Xero Accounting Solution Reviews

“a real time-saver for invoicing”

Pros

Running a busy, growing small business means anything that saves time matters and that's exactly where Xero delivers. Like any accounting platform, it can make a huge difference when it's used well. For us it has taken a lot of pressure off when it comes to invoicing and keeping track of outstanding payments. At this point I really wouldn't want to be without it.

Cons

After moving over from QuickBooks, the one feature I still miss is the search option for individual line items on invoices. That was really handy when I needed to check exactly what a particular customer had been charged.

“basic accounting, unfair fee hikes”

Pros

The core accounting features do what they're supposed to do.

Cons

What really hurts is the way they raise fees on existing customers once you're already tied into the platform which feels exploitative and like they've locked you in.

“user friendly design”

Pros

Using Xero in education has been a really positive experience. The product seems very simple and user friendly and its biggest advantage is how easy it is to use and move through the different screens.

Cons

That same simplicity is also where it falls short a bit. After working with SAP in a manufacturing environment, it doesn't offer the same level of drill-down functionality or cross-dimensional analysis. Still in my current education setting, those features aren't always necessary.

“Simple cloud accounting win”

Pros

Right from the start Xero seems user friendly and the way it integrates with a wide range of third-party apps makes it a really strong option. The real-time financial and cash flow updates are especially helpful when it comes to making better-informed business decisions. On top of that its cloud-based setup works really well for SMEs making invoicing and bank reconciliation manageable from practically anywhere.

Cons

Even though it's generally user friendly, there's still a fairly steep learning curve if you're new to accounting. It has a lot going for it but beginners may still struggle a bit with navigation at first.

“practical reporting and automation”

Pros

Using Xero as a cloud-based accounting platform has been really helpful for ACCA students. It offers automation, live financial data and connections with other apps which makes the workflow more efficient. The interface is user friendly and the reporting tools are strong enough to build practical accounting skills that fit well with ACCA studies.

Cons

The cost can become quite high once the trial ends especially if you're working with a limited budget. Some of the more advanced features also come with a learning curve so they can slow things down in the beginning. On top of that customer support is not always very fast which can be frustrating when urgent help is needed.

“Great payroll for small business”

Pros

Xero works well for us as a small business accounting tool especially when it comes to handling payroll within our accounting process.

Cons

It still lacks inventory assemblies and support is only available through email.

“costly migration disappointment”

Pros

I barely had a chance to use the software at all since I only made it as far as the trial company setup.

Cons

They claim they can convert your old QuickBooks file but once the process starts, they come back and say they cannot do it. After that, I had to search for a separate conversion company to handle it which ended up being very expensive.

“User friendly accounting favorite”

Pros

Out of all the accounting tools I have used, this one is by far the simplest to work with.

Cons

I'd still like to see an approval workflow added through integration.

“A seamless and easy to use tool!”

Pros

Extremely simple to operate. The interface is highly intuitive and the layout is simple.

Cons

The bank reconciliation feature is not part of the standard subscription package.

“modern interface for bookkeeping”

Pros

The modern interface makes the platform easy to use. Plus it integrates with bank accounts and Receipt Bank and balancing the books is simple even for someone new to bookkeeping. That makes it a great option for small businesses that want to handle their own accounts and cut down on accounting costs.

Cons

It does cost more than some other products on the market. Bank accounts also occasionally lose their connection and need to be refreshed.

“Smart automation”

Pros

Using this software is very easy thanks to its clean interface and strong automation features. The standout part for me is the way it handles data management which makes tracking and managing expenses much simpler.

Cons

There is nothing specific to complain about although it does feel a bit overpriced for what it offers.

“Responsive support”

Pros

This software is easy to use, the features are simple to move around in and the support team is always quick to respond whenever we run into concerns.

Cons

Right now, there's an issue with foreign exchange in Wise that creates a large bank revaluation amount. It can be fixed by removing the transaction reconciliation and doing it again but the downside is the extra time it takes to complete the reconciliation because of that problem.

“reliable updates and support”

Pros

Quarterly updates keep the platform aligned with current market standards and it continues to improve in ways that help more clients while addressing operational bottlenecks. On top of that the customer service has been outstanding.

Cons

A few updates did create some hiccups with payroll processing but those issues have since been resolved.

“clear finances at a glance”

Pros

Xero has a clean, user friendly interface that makes it simple to see your financial position right away.

Cons

The pricing has gone up recently so businesses really need to compare the costs and features across the different plans before deciding.

“worse product, higher prices”

Pros

At the beginning Xero worked really well for us. It was a simple accounting tool that suited a small business nicely.

Cons

Over time, they seemed to lose touch with what customers actually needed. The product started feeling driven by developers adding poorly considered features and making the UI/UX worse. It's also frustrating to see early customers told how much newer customers are being discounted, while the dashboard is constantly filled with price increase notices. The pricing keeps climbing and at the same time, the product quality keeps declining.

“worse product, higher prices”

Pros

The software comes with a nice, interactive interface and features that are easy to use. One of its biggest advantages is that it supports access for multiple users which makes it especially helpful for small businesses.

Cons

The upfront purchase price is quite high and the ongoing maintenance costs add to it which can be a hurdle for small businesses.

“essential features pushed aside”

Pros

This used to be a great product but the so-called improvements team has ended up damaging something that was working well.

Cons

Instead of focusing on what customers actually need, the development team seems more concerned with following government-driven requirements like e-invoicing and other targets while removing core functionality. They really need to pay attention to their user base. Just look at the IT Central reviews. Customers are leaving in large numbers which explains the heavy marketing push with 75% discounts for new users. It feels like they are just trying to refill the customer base with new signups after disappointing the long-time users who decided to leave.

“bait-and-switch pricing tactics”

Pros

The initial sign-up discount was pretty decent and the web version does make sense once you've spent enough time learning how to use it.

Cons

A lot of the product changes have been really unpopular like adding advertising into invoice emails without asking users first. When people raised concerns about it, those complaints didn't seem to be taken seriously. On top of that the price has gone up multiple times while barely any new features have been introduced. It ends up feeling like a bait and switch as they draw you in with low pricing, then start changing everything once you're already a customer.

“fantastic reporting and integrations”

Pros

One of the best parts of using this software is how well it connects with other tools like WorkflowMax and Rapport3. There is also a really wide selection of reports and the bank reconciliation process is simple especially with bank accounts syncing automatically.

Cons

Bank data does take about a business day to come through. I understand that this limitation makes sense but it would be amazing if there were a workaround in the future. Having to wait a full day to confirm whether payments have arrived can be frustrating especially across the weekend.

“Great tool for invoicing but needs more features”

Pros

Very easy to navigate and simple to use, all basic features function as expected when creating invoices.

Cons

It lacks the customization features my business needs. With other tools, I can tailor almost everything, but Xero's customization options are quite limited.