Nickel vs Xero

NIvs

Two Bookkeeping tools side by side: what each does, what it costs and who it suits.

Visit Visit

The verdict Side by side Plans and pricing Who each is for Other options

The verdict

On the data we hold, Nickel comes out ahead. Here is why, point by point.

What the data says

Only Nickel has a free plan to start on.
Xero starts lower, at $27/mo against $35/mo.
In our Bookkeeping ranking, Nickel places 7 and Xero 1 of 20.

Side by side

Nickel and Xero compared
At a glance	NINickel	Xero
Starts at	$35/mo	$27/mo
Free plan	Yes	No
API	Yes	Yes
MCP server	Not known yet	Yes
Links	Visit	Visit

Plans and pricing

Nickel

Plusrecurring invoices and autopay$45/mo
ProAPI access and compliance$300/mo

Xero

EarlyQuotes and 20 invoices, 5 bills, bank reconciliation, 30 day cash flow forecast. Regular price; 80 percent off for 3 months.$27/mo
GrowingInvoices and bills without the Early limits, 60 day cash flow forecast, performance dashboards. Regular price; 80 percent off for 3 months.$59/mo
EstablishedAdds multiple currencies, KPI analysis, projects and employee expenses, 180 day forecast. Regular price; 80 percent off for 3 months.$97/mo

Prices as the vendors list them. They change often; the final price is on their sites.

Who each is for

Choose Nickel if…

We haven't written up who Nickel suits yet.

Visit Read the review

Choose Xero if…

Small and growing businesses, bookkeepers and accountants that want shared cloud books with bank reconciliation and invoicing, and the option to connect other apps through an API.

Visit Read the review

Other options worth a look

Tool
QuickBooks
Cloud accounting from Intuit for invoicing, expenses, bank feeds and reports, with a free plan and four paid tiers.
Bookkeeping
From $38/moFree plan
Sign up on QuickBooks
Tool
Exact Online
Bookkeeping and accounting software for managing business finances and keeping complete financial records.
Bookkeeping
From €49/mo
Sign up on Exact Online
AS
Tool
Aspire
Manages global business accounts, virtual corporate cards, and automated bookkeeping to streamline international spending and financial records.
Bookkeeping
From $180/moFree plan
Sign up on Aspire
NA
Tool
Navan
Consolidates corporate travel booking, expense management, and card payments into one AI-powered platform with policy enforcement.
Bookkeeping
From $15/moFree plan
Sign up on Navan
ME
Tool
Melio
Automates business bill pay and vendor payments with OCR scanning, approval workflows and accounting software sync.
Bookkeeping
From $20/mo yearlyFree plan
Sign up on Melio
DE
Tool
Dext
Captures and extracts financial data from receipts and invoices to sync automatically with accounting software.
Bookkeeping
From $25.21/mo yearly
Sign up on Dext