
You can also enter and track invoices and expenses, connect bank accounts, receive payments, manage taxes, payroll and inventory and receive detailed reports that can help you track cash flow. Xero can integrate with Gusto for payroll accounting, and QuickBooks users can manage payroll with an additional plan. Both platforms also offer multicurrency support and mobile applications Cash Flow Management for Small Businesses to scan receipts and easily track them. Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed to simplify and streamline financial management for businesses of all sizes.
Accounting software that connects to your bank
The Xero Accounting app helps your small business with many accounting tasks, like tracking your cash flow, sending invoices, and reconciling transactions. Mobile accounting also gives you real-time financial insights whenever you need them, so you’re always up to date on your numbers. If you need to make a business decision while you’re away from your desk, you can get the latest info on your finances. When you return to the Xero desktop for complex tasks, it’ll be up to date with your most recent activities.
What is Xero, and Why should you use Xero for your Small Business?
They have excellent core features for eCommerce businesses, and we recommend them for people who are looking for an easy to use software or a xero software cheaper alternative to Quickbooks Online. These features and add-ons tackle common pain points, such as managing cash flow, reducing manual errors, and staying on top of financial tasks. We recommend using Xero if you’re a small-to-medium-sized company that values affordability, collaboration, and user-friendly design.
- So once it is received, the customer can click and pay immediately with any major debit or credit card.
- Use Xero accounting data to create business plans and budgets, reports, infographics, and dashboards with the LivePlan app in the Xero app marketplace.
- Invoice clients, keep track of bills, and give clients more ways to pay.
- Xero keeps all information in one secure place, and makes automatic calculations to keep your records accurate and up to date.
- It’s a full-service option with unlimited, automated payroll runs and direct deposit.
Manually enter payout information not requiring a supplier invoice to pay amounts due

Xero’s dashboard provides visual representations of your balance in real-time and projected cash flow for the next 7-90 days. This helps you spot potential issues before they happen and plan your spending accordingly. Xero payroll feature will allow you to track, manage and process staff pay and pension in one place. It allows you to Accounting Periods and Methods pay and manage multiple bills through Xero using your preferred bank account. You need at least two or more months of reconciled transactions in Xero before any financial metrics are displayed and meaningful. The metrics include your business profitability and the average time it takes for your customers to pay you.

Life before Xero was a nightmare. Using a spreadsheet took a ridiculous amount of time.
- This paperless accounting approach not only reduces clutter and administrative costs but also supports sustainable business practices.
- In such cases, businesses can integrate Xero with third-party inventory management tools like TradeGecko or DEAR Systems to expand functionality.
- “Invoices owed to you” shows information about your outstanding customer invoices categorized by invoice status and displayed on a bar chart.
- HubSpot represents one of many CRM tools that pair with Xero, ensuring customer payment details automatically update in your customer database.
- The Early plan, tailored for small businesses, is available at $1 USD per month (regularly $20), offering a 6-month savings of $114.
QuickBooks Online is limited to 25 users on its most expensive plan but is easier to use, offers tax support, and has stronger mobile apps. Xero no longer includes payroll — although a paid Gusto add-on is available — and it has limited some features (such as expenses and multicurrency support) to its most expensive plan. With Xero, everything is stored in the cloud, so you can send invoices from home or approve expenses during meetings with clients. This flexibility supports faster work for business owners and small teams. That’s why at Tech.co, we have full-time product researchers to re-run this testing process regularly.

Additionally, inventory management integrations allow Xero to update stock levels as products are sold, minimizing the risk of overselling and providing better control over stock replenishment. When integrated properly, Xero can automatically synchronize data from other platforms, allowing you to make real-time decisions based on accurate and up-to-date information. Integrations also free up valuable time for business owners and accountants, so they can focus on more strategic tasks instead of managing data entry and reconciling systems. Let’s explore some key integrations that can significantly enhance the functionality of Xero and improve your business operations. In today’s fast-paced business environment, efficiency and accuracy are paramount for success. Accounting software like Xero offers robust features for financial management, but integrating it with other business tools can unlock even greater potential.
For first-time users, the dearth of support options might leave you scratching your head. To begin with, the platform boasts over 1,000 available third-party integrations, including options for ecommerce, payments, reporting, CRM, and more. It’s a dizzying selection that testifies to how widely used Xero is across the business landscape. Beyond inventory, Xero also provides tools for managing fixed assets like vehicles, equipment, and machinery. Businesses can track depreciation, schedule maintenance, and ensure that asset records are kept up-to-date.

See cash flow at a glance
Xero automatically calculates sales tax on your company’s transactions and prepares sales tax returns on the company’s behalf using sales tax reports. I like that you can set up as many sales taxes as you want, and the software will record them automatically. All bank transactions are automatically added to the system, reducing the time required to stay on top of your finances. Yes, Xero and Quickbooks are our recommended accounting softwares for eCommerce companies. You will eventually want to switch to a more robust ERP system like Netsuite or SAP, but Xero and QuickBooks will give your eCommerce business the longest runway until you need to switch.