Xero
Cloud accounting for small businesses, priced per organisation
Xero is cloud accounting software for small businesses and the bookkeepers and accountants who work with them: bank transactions are imported and auto-reconciled, bills are captured from documents rather than typed in by hand, and invoices and quotes go out with online payment attached. Reporting runs in real time rather than at month end, with customisable performance dashboards, KPI and ratio analysis, a 180-day cash flow forecast and industry benchmarking on the higher plans. It handles W-9 and 1099 management, sales tax, multiple currencies, project time and costs, and employee expense and mileage claims. Plans are priced per organisation with no per-user licence fees, and payroll is a paid add-on delivered through Gusto.
- Auto-reconcile bank transactions from imported feeds
- Automate bill entry with Smart Document Capture
- Send invoices and quotes, and accept online payment on them
- Real-time reports and customisable performance dashboards
- 180-day cash flow forecast, KPIs and industry benchmarking
- W-9 and 1099 management, sales tax and multiple currencies
- Track project time and costs, and employee expense claims
- No per-user licence fees; payroll is an add-on through Gusto
Based on what people have said
Every answer links back to the mentions it came fromHow does Xero compare to QuickBooks Online?
Opinions are divided; some users prefer Xero's interface and find it more user-friendly or cost-effective, while others prefer QuickBooks. Some accountants express a strong preference for one over the other, with some firms refusing to use Xero entirely, while others despise QuickBooks. Users often suggest choosing based on the preference of the accountant who will be managing the books.
10 mentions · r/smallbusinessuk · r/quickbooksonline · r/PersonalFinanceNZ · r/Bookkeeping · r/QuickBooks · r/IndiaBusiness · Aug 2026 – Sep 2026
What are the common complaints regarding Xero's features?
Users report limitations with journal entries, specifically the inability to make them to bank accounts. Others mention difficulties with reporting, lack of native support for certain tax requirements like GST/HST in some regions, and frustrations with invoice template formatting. Additionally, some users find the software slow or manual, and there are recurring requests for features like Single Sign-On (SSO) and the ability to send emails from a custom domain.
14 mentions · r/xero · r/xero · r/xero · r/Bookkeeping · r/Accounting · r/buildinpublic · and 3 more · Aug 2026 – Sep 2026
Is Xero suitable for complex business needs or large-scale data?
While some use Xero for small businesses, others note it lacks native support for complex requirements like ASC 606 revenue recognition, leading some to use external spreadsheets for tracking. Some users suggest migrating to more robust systems like NetSuite for high-visibility projects while keeping Xero for historical data, or using the API to extract data for custom tools.
5 mentions · r/Netsuite · r/xero · r/Accounting · Aug 2026 – Sep 2026
What is the experience with Xero's pricing and billing?
Some users have expressed frustration with rising costs and price increases. There are also reports of difficulties with billing, such as continued charges after a company has been removed from the platform.
4 mentions · r/xero · r/xero · r/PersonalFinanceNZ · r/quickbooksonline · Aug 2026 – Sep 2026
How do users handle integrations and automation with Xero?
Many users leverage Xero's API to build custom integrations, connect to AI tools like Claude, or automate workflows. Some use third-party tools for document fetching, bank reconciliation, or connecting to other software stacks, though some users note that these integrations can be complex to set up and maintain.
10 mentions · r/xero · r/xero · r/Bookkeeping · r/AmazonFBA · @windowsforum · Aug 2026 – Sep 2026
These summarise counts and dates only. Read the quotes themselves under what people are saying.
What people are saying about Xero
58% neutral“Because this is what Xero does, as well as all that other "fluff" that the accountants need. Is this job management software?”
“Respectfully you’d be mad to switch off something like Xero to this”
“I think the main thing is that this software isn't trying to be Xero or MYOB. Like similar products, it's designed for the tradie, and it provides the accountant or bookkeeper with the receipts and invoices they need.”
“Just received these emails, all increasing.”
“I currently don’t have a Xero integration (only financial software integration I currently have is Quickbooks) but if you can give me a week, I can have Xero integration running and tested.”
“As a preparation I enrolled to a lot of seminars, how to use Xero, GST/BAS preparation, MYOB system, AU Payroll and even lower my expected salary. Because I don't have AU experience.”
“That’s actually a decent argument to bring to your partner, and testing Xero on your side business is a smart way to make it without a fight.”
“Xero is real... But the part that could derail it is cost code mapping. Your Buildertrend cost codes have to be linked to matching Products and Services in Xero or invoices and bills just won't sync, and you find that out when your job costing doesn't tie to your P&L.”
“It sounds like you’re actually enjoying learning Xero, and that’s a good sign. Just give yourself some time to build your confidence.”
“I need fantastic client portal. Xero integration.”
“Certainly it used to be the case Xero didn’t support SSO, but maybe things are changing…?”
“How can you tell people that you can do SSO, even though the wording in the first page follows a bit of a circular logic, but then have a community page where it seems clear that SSO is not possible?”
“It's definitely an adjustment from QBO! I understand Xero's intention, but I think allowing JEs to show as account transactions (like spend/receive money) and then users can manually reconcile those and override the warning would be sufficient.”
“I just finished the Xero and will finishing the Level 2-3 Xero certification. I enjoy learning new skills even though I have no background in accounting.”
“I use the Xero’s API and had Claude build a dev that is hosted on GitHub and vercel. All of my financial data gets synced to a neon database and the web app I build with Claude pulls from it.”
“I've completed a couple of short placements within accountancy practices and currently do some freelance bookkeeping, where I've gained experience with Xero, Dext, bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, VAT, payroll and basic accounts preparation.”
“You can make a bill from one bank account paid to another. That’s pretty much the Xero work around to JEs to bank accounts”
“Trying to recreate this in Xero and just learned you can't make journal entries to bank accounts.”
“However, I'm aware that people typically recommend Xero. I have experience of both and just prefer Quickbooks' interface.”
“Delivery lead on high-visibility projects here -> I highly recommend migrating the monthly GL balances to NetSuite and keeping the detail in Xero with a limited view-only seat for as long as you need that data.”
“Many business accounts offer free banking and will link up to online bookkeeping software such as Xero or Freeagent.”
“Hi i have signed up on a promotion to test the xero. Now after 4 months still they charging my credit card. Even though i removed the company when the promotion ends about 4 months ago but they still charge my card.”
“I guess we're all stuck with Xero. It'll do. I even have people tell me that they like it more than QBO.”
“Nag self study ka rin ba regaring accounting basics or rekta bookkeeping softwares (Xero/QB) kana sa YT?”
“Small issues like not being able to search invoice, only list invoices etc and API limits, otherwise I no longer need the Web interface.”