Argo Books vs Xero
Simpler, more affordable finance management — without the cloud dependency.
Built for business owners, not accountants
Xero is polished and globally popular, but it's cloud-only, designed for businesses that already have an accountant, and its $25/month Starter plan caps you at just 20 invoices per month. Argo Books is built for non-accountants who want simplicity, privacy, and affordable pricing.
No invoice caps
Xero's $25/month Starter plan limits you to 20 invoices per month, pushing most businesses to the $55/month Standard plan. Argo Books Premium includes unlimited invoicing for $10 CAD/month.
Works offline
Xero is cloud-only — no internet, no access to your data. Argo Books is a desktop app that works offline, so your finances are always available and stored locally on your device.
Made in Canada
Built by a Canadian startup that understands Canadian small businesses. Our pricing is in CAD, and our team is based in Saskatchewan.
Side by side
| Feature | Argo Free$0 forever | Argo Premium$10 CAD/month | XeroStarter — $25 CAD/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expense & revenue tracking | |||
| Financial reports | |||
| Invoicing & payments | |||
| Unlimited invoices | |||
| Desktop app (offline-capable) | |||
| No accounting knowledge required | |||
| Unlimited products | |||
| Inventory management | |||
| AI receipt scanning | |||
| AI spreadsheet import | |||
| Predictive analytics | |||
| Biometric login security | |||
| Multi-currency support | |||
| Bank transaction auto-import | |||
| Third-party app integrations |
Save hundreds every year
Xero charges $25 to $75 CAD/month depending on the plan — and the Starter plan's 20-invoice cap means most businesses end up on the $55/month plan. Argo Books keeps it simple with affordable pricing.
- All core features
- Real-time analytics
- Receipt management
- 25 invoices / month
- AI receipt scanning (5/month)
- AI spreadsheet import (100/month)
- Unlimited invoices & payments
- AI receipt scanning (500/month)
- Predictive analytics
- Biometric login security
- Priority support
An honest take
Xero is a polished, globally popular platform with strong app integrations, unlimited users on every plan, and a clean UI. If your business already works with an accountant or needs deep third-party integrations, Xero is a solid choice.
But if you're a small business owner who wants an app that is really easy to use, with offline access, local data storage, and straightforward finance management without paying $55+/month for unlimited invoices — Argo Books is built for you.
Get Started NowFrequently Asked Questions
Is Argo Books really free?
Yes. Argo Books has a free tier you can use forever — no credit card, no trial period, no strings attached. The Free plan includes unlimited products, unlimited transactions, real-time analytics, receipt management, 25 invoices per month, and AI-powered features.
Xero does not offer a free plan — pricing starts at $20 CAD/month after a short trial.
Does Argo Books work offline?
Yes. Argo Books is a desktop application that runs natively on your computer, so it works even without an internet connection. Your data is stored locally with AES-256 encryption, giving you full control and privacy.
Xero is cloud-only and requires a constant internet connection to access your data.
Does Argo Books support bank connections?
Not yet. Xero connects directly to major Canadian banks for automatic transaction imports, which is convenient for reconciliation. If automatic bank feeds are critical for your workflow, Xero may be a better fit for now.
We're always adding new features based on user feedback.
How does Argo Books pricing compare to Xero?
Argo Books is significantly more affordable. The Free plan covers most small business needs at no cost. Premium is just $10 CAD/month. Xero starts at $20 CAD/month for Starter (limited to 20 invoices) and goes up to $68/month for Premium.
Argo Books has no client limits or invoice caps on Premium.
What platforms does Argo Books run on?
Argo Books runs natively on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Because it's a desktop app, it's fast and responsive — no browser tabs, no loading spinners.
Xero is web-based and also has a mobile app for iOS and Android.