GSTR-1 · GSTR-3B · 2A/2B match · IRN · TDS · ₹449/mo · Pricing verified 2026-05-20
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 (no bank rules), and CA Practice Management on one platform from ₹449/mo with unlimited users.
1. India GST that Xero doesn’t do
Xero’s India GST coverage is limited. 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. No bank rules — AI agent
Xero relies on bank rules that you (or your accountant) write. 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 ₹449/mo, not $78/mo for multi-currency
Xero gates multi-currency, projects, and expenses behind its $78/mo Established plan (verified 2026-05-20). HelloBooks Pro is ₹449/mo flat with multi-currency, multi-entity, projects, expenses, and 3-way matching on every plan. 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.
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 ₹449/mo (unlimited users, all features) | Early $15 (20-invoice cap) / Growing $42 / Established $78 — USD |
| GSTR-1 Filing | Native | Limited |
| GSTR-3B Filing | Native | Limited |
| 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 | Bank rules — manual |
| AI Bill OCR | Built-in document extraction service | Hubdoc (separate tool, no AI categorization) |
| Multi-Currency | Every plan | Established only ($78/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 500 AI credits/month. No credit card. File GSTR-1, generate IRN, reconcile 2A/2B — all on one platform.