PDF pack, any time | Full accounting reports |
Xero features summarised in general terms — check current plans and pricing directly with Xero, as they change over time. Billaroo is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Xero. Xero is a trademark of Xero Limited.
Who each is actually for
Choose Billaroo if…
- You run a sole trader business, side hustle, or small partnership
- You send invoices and track expenses, and want GST sorted
- You reconcile weekly or monthly, not daily
- You've paid for a full accounting suite before and used a fraction of it
- You want a free tool with nothing to configure
Choose Xero if…
- You run payroll for one or more staff
- You need live bank feeds, inventory, or multi-currency
- Your books are complex enough to need a full general ledger and add-on ecosystem
- You work with a bookkeeper who is set up specifically around a full accounting suite
That's genuinely fine — a full accounting suite exists because plenty of businesses need one.
Common questions
Does Billaroo do everything Xero does?
No, and we're not trying to. Xero is a full accounting suite with payroll, inventory, multi-currency and a large app ecosystem. Billaroo is deliberately smaller: invoicing, expenses, bank reconciliation and GST/BAS reporting for a business that doesn't need the rest.
Can I switch from Xero to Billaroo?
You can start fresh in Billaroo at any time — set up your business details, chart of accounts, and start invoicing. We don't currently import historical Xero data; if that matters for your situation, talk to your accountant about the cleanest cut-over point (e.g. the start of a new financial year).
Is this page fair to Xero?
We've tried to be. Xero is a capable, widely used platform that suits many businesses well — it's just built for more than a sole trader with simple needs usually requires. We compare on facts, not disparagement, and we're not affiliated with Xero.