Is your current accounting software causing headaches instead of simplifying things?
Xero is popular, but it might not be the perfect match for your business needs or budget.
You deserve software that makes managing money easier, not harder!
Guess what? There are awesome options out there!
This article reveals the 9 best Xero alternatives for 2025.
Read on to find an accounting solution that truly fits your business and helps it grow.
What are the Best Xero Alternatives?
Choosing the right accounting software is a big deal.
We know you want something that truly works for your business.
We’ve dug deep to find the top options out there.
Here’s our ranked list of the best Xero alternatives to help you make a smart choice.
1. Dext
Dext is a smart tool for receipts and bills.
It uses tech to grab info from your papers.
This saves you tons of time on data entry.
Unlock its potential with our Dext tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Dext comparison!
Our Take
This feature alone is a massive time-saver for any business. The seamless integration with major accounting software also makes it incredibly efficient. While the pricing structure can be a bit less transparent for individual users, its powerful automation capabilities make it a strong contender for expense management.
Key Benefits
- Effortless Receipt Capture: Take a picture of your receipt. Dext reads the data for you. It supports over 1,400 suppliers.
- Automated Data Extraction: It accurately extracts details like vendor, date, and amount, reducing errors.
- Integration with Accounting Software: Dext seamlessly connects with popular accounting platforms. This includes Xero and QuickBooks.
- Bank Feeds: Connect your bank accounts. This helps match transactions easily.
- Expense Reporting: Create detailed expense reports with just a few clicks. This simplifies reimbursements.
- Supplier Rules: Set up rules for recurring expenses. This automates categorization.
- Audit Trail: Every document has a clear audit trail, which helps with compliance. The software does not have a specific warranty, but continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Pricing starts at $24/month, with 250 documents per month.
Pros
Cons
2. Puzzle IO
Puzzle is a modern accounting tool.
It’s built for startups and growing tech companies.
It helps you track your money easily.
Unlock its potential with our Puzzle IO tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Puzzle IO comparison!
Our Take
Its focus on real-time cash flow is also a big plus. However, as a newer solution, it might not have the long-standing reputation or as many integrations as some of the more established players, and its pricing model might quickly become expensive for rapidly expanding businesses.
Key Benefits
Here are some of its best features:
- Integrated spend management: Track and control all company spending.
- Corporate card management: Issue and manage virtual and physical cards.
- Automated expense processing: Capture receipts and categorize expenses easily.
- Invoice management: Handle accounts payable and receivable efficiently.
- Cash flow visibility: Get the real-time insights into your financial health.
- Integration with accounting software: Connects with popular accounting systems like QuickBooks and Xero.
Pricing
- Free: $0/month
- Basic: $21.25/month
- Starter: $42.50/month
- Pro: $85/month
- Advanced: Custom Pricing
Pros
Cons
3. Synder
Synder links your online sales directly to your accounting software.
It connects e-commerce sites and payment tools.
This makes bookkeeping for online businesses much easier.
Unlock its potential with our Synder tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Synder comparison!
Our Take
Synder is awesome for e-commerce businesses. It’s incredibly helpful for managing online sales data. However, its focus is quite specific, so it might not be the best fit for everyone.
Key Benefits
- Automated Data Sync: Synder automatically records sales data from platforms like Shopify, Amazon, and Stripe directly into your accounting software, saving you hours of manual entry.
- Accurate Reconciliation: It ensures that all your transactions, including fees and refunds, are correctly categorized, making bank reconciliation simple and precise.
- Multi-Platform Support: Synder supports over 20 e-commerce and payment gateways. This covers most online businesses.
- Inventory Management can track inventory levels and the cost of goods sold, providing a clearer financial picture.
- Reporting: Generate detailed reports on sales, profits, and expenses to gain insights into your business performance.
- Customer Support: They offer responsive customer support. The software does not have a specific warranty, but continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Basic: $52/month.
- Essential: $92/month.
- Pro: $220/month.
- Premium: Custom Pricing.
Pros
Cons
4. Easy Month End
Easy Month End helps accountants finish books faster.
It automates tasks for month-end closing.
This makes your financial reporting quick and simple.
Unlock its potential with our Easy Month End tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Easy Month End comparison!
Our Take
Easy Month End is a valuable tool for businesses looking to optimize their month-end close. However, its specialized focus might not appeal to everyone needing broader AI accounting help.
Key Benefits
- Automated Reconciliation: Reconcile accounts quickly. It reduces manual effort significantly.
- Centralized Data: All your financial data in one place. No more switching between spreadsheets.
- Workflow Management: Guides you through the month-end process. Ensures no steps are missed.
- Error Detection: Helps identify discrepancies. Catch errors before they become big problems.
- Reporting: Generate clear reports on your financial close status. This helps with audits.
- Integration: Connects with popular accounting software. This streamlines data flow.
- Time Savings: It reduces the time spent on month-end tasks, freeing up valuable time. Although the software itself does not mention a specific warranty, continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Small: $45/month.
- Company: $89/month.
- Enterprise: Custom Pricing.
Pros
Cons
5. QuickBooks
QuickBooks is a giant in the accounting world.
It’s super popular, especially with small and medium-sized businesses.
Think of it as a powerhouse. It can handle almost anything you throw at it.
Unlock its potential with our QuickBooks tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs QuickBooks comparison!
Our Take
QuickBooks is a solid and well-established accounting solution with some helpful AI features. However, if you’re looking for deep AI-powered automation, other options might be stronger.
Key Benefits
- Expense Tracking: Easily categorize & track all your business expenses. Link bank accounts for automatic imports.
- Invoicing & Payments: Create and send professional invoices. Accept online payments directly.
- Reporting: Generate a big range of financial reports. This includes profit and loss, balance sheets, and cash flow statements.
- Payroll Management: (Add-on) Manage employee payroll, taxes, and direct deposits.
- Inventory Management: Track inventory levels, costs, and sales. Essential for product-based businesses.
- Time Tracking: Log billable hours for projects or clients. Integrate with invoices.
- Tax Ready: Organize your books for tax season. It helps simplify filing. The software does not have a specific warranty, but continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Simple Start: $9.50/month.
- Essential: $14/month.
- Plus: $20/month.
- Advanced: $38/month.
Pros
Cons
6. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is perfect for freelancers and service businesses.
It makes invoicing and tracking time super easy.
This tool helps you manage client projects, too.
Unlock its potential with our FreshBooks tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs FreshBooks comparison!
Our Take
FreshBooks is well-known for freelancers and service-based businesses. It excels in invoicing and project management. However, its AI accounting features are not as broad as some dedicated AI solutions.
Key Benefits
- Customizable Invoicing: Create professional, custom invoices in minutes. Send unlimited invoices.
- Online Payments: Accept credit card payments directly. Get paid up to 11 days faster.
- Time Tracking: Log your hours with a built-in timer. Easily add billable time to invoices.
- Expense Tracking: Capture receipts on the go. Link your bank account for automatic imports.
- Project Management: Collaborate with contractors or employees, track project profitability.
- Reports: Generate key financial reports. This includes Profit & Loss and Sales Tax reports.
- Mobile App: Manage your business from anywhere. Available on iOS and Android. No specific warranty is mentioned, but continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Lite: $10.50/month.
- Plus: $19/month.
- Premium: $32.50/month.
- Select: Custom Pricing.
Pros
Cons
7. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is a very easy-to-use accounting tool.
It helps you manage invoices, expenses, and more.
Unlock its potential with our Zoho Books tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Zoho Books comparison!
Our Take
It provides excellent value, especially for small businesses. Its integration with the wider Zoho ecosystem is a big plus. The only minor downsides are that some advanced features can take a little more time to master, and its payroll capabilities aren’t as robust as dedicated payroll services.
Key Benefits
Here are some of its best features:
- Invoicing and estimates: Create professional invoices and get paid faster.
- Expense tracking: Record and categorize all your business expenses.
- Bank reconciliation: Connects to your bank for easy transaction matching.
- Project billing: Track time and costs for specific projects.
- Inventory management: Manage your stock levels and items.
- Client portal: Allows clients to view invoices & make payments.
- Automated workflows: Set up recurring invoices & payment reminders.
Pricing
- Free: $0/month.
- Standard: $10/month.
- Professional: $20/month.
- Premium: $30/month
Pros
Cons
8. Docyt
Docyt uses AI to automate your accounting.
It aims to get rid of manual data entry.
This gives you live financial details without any fuss.
Unlock its potential with our Docyt tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Docyt comparison!
Our Take
Docyt’s focus on automating document handling is impressive. However, the lack of clear pricing might be a drawback for some, and it seems best suited for businesses with a larger volume of transactions.
Key Benefits
- AI-Powered Automation: Docyt uses artificial intelligence. It automatically extracts data from financial documents. This includes details from over 100,000 vendors.
- Real-time Bookkeeping: Keeps your books updated in real-time. This provides an accurate financial picture at any moment.
- Document Management: Centralizes all financial documents. You can easily search and access them.
- Bank & Credit Card Reconciliation: Connects with bank accounts. It helps reconcile transactions faster and with high accuracy (up to 99%).
- Bill Pay Automation: Automates the bill payment process. Schedule and pay bills easily.
- Expense Reimbursement: Streamlines employee expense claims. Submit and approve expenses quickly.
- Seamless Integrations: Integrates with popular accounting software. This includes QuickBooks and Xero.
- Fraud Detection: Its AI can help flag unusual transactions. This adds a layer of security. There’s no specific warranty for the software, but continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Impact: $299/month.
- Advanced: $499/month.
- Advanced Plus: $799/month.
- Enterprise: $999/month.
Pros
Cons
9. Wave
Wave is a fantastic choice for very small businesses, freelancers, and side jobs.
Why? Because it offers a totally free accounting tool.
Yes, you read that right – free!
Unlock its potential with our Wave tutorial.
Also, explore our Xero vs Wave comparison!
Our Take
It’s straightforward for managing basic finances. However, the limited customer support for free users and the cost of essential add-ons like payment processing and payroll can be a drawback for growing businesses needing more comprehensive features.
Key Benefits
- Free Core Accounting: Wave provides free invoicing, expense tracking, and basic reporting. This is perfect for startups.
- Unlimited Invoicing: Send as many professional invoices as you need. Customize them easily.
- Receipt Scanning: Capture receipts with your phone. Keep track of all your spending.
- Bank & Credit Card Connections: Connect your accounts. Wave automatically imports transactions.
- Basic Reports: Get essential financial reports. This includes profit & loss and balance sheets.
- Payment Processing: (Paid Add-on) Accept credit card and bank payments directly through invoices. This speeds up getting paid.
- Payroll Services: (Paid Add-on) Manage payroll for your employees. Available in specific regions. No particular warranty for the software, but continuous updates are provided.
Pricing
- Starter Plan: $0/month.
- Pro Plan: $16/month.
Pros
Cons
Buyers Guide
We wanted to give you the best advice possible, so we followed a clear plan to research each alternative to Xero.
Here’s how we did it:
- First, we looked up each competitor directly. We checked their official websites for information.
- We focused on each product’s key accounting features. Did it handle invoicing, expense tracking, or payroll?
- We dug into their pricing plans, wanting to know the exact cost and what you get for your money.
- We searched for what was missing or any negative user reported. No tool is perfect.
- We checked their support or refund policies. Is there a community? Can you get help when you need it?
- We also considered specialized solutions like Sage Intacct to see how they compared.
- Finally, we thought about what an accountant would look for. This helped us rank the products fairly.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right accounting software is a very big decision for your business.
We’ve walked you through the top 9 best Xero alternatives.
These include strong tools like QuickBooks.
There are also free options like Wave and specialized solutions like Dext and Synder.
Each one has its good points. Maybe you need strong accounting features.
Remember, the “best” choice really depends on what you need.
Here at Link Finder, we work hard to give you clear, useful information.
We hope this guide helps you find the perfect partner for your money.
It should make your business run smoother and help it grow.
Pick the one that truly makes your life easier!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main Xero alternatives for small businesses?
Many options exist for small businesses. Top choices include QuickBooks, Zoho Books, and FreshBooks. Wave is also popular for its free core features. These tools offer similar accounting features but with different price points and strengths for various business needs.
Is there a free alternative to Xero?
Yes, Wave is a popular alternative to Xero that offers free accounting, invoicing, and receipt tracking. While it has paid add-ons like payroll, its core features are completely free. This makes it ideal for freelancers and very small businesses on a tight budget.
Which Xero alternative is best for inventory management?
If inventory is key, QuickBooks and Sage are strong options. NetSuite also offers very advanced inventory features. While Xero has some inventory tools, these alternatives often provide more detailed tracking and management for businesses with complex stock needs.
Can I easily switch from Xero to another accounting software?
Yes, most accounting software allows data import. You can usually export your data from Xero and import it into a new platform like QuickBooks or Zoho Books. It might take some effort, but it’s a common process. Consulting an accountant can help make the switch smooth.
Are industry-specific accounting features available in Xero alternatives?
Absolutely. Many Xero alternatives offer or integrate with solutions that have industry-specific features. For example, FreshBooks is great for service-based businesses, while NetSuite is highly customizable for various complex industries. Some also connect with specialized tools for specific sectors.
