Xero wins on more features overall (7 vs 3, 9 tied). Below is the full feature-by-feature breakdown.
| Feature | Xero | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan |
✗ No
30-day trial only
|
✓ Yes
1 user, 1,000 invoices/year
|
| Entry paid plan |
— Paid add-on
AU$35/mo Starter, AU$70/mo Standard
|
— Paid add-on
AU$15/mo Standard
|
| Download PDF without signup |
✗ No
|
✗ No
|
| Feature | Xero | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited invoices |
— Limited
Ignite caps at 20 invoices/month — unlimited requires Grow at AU$78
|
— Limited
|
| Custom logo & branding |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Recurring invoices |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Email invoices to clients |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Multi-currency |
— Paid add-on
Premium plan only
|
✓ Yes
|
| Client management |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Feature | Xero | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| ATO-compliant GST invoices |
✓ Yes
|
— Limited
|
| ABN field built in |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Australian-focused support |
✓ Yes
|
— Limited
|
| Feature | Xero | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Bank reconciliation |
✓ Yes
|
✗ No
|
| Expense tracking |
✓ Yes
|
— Limited
|
| Payroll |
— Paid add-on
+AU$10/mo per employee
|
✗ No
|
| Inventory tracking |
✓ Yes
|
✗ No
|
| Feature | Xero | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Stripe payments |
✓ Yes
|
✓ Yes
|
| Mobile app |
✓ Yes
|
— Limited
|
| Feature | Xero | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|
| Setup time |
✗ No
Days — requires chart of accounts setup
|
— Limited
Account signup required
|
Neither tool fits your invoicing-only workflow? Try InvoiceSonic — free for unlimited ATO-compliant tax invoices, no signup required.
Create a free invoice now →Xero starts at AU$37/mo (Ignite — 20 invoices); Zoho Invoice starts at AU$15/mo (Standard). Xero offers 30-day free trial. Zoho Invoice offers free for 1 user, 1,000 invoices/yr.
For ATO-compliant GST: Xero = yes, Zoho Invoice = limited. For native ABN field: Xero = yes, Zoho Invoice = 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.