Accounting Software Programs Reviews

Xero Review: Accounting Software Programs

We've analyzed the best Accounting Software Programs to help you find the right solution for your needs.

2026 Accounting Software Program Reviews

Where is the best place to find accounting software?  Owning your own business has lots of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles business owners have is getting a handle on their accounting. In the past, accounting meant long hours spent doing calculations by hand or struggling with complicated spreadsheets. That old approach often left room for errors and caused delays (and headaches). But there are better, more modern options that can help you optimize your accounting and get a handle on your business finances with zero hassle.

2.5

FAIR

7

Fair

  • Subscription from $20 to $80 per month
  • 25+ integrations
  • Includes banking, invoicing, and expense tracking
  • Free trial requires payment first
  • 4-star average rating on third-party review sites

FAIR

2.5

On the Xero website

Xero is a popular accounting software platform that is already being used by over 4 million business owners. The goal of Xero's software is to help you keep everything in one place, automate the functions of accounting and bookkeeping so you don't need to worry about the annoying details in your day-to-day business running, and offer you data reports and insights to help you keep up with trends and make better business decisions in the long run. Xero opened initially in 2006 in Wellington, New Zealand, and has grown since to support business owners in the US.

No free trial unless you enter your payment information

To get started at Xero, you can join the free trial, which lasts a full 30 days. However, you will need to select a plan from the Early, Growing, and Established business types and enter your payment information before you can try the software. This is similar to a few other accounting software sites in our review. On the other hand, it does create some limitations for those who want to try out a program without paying (or without the threat of a payment being processed if they forget to cancel).

Three different plans for different business levels

Depending on which of Xero's three plans you choose, you'll get slightly different features.

  • The base plan is the Early option (named after what stage of your business you're at). This includes quotes and invoices for 20 individuals per month, 5 bills per month, all bank transactions, capture bills with a photo, short-term cash flow, W-9 and 1099 management, sales tax, basic financial performance visualization, and a 30-day forecast for your cash flow.
  • The next tier up, the Growing plan, includes all the features of Early plus unlimited invoices, unlimited bill entry, and custom graphs and dashboards.
  • Finally, you can get the top-tier accounting software at Xero in the Established plan, which includes all of the features of the previous plan as well as a 180-day forecast for your cash flow, multiple performance dashboards, advanced KPI analysis, multiple currencies, tracking projects, and expense claims.
Best Accounting Software

Costs from $20 to $80 per month

Xero's accounting software offers fairly reasonable pricing for its plans, all billed monthly. The Early plan costs $20 per month, the Growing plan costs $47 per month, and the Established plan costs $80 per month. The costs are reasonable for the features, and if you can stay on the lower tier, it is competitive with the least expensive accounting software platforms in our review.

25+ integrations offered

The integrations at Xero are promised to offer top-tier customizability, so you can manage your business all in one place. The integrations will all come from the Xero app store. You can find top business integrations like HubSpot, Shopify, Stripe, Syft, DEXT, Expensify, Fathom, Gusto, PayPal, Synder, and more. There are around 25 listed integrations, with notes that there are more on the Xero App Store.

Solid customer service, but more issues to start with

Xero, regrettably, holds an abysmal "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau. However, on other third-party review sites, like Trustpilot, its reputation is much better. This accounting software holds a 4-star average rating out of 5. Recent reviews were mostly 5 stars and said that customer service team members at Xero were extremely polite and helpful. Almost every review starts by mentioning an issue with Xero and then how the customer service team solved it. So, while the end result was fine, this shows a pattern of issues with Xero's technology when compared to other sites.

Needs to work on its reputation a bit more

While Xero has a decent reputation on third-party review sites, the "F" rating is still something to keep an eye on. Since it seems to have more usage issues than other accounting software (leading to good but frequent use of customer support), it doesn't rank quite as highly as more reliable platforms in our review. However, it does have a competitive price range, so it may be worth looking into, though the lack of a free trial before paying is another drawback.

On the Xero website

Continued from above...

Where is the Best Place to Find Accounting Software?

Owning your own business has lots of ups and downs. One of the biggest struggles business owners have is getting a handle on their accounting. In the past, accounting meant long hours spent doing calculations by hand or struggling with complicated spreadsheets. That old approach often left room for errors and caused delays (and headaches). But there are better, more modern options that can help you optimize your accounting and get a handle on your business finances with zero hassle.

Modern accounting software has transformed this process by automating calculations and keeping records in real time. It can even connect to your bank accounts and track expenses as they happen. These improvements mean that your business can now manage its finances faster and more accurately. So, when you get to the tough part of the year (yeah, we all hate tax season), your numbers are all ready to go.

Accounting software can make a big difference for anyone, but it's especially helpful if you own a small business. Instead of worrying about lost receipts or trying to track your payroll yourself, accounting software helps you keep everything in one easy-to-read dashboard. For many small businesses, having your finance tools for payments, taxes, and more all in one program saves time, giving you more freedom to focus on growing your company.

One of the biggest advantages of accounting software today is the support that comes with it. Many platforms include tutorials, built-in guides, and even access to live experts who can answer questions. This way, if you're totally new to accounting software (or changing over from a software that's completely different from the newer ones out there), you can jump right in without the extra learning curve. And, if you do feel comfortable with finance, some programs also provide detailed reports on cash flow, profit margins, and other key data, giving you a clearer picture of how your company is doing and what steps to take next.

Plus, accounting software also offers flexibility and savings that make it an attractive option. Cloud-based platforms allow access from anywhere, so you can check accounts on the go. Some services offer features that can grow along with your business, too, so as you level up, you don't need to worry about finding new or different accounting software all over again.

If you're ready to find the right program so you can cut down on wasted time, keep finances secure, and gain peace of mind knowing that your records are accurate, we totally get it. Here are some factors to consider before you start crunching numbers:

For small businesses that need efficiency and reliability, accounting software has become one of the smartest investments available. Whether you're starting your first business or you've been building an empire for years now, solid accounting software can make the difference between a smooth fiscal year and a high-stress end-of-year audit. To help you make the best choice for your business, Top Consumer Reviews has researched and ranked the top accounting software platforms available today. This way, you can hand off the finances to the experts and focus on making your mark in the business world!

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Accounting Software Program FAQ

What is accounting software used for?
Accounting software is a computer program that helps record a company's financial transactions. This includes accounts payable, bookkeeping, payroll, inventory, reconciliations, time sheets, and much more.
Do you need to be an accountant to use accounting software?
No, in fact many account software companies have made their product specifically for small businesses who don't have an in-house accountant and need to be able to manage their finances on the platform without prior knowledge of how it all works. Of course, it is helpful to have an accounting background, but it is not at all necessary.
How much does accounting software cost?
Most accounting software companies give you the option to pay month-to-month or a lump sum each year. When you pay yearly, you usually end up paying less than you would monthly. You can typically expect to pay between $200 and $1,000 yearly for an accounting software built for small businesses. The number of users, features, and integrations are what make the biggest difference between what different companies charge.
Does every company need to use accounting software?
It is highly recommended! Keeping all of your financial information backed up on a software platform that calculates taxes, payroll, does invoicing, monitors sales, and more, is a safe thing to do because it helps eliminate human error that can easily happen when dealing with so many details. Making a mistake with your accounting can be very costly to a business, so using accounting software is becoming the standard.
How do I know which accounting software is right for my business?
Nearly all accounting software companies allow you to try their product for 30 days without charge. This is a great way to test out their platform and make sure they have all the features your company needs.
Does accounting software ever need to be updated?
If you're using accounting software that gets a big update, it's usually included in the cost you are already paying. If they add options for additional features, this may come with a separate price, but either way you don't have to worry about doing updates yourself.
How do I learn how to use new accounting software?
It may take a bit of time to get used to all of the functions offered by your accounting software. The companies that create accounting software for small businesses work hard to make sure their platform is intuitive and easy to learn. If you have questions, it is a great idea to contact their customer service team for help.
Is it possible to have a company customize an accounting software package for me?
Yes! Some companies are able to give you customized features and integrations that work for your particular industry. To do this, you'll work directly with the accounting software company to build out a platform that caters to your needs. The cost for this will be determined by the complexity of your software package.

Compare Any 2 Products

Wave
FreeAgent
Sage 50
LessAccounting
Zoho Books
FreshBooks
Xero
Kashoo
Quickbooks
Oracle Netsuite
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