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HomeAccountingHarvest vs Xero
Updated 4 days ago · Independent Analysis

Harvest vs Xero

Capability Overview
Harvest logo - software comparison
Harvestvs Xero
4.3G2
Only in Harvest
  • Time Tracking
  • Expense Tracking
  • Project Budgets
✓ Free planFrom $13.75/mo(cheaper)80K+ companies users · est. 2006
Xero logo - software comparison
Xerovs Harvest
4.3G2
Only in Xero
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Expense Claims
  • Financial Reports
From $25/mo(pricier)4.2M+ subscribers users · est. 2006
Quick VerdictIndependent Analysis

Harvest and Xero are both Accounting tools. Harvest starts at $13.75/mo, Xero at $25/mo. Compare features, pricing, and ratings below to find the best fit for your team.


When to Choose Harvest vs Xero

The question that matters: “In what situation will I regret choosing A over B after 3 months?”

Harvest Unique Strength
Block Overtime Before Budgets Break

Project Budgets flag entries that would exceed allocated hours and route them through Approval Workflows, cutting month-end cost surprises by up to 70%.

→ Choose Harvest if this scenario applies to you. Xero doesn't offer a comparable solution.
Harvest Unique Strength
Spot Underpriced Clients in 90 Seconds

Custom Reporting stacks Time Tracking hours and Expense Tracking costs by client or team, surfacing margin imbalances before the next contract renewal.

→ Choose Harvest if this scenario applies to you. Xero doesn't offer a comparable solution.
Xero Unique Strength
Close Month-End in 90 Minutes, Not a Day

Bank Reconciliation syncs connected bank feeds hourly, surfacing uncleared transactions automatically and compressing month-end from a full day to 90 minutes.

→ Choose Xero if this scenario applies to you. Harvest doesn't offer a comparable solution.
Xero Unique Strength
Submit Expense Claims in Any Currency

Multi-currency Expense Claims auto-convert local receipts at submission date, creating an audit trail for labor compliance and consolidated P&L reporting.

→ Choose Xero if this scenario applies to you. Harvest doesn't offer a comparable solution.
Xero Unique Strength
Match Purchase Orders to Vendor Invoices

Xero's Purchase Orders feature links to Invoicing, auto-matching incoming bills to open POs and flagging quantity or price mismatches before payment clears.

→ Choose Xero if this scenario applies to you. Harvest doesn't offer a comparable solution.

Pricing Comparison & Plans
High· Verified May 30, 2026

Harvest starts at $13.75/movs $25/mo

Capability Breakdown

6 differences found across 16 standardized features

Feature
Harvest
Xero
Expense Tracking
Bank Connection
Payroll
Multi-Currency
Time Tracking
Inventory
Total (raw)
15
15
Harvest Features
  • Time Tracking
  • Invoicing
  • Expense Tracking
  • Project Budgets
  • Team Scheduling
  • Reporting
  • Timesheets
  • Approval Workflows
  • Online Payments
  • Integrations
  • Browser Extension
  • Desktop App
  • Mobile App
  • API
  • Forecasting (Forecast add-on)
Xero Features
  • Invoicing
  • Bank Reconciliation
  • Expense Claims
  • Financial Reports
  • Payroll
  • Inventory
  • Purchase Orders
  • Multi-currency
  • Project Tracking
  • Fixed Assets
  • Hubdoc (Receipt capture)
  • 1000+ Integrations
  • Mobile App
  • Bank Connections
  • Tax Filing

Strengths & Limitations

Evaluative strengths and weaknesses: not feature lists

Pros
  • +Seamless integration with its sister tool, Harvest Forecast, for project planning
  • +Robust browser extensions and desktop apps for easy time entry
  • +Detailed, customizable visual reports on time, budget, and team capacity
  • +Direct invoicing from tracked time and expenses, with online payment options
  • +Simple, intuitive interface focused purely on time tracking and invoicing
Cons
  • Lacks advanced accounting features like ledger or accounts payable
  • No built-in project management or task dependency features
  • Free plan is very limited: only 1 seat and 2 active projects
  • Expense tracking is basic; no receipt scanning or complex approval workflows
  • Per-seat pricing can become expensive for larger teams with infrequent users
Pros
  • +Unlimited users on all plans, fostering team collaboration
  • +Extensive app marketplace with over 1,000 third-party integrations
  • +Strong mobile app for on-the-go invoicing and expense tracking
  • +Advanced inventory management included in higher-tier plans
  • +Clean, intuitive interface praised for its ease of use
Cons
  • Entry-level 'Early' plan has strict limits on invoices (20) and bills (5)
  • No built-in payroll in the US; requires Gusto integration at extra cost
  • Customer support is primarily email/ticket-based with no direct phone line
  • Lacks industry-specific features for construction or manufacturing
  • Project tracking and management features are less robust than competitors

At a Glance

User Rating
4.3/5vs4.3/5
Harvest
Xero
Starting Price
$13.75/movs$25/mo
Harvest
Xero
Feature Count
15 featuresvs15 features
Harvest
Xero
User Base
80Kvs4.2M
Harvest
Xero

Oleh KemOleh KemFounder & Lead AnalystExpert verified·Updated 4 days ago·Our methodology
Harvest · Price & Data SyncLast verified: May 30, 2026 · CE-ACCT-2026W22-8F442A · ✓ Pricing updated May 30, 2026
Up to date
Xero · Price & Data SyncLast verified: May 28, 2026 · CE-ACCT-2026W22-55E0AE · ✓ Pricing updated May 28, 2026
Up to date

Recent Price History

Harvest

Harvest added a new "Enterprise" plan (Custom pricing)

Plan added · May 30, 2026

Harvest

Harvest added a new "Teams" plan at $13.75/user/mo

Plan added · May 30, 2026

Harvest

Harvest removed the "Pro" plan

Plan removed · May 30, 2026

Xero

Xero added a new "Established" plan at $90/mo

Plan added · May 28, 2026

Xero

Xero removed the "Ultimate" plan

Plan removed · May 28, 2026

Xero

Xero added a new "Early" plan at $25/mo

Plan added · May 28, 2026

Xero

Xero removed the "Ignite" plan

Plan removed · May 28, 2026

Xero

Xero removed the "Grow" plan

Plan removed · May 28, 2026

Harvest

Harvest raised "Pro" from $10.8 to $12/mo (11%)

Price change · May 21, 2026


Frequently Asked Questions


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