Xero
The Astronaut's Review
Expert analysis by The Software Astronaut
Astronaut's Score
The Verdict
The cloud-native accounting platform with modern design and global reach.
Our Take
Xero challenges QuickBooks with a more modern interface and stronger international support. The platform excels at collaboration with accountants and offers unlimited users on all plans. It's particularly strong in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Strong Fit
- Businesses wanting modern accounting UX
- Companies outside the US
- Organizations with multiple bookkeepers
- Businesses valuing app integrations
Look Elsewhere If
- US businesses with accountants preferring QuickBooks
- Very simple bookkeeping needs
- Businesses needing integrated payroll in all regions
Rating Breakdown
In-Depth Analysis
Overview
Xero is a cloud accounting platform from New Zealand that serves millions of subscribers globally. Known for its modern interface and extensive app marketplace, Xero is a strong QuickBooks alternative.
Ease of Use
Xero's interface is cleaner and more modern than QuickBooks. Navigation is intuitive, and the dashboard provides at-a-glance insights. Bank reconciliation is well-designed.
Key Strengths
- Modern, clean interface
- Unlimited users on all plans
- Strong international support
- Excellent app marketplace
- Good accountant collaboration tools
- Bank feeds work well globally
Limitations to Consider
- Less dominant in US market
- Payroll is add-on and varies by region
- Some advanced features require higher tiers
- Learning resources less abundant than QuickBooks
Pricing Analysis
Early at $15/month (limited features). Growing at $42/month. Established at $78/month. Pricing varies by region.
Final Thoughts
Xero is excellent for businesses wanting modern accounting software, especially outside the US. The unlimited users and clean interface are major advantages. US businesses should consider accountant preferences.
Top-Rated Alternatives
Explore other highly-rated Accounting & Finance options to find the best fit for your needs.
Popular Integrations
Xero works seamlessly with these popular tools to enhance your workflow.
Note: Integration availability may vary based on your subscription plan. Visit the official Xero website or check our individual product pages for the most up-to-date integration information.
About Xero
Cloud accounting for small business
Key Features
Feature Availability
| Feature | Xero |
|---|---|
Cloud-Based Accessible from any device with internet | |
Mobile App Native mobile applications available | Partial |
API Access Programmatic access for integrations | Partial |
Free Trial Try before you buy | |
Free Tier Permanently free plan available | |
24/7 Support Round-the-clock customer assistance | Partial |
SSO/SAML Enterprise single sign-on | Partial |
Data Export Export your data anytime | |
Integrations Connect with other tools | |
Custom Branding White-label capabilities | Partial |
Pricing Overview
Starting at $13/month
Integration & API
- API Supported
- Yes
- API Auth Methods
- OAuth2
- API Protocols
- REST
- Native Integrations
- StripePayPalShopifyGusto
- Marketplace
- Yes
- Zapier
- Yes
Security & Compliance
- Certifications
- SOC 2ISO 27001
- Encryption
- AES-256TLS 1.2
- Compliance
- GDPR
- Uptime SLA
- 99.9%
Customization
- Custom Objects
- No
- Custom Fields
- Yes
- Custom Workflows
- Yes
- Custom Reports
- Yes
- Custom Branding
- Yes
- Coding Capability
- No
Mobile
- Mobile App
- Yes
- Platforms
- iOSAndroid
- Mobile Pricing
- Included
Delivery & Infrastructure
- Deployment Type
- Public Cloud
- Browsers
- ChromeFirefoxSafariEdge
- Data Centers
- USAAustraliaUK
- Languages
- English
Pricing & Licensing
- Contract Duration
- Monthly
- License Mix
- No
- Trial Days
- 30 days
- Currency
- USDAUDGBP
Support
- Channels
- EmailChatHelp Center
- Hours
- 24/7
- Dedicated Manager
- Yes
- Training
- Yes