Xero wins on more features overall (9 vs 4, 6 tied). Below is the full feature-by-feature breakdown.
| Feature | Hiveage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan |
— Limited
5 clients on free
|
✗ No
30-day trial only
|
| Entry paid plan |
— Paid add-on
Plus AU$16/mo
|
— Paid add-on
AU$35/mo Starter, AU$70/mo Standard
|
| Download PDF without signup |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Feature | Hiveage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited invoices |
✓ Yes
|
— Limited
Ignite caps at 20 invoices/month — unlimited requires Grow at AU$78
|
| Custom logo & branding |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Recurring invoices |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Email invoices to clients |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Multi-currency |
✓ Yes
|
— Paid add-on
Premium plan only
|
| Client management |
— Limited
5 clients free
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Hiveage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| ATO-compliant GST invoices |
— Limited
Configurable tax rates
|
✓ Yes
|
| ABN field built in |
— Limited
Custom field workaround
|
✓ Yes
|
| Australian-focused support |
— Limited
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Hiveage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Bank reconciliation |
✗ No
|
✓ Yes
|
| Expense tracking |
— Limited
|
✓ Yes
|
| Payroll |
✗ No
|
— Paid add-on
+AU$10/mo per employee
|
| Inventory tracking |
✗ No
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Hiveage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe payments |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Mobile app |
— Limited
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Hiveage | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time |
— Limited
Account signup required
|
✗ No
Days — requires chart of accounts setup
|
Neither tool fits your invoicing-only workflow? Try InvoiceSonic — free for unlimited ATO-compliant tax invoices, no signup required.
Create a free invoice now →Hiveage starts at Free; Plus from AU$16/mo; Xero starts at AU$37/mo (Ignite — 20 invoices). Hiveage offers free for 5 clients, unlimited invoices. Xero offers 30-day free trial.
For ATO-compliant GST: Hiveage = limited, Xero = yes. For native ABN field: Hiveage = limited, Xero = yes. If you operate in Australia and either tool falls short here, InvoiceSonic handles both natively — and it's free.
Most freelancers want fast invoicing without paying for full accounting. Between these two, Xero wins more categories overall. But if you're a freelancer who just wants ATO-compliant tax invoices for free, InvoiceSonic is purpose-built for that workflow.
Do not assume a one-click migration. Confirm each product's current export and import formats, then test contacts, opening balances, unpaid invoices, tax codes, attachments and reconciliations before cancelling the old account. Keep statutory records outside both systems.
Both tools include more than invoicing. If invoicing is your only need, a dedicated generator can be faster and more focused than a full accounting subscription.
Yes — InvoiceSonic lets you create and download an invoice without signup. Its account plans have separate limits and pricing, so compare current official plans before deciding.