The included mobile app is great for checking accounting reports or invoices on the go. And with time tracking as an option on higher plans, you can easily keep records of time spent on tasks. We like Xero operating cash flow for businesses with lots of employees, as they can take advantage of the unlimited number of collaborators. FreshBooks starts at $19 per month after the signup discount and incorporates standout features like team roles and time tracking on all plans. The basic plan allows users to send unlimited invoices and estimates and track unlimited expenses up to 5 clients, so if you have more clients than that, you’ll need to upgrade. The tradeoff for Xero’s unlimited users on the Early plan is that it enforces pretty stiff limits on other things, only allowing 20 invoices and 5 bills per month.

Xero vs Sage: A Quick Overview

The bad news is there’s no phone support or live chat but only email support. For a deeper dive into each accounting platform’s capabilities and features, you can check out our Sage review and Xero review. Dive in with us to see which is the best accounting software for your business. We compare them based on real user reviews, prices and what features they both offer. Read our helpful guide to subscription payment gateway services in the UK, including how they work and a list of popular UK providers. Read our comprehensive guide to the best business payment services in the UK, including Stripe, Square, GoCardless, Zettle, Braintree and Worldpay.

1. If you’re on a tight budget, then check out Wave Accounting, which offers a forever free Starter plan — yes, you read that correctly!
2. Sage allows you to manage your project budgets by entering descriptions as well as start and finish dates.
3. Basically, if you often find yourself in need of support none of these options will really cut the mustard — we would recommend going with QuickBooks instead.
4. You can set up multiple feeds for bank, credit card and even PayPal accounts.
5. You can also set up multiple feeds for credit card accounts, bank accounts, and your business’s PayPal accounts.

Because both software come with a 30-day free trial, you’ll have plenty of time to give each a test run before committing. However, there are some key features missing from Sage, including bill pay and time tracking. While Sage does offer accounts payable, it seems you still have to manually pay bills from your bank account. Sage does have the upper hand against Xero when it comes to quotes and invoices, as well as multi-currency support. If financial management is your top priority, you’re better off bypassing FreshBooks and Sage completely. FreshBooks completely lacks budget and forecasting tools, and Sage only offers cashflow projection options on its pricier, Standard tier.

Accounting software that connects to your bank

Employees can submit a reimbursement request as soon as their receipts are uploaded, and the business owner can track expenses totals by category as they are submitted (Figure C). Xero’s simple invoicing tool (Figure A) makes it easy to upload your logo and choose from several branding themes, but I’d love to see more extensive customization options. Xero does offer an fractional reserve banking definition invoice template to help get you started, and you can choose to create and save your own templates. Once customers receive the invoice, they can pay you directly from it by clicking the “pay now” button and using a credit card, debit card or direct debit.

What is the difference between Xero and FreshBooks?

Contact Chargebee today to see how we can help you make the most of your money. You want to use an accounting platform that will not take you many hours to learn. It should be straightforward, intuitive, and largely self-explanatory. Depending on the size of your company, you might need to grant access to multiple users. Xero has a longstanding mobile app that’s available on Android and the iOS app store.

It’s now easier to navigate your products and services list and view key information at a glance with new inventory filtering options within Xero Inventory. Filter inventory items by type (tracked or untracked) and apply this filter to your export. Plus, you can now customise your columns and save your preferred view as a default. These small (and highly requested) improvements will make it easier to track your inventory, to ensure you have the right stock on hand.

Hubdoc makes it easy to capture receipts, helping you see upcoming bills and set up batch payments. It’s a space where you can quote, invoice, monitor job profitability, and expedite payments. You can create unlimited projects, either for sharing with team members or for private access. Sage, meanwhile, lets you create and send an unlimited number of invoices on all of its plans. It simplifies tracking with automation and converts quotes into invoices.

All three plans with Xero have optional extras available to add on, such as Payroll from an additional £5 a month⁷. Check out the Xero App Store to find, demo, and buy business apps that connect to Xero. Apps like Stripe, GoCardless, Vend, and Shopify connect seamlessly and sync your data with Xero to make it easier to run your business. Explore Xero’s what is ifrs and why is it important range of features, designed to streamline your accounting needs.