Haystack Logo

Xero

4.5/5 stars

Cloud-based accounting platform that simplifies bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, and financial management with powerful automation and extensive integrations.

Pros

  • Scales well for businesses of all sizes, from freelancers to larger enterprises
  • Strong collaboration capabilities
  • Global reach

      Cons

      • Limited starter plan may require you to upgrade sooner
      • Slighter more expensive when it comes to premium plans
      • No live phone support for urgent resolutions

      The Bottom Line

      Xero is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses and startups seeking a comprehensive, customizable accounting solution. 

      This page may contain affiliate links. Our assessments are grounded solely in the product’s merits and performance.

      Plans & Pricing

      Early

      $20/month

      • Good for sole traders, new businesses, and the self-employed.
      • Send quotes and 20 invoices
      • Enter 5 bills
      • Reconcile bank transactions
      • Short-term cash flow and business snapshot
      • W-9 and 1099 management

      Growing

      $47/month

      • Good for growing small businesses.
      • Everything in Early, plus:
      • Unlimited quotes and invoices
      • Unlimited bills

      Established

      $80/month

      • Good for established businesses.
      • Everything in Growing, plus:
      • Multiple currencies
      • Track projects
      • Claim expenses
      • Analytics Plus

      A 30-day free trial is available, giving you access to all features so that you can decide which plan will best suit your business. As a bonus, you don’t need to input your credit card information until you commit so there’s no risk of forgetting to cancel before the trial is up. 

      Continue on Xero website

      Pricing information is retrieved from publicly accessible pricing materials. The actual cost may vary based on specific plans chosen. Always check directly with the seller for the final quote.

      Pricing information last updated January 23, 2025.

      Ask Haystack AI

      Find out if Xero is right for your business.

      Product Review

      Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. Founded in 2006 in New Zealand, Xero has grown into a globally recognized platform with over 3 million subscribers. It offers a robust suite of features that simplify bookkeeping, payroll, inventory management, and financial reporting, making it a strong contender in the accounting software market.

      Xero offers pretty standard features like cloud-based access, bank reconciliation, invoicing and payments, expense tracking, and financial reporting, but it’s got some additional features that really make it stand out. Some of Xero’s more unique features includes:

      • Inventory and Project Tracking: Typically accounting software keep it focused on bookkeeping, but Xero includes inventory and project tracking, allowing you to match up your numbers with ease. 
      • Extensive Integrations: Xero offers one of the most comprehensive integration ecosystems with over 1,000 third-party applications, making it easy to build your custom tech stack. Some integrations you might use include: Stripe for payment processing, Gusto for Payroll and HR, Shopify for eCommerce, HubSpot for CRM, Expensify for expense management, and Fathom for reporting and analytics. You can also sync your Google Workspace with Xero too. 
      • Global Focus: Xero has multi-currency support and international compliance, so it’s great for businesses with global operations. 

      Xero takes some time to learn and set up, especially for advanced features and integrations, but their customer support does a great job of making sure you’re set up for success. Even before you commit to a plan, you can schedule a call with their team to figure out which plan is right for you and how to import your books from your current software. Once you’ve purchased a plan, you get free onboarding meetings as well. 

      Best For: Customized Accounting

      Xero is a great option for businesses that want to optimize their tech stack and make it as efficient as possible, with its extensive integrations and rich features. While it comes at a slightly higher price than some of its competitors, it can help you centralize your data and make it easier to get a clear view of the state of your business. 

      Xero

      Xero is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses and startups seeking a comprehensive, customizable accounting solution. 

      Early

      Good for sole traders, new businesses, and the self-employed.

      Growing

      Good for growing small businesses.

      Continue on Xero website

      Established

      Good for established businesses.

      Similar Products

      Kick

      Kick is best for startups and entrepreneurs looking for an affordable, AI-driven bookkeeping solution to minimize manual effort. 

      Intuit QuickBooks Online

      Despite being more expensive than its competitors, Quickbooks Online is still the standard accounting software for small businesses for good reasons.

      Sign up to receive product updates!

      We're constantly working on adding new features and product reviews. Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.

      You have Successfully Subscribed!

      Request a Product Review

       

      What product do you want to see us review? Leave your email & we'll notify you when we review it! 

      Product request received!