With the increasing demand for efficient and affordable accounting software, many businesses of all sizes seek alternatives that better suit their needs. Xero Cloud is a significant starting step, but it is not suitable for long-term use, especially for businesses looking to grow.
In this guide, we'll learn about some of the top contenders in the market, each offering its own set of features and benefits. So, if you're ready to find the perfect fit for your business's financial management, let's look into the best alternatives to Xero Cloud.
List of Top 6 Alternatives to Xero Cloud
Here’s a curated list of alternatives to Xero Cloud.
- ZarMoney
- QuickBooks Online
- FreshBooks
- Zoho Books
- Sage Business Cloud
- Wave Financials
1. ZarMoney
ZarMoney is a cloud-based accounting solution that simplifies financial management for businesses of all sizes. With a focus on user-friendly features, it offers tools for invoicing, bill management, advanced inventory, online payments, bank connections, and more.
They aim to improve cash flow and provide deep insights into financial performance through detailed reporting and analytics. ZarMoney is appreciated by thousands of businesses for its adaptability, ease of use, and ability to simplify accounting and financial processes.
Features of ZarMoney
Here’s a list of features that make ZarMoney a great cloud-based accounting platform.
- Accounting
- Accounts Receivable
- Billing
- Invoice & Estimates
- Bookkeeping
- Inventory Management
- Invoicing
- Payment Processing
- Order Management
Top Features of ZarMoney
1. Accounting
ZarMoney provides an intuitive platform for managing your financial data. It offers detailed reporting and analytics, helping businesses understand their financial health. The tool simplifies complex accounting tasks, making tracking income, expenses, and financial reports easier.
2. Billing and Inventory Management
ZarMoney's billing software organizes invoicing and payment processing, improving efficiency for growing businesses and its inventory management software offers comprehensive control and visibility across multiple warehouses, refining decision-making with real-time data access. These features support better financial management and operational efficiency.
3. Invoicing and Payment Processing
ZarMoney arranges to create and send professional invoices, coupled with a powerful payment processing system. This ensures timely payments, improves cash flow, and offers customers a variety of payment options, increasing overall satisfaction.
Pros
- Optimized professional accounting
- Affordable pricing structure
- Plug-and-play functionality
- Feature-rich capabilities
- Reliable human support
Cons
- Requires an internet connection for cloud-based functionalities.
- There might be a learning curve for those new to payroll platforms.
Pricing of ZarMoney
ZarMoney has 3 different pricing plans to choose from:
- The Entrepreneur plan costs $15 per month for single-user access.
- The Small Business plan costs $20 per month and includes 2 user accesses.
- The Enterprise plan costs $350 monthly and has access for 30+ users.
Each package also has a 15-day free trial that you can avail of before buying the package.
Integrations of ZarMoney
ZarMoney supports multiple relevant integrations with other apps to help its users switch to ZarMoney smoothly. Some of those integrations are as follows.
- Zapier
- Gusto
- Authorize.net
- Stripe
- Mailchimp
- WePay
- AutoEntry
ZarMoney Average Rating
The average rating of ZarMoney among popular software directories, like GetApp and G2, is 4.7 out of 5.
ZarMoney Reviews
Bottomline
ZarMoney emerges as an effective alternative for businesses looking to switch from Xero Cloud and seeking an all-encompassing cloud-based accounting solution. With its strong emphasis on user-friendly interfaces, strong inventory management, and efficient invoicing and payment processing, it's well-suited for a variety of business needs.
While it offers a broad suite of features that cater to both small and large enterprises, businesses can benefit from its adaptability and straightforward approach to financial management, making it a strong contender for those considering their options in accounting software.
2. QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online is smart cloud-based accounting software that excels at making financial management tasks more convenient, such as tracking expenses, customizing invoices, and generating detailed reports.
With QuickBooks, you can connect your bank for smooth transactions, manage your business on the go with a mobile app, and enjoy the comfort of automated tax calculations. It's designed to save businesses time and reduce errors, making financial oversight more efficient and less stressful.
Features of QuickBooks Online
Here is a list of features that make QuickBooks Online a worthy cloud-based accounting software for our list of alternatives.
- Reporting
- Making Tax Digital
- Bank Connections
- Payroll
- Cash flow insights
- Workpapers
- Annual Accounts
- Corporation Tax
- Practice Manager
- Invoicing
- Expenses
- HMRC Self Assessment
Top Features of QuickBooks Online
The top features of QuickBooks Online that set it apart from other software are.
1. Bank Connections
QuickBooks helps in managing finances by offering easy bank connections. This feature automatically updates and categorizes transactions, saving time and offering real-time financial insights.
2. Making Tax Digital
Facilitating compliance with digital tax requirements, QuickBooks allows for flawless tax calculations and submissions directly to the HMRC, ensuring businesses stay on top of their tax obligations without hassle.
3. Cash Flow Insights
With QuickBooks, understanding and predicting cash flow becomes child’s play. It provides detailed forecasts and real-time tracking, improving insights and helping businesses make informed financial decisions.
Pros
- User-friendly interface that simplifies accounting for non-accountants.
- Integrates well with other applications, increasing its functionality.
- Provides real-time financial insights to help with decision-making.
Cons
- Subscriptions can be expensive for small businesses or freelancers.
- Some users report occasional syncing issues with bank transactions.
- Advanced features may require a steeper learning curve for new users.
Pricing of QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online offers four different packages, Simple Start, Essentials, Plus, and Advanced, which you can use for free for a 30-day trial period or buy immediately to avail yourself of 50% off for 3 months.
- The Simple Start package costs $15 per month with 1-user access.
- The Essentials package costs $30 per month with 3-user access.
- The Plus package costs $45 per month with 5-user access.
- The Advanced package costs $100 monthly for 25 users with customized access.
You can check out what you will get from each package by visiting their pricing page.
Integrations of QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online has many app integrations that can make it easier for you to use. A few of these integrations are.
- Receipt Bank
- AutoEntry
- Transaction Pro
- SOS Inventory
- Erplain
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- Squarespace
- Connex
- Fathom
- LivePlan
- Syft Analytics
QuickBooks Online Average Rating
The average rating given by customers of QuickBooks Online is 4.1 out of 5, gathered from Software Directories like G2 and GetApp.
QuickBooks Online Reviews
Bottomline
QuickBooks Online is a user-friendly alternative to Xero Cloud for those seeking an efficient way to manage their finances. With its easy interface, expansive bank connections, and insightful cash flow management tools, it helps businesses stay financially organized. While it may come with a higher price tag and a learning curve for some advanced features, its integration capabilities and real-time financial insights make it a strong contender for businesses aiming to improve their accounting processes.
3. FreshBooks
FreshBooks offers an effortless cloud-based accounting solution known for its ease of use. FreshBooks enables users to send invoices, track time, manage expenses, and get paid online, focusing on simplicity and automation to save time.
It stands out for its excellent customer service and an interface that makes accounting accessible, even to those without a background in finance. Designed to keep your finances in clear view without added complexity, FreshBooks supports businesses in managing their finances with minimal effort.
Features of FreshBooks
FreshBooks offers a wide range of features that can be useful for you. Here’s a list of features that can help make your switching decision easier.
- Customizable invoices
- Payment Reminders
- Recurring Invoices
- Multi-currency billing
- Automatic Tax Calculation
- Expenses and Receipts Tracking
- Estimates and Proposals
- Time Tracking
- Projects and Collaboration
- Accept Payments
- Recurring Payments and Auto-Bills
- Financial Reporting
- Client Management
- Relationship Feed
Top Features of FreshBooks
Among its various features, listed below are the features that’ll be most useful for businesses looking for a cloud-accounting solution.
1. Customizable Invoices
FreshBooks allows for easy invoice customization, helping businesses reflect their brand identity. This feature supports a professional appearance while accommodating specific billing details for businesses.
2. Time Tracking
The Time Tracking feature helps accurately log billable hours directly to invoices, ensuring clients are charged appropriately for the work done. It's ideal for freelancers and agencies that bill by the hour.
3. Accept Payments
FreshBooks improves the payment process by allowing clients to pay directly through invoices and supports various payment methods and gateways. This speeds up the payment cycle and improves cash flow.
Pros
- Extremely user-friendly, making it great for non-accountants.
- Efficient invoice customization and payment processing organize billing.
- Excellent customer support provides quick and helpful responses.
Cons
- May be pricier for businesses that need multiple team members to access the account.
- Limited to more straightforward accounting tasks.
- Integrations are available but might not cover all business needs.
Pricing of FreshBooks
FreshBooks offers three different packages, Lite, Plus, and Premium, which you can also try for free for a 30-day trial period.
- The Lite package costs $5.70 per month
- The Plus package costs $9.90 per month
- The Premium package costs $18 per month
You can also talk to an expert to get the selected package, which includes everything from the Premium package plus more modules to fulfill all your business requirements.
Integrations of FreshBooks
FreshBooks offers a variety of integrations, here’s a list of the main third-party integrations:
- Acuity
- Checkeeper
- Mailform
- Zapier
- Hubspot
- Gusto
- Syft Analytics
- WooCommerce
- Calendly
- GSuite
- Slack
FreshBooks Average Rating
FreshBooks has an average rating of 4.5/5 among popular Software directories like G2, GetApp, and Capterra
FreshBooks Reviews
Bottomline
FreshBooks positions itself as a highly user-friendly and efficient alternative to Xero Cloud. Its strengths lie in easy invoice customization, effortless time tracking, and hassle-free payment acceptance, enriching the financial management experience with minimal issues.
While it might carry a higher cost for expanded team access and focus on simpler accounting needs, its excellent customer support and user-driven design make it a compelling choice for those prioritizing ease of use and efficiency in their accounting software.
4. Zoho Books
Zoho Books is intuitive cloud-based accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses. It automates business workflows, facilitates collaboration across departments, and provides a set of comprehensive features, including invoicing, expense tracking, and advanced reporting.
Zoho Books is part of Zoho's ecosystem, allowing perfect integration with over 50 other Zoho apps. This makes it a scalable solution as your business grows. Its user-friendly design ensures you don't need to be an accounting expert to manage your finances effectively.
Features of Zoho Books
Here’s a list of features provided by Zoho Books that make it a member of our curated list of alternatives to Xero Cloud.
- Invoicing
- Quotes
- Customer Portal
- Expenses
- Bills
- Banking
- Projects
- Inventory
- Sales Order
- Purchase Orders
- Tax
- Online Payments
- Reporting
- Automation
- Documents
- Vendor Portal
- Mobile
Top Features of Zoho Books
Among all of its features, the features Zoho Books is most known for are as follows.
1. Invoicing
Zoho Books improves your billing efficiency with customizable invoices that reflect your brand. Its invoicing system accelerates the payment process through automated reminders and allows for easy tracking of invoice statuses, ensuring you stay on top of receivables.
2. Online Payments
The online payments feature within Zoho Books makes receiving payments effortless and fast. Offering various payment gateways allows your customers to pay more conveniently, helping you maintain a steady cash flow.
3. Automation
Zoho Books' automation is designed to save valuable time. From automating bank feeds to recurring invoices and payment reminders, this feature minimizes manual effort, allowing you to focus on growing your business while ensuring accuracy in your financial records.
Pros
- Integrates easily with other Zoho apps, improving business processes.
- Offers a wide range of automation features, reducing manual work.
- User-friendly interface that simplifies complex accounting tasks.
Cons
- The extensive features might be overwhelming for new users.
- Limited customization options for financial reports compared to competitors.
- Some users may find the pricing structure a bit complex as businesses scale.
Pricing of Zoho Books
Zoho Books offers five different packages and a free package. The free package is only for businesses with less than $50K in revenue per annum.
- The Standard package costs $10 if you pay monthly
- The Professional package costs $20 if you pay monthly
- The Premium package costs $30 if you pay monthly
- The Elite package costs $100 if you pay monthly
- The Ultimate package costs $200 if you pay monthly
You can also compare the differences in offerings of their packages here.
Integrations of Zoho Books
Here’s a list of third-party integrations of Zoho Books that can help you integrate it into your business.
- Xero
- QuickBooks Online
- WooCommerce
- Shopify
- WebHooks
- Hubspot
- Slack
- Gmail
- Wix
- Square
- Wave
- Airtable
- Salesforce
- Stripe
- ClickUp
- Asana
- Google Drive
- Trello
Zoho Books Average Rating
The average rating given to Zoho Books is 4.3 out of 5, among famous software directories like GetApp, Capterra, and G2.
Zoho Books Reviews
Bottomline
Zoho Books offers a solid alternative to Xero Cloud, particularly for businesses looking for an accounting solution with strong automation and integration capabilities. It provides a user-friendly experience, broad financial management features, and excellent customization options. While it has a learning curve for newcomers and a complicated pricing structure for scaling businesses, its benefits in simplifying accounting processes make it a smart choice for small to medium-sized businesses aiming for efficiency and growth.
5. Sage Business Cloud
Sage Business Cloud is a top-tier cloud-based financial management platform for mid-sized and growing businesses. It's suited for delivering deep financial and operational insights, automating critical processes, and offering comprehensive reporting capabilities.
Sage Intacct's strength lies in its flexibility to support various industries with customized solutions that grow with your business. It ensures finance teams can work more efficiently, giving businesses the agility to respond to changing market demands.
Features of Sage Business Cloud
Here’s a wide range of accounting features of Sage Business Cloud that can help you decide whether this is the alternative you were looking for.
- Invoicing
- Bank Connections
- Reporting
- VAT
- Forecasting
- Mobile Apps
- Sales
- Multi-Currency
- Budgeting
- Project Tracking
- Time Tracking
Top Features of Sage Business Cloud
Here’s a wide range of accounting features of Sage Business Cloud that can help you decide whether this is the alternative you were looking for.
1. Reporting
Sage Business Cloud's reporting feature stands out by providing businesses with specific insights into their financial health. With customizable dashboards and detailed financial reports, companies can access real-time revenue, expenses, and overall performance data and make informed business decisions.
2. Forecasting
The forecasting feature in Sage Business Cloud allows businesses to plan for the future with confidence. By analyzing historical data and current financial trends, companies can create accurate forecasts that help with budgeting, financial planning, and predicting cash flow needs.
3. Project Tracking
Project tracking within Sage Business Cloud offers detailed management of project timelines, budgets, and profitability. It provides a clear view of each project's financial performance, helping businesses make informed decisions about resource allocation and project planning.
Pros
- Offers deep financial insights and comprehensive reporting.
- Customizable to fit various industry needs.
- Integrates well with other business applications for a smooth workflow.
Cons
- It may have a steeper learning curve for those new to accounting software.
- Pricing can be higher, especially for smaller businesses.
- Some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to competitors.
Pricing of Sage Business Cloud
Sage Business Cloud accounting only has two pricing packages, Start and Standard, with a 30-day free trial period.
- The Start package is for one user only and costs $11 per month.
- The Standard package prices vary according to the number of users.
-
For 2 users, it costs $22 per month.
-
For 3 users, it costs $24 per month.
-
For 4 users, it costs $26 per month.
-
For 5 users, it costs $28 per month.
-
For more details and comparisons between the packages, you can visit their pricing page here. There are no predefined packages for Sage Intacct but you can get the quotation for your company by talking to an expert.
Integrations of Sage Business Cloud
Sage Business Cloud offers a variety of integrations. Here’s a list of the primary third-party integrations.
- Syft Analytics
- Clarity
- NettTracker
- AutoEntry
- GoCardless
- Zapier
- Hubspot
- Slack
- WooCommerce
- Shopify
Sage Business Cloud Average Rating
The average rating of Sage Business Cloud Accounting is 4.1 out of 5, while the average rating of Sage Intacct is 4.3 out of 5.
Sage Business Cloud Reviews
Bottomline
Using Sage Intacct for complex financial management and Sage Accounting for simpler accounting needs, Sage Business Cloud offers a competitive alternative to Xero Cloud. With its deep financial insights, industry-specific customization, and all-inclusive reporting, it caters well to businesses aiming for growth and scalability. While it might present a steeper learning curve and higher cost, its integration capabilities and detailed financial analysis make it a powerful tool for businesses looking for detailed financial functionality and adaptability.
6. Wave Financials
Wave Financial is a free, cloud-based accounting platform designed specifically for small businesses, freelancers, and consultants. It offers various financial services without the monthly subscription fee.
Wave makes managing company finances easy and straightforward, allowing users to create professional invoices, automate payment reminders, and track income and expenses efficiently. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive financial toolkit make it an excellent choice for small business owners looking to manage their finances without the complexity or cost of other accounting software.
Features of Wave Financials
Here’s a list of features of Wave Financials that can help you meet your business needs.
- Invoicing
- Payments
- Accounting
- Mobile receipts
- Payroll
- Advisors
- Wave app
- Recurring billing
Top Features of Wave Financials
Among the features of Wave Financials, these are the features that you can benefit from the most.
1. Invoicing
Wave offers effortless invoicing, allowing users to create and send professional invoices with ease. This feature supports customization to fit brand identity and automates the billing process to ensure timely payments from clients.
2. Accounting
Wave's accounting feature provides various tools for tracking income and expenses. It helps with financial management, offering clear insights into business performance and helping users make informed decisions based on real-time data.
3. Payments
With Wave, accepting payments becomes uncomplicated, improving the customer experience by offering flexible payment options. This feature integrates smoothly with invoicing, ensuring businesses get paid faster and improve their cash flow.
Pros
- Free to use for accounting, invoicing, and receipt scanning.
- User-friendly interface simplifies financial management.
- Integrates invoicing and payment processing.
Cons
- Limited customization options for financial reports.
- Payroll services are not free and are available only in the U.S. and Canada.
- Customer support options may be limited compared to paid services.
Pricing of Wave Financials
Wave Financials pricing is divided into a free-to-use Starter Plan and a paid Pro Plan. The Start Plan is perfect for starting businesses, but you can always opt for the Pro Plan later if you need more.
The Pro Plan costs $16 per month billed monthly or $170 per year billed annually.
Integrations of Wave Financials
Listed below are the third-party integrations offered by Wave Financials.
- PayPal
- Shopify
- Mailchimp
- Slack
- Hubspot
- WooCommerce
- Google Calendar
- Dubsado
- QuickBooks Online
- Trello
- ClickUp
- Xero
- Zoho CRM
- Asana
- Microsoft Outlook
- Salesforce
Wave Financials Average Rating
The average rating of Wave Financials among famous software directories, like Capterra and GetApp, is 4.4 out of 5.
Wave Financials Reviews
Bottomline
Wave Financials is an obvious choice for small businesses and freelancers seeking a no-cost alternative to Xero Cloud. Its strength in providing essential accounting features like invoicing and expense tracking, all for free, makes it particularly attractive.
While it may not offer the advanced features of Xero, Wave's ease of use and affordability present an intriguing option for those needing to manage their finances effectively.
Table Comparison
|
Features |
ZarMoney |
QuickBooks Online |
FreshBooks |
Zoho Books |
Sage BusinessCloud |
Wave Financials |
|
Invoicing & Payment |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Expense Tracking |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Project Management |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Financial Reporting |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Bank Integration |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
|
Payroll Management |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Client Portal |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
❌ |
|
Customer Support |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
|
Inventory Management |
✅ |
❌ |
❌ |
✅ |
✅ |
❌ |
Conclusion
To conclude, consider these alternatives as potential paths to achieving organized financial operations, ensuring your business can grow and adapt in an ever-changing economy. The six alternatives to Xero Cloud outlined here each offer unique features to suit different business needs. Some offer user-friendly interfaces and comprehensive features and some provide cost-effective solutions for small businesses, each option has its strengths.
Among these, ZarMoney stands out as a particularly compelling option. It is recognized for its comprehensive array of features, including sophisticated billing, inventory management, and customizable invoicing. ZarMoney's ease of use and affordability make it an attractive choice for businesses of all sizes seeking to organize their financial processes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What to look for in a Xero alternative?
The most essential features to look for would be easy invoicing, affordable pricing, user-friendliness, integrations, and software that’ll scale with your business.
2. What is the best alternative to Xero for small businesses?
There are several alternatives, like ZarMoney, Wave Financials, and FreshBooks, that are well suited for catering to the needs of small businesses at affordable pricing.
3. Can I import my data from Xero Cloud into another accounting software?
Yes, most accounting software provides the ability to migrate data from other software. However, you’ll still have to check with the software provider for specific instructions.
4. Do you need an alternative to Xero?
Xero is a great option to start managing your finances, but some users may find it restrictive, especially when your business grows.
5. How easy is it to migrate from Xero to ZarMoney?
ZarMoney provides extensive support to help users transition from other accounting software, like Xero, to ZarMoney.
6. How to migrate data from Xero?
Xero doesn’t have any automated migration tools, but you can export the data manually from each place where you need the data from Xero Cloud.
7. What is the best of the best accounting software?
ZarMoney stands out as the premier accounting software, offering unparalleled billing, inventory management, and customizable invoicing features. Its ease of use and scalability make it ideal for businesses of all sizes, ensuring it's not just an alternative to Xero Cloud but the best choice.
8. Is ZarMoney suitable for industries outside of retail and e-commerce?
ZarMoney's extensive feature set, including advanced reporting and analytics, makes it suitable for a wide range of industries beyond retail and e-commerce, including service-based businesses, manufacturing, and more.
9. Can ZarMoney support businesses with international operations?
Yes, ZarMoney can accommodate businesses with international operations through its multi-currency billing features and global payment processing capabilities, making it a versatile choice for global business management.
10. How does ZarMoney's customer support compare to other accounting software?
ZarMoney provides exceptional customer support with various resources such as live chat, email support, and an extensive knowledge base, ensuring users receive timely assistance and guidance.
