GSTR-1 · GSTR-3B · 2A/2B match · IRN · TDS · ₹499/mo · Pricing verified 2026-07-22
Xero is strong in Australia, UK, and New Zealand — but India GST is a wedge. HelloBooks ships native GSTR filing, e-invoicing with IRN, TDS across Forms 24Q/26Q/27Q, AI bookkeeping without rule-writing, and CA Practice Management on one platform from ₹499/mo with unlimited users.
GST filing included, no card
1. India GST that Xero doesn’t do
Xero has no India GST or TDS compliance product, and no Tally migration path. HelloBooks runs GSTR-1, GSTR-3B, GSTR-2A/2B reconciliation, e-invoicing with IRN generation, and TDS compliance (Forms 24Q/26Q/27Q) natively — built in India by a team that ships GST features alongside the global product.
2. AI bookkeeping — compare what is live today
Both platforms now automate categorization. Xero launched its JAX agentic AI at Xerocon London on 8 July 2026 — Auto Bank Reconciliation and Smart Document Capture are available now, while document chasing and payment follow-ups were announced but had not shipped as of 22 July 2026. HelloBooks deploys AI agents that learn vendor and payee patterns from the first month. Within 4-6 weeks, categorization is near-autopilot.
3. Unlimited features at ₹499/mo, not $90/mo for multi-currency
Xero gates multi-currency, projects, and expenses behind its $90/mo Established plan in the US (verified 2026-07-22 on xero.com). HelloBooks Pro is ₹499/mo flat with multi-currency, projects and expenses from Pro, and multi-entity and 3-way matching on Business. The math runs against Xero as soon as you cross a border.
4. CA Practice Management included
Xero HQ is bundled with the Xero Partner program. HelloBooks ships Practice Management free for Indian CAs — invite your CA, give them workspace access, manage multiple client books from one login. Plus a free public directory at hellobooks.ai/find-an-accountant for ICAI members.
Free Plan · ₹0 · no expiry
Xero has no free plan: its cheapest plan, Early, is $25 a month, billed in US dollars. HelloBooks Free is ₹0 in India, files GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B for one GSTIN and has no trial expiry.
Pro at ₹499/month adds GSTR-9 generated ready to file, e-invoicing and unlimited users.
Free includes free AI credits to get started. When they run out, AI categorisation pauses and your books and GST filing keep working. Upgrade to get more AI credits; paid plans can also recharge with a credit pack. Free covers one entity and one GSTIN. Running more than one GSTIN? Pro and above cover every GSTIN of one legal entity.
GST filing included, no card · free GST filing software
Source: Xero pricing, checked 28 September 2026.
The 15 differences that matter most for Indian SMBs. For the full global comparison see HelloBooks vs Xero.
| Feature | HelloBooks | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing (India) | Free Plan + Pro at ₹499/mo (unlimited users, all features) | Early $25 (20-invoice cap) / Growing $55 / Established $90 — USD list pricing |
| GSTR-1 Filing | Native | Not offered |
| GSTR-3B Filing | Native | Not offered |
| GSTR-2A / 2B Reconciliation | Native auto-match against GST portal | Not supported |
| E-Invoicing (IRN) | Native — IRN + signed QR per invoice | Not supported |
| TDS Compliance | Forms 24Q (salary), 26Q (vendor), 27Q (NRI), 27EQ (TCS) | Not supported |
| E-Way Bill | Native generation | Not supported |
| HSN/SAC Codes | Native lookup + validation | Manual entry |
| AI Categorization | AI agent — autonomous | JAX Smart Document Capture (GA Jul 2026), plus bank rules for custom logic |
| AI Bill OCR | Built-in document extraction service | Hubdoc plus JAX Smart Document Capture (GA Jul 2026) |
| Multi-Currency | Every plan | Established only ($90/mo) |
| Multi-Entity | Every plan with consolidated reporting | Separate org per entity |
| India CA Practice Management | Built-in (free for CAs) | Xero HQ (Partner program) |
| Hindi UI Support | Navigation labels in Hindi | English only |
| ICAI Member Directory | hellobooks.ai/find-an-accountant — free for ICAI members | Xero advisor directory — strong in AU/UK/NZ, smaller India presence |
Free Plan with invoices within 200 transactions/year, bills & quotes, GSTR-1 and GSTR-3B filing for one GSTIN and GSTR-2B reconciliation — no credit card, no expiry. E-invoicing (IRN) is on Pro at ₹499/month.