Rated #6 Best UK Accounting Software
Overall Rating:
9.1
Ease Of Use = 9.1
Value For Money = 9.1
Customer Support = 8.6
Features = 9.7
PROS:
- All plans allow you to add an unlimited number of users
- Developed mostly to cater for medium and large businesses
- Contains some advanced features other platforms don’t offer
CONS:
- There is a learning curve to the platform, as it’s not the most user-friendly
- Some users have reported a problem with the customer support
Xero Review – Setting shop back in 2006, Xero is an online, cloud-based accounting platform that has tried to make its way to the top of the industry ever since.
Have they managed? This thorough review aims to provide you with the answer.
So let’s take an in-depth look at Xero, the platform that has been marketed as a real contender for the current number one place holder, FreeAgent.
At a Glance
Unlike other cloud-based pieces of online accounting software, Xero is a very robust platform that offers complex features, unlimited users, more than 700 integrations, and ample reports.
Apart from that, Xero benefits from the mobility and freedom that comes with being a cloud platform. This is one of the main reasons why it has become the preferred accounting solution of more than 16,000 firms and over 2,000,000 single users.
Xero also scores fantastically when it comes to adapting to the modern world. In that sense, for example, it’s one of the few who offer a version of their app adapted for the Apple Watch. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about anything. You can access it no matter what device you own, as long as you have a stable internet connection.
The plans presented on the platform have almost every feature you could think of. This is what makes Xero so good for small and medium businesses. All your accounting can be taken care of in one place. Which brings us to this.
Top-Rated Accounting Software:
Accounting Software | Cheapest Package | Ease Of Use | Our Rating | Review | Official Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
£19/mo | Excellent | 9.4 | Read Review | Visit Website | |
FREE | Outstanding | 9.3 | Read Review | Visit Website | |
£12/mo | Excellent | 9.3 | Read Review | Visit Website |
What Features Do Xero Support?
As mentioned above, the list of features you will find on the Xero platform is quite extensive, the app being able to cover all your needs accounting-wise.
Here are some of the most interesting features that Xero has to offer to all of its users:
- Online invoicing – all your invoices can be sent directly from Xero which will then link to PayPal, Square, Stripe, and other such processors to make sure you accept your payments online.
- Inventory tracking – when you reach the maximum level you have in stock, Xero will notify you via a red pop up.
- Smart reconciliation – the process becomes extremely simple given the fact that Xero will match your bank transactions with the ones you have entered into the system itself.
- Multiple reports – up to 50, including aged receivables, profit and loss, and a general ledger.
All of these features are also available if you decide to use the Xero mobile apps. In other words, you will be able to do the exact same tasks on the go, on your phone, tablet, or smartwatch.
If you’re interested in learning more about the extensive features that Xero offers, please visit the Xero website for details.
Fees
The main thing that makes Xero a worthwhile investment is this. Almost all the features we have presented and reviewed above (plus the ones you can find on the website) are available in all the plans Xero offers.
Usually, features such as estimates and accounts payable would only be accessible to users electing top tier plans. But here is what you can find on the Xero platform (prices correct when this Xero review was published).
You can choose between the Starter Plan that costs £5 per month, the Standard Plan which comes in at £12 per month and that Xero claims is their most popular one, and the Premium Plan at £15 per month.
You can try Xero for free, of course, if you choose the classic 30-day trial period. But you might also be interested in some other perks they have to offer. For example, startups and any business that is less than one year old get a 50% discount.
At the same time, you will get Xero Payroll and Xero Expenses free for 3 months no matter which plan you subscribe to.
All the fees have to be paid on a monthly basis. There is no additional charge when you set up your account with Xero.
Xero Reviews From Customers:
Excellent software, an excellent support team (the best I have ever come across) and all round just the best thing ever for my business. Since implementing it I’ve seen about a 30% time saving on client work – brilliant stuff. Cannot list a single negative! Well done team Xero!
5-Star review from Hannah Walton via Trustpilot
Accounting is something I find difficult to say the least. Xero has simplified the task to something even I can manage. Support is very good and solved a few issues I had after migrating from QB.
Highly recommended product.
5-Star review from Mr C Bunch via Trustpilot
The Advantages
After all the interesting details we have found out so far through our Xero review, let’s see what are the main benefits of signing up with the platform.
One of the primary advantages you will get from Xero is the ease of working with the platform itself. In fact, a better way of putting it would be to say that you can sit back while Xero simplifies things to a great extent for you.
All you have to do is enter the data and then all the transactions and operations can be handled from the same main page. In turn, this means that the app can save you time and energy.
Another main advantage is the fact that you will be able to take care of all your major accounting needs without having to switch to a better plan or buy add-ons. There will also be no recurring fees.
The Disadvantages
As mentioned earlier, users do report some shortcomings when talking about Xero. Let’s see what they are.
The number one thing you need to know in terms of cons is that the Early Plan, or the cheapest one, is very limited. It will only allow you to make 20 bank transactions in a month, and send 5 bills, invoices, and quotes.
If you are running a business, this might not be ideal and you will have to move on to a better plan. However, this is not mandatory. You decide what your needs are after trying the plan out.
Another thing that users report is that Xero is a tad expensive for smaller businesses but more affordable for medium and large ones. Once again, if this is your case, you might have to try it out before committing to the platform as a permanent solution.
Please be aware that there are quite a few accountants who are not as familiar with Xero as they might be with some other similar platforms, according to users’ personal experiences.
This means that you will have to export all your data into a more common platform if you wish to liaise with an accountant at some point. Yet, once more, this all depends on personal experience.
Xero Review – Summary
The end of our Xero review must also bring with it the conclusions. On the whole, Xero is definitely a good choice, but perhaps not the best.
It can be a fantastic platform for medium and large businesses which know how to navigate it and can afford the price range. Xero also seems perfect for Mac users whom it caters to the most.
The great reviews that Xero often receives plus its amazing roster of features that is hardly matched make us confident that it will perform well for larger businesses. Smaller ones may want to consider Quickbooks or FreeAgent as an alternative.
Top-Rated Accounting Software:
Accounting Software | Cheapest Package | Ease Of Use | Our Rating | Review | Official Site |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
£19/mo | Excellent | 9.4 | Read Review | Visit Website | |
FREE | Outstanding | 9.3 | Read Review | Visit Website | |
£12/mo | Excellent | 9.3 | Read Review | Visit Website |