Xero review

Xero is general cloud accounting rather than construction software, but it earns a place as the cheapest ledger here for small contractors who keep project work in a separate app. The US Early plan costs $27 per month after an introductory discount and covers quotes, 20 invoices, 5 bills and bank reconciliation. Growing, at $59, removes those limits for most small firms, and Established, at $97, adds time and cost tracking for projects, multiple currencies and expense claims. Payroll comes through Gusto as an add-on. What Xero does not list is construction billing: there is no AIA pay application or retainage feature on its plan page, so contractors who bill GCs monthly will want a tool such as Contractor Foreman, which integrates with Xero, for progress invoices. For a small trade doing fixed-price work, though, Xero keeps the books simple and inexpensive.

Who it is for

Very small contractors and trades that want low-cost cloud books and add a construction app for progress billing.

Price

Early $27 per month; Growing $59; Established $97 with project time and cost tracking; intro discounts for 3 months.

Then $27 per month
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 6, 2026.

Key features

• Time and cost tracking for projects on Established
• Quotes, invoices and online invoice payments
• Bank reconciliation and auto-reconcile
• Multiple currencies on Established
• Integrations including Contractor Foreman and Gusto payroll

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Cheapest verified starting price on this list
• Strength: Contractor Foreman integrates with it for progress billing
• Strength: Clean, simple cloud interface
• Weakness: Early plan limits you to 20 invoices and 5 bills
• Weakness: Project tracking only on the $97 Established plan
• Weakness: AIA pay applications and retainage are not listed among plan features

Key facts

• Plans: Early $27, Growing $59, Established $97 per month
• Projects: Track time and costs for projects on Established
• Customers: Vendor says 5 million customers worldwide

Where it ranks

Xero is No. 7 in our Best Accounting Software for Construction verdict and No. 7 in Best Accounting Software for Freelancers and No. 5 in Best Accounting Software for Nonprofits and No. 3 in Best Accounting Software for Small Business.