Xero isn't free, but it offers one month free to try it. As of October 2026, Xero's US plans run from $27 a month (Early) to $97 a month (Established), its UK plans from £18 a month (Ignite) to £70 a month (Ultimate), excluding VAT, and its Australian page lists Comprehensive at A$107 a month and Ultimate plans from A$143, including GST. New customers can also get 90% off for the first few months.
Xero prices its plans differently in every country, and the names change too, so a guide written for one market can mislead you in another. I read Xero's own pricing pages for the US, the UK and Australia on the same day, and set the plans out side by side, including the limits that sit in the small print.
Xero plans in the United States
| Plan | Regular price | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Early | $27 a month | Send quotes and 20 invoices, enter 5 bills |
| Growing | $59 a month | Invoices, quotes and automated bill entry, 60 day cash flow forecast |
| Established | $97 a month | Multiple currencies, projects, expense claims, 180 day forecast |
Xero's US page shows 90% off for the first 6 months for new customers, with the offer ending November 2 2026, and payroll is an optional add-on powered by Gusto. Standard ACH bill payments are included in all three plans.
Xero plans in the United Kingdom
| Plan | Regular price (excl. VAT) | What stands out |
|---|---|---|
| Ignite | £18 a month | Send quotes and 20 invoices, enter 10 bills |
| Grow | £39 a month | VAT returns, CIS, payroll for 1 person |
| Comprehensive | £55 a month | Payroll for 5 people, CIS, 90 day forecast |
| Ultimate | £70 a month | Payroll for 10 people, multiple currencies, projects |
Every UK plan is listed as MTD for Income Tax ready, which matters for sole traders and landlords moving onto Making Tax Digital. Xero's UK page also lists company accounts and tax as an optional extra at £120 a year, excluding VAT, and says the old Starter, Standard and Premium plans haven't been sold since 12 September 2024.
Xero plans in Australia
| Plan | Regular price (incl. GST) | Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Comprehensive | A$107 a month | Included |
| Ultimate 10 | A$143 a month | Payroll for 10 people |
| Ultimate 20 | A$180 a month | Payroll for 20 people |
| Ultimate 50 | A$250 a month | Payroll for 50 people |
These are the plans shown on Xero's Australian page for businesses with more complex needs. Its offer terms also name the smaller Ignite and Grow plans, which sit on a separate tab of the page. Australian plans track GST, lodge BAS and automate superannuation, and new customers get 90% off for the first 3 months, with the offer running until 2 November 2026.
Is Xero free?
No. Xero doesn't have a free plan in any of these three countries. What it offers is one month free so you can try the software before you buy, plus the introductory discount for new customers. When the discount ends, the regular price applies, and Xero subscriptions renew monthly until you cancel.
The small print worth reading
- The entry plans cap invoices: 20 on Early in the US and on Ignite in the UK. Xero says app partners can add to that count.
- There are no per-user licence fees on any plan, so adding your bookkeeper or a business partner doesn't raise the price.
- If you upgrade and then want a cheaper plan again, Xero says you can only move down 1 month after upgrading.
- The introductory discount applies to the base plan only, not to add-ons, usage or payment fees.
Xero's introductory discount, explained
The 90% discount is generous, but it's temporary: 6 months in the US and UK, 3 months in Australia. It's only for customers buying their first organisation on xero.com, and it ends on the date shown on each page. Treat it as a long free trial, and budget for the regular price from the start.
How to pick the right Xero plan
- Count the invoices you send in a busy month. If it's more than 20, skip the entry plan.
- Decide whether you need payroll inside Xero, and for how many people.
- In the UK, check you're covered for VAT returns and MTD for Income Tax.
- Use the free month with your real bank feed before the discount clock starts.
If you're still comparing systems, my roundup of accounting software tools covers the main options, and this guide to bookkeeping software for small businesses helps if you only need the basics.
Plain advice before you pick a Xero plan
Don't choose on the discounted price, choose on the regular one, because that's what you'll pay from month seven in the US and UK, or month four in Australia. The invoice limit on the entry plan is the thing that pushes most growing businesses up a tier, so count your invoices first. And since Xero charges no per-user fees, invite your accountant from day one.
Do you make accounting or bookkeeping software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured mention in guides like this one.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Xero cost per month?
As of October 2026, Xero's US plans are $27, $59 and $97 a month. UK plans are £18, £39, £55 and £70 a month excluding VAT. In Australia, Comprehensive is A$107 a month including GST.
Is Xero free?
No. Xero has no free plan, but it offers one month free to try it, plus 90% off for new customers for a limited period.
What's the cheapest Xero plan in the UK?
Ignite, at £18 a month excluding VAT. It lets you send quotes and 20 invoices and enter 10 bills.
Does Xero charge per user?
No. Xero's pricing pages say there are no per-user licence fees.
Can I move to a cheaper Xero plan later?
Yes, but Xero says you can only move to a less expensive plan 1 month after upgrading.
Does the Xero discount apply to add-ons?
No. Xero's offer terms say the discount applies to the base plan only, not to add-ons, usage or payment fees.
Does Xero include payroll?
In the UK, Comprehensive includes payroll for 5 people and Ultimate for 10. In Australia, Ultimate plans include payroll for 10, 20 or 50 people. In the US, payroll is an add-on powered by Gusto.
