The Best Xero Alternatives & Companions for Tradies
Xero is great for the books but not for quoting on site. Here is what tradies use for quoting, plus how it pairs with Xero.
Xero is solid accounting software, but it wasn't built for quoting on a ute tailgate. If you're tired of its clunky mobile interface, invoice caps, and lack of trade-specific tools, you're in the right place. This guide covers the best Xero alternatives for Aussie tradies. Our top pick for sole operators and small crews is QuoteMate, because it’s built for speed with AI-assisted quoting and live supplier pricing. But other tools might suit you better if you need advanced job management or just simple invoicing.
Why tradies look for a Xero alternative
- Accounting-first — no AI materials list or live supplier pricing
- Not built for quoting on site from your phone
- Invoice caps on the entry plan
- No trade job pipeline (inquiry to paid)
Why QuoteMate is the best Xero alternative
Xero handles your BAS and end-of-year books well. It doesn't help you price a job quickly on site. That's the difference. QuoteMate is designed for quoting, using AI to suggest line items and pulling live material prices from Reece, Bunnings, and Tradelink. You can build a quote, get it approved, and take a deposit via Square tap-to-pay before you even leave the site. It has a proper free plan, and its Pro version is a flat $49/mo, not priced per user. Many tradies use it for quoting and sync final invoices to Xero for their bookkeeper.
The best Xero alternatives at a glance
| # | App | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QuoteMate ★ Top pick | Sole traders & small crews who want the fastest AI quoting with live Australian supplier pricing | Free plan; Pro $49/mo or $328/yr |
| 2 | QuickBooks | Accounting with unlimited invoices low down | From ~$33/mo |
| 3 | Invoice2go | Simple cross-industry invoicing | From ~$11/mo |
| 4 | ServiceM8 | iPhone-based teams wanting job cards & forms | Free then from $29/mo (per-job) |
| 5 | Tradify | Small crews needing timesheets & dispatch | From $48/user/mo |
How to choose the right Xero alternative
If QuoteMate isn't the right fit, look at these. QuickBooks is another accounting-first option, but its entry plan doesn't cap invoices like Xero's does. Invoice2go is a cheap, simple invoice maker from about $11/mo, but it lacks any real trade features. For bigger crews, ServiceM8 is strong on job management and forms for iPhone users, but its pricing is per-job. Tradify is also popular for scheduling and timesheets, but its per-user pricing gets expensive fast for a growing team, starting at $48 per user per month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. QuoteMate offers a proper free plan for creating quotes and invoices, which is a good way to see if it fits your business. ServiceM8 also has a free starting tier, but it is limited to a small number of jobs per month, so you may outgrow it quickly.
Yes, you can export your client list from Xero as a CSV file and import it into most other apps, including QuoteMate. This means you don't have to manually re-enter every customer's name, phone number, and address. The process usually takes a few minutes and saves a lot of admin time.
For basic invoicing, Invoice2go has the lowest starting price at around $11/month. For a dedicated trade app, QuoteMate's free plan is the cheapest way to start. If you need more features, its flat-rate Pro plan is often better value than per-user apps like Tradify which can cost over $500 a year for one person.
Try QuoteMate Free
Build your first professional quote in under 2 minutes with AI and live Australian supplier pricing. No credit card required.
Or try it on the web →