Which is better for freelancers and consultants? It depends on what you care about, so here are both answers and the arithmetic under them.
QuickBooks and PayPal takes two of the four lenses to Xero and Stripe's one, and one is too close to call. The difference that decides it is Quick to set up to QuickBooks and PayPal.
| If you care most about | QuickBooks and PayPal | Xero and Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Best all-rounderQuickBooks and PayPal by 5 | 76 | 71 |
| Best on a budgetToo close to call, 2 apart (QuickBooks and PayPal is nominally ahead) | 71 | 69 |
| Easiest to startQuickBooks and PayPal by 15 | 84 | 69 |
| Best as you growXero and Stripe by 3 | 76 | 79 |
QuickBooks and PayPal splits the work across QuickBooks Online and PayPal. Xero and Stripe splits the work across Xero and Stripe.
| Category | QuickBooks and PayPal | Xero and Stripe |
|---|---|---|
| Accounting | ||
| Accounting |  QuickBooks Online |  Xero |
| Invoicing | ||
| Invoicing | QuickBooks Online | Xero |
| Taking payments | ||
| Taking payments |  PayPal |  Stripe |
Greyed-out rows use the same tool on both sides. A category is one job a stack has to do; a tool is one product you sign up for.
The price to actually launch, the catches that come with it, and what you give up by picking one over the other.
Familiar books and the payment button clients recognise. Little to set up on either side, and support you can phone.
The dearest way to get paid of the pairs here, and dearer still in the US and New Zealand.
Getting going this afternoon with tools your clients already use.
Proper books, with what is usually the cheaper way to take a card. Xero keeps the accounts and sends the invoices; Stripe collects the money and hands it back to Xero.
One monthly bill plus a cut of every payment.
A freelancer who wants books an accountant will recognise, and low card fees.