About Xero

Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform designed to assist small and midsize businesses with financial operations management, financial visibility and business performance optimization and more. The platform helps automate accounting tasks and maintain accurate financial records. It offers expense management tools that enable users to track and manage business expenses. Key features include invoicing, quoting, making and collecting payments, tax payment, employee and workforce management, bank reconciliation, expense management, projects handling, reporting and analytics and security measures. Users can capture receipts, categorize expenses and submit them for approval. Xero also supports expense claims, allowing employees to submit their expenses for reimbursement. It provides detailed expense reports, helping businesses monitor spending and identify cost-saving opportunities. One of the core features of Xero is its invoicing capability. The solution allows accountants and bookkeepers to create and send professional invoices to clients, track their status and receive payments online. Users can customize invoice templates to align with their brand identity and set up automated reminders for overdue payments. It supports multi-currency invoicing, making it suitable for businesses with international clients. Xero's bank reconciliation feature is designed to streamline the process of matching bank transactions with accounting records. The tool automatically imports bank transactions and suggests matches based on historical data. Users can also create custom bank rules to automate the categorization of recurring transactions. Xero also provides real-time updates on cash flow, helping businesses maintain accurate financial records. Xero includes payroll management functionalities that assist businesses in managing employee payroll and compliance. It allows users to process payroll, calculate taxes and generate payslips. It also supports direct deposit, enabling businesses to pay employees electronically. Additionally, Xero provides tools for managing employee leave and tracking work hours, ensuring accurate payroll processing and compliance with labor regulations. Xero complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, and produces Service Organization Control (SOC 2) reports. It also offers a range of reporting and analytics tools that provide valuable insights into business performance. Users can generate custom financial reports, such as profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements. Xero's dashboard provides a real-time overview of key financial metrics. The tool supports budgeting and forecasting, enabling businesses to plan for future growth and manage financial risks. Xero integrates with several third-party applications, including CRM systems, eCommerce platforms and payment gateways. Xero’s integrated practice management software includes Xero HQ, Xero Practice Manager, Xero Workpapers and Xero Tax. It connects businesses with their bank, their advisor, accounting tools, payment services and more. These integrations facilitate data synchronization and optimize overall operational. Data is protected by multiple layers of security, including encryption and the platform is subject to strict privacy controls as it uses multi-factor authentication.
Xero Software - Xero dashboard
Xero Software - Xero financial dashboard
Xero Software - Xero bank reconciliation
Xero Software - Xero bank account management
Xero Software - Xero payroll overview
Xero Software - Xero inventory management
Xero video
Xero Software - Xero dashboard - thumbnail
Xero Software - Xero financial dashboard - thumbnail
Xero Software - Xero bank reconciliation - thumbnail
Xero Software - Xero bank account management - thumbnail
Xero Software - Xero payroll overview - thumbnail

Xero pricing

Xero does not have a free version but does offer a free trial. Xero paid version starts at £10.00/month.

Starting Price:
£10.00/month See pricing details
Free Version:
No
Free trial:
Yes

Alternatives to Xero

Xero Reviews for UK Users

Feature rating

Value for Money
4.2
Functionality
4.3
Ease of Use
4.3
Customer Support
4.0
5 reviews of 3,005 View all reviews
Harry
Harry
  • Industry: Information Services
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Weekly for 1+ year
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 28/08/2024

A straight-forward system for managing business finances

An easy-to-use finance system that meets multiple requirements in a simplistic and user-friendly way.

Pros

How easy it is to manage expenses in their various statuses - it's transparent with helpful notifications and also easy to upload new recipets and details.

Cons

Creating a login requires a seperate phone app for verification which is understandable from a security perspective but does slow down the setup process.

Daniel
  • Industry: Accounting
  • Company size: 2–10 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
4
Features
4
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
4

4
Reviewed on 19/09/2024

Xero - market leader for online bookkeeping system

Overal experience has been very good and we still recommend this software to our clients.

Pros

Xero has got very good set of features and it is considered a market leader with regards to online bookkeeping software.

Cons

Xero is slow to listen to their customers feedback and often prioritizes other work and development rather than the features most required.

Alternatives Considered

QuickBooks Online Advanced

Reasons for Choosing Xero

We wanted an online system that actually works

Switched From

Sage Accounting

Reasons for Switching to Xero

Xero is more reliable in terms of VAT management, as QuickBooks often has problems with full reconciliation of the VAT account.
Marquerette
  • Industry: Accounting
  • Company size: Self Employed
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
1
Features
3
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
1

2
Reviewed on 27/08/2024

Do ot use Xero acciunt if you will need support

Fairly satisfactory, I had an issue with updating my payment details but there was an issue and support was useless.

Pros

REDUCED TIME-RELATED TO DATA CAPTURING and cloud-based - no backup needed or software updates

Cons

The support is very basic and no real solutions are provided. If you have an issue with Xero - you are on your own!!!!

Alternatives Considered

Sage 300cloud

Reasons for Choosing Xero

Xero is expensive and support in pretty useless

Switched From

Sage Accounting

Reasons for Switching to Xero

I like the option that capturing is easy
Wendy
  • Industry: Nonprofit Organization Management
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
5

5
Reviewed on 24/09/2024

Xero is Easy to use

Fantastic. I love how when you send an support email, it tells you when you can expect a response.

Pros

The custom reporting and I love cash coding - so quick. Great customer service.

Cons

The only con with Xero is that it does not have payroll applications yet.

Alternatives Considered

QuickBooks Online

Reasons for Choosing Xero

Wanted to be cloud based not on desk top

Switched From

Sage Accounting

Reasons for Switching to Xero

Better reporting features, way better customer service support
Monika
  • Industry: Construction
  • Company size: 11–50 Employees
  • Used Daily for 2+ years
  • Review Source
Value for Money
5
Features
5
Ease of Use
5
Customer Support
4

5
Reviewed on 19/08/2024

Amazing at efficiency

Overall I can't imagine using different software. We briefly used Sage for payroll and it was too detailed and clunky, with Xero it was an easy setup and efficient process each time.

Pros

Simplicity and ease of use. You don't have to be a qualified accountant to be able to use it, but if you are, the whole system is very helpful and you can automate so much!

Cons

The support takes time to get your ticket answered but when it is, any follow-ups are quick.

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