Xero Resource Center
So, you’re thinking about Xero. Maybe your accountant mentioned it, or you’ve seen it come up in every “best accounting software” list. Either way, you want to know if it actually fits your business before you hand over your bank feeds.
This page pulls together everything I’ve written about Xero, in the order I’d read it. Start at the top and stop once you’ve got your answer.
Is Xero right for you?
Here’s the short version. Xero shines when more than one person touches the books, because every plan comes with unlimited users. Your bookkeeper, your accountant and your business partner can all log in without you paying per seat.
Xero is usually a good fit if you:
- work with an accountant or bookkeeper who already uses Xero (very common in the UK, Australia and New Zealand)
- want bank reconciliation to be the fast part of your week, not the dreaded part
- have a team, or a co-owner, and don’t want to pay for every login
- sell online and plan to connect a store or payment app to your accounts
You might want to look elsewhere if you:
- send only a handful of invoices a month and want something free (start with the best free accounting software)
- need US payroll built into the same product, with no third-party app
- run complex inventory, which usually means adding a specialist app on top
Start here
Xero Review
My full take as an accountant: what Xero does well, where it falls short, and who should skip it.
Xero Pricing Plans
Every plan, what the limits mean in practice, and the price you pay once the intro offer ends.
Xero Free Trial Explained
How the trial works, what carries over when you subscribe, and what to set up first.
Xero offers by country
Xero runs different introductory offers in different countries, and they change often. Don’t worry, you don’t need to hunt for codes. Each guide below tells you what the offer currently is, how to check it on Xero’s own site, and what you’ll pay afterwards.
Xero Promo Code and Discount Guide
The main guide, with the current US offer and how to check it yourself.
Xero Promo Code UK
The current UK offer, and how to check it yourself.
Xero Promo Code Australia
The current Australian offer, and how to check it.
Xero Promo Code New Zealand
The current New Zealand offer, and how to check it.
Using Xero for your kind of business
Xero for Ecommerce Sellers
How to set Xero up for an online store without making a mess of the books.
Best Xero Alternatives
When it’s worth switching away from Xero, and which product I’d move to.
Xero compared
Xero vs QuickBooks
The big one. Unlimited users against per-user plans, and which works out cheaper for you.
Xero vs FreshBooks
Full accounting against invoicing-first software for service businesses.
Xero vs Zoho Books
Two strong mid-priced options, and the one that suits a budget.
Xero vs Wave
Paid depth against a free plan, and when free stops being enough.
Xero vs Sage
Two UK favourites, side by side.
Xero vs MYOB
The big decision for Australian businesses.
How I review Xero
I’m an accountant, so I look at Xero the way I’d look at any set of books: does it keep the records accurate, does reconciliation get quicker, and can your accountant work in it without a fight? A pretty dashboard doesn’t count for much.
Prices and plan limits change, so the pricing guide is the one place on this site where I keep the numbers. If a price ever looks different elsewhere, trust the pricing guide and tell me. You can read how I test accounting software and how I keep pages up to date.
Questions people ask
Is Xero good for a one-person business?
It can be, but you won’t use its biggest advantage, unlimited users. If it’s just you, compare it against QuickBooks and the free options before deciding.
Does my accountant need to pay to access my Xero?
No. You can invite your accountant or bookkeeper as a user at no extra cost, and many already have a Xero partner account.
Can I move from QuickBooks to Xero?
Yes. Xero and a few third-party tools can bring over your contacts, chart of accounts and balances. My Xero vs QuickBooks comparison covers what changes when you switch.
Where to go next
- Best accounting software for small business: my shortlist across every product.
- How to choose accounting software: the questions to answer before you pick anything.
- Accounting Software Resource Center: every review, comparison and guide on the site.