Xero alternative
A simpler, lower cost Xero alternative
Xero’s cheapest plan is now £18 a month plus VAT and stops at 20 invoices. Mint Books gives UK businesses unlimited invoices from £9.99 a month, with VAT returns and Making Tax Digital on Pro.
No card needed to try it. Cancel any time.
Price side by side
MINT BOOKS ESSENTIAL
£9.99
a month, the total you pay
Unlimited invoices and quotes, expenses, 1 bank feed, online card payments
MINT BOOKS PRO
£19.99
a month, the total you pay
Adds VAT returns to HMRC, tax tools, CIS, unlimited bank feeds, 2 users
XERO IGNITE
£18
a month + VAT (£21.60)
Quotes and 20 invoices, 10 bills, VAT returns
XERO GROW
£39
a month + VAT (£46.80)
Unlimited invoices and bills, 1 user for expenses
Xero prices as shown on xero.com/uk on 26/09/2026, before any introductory offer. Xero adds VAT at 20%; Mint Books prices are the total you pay.
What you get for the money
| Mint Books Essential | Mint Books Pro | Xero Ignite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price a month | £9.99 | £19.99 | £18 + VAT |
| Invoices | Unlimited | Unlimited | 20 a month |
| Quotes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Bank feeds | 1 bank | Unlimited | Yes |
| Snap receipts with AI | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| VAT returns to HMRC (MTD) | No | Yes | Yes |
| CIS | No | Subcontractor tracking | Calculations (returns £5 add-on) |
| Users | 1 | 2 | Unlimited |
| Payroll | No | No | £1.50 a person |
Why people choose Mint Books
🧾
No invoice cap
Send as many invoices and quotes as you need on every plan. Xero Ignite stops at 20 a month.
💷
One clear price
£9.99 or £19.99 a month is what you pay. No VAT on top and no add-ons for the basics.
📱
Made for your phone
Photograph a receipt and Mint Books reads it for you. Send an invoice from the van, the shop or the kitchen table.
🇬🇧
Built in the UK
VAT returns go straight to HMRC through Making Tax Digital on Pro. Self Assessment figures are worked out as you go.
👀
Your accountant can look
Give your accountant read-only access so they see the same figures you do.
🧮
Plain English
No accounting words to learn. Income, expenses, what you owe and what you are owed.
Where Xero is stronger
We would rather you pick the right software than the wrong one. Stay with Xero if you:
- run payroll and want it in the same place as your books (Mint Books does not run payroll)
- need lots of people using the software at once
- rely on apps from Xero’s app store, such as stock or ecommerce links
- have an accountant who will only work in Xero
If you mainly send invoices, keep track of expenses and do your VAT, you are likely paying for more than you use.
Moving from Xero
1
Start your trial and add your business
Sole trader, limited company, partnership or LLP. You get 14 days with every Pro feature switched on.
2
Connect your bank or upload a statement
Link your bank for a live feed, or upload your bank statement as a CSV file to bring in past transactions.
3
Bring in your expenses and opening balances
Import expenses from a CSV file and enter the balances you are carrying over, so your figures start from the right place.
4
Invite your accountant
Give your accountant read-only access so they can see your books without changing anything.
Mint Books does not copy your data straight out of other software. You bring your bank history in from a statement file, import expenses from a spreadsheet and enter your opening balances. Keep your old account open until your accountant has your year-end figures.
Questions people ask
Is Mint Books cheaper than Xero?
Yes for most small businesses. Mint Books Essential is £9.99 a month and Pro is £19.99 a month, the total you pay. Xero Ignite is £18 a month plus VAT (£21.60), and Xero Grow is £39 plus VAT (£46.80).
Can Mint Books do my VAT return?
Yes, on the Pro plan. Mint Books works out your VAT return and sends it to HMRC through Making Tax Digital.
Does Mint Books limit how many invoices I can send?
No. Every plan has unlimited invoices and quotes.
Does Mint Books do payroll?
No. If you run payroll you will need separate payroll software alongside Mint Books.
Can I try it before I switch?
Yes. You get 14 days with every feature, and you do not need a card to start. Start your trial.
Try Mint Books alongside Xero
Run both for two weeks and see which one you actually open. Most people know within a few days.
Then from £9.99 a month. See pricing · Compare all