# Xero Software Overview 2026 - Features & Pricing

> Review of Xero Software: system overview, features, price and cost information. Get free demos and compare to similar programs.

Source: https://www.softwareadvice.com/scm/xero-profile

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Overview

[Reviews](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xero-profile/reviews/)[Alternatives](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xero-profile/alternatives/)

# Xero 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing

Updated July 12, 2026

Written by [Eduardo Garcia](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/eduardo-garcia/)

Content Analyst

Edited by [Caroline Rousseau](https://www.softwareadvice.com/resources/author/caroline-rousseau/)

Senior Editor

Wondering if Xero is right for your organization?

Our Accounting Software selection experts can help you in 15 minutes or less.

On this page

-   Our Summary
    
-   User Interface
    
-   Popular Alternatives
    
-   Pricing and Plans
    
-   Features
    
-   Integrations
    
-   Key Sentiments
    
-   User Reviews
    
-   Frequently Asked Questions
    
-   Popular Comparisons
    

## Our Summary

Xero

4.4

[(3308)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xero-profile/reviews/)

FrontRunner 2026

Pros:

-   Accounting for small businesses
-   Automation of repetitive tasks

Cons:

-   Pricing structure
-   Customer support

Pricing

Starting at $25.00 per month

### What is Xero:

Xero is a cloud-based accounting platform designed especially for small to medium-sized businesses. It allows businesses to connect to accounts from various banks, accept payments from clients, track spending, manage payroll and vendors, maintain inventory, and generate customized reports and insights.

### Why we like Xero:

Xero is equipped with features for automating accounting processes and maintaining financial records. It has customizable invoicing solutions and includes payroll management. Xero also integrates with third-party apps, e-commerce platforms, and CRM systems. It offers security through multi-factor authentication and data encryption.

### Who should use Xero:

Xero’s accounting design and features make it useful for self-employed professionals, trades, and retail businesses. Almost 70% of businesses that reviewed the product have between 2 and 200 employees. Xero offers a free trial version, but beyond the trial, a subscription must be purchased. The three versions are Starter, Standard, and Premium.

Wondering if Xero is right for your organization?

Our Accounting Software selection experts can help you in 15 minutes or less.

## Xero User Interface

## Popular Xero Alternatives

Main Product

Xero

4.4

[(3308)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xero-profile/reviews/)

Ratings Breakdown

-   4.36Ease of use
-   4.24Value for money
-   4.04Customer support
-   4.30Functionality

Pricing

Starting at $25.00 per month

Get Price

Alternative Product

[QuickBooks Online](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/393202-QuickBooks-Online/)

4.3

[(8478)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/product/393202-QuickBooks-Online/reviews/)

Ratings Breakdown

-   4.24Ease of use
-   4.16Value for money
-   4.00Customer support
-   4.27Functionality

Pricing

Starting at $38.00 per month

Get Price

Alternative Product

[QuickBooks Enterprise](https://www.softwareadvice.com/construction/qb-desktop-enterprise-profile/)

4.5

[(20660)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/construction/qb-desktop-enterprise-profile/reviews/)

Ratings Breakdown

-   4.31Ease of use
-   4.30Value for money
-   4.14Customer support
-   4.40Functionality

Pricing

Starting at $2210.00 per year

Get Price

Alternative Product

[QuickBooks Desktop](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/quickbooks-pro-profile/)

4.4

[(2564)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/quickbooks-pro-profile/reviews/)

Ratings Breakdown

-   4.31Ease of use
-   4.16Value for money
-   3.89Customer support
-   4.29Functionality

Pricing

Starting at $1069.20 per year

Get Price

Alternative Product

[NetSuite](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/)

4.2

[(2053)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/netsuite-financials-accounting-software-profile/reviews/)

Ratings Breakdown

-   3.96Ease of use
-   3.85Value for money
-   3.81Customer support
-   4.21Functionality

Pricing

Available upon request

Get Price

Alternative Product

[Sage Intacct](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/intacct-accounting-profile/)

4.3

[(711)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/intacct-accounting-profile/reviews/)

Ratings Breakdown

-   4.20Ease of use
-   3.99Value for money
-   3.98Customer support
-   4.23Functionality

Pricing

Available upon request

Get Price

## Xero Overview

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 Pricing and Plans

Starting price: $25.00 per month

Free Trial

Free Version

Starter

$25.00

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

-   Send Quotes And 20 Invoices
-   Accept Online Invoice Payments
-   Enter 5 Bills
-   Make Online Bill Payments
-   Reconcile Bank Transactions (Auto-reconcile, Beta)
-   Capture Bills And Receipts With Hubdoc
-   View Real-Time Reports
-   W-9 + 1099 Management
-   Sales Tax
-   Forecast Cash Flow (30 Day Forecast)

Read More

Standard

$55.00

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

-   Send Quotes And Unlimited Invoices
-   Enter Unlimited Bills
-   Make Online Bill Payments
-   Reconcile Bank Transactions (Auto-reconcile, Beta)
-   Capture Bills And Receipts With Hubdoc
-   View Real-Time Reports
-   W-9 + 1099 Management
-   Sales Tax
-   Forecast Cash Flow (30 Day Forecast)
-   Visualize Performance With Graphs

Read More

Premium

$90.00

flat rate, per month

Plan includes:

-   Forecast Cash Flow (180 Day Forecast)

Confused about pricing? We've got you covered.

Get a personalized pricing breakdown tailored to your specific needs—no guesswork, no generic estimates.

### Our Analysis of Xero's Pricing Plans

We've dug deep into Xero's accounting software subscription plans to help you determine which option aligns best with your business needs. We've also outlined the key advantages and considerations for each plan. Xero provides three core subscription options: Early, Growing, and Established. Each plan is tailored to accommodate businesses at different stages and with varying requirements, so understanding the nuances of each is essential for...

choosing the right fit for your company. \_\_Early plan\_\_ Xero's Early plan, at $20 per month, is tailored for sole proprietors, freelancers, and businesses just starting out. This plan covers the fundamental accounting needs, providing a solid foundation for financial management. \*\*Pros:\*\* - \*\*Essential features:\*\* Includes core accounting functions to efficiently manage finances. - \*\*Scalable:\*\* Provides a starting point with room to upgrade as the business grows. \*\*Cons:\*\* - \*\*Basic functionality:\*\* Advanced features for complex accounting needs are not included. - \*\*Potential outgrowth:\*\* As the business expands, the plan's capabilities may become insufficient. \_\_Growing plan\_\_ The Growing plan, priced at $47 per month, is designed for small businesses experiencing growth. It offers expanded features and supports collaboration among team members. \*\*Pros:\*\* - \*\*Enhanced features:\*\* Includes additional accounting tools to support business development. - \*\*Collaborative:\*\* Allows multiple users to work together on financial management. \*\*Cons:\*\* - \*\*Potential underutilization:\*\* Some features may not be necessary for all growing businesses. - \*\*Limitations for larger businesses:\*\* May not offer sufficient capabilities for businesses with more complex needs. \_\_Established plan\_\_ At $80 per month, the Established plan caters to businesses with well-established operations and more intricate accounting requirements. It offers a comprehensive feature set to streamline financial processes. \*\*Pros:\*\* - \*\*Scalability:\*\* Supports businesses with larger teams and higher transaction volumes. - \*\*Time-saving:\*\* Automates and simplifies accounting tasks, improving efficiency. \*\*Cons:\*\* - \*\*Higher cost:\*\* The increased monthly expense may be challenging for some businesses to justify. - \*\*Learning curve:\*\* The extensive feature set may require additional training for effective utilization. \_\_Free trial\_\_ Xero offers a 30-day free trial, allowing potential users to explore the software's capabilities before committing to a paid plan. This trial provides an opportunity to assess which plan best aligns with the business's needs and budget. \_\_Conclusion\_\_ After analyzing Xero's pricing structure, it's evident that they offer a range of plans designed to cater to businesses at various stages of growth and with different accounting needs. - \*\*For sole traders and startups:\*\* The Early plan, at just $20 per month, provides an entry point into professional accounting software. While it covers the basics, rapidly growing businesses may soon find themselves needing more advanced features. - \*\*For small businesses on the rise:\*\* The Growing plan, at $47 per month, strikes a balance between affordability and functionality. It offers a broader range of features to support business expansion, making it a good choice for companies outgrowing the Early plan but not yet requiring the full suite of tools. - \*\*For mature and complex businesses:\*\* The Established plan, at $80 per month, is designed to meet the demands of larger, more intricate operations. Though it comes with a higher price tag, the comprehensive feature set can streamline even the most complicated accounting processes, potentially saving time and money in the long run. Ultimately, the choice of plan depends on a careful assessment of a business's current needs, growth trajectory, and budget. By aligning these factors with Xero's pricing tiers, companies can ensure they're getting the right tools at the right price to support their ongoing success. With a 30-day free trial available, businesses can explore Xero's offerings risk-free and make an informed decision about which plan best fits their unique circumstances.

### Compare Pricing

Compare pricing across our most frequently recommended Accounting products.

Software options

Starting price\*

User rating

[Sage 50 Accounting](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-50cloud-profile/)

$124.42 per month

4.00[(610 reviews)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/sage-50cloud-profile/reviews/)

**208**

recommendations

[Xledger](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xledger-profile/)

$750.00 per month

4.50[(12 reviews)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xledger-profile/reviews/)

**196**

recommendations

[Yooz](https://www.softwareadvice.com/procure-to-pay/yooz-profile/)

$199.00 per month

4.39[(222 reviews)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/procure-to-pay/yooz-profile/reviews/)

**99**

recommendations

[Rydoo](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xpenditure-profile/)

€10.00 per month

4.37[(199 reviews)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/accounting/xpenditure-profile/reviews/)

**92**

recommendations

[Striven](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/striven-profile/)

$35.00 per month

4.82[(130 reviews)](https://www.softwareadvice.com/project-management/striven-profile/reviews/)

**84**

recommendations

\*Defined as the price above any available free plan

## Xero Features

Drawn from insights across 3308 verified reviews, we've outlined Xero's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.

Xero's score

Category average

Xero's Best Rated Features

Multi-Country

4.83

3.87 category average

Tax Compliance

4.79

3.82 category average

Calendar Management

4.78

3.54 category average

Xero's Worst Rated Features

Check Writing

3.50

4.26 category average

Customizable Templates

3.63

3.93 category average

Project Accounting

3.65

3.60 category average

-   Popular features found in Accounting
    
    Billing & Invoicing
    
    Budgeting/Forecasting
    
    Expense Tracking
    
    Fund Accounting
    
    Income & Balance Sheet
    
    Multi-Currency
    
    Payroll Management
    
    Project Accounting
    
    Purchase Order Management
    
    Tax Management
    
-   More features of Xero
    
    401(k) Tracking
    
    Access Controls/Permissions
    
    Accounting
    
    Accounts Payable
    
    Accounts Receivable
    
    Accrual Accounting
    
    ACH Payment Processing
    
    Activity Dashboard
    
    Activity Tracking
    
    Ad hoc Reporting
    
    Alerts/Notifications
    
    API
    
    Approval Process Control
    
    Approval Workflow
    
    Asset Accounting
    
    Asset Tracking
    
    Audit Trail
    
    Automated Quoting
    
    Automatic Backup
    
    Automatic Billing
    
    Bank Reconciliation
    
    Benefits Management
    
    Billing Portal
    
    Bookkeeping Services Integration
    
    Calendar Management
    
    Case Management
    
    Cash Flow Management
    
    Cash Management
    
    Catalog Management
    
    Chart of Accounts
    
    Check Printing
    
    Check Processing
    
    Check Writing
    
    Client Management
    
    Client Portal
    
    Compliance Management
    
    Consolidation/Roll-Up
    
    Construction Breakdowns
    
    Contact Database
    
    Contact Management
    
    Contingency Billing
    
    Contract/License Management
    
    Cost Tracking
    
    CPA Firms
    
    Credit Card Processing
    
    Cross Ledger Posting
    
    Currency Conversion
    
    Customer Database
    
    Customer History
    
    Customer Statements
    
    Customizable Branding
    
    Customizable Invoices
    
    Customizable Reports
    
    Customizable Templates
    
    Dashboard
    
    Data Import/Export
    
    Data Security
    
    Data Synchronization
    
    Data Visualization
    
    Delivery Management
    
    Direct Deposit
    
    Discount Management
    
    Document Management
    
    Document Storage
    
    Document Templates
    
    Drag & Drop
    
    Due Date Tracking
    
    Dunning Management
    
    Duplicate Payment Alert
    
    Electronic Payments
    
    Email Management
    
    Encryption
    
    Estimating
    
    Expense Claims
    
    Expense Management
    
    Fee Calculation & Posting
    
    Financial Analysis
    
    Financial Management
    
    Financial Reporting
    
    Fixed Asset Management
    
    For Accountants
    
    For AEC Industry
    
    For CPA Firms
    
    Forecasting
    
    For Legal Professionals
    
    For Real Estate
    
    For Religious Organizations
    
    For Schools
    
    For Small Businesses
    
    Fraud Detection
    
    Fund Management
    
    General Ledger
    
    Hourly Billing
    
    Inventory Control
    
    Inventory Management
    
    Inventory Optimization
    
    Inventory Tracking
    
    Invoice Creation
    
    Invoice History
    
    Invoice Management
    
    Invoice Processing
    
    Job Costing
    
    K-1 Reporting
    
    Kitting
    
    Mobile Access
    
    Mobile App
    
    Mobile Payments
    
    Monitoring
    
    Multi-Channel Management
    
    Multi-Company
    
    Multi-Country
    
    Multi-State
    
    Online Banking
    
    Online Invoicing
    
    Online Payments
    
    Order Management
    
    Order Tracking
    
    Overpayment Processing
    
    Partial Payments
    
    Payment Collection
    
    Payment Processing
    
    Payroll Reporting
    
    Performance Metrics
    
    Price/Margin Management
    
    Pricing and Cost Calculations
    
    Pricing Management
    
    Product Identification
    
    Profit/Loss Statement
    
    Progress Tracking
    
    Project Billing
    
    Project Management
    
    Project Tracking
    
    Quotes/Estimates
    
    Real-Time Data
    
    Real-Time Reporting
    
    Receipt Management
    
    Receivables Ledger
    
    Recurring Invoicing
    
    Recurring/Subscription Billing
    
    Reimbursement Management
    
    Reminders
    
    Remote Access/Control
    
    Reorder Management
    
    Reporting/Analytics
    
    Reporting & Statistics
    
    Requisition Management
    
    Retail Inventory Management
    
    Revenue Recognition
    
    Sales Reports
    
    Sales Tax Management
    
    Search/Filter
    
    Self Service Portal
    
    Shipping Management
    
    Sourcing Management
    
    Spend Management
    
    Staff Management
    
    Status Tracking
    
    Supplier Management
    
    Task Management
    
    Tax Calculation
    
    Tax Compliance
    
    Template Management
    
    Third-Party Integrations
    
    Time & Expense Tracking
    
    Timer
    
    Time Tracking
    
    Transaction History
    
    Transaction Management
    
    Trust Accounting
    
    Vacation/Leave Tracking
    
    Vendor Management
    
    W-2 Preparation
    
    Wage Garnishment
    
    Warehouse Management
    
    "What If" Scenarios
    

## Xero Integrations

Based on 3308 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated withXero.

Hubdoc

Integration rated 4.3 from 32 reviews

Dext

Integration rated 4.7 from 27 reviews

Gusto

Integration rated 4.6 from 18 reviews

GoCardless

Integration rated 3.7 from 18 reviews

ApprovalMax

Integration rated 4.8 from 12 reviews

Square Payments

Integration rated 4.6 from 11 reviews

See all 225 integrations

## Xero Key Sentiments

We analyzed 3308 verified reviews for Xero to find out what actual users really think.

Most Positive Sentiments

Ease of use

86% Positive

7% Neutral

7% Negative

The interface is designed to be intuitive, helping teams navigate without needing extensive training. Many users say they were able to get started quickly, even without prior experience in accounting software. The layout is clean and organized, making it easy to locate key tools and features. This simplicity supports faster onboarding and smoother daily operations.

Accounting

64% Positive

26% Neutral

10% Negative

Managing core financial tasks becomes easier with Xero’s cloud-based setup, which allows real-time collaboration between accountants, bookkeepers, and business owners. Users say it supports small businesses with tools for payroll, inventory, tax management, and more. The ability to grant unlimited user access helps teams maintain oversight and streamline accounting workflows.

Invoicing

55% Positive

32% Neutral

13% Negative

Automated invoice tracking and payment reminders help reduce manual work and improve efficiency. Users appreciate the customizable templates that allow for branding and layout preferences. The platform also supports accounts payable, receivable, and inventory management, making it easier to keep financial records organized and up to date.

Least Positive Sentiments

Reporting

50% Positive

29% Neutral

21% Negative

Financial reporting tools offer a range of templates that can be tailored to specific business needs. Users say these reports help monitor performance and guide decision-making. However, some note that the platform lacks depth for complex or industry-specific reporting, and limited customization options can make it harder to extract detailed insights.

Customer support

43% Positive

13% Neutral

44% Negative

Help resources, such as tutorials and FAQs, are useful for resolving common issues. Users mention that the invoice portal and online support channels are convenient for day-to-day troubleshooting. However, slow response times and the absence of live phone support often lead to frustration when urgent assistance is needed.

Bank feeds

42% Positive

31% Neutral

27% Negative

Automated bank feed integration helps simplify transaction tracking by connecting with multiple banks and payment platforms. Users value features like bank rules and external tool linking for broader financial oversight. That said, occasional connection failures and limited compatibility with certain banks can disrupt automation and require manual fixes.

## Xero User Reviews

Overall Rating

4.4

Ratings Breakdown

5

60%

4

28%

3

7%

2

2%

1

3%

Secondary Ratings

Ease of Use

4.4

Value for money

4.2

Customer support

4.0

Functionality

4.3

Richard B.

Verified reviewer

Information Technology and Services

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2026

Used Xero for 15+ years

4

Although we have mixed feelings about the cost and some features, generally it feels as though it's the best fit for us still. Support is generally excellent too.

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

3

Value for money

Previously 5

5

Customer support

4

Functionality

Pros:

It's mostly reliable and easy to use, has all the functionality that we need and is fairly customisable.

Cons:

The cost. There have been so many price rises in recent years, yet we haven't seen relevant feature additions to justify it. 2026 price rise for us was 21.5% so we downgraded. Search is also fairly poor, presenting results in a useless order.

Reasons for switching to Xero

We needed something that was much more organised than our previous home-baked solution!

Read More

VR

Verified

Reviewer

Legal Services

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2026

Solid accounting software

5

I use Xero for two of my businesses and very happy with it. The reporting is top notch, it’s intuitive to use and generally it is just a solid software.

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

3

Value for money

4

Customer support

5

Functionality

Pros:

Easy to use, good access restrictions in place, great reporting features, team is constantly developing new features and updating UI.

Cons:

Can be quite expensive for a small business. Bank integrations can be a bit fiddly at times and don’t work properly on occasion.

Reasons for choosing Xero

Seemed easier to use and was preferred by our bookkeepers.

Read More

AM

Andrew M.

Verified reviewer

Computer Software

2-10 employees

Used weekly for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed May 2026

Solo business using enterprise accountancy software

5

Previously 4

Ratings Breakdown

4

Ease of use

5

Functionality

Pros:

Covers all my needs and more for a solo business. Useful as it's one of the gold standards for accountants

Cons:

Overly complex for a solo business owner and therefore too expensive for what I am using it for, but locked in as everything is in there now.

Read More

SS

Sharelle S.

Verified reviewer

Construction

11-50 employees

Used weekly for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed April 2026

A fresh and vibrant accounting software package

5

For the times i was running a multi-million dollar construction company - to when I branched out into a solo world, Xero was there to hold my hand every step of the way. Faster payments, smoother transactions - hosts of plug-in software to make Xero as unique as your own business. Easy to teach to newbies - fantastic at handling high-level accounting.

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

4

Value for money

4

Customer support

5

Functionality

Pros:

The sheer beauty of the user experience - it has grown and changed but always maintained a fresh and vibrant look and feel - as easy as apple pie ;-)

Cons:

The subscription cost for lower end users - they don't really do a 'minimal entry' platform that doesn't hurt your pocket if you're having a rough month. Like all platforms, they have to decide which features that users request will be implemented, and that left some users feeling ignored and out in the cold. It just cant be perfect for everyone, but its damn close!

Reasons for choosing Xero

MYOB wasn't there yet and felt very strange compared to the instantly familiar interface of Xero.

Reasons for switching to Xero

At the time (2013) Cloud accounting was just coming online and Reckon was being left for dead. The ability to do the accounts wherever I was rather than having to be at a certain computer was so liberating and delivered many cost savings in the construction business I was running.

Read More

BD

Ben D.

Verified reviewer

Food & Beverages

2-10 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed July 2026

Intuitive, well-connected and time-saving accounting software

4

It has greatly improved my bookkeeping process and helped me keep track of our company finances. It's rare that I need help but when I've reached out to the customer support team the responses have been quick and helpful.

Ratings Breakdown

4

Ease of use

4

Value for money

4

Customer support

4

Functionality

Pros:

It loads quickly, information is set out in an easy to access manner. It integrates very well with other platforms and makes reconciliation very quick and easy.

Cons:

Sometimes you have to dig too deep into more unusual locations to find the information required. There is a tendency to drop connections to bank accounts from time to time and the process for reconnecting can take a little while.

Reasons for switching to Xero

Far better to use Xero. Everything was more intuitive and better laid out, particularly for a UK business

Read More

Bryce M.

Verified reviewer

Marketing and Advertising

Self-Employed

Used weekly for less than 6 months

Review source

Reviewed February 2026

Xero application fees are a hidden 2.9 - 4.4% fee on when providing a payment gateway for stripe.

2

I feel as if I've been scammed by xero out of 3-4% of my income on top of their monthly fee as a hidden surcharge for doing business using them. I am upset by having to look for an alternative solution in the middle of my work month after stumbling on this and seeing no effort to rectify from xero's side or justification for the fees they're just there without notice, recourse or warning.

Ratings Breakdown

3

Ease of use

1

Value for money

4

Customer support

4

Functionality

Pros:

Payment gateway set up was easy. Initial set up was fairly simple. I like that invoicing customers is simple enough. As a consultant, I found that valuable. The dashboard was complicated though and getting specifically to my customer payments not intuitive.

Cons:

I feel I was cheated by them. They were charging anywhere from 2.92 - 4.42% in "xero application fees" on top of the stripe fees for stripe's payment processing. I only saw these fees once I went into my stripe portal to process a refund after a month. It's not even a standard rate and the variance isn't based on dollar amount, it doesn't make any sense. This means in order to process a client's payment through xero and stripe, I'm paying anywhere from 6-10% in fees with stripe and xero combined. None of these fees were explained up front from Xero's end though stripe's certainly were. Just googling "xero application fees on stripe" I find I'm not the first or even the first dozen to raise this problem and none of the raised responses on their message boards lead to a resolution. I'm now being forced to research another payment portal provider in the middle of the month because I refuse to send this last month's invoices and pay 10% in fees to xero for it. As I look into other applications like quickbooks, they don't charge fees for payment portal, I've gotten no explanation from xero as to why they do. Furthermore, stripe allows payment processing fees to be passed onto the client, this fee is yours as a xero customer whether you like it or not.

Reasons for switching to Xero

I only needed a payment portal and monthly invoice system, freshbooks was trying to be an all-in-one solution and not doing it "all" effectively. I switched to xero because my primary client had other consultants who were also on xero and I wanted to ensure I was sending similar invoices that wouldn't be jarring to the client.

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RD

Rudo D.

Verified reviewer

Accounting

Self-Employed

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed June 2026

My experience of using Xero

5

Xero is Good for both accountant and small business I would recommend to other people. They offer a lot of support if there is any queries

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

3

Value for money

5

Customer support

5

Functionality

Pros:

Ease of use Excellent customer support Easy invoicing process They have a lot of guidance material ready for use

Cons:

They increase prices so often and they sometimes do not offer discounts when you have multiple companies

Reasons for switching to Xero

The software was Not compatible with Bacs payment process

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CG

Cecilia G.

Verified reviewer

Religious Institutions

2-10 employees

Used weekly for less than 12 months

Review source

Reviewed May 2026

User-Friendly Interface

4

simplifies daily bookkeeping with intuitive features, real-time bank feeds, and seamless third-party integrations.

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

4

Value for money

4

Customer support

5

Functionality

Pros:

The dashboard is clean, modern, and easy to navigate even if you have no formal accounting background.

Cons:

Xero’s subscription tiers have increased in cost, which can become expensive for users. The built-in reporting can feel slightly basic if you need advanced customization.

Reasons for switching to Xero

It was suggested by an accountant to do the Switch

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PB

Peter B.

Verified reviewer

Information Technology and Services

11-50 employees

Used daily for more than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed July 2026

Its nice that Xero does work & doesn't crash

5

Its great to see that with this new version of Xero there isn't a need for us to manually type out every Accounts Receivable document as you can simply use a journal entry. This will probably eliminate some of the arguments between Sales Team & Finance Teams since it ties directly into Salesforce. Overall, I'm glad its been able to handle our international entity access without freezing up the server. However, I still think the fixed assets are clunky... but hey at least the core accounting functionality works.

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

5

Value for money

5

Customer support

5

Functionality

Pros:

Xero's multi-entities didnt completely freeze my computer (which I thought was going to happen) when we finally got access to them. And the AI bill upload is meh, I suppose. It works occasionally and I get to not spend as much time uploading bills. We are able to track purchases by departments without having to create 1000s of user logins for each account so that is good.

Cons:

I think the pricing is high, other than that everything is good about Xero. So no complaints.. from my side.

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NK

Navpreet K.

Verified reviewer

Accounting

11-50 employees

Used daily for less than 2 years

Review source

Reviewed May 2026

Simple and easy to use

5

My overall experience is that the cloud-based system allows users to access their financial information from anywhere, and its integration with many third-party apps makes workflow management much more efficient for reporting and any other tasks. It can be accessible through mobile.

Ratings Breakdown

5

Ease of use

5

Value for money

5

Customer support

5

Functionality

Pros:

Xero is an excellent accounting platform for small and medium-sized businesses. I really like its clean and easy-to-use interface, which makes invoicing, expense tracking, payroll, and bank reconciliation simple to manage.

Cons:

One thing I like less about Xero is that some advanced accounting features can take time to learn for new users. In addition, customer support response times may occasionally be slower during busy periods, and certain features may require higher-priced plans.

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Showing 1 - 10 of 3308 Reviews

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## Xero FAQs

-   Is Xero difficult to use?
    
    Xero’s cloud-based software and mobile apps make it relatively easy to access and use. It offers templates and training resources that help non-accountants to learn its features. Most also find its user interface easy to use, with reviewers rating it 4.5 out of 5.
    
-   Do I need a bookkeeper if I use Xero?
    
    Yes, you may still need a bookkeeper or accountant to take advantage of financial benefits and services. Some examples of reasons for hiring an accountant might be leveraging possible tax breaks, ensuring compliance, interpreting data effectively for business decisions.
    
-   Does Xero do payroll?
    
    Yes, Xero manages and processes payroll, calculating taxes and producing payslips. There are also features for managing work hours and tracking employee leave or vacation. The payroll feature can also be configured to manage healthcare deductions and retirement plans.
    
-   Does Xero automatically pay employees?
    
    Yes, Xero allows electronic payments to employees via direct deposit. Additionally, it will subtract taxes and generate payslips. Its features ensure accurate payroll and proper compliance with local labor regulations.
    
-   Does Xero have journal entry?
    
    Yes, Xero is a double-entry accounting system that allows transactions to be recorded as journal entries. This allows the user to ensure that debits and credits balance each other. Journal entries can be single, compound, and recurring. First, users identify the transaction, classify it as debit or credit, record the details, and then post it to their ledger.
    

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