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Xero: Accounting & Finance software

Xero is an accounting platform that connects users to bank accounts, financial professionals, and third-party business applications.

What is Xero?

Xero is a cloud-based financial management platform created in 2006 to help small organizations handle core bookkeeping tasks. The platform brings together administrative functions such as invoicing, basic payroll record management, payment handling, expense tracking, and reporting into a unified system. Through real-time online collaboration, business owners and advisors can view current balances, track spending, and maintain accurate ledger entries without relying on manual paperwork or spreadsheets.

At the center of the software is automated bank reconciliation. Xero connects with more than 21,000 global financial institutions to automatically fetch daily bank feeds. The software pairs statement lines against recorded sales and expense items, enabling prompt account reconciliation. Beyond banking workflows, Xero handles accounts payable by allowing users to draft digital purchase orders, monitor vendor bills, and track fixed assets. It also calculates sales tax automatically on transactions to aid in filing returns.

To lessen routine administrative work, Xero includes an artificial intelligence tool named JAX, currently available in beta. JAX answers business questions, simplifies financial data, and automates repetitive tasks. Users can leverage JAX to send estimates and invoices directly to clients across communication channels such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp. This feature lets business operators communicate billing details without leaving the primary application interface.

To expand standard functions, Xero links to external applications through the Xero App Store, which features over 1,000 integrations. Information flows bi-directionally between Xero and connected software, keeping transaction entries aligned across tools. In addition to third-party integrations, the vendor provides connected products including Planday for employee scheduling, Hubdoc for document capture, Syft for analytics, Melio for payment workflows, TaxCycle for Canadian tax preparation, and Tickstar for Peppol e-invoicing. Xero serves clients in over 180 countries.

A mobile companion application allows business owners to manage financial activities outside the office. Users can generate quotes, issue invoices, photograph receipts, approve expense submissions, and monitor cash flow from mobile devices. Xero caters to multiple commercial sectors, offering specific capabilities for construction, trades, real estate, retail, and hospitality. By centralizing daily operational tools, Xero helps small businesses maintain clear financial visibility and manage cash flow effectively.

Main category
Accounting & Finance
Official website
xero.com
Status
Not yet published

Xero use cases

Invoicing and Customer Payments

Business operators can generate electronic invoices and send them to clients from desktop or mobile interfaces. The software automates unpaid invoice reminders and processes payments using credit cards, debit cards, or direct debit options. Using the JAX AI assistant, users can also deliver quotes and billing documents via SMS, WhatsApp, or email, helping organizations decrease manual collection efforts and maintain steady incoming cash flow.

Bank Reconciliation and Cash Flow Monitoring

Organizations link Xero directly to bank accounts to import daily statement entries from over 21,000 global institutions. The platform pairs bank transactions with recorded sales and expenses, enabling users to reconcile accounts with minimal manual entry. The interactive accounting dashboard displays live bank balances, upcoming bills, outstanding invoices, and cash flow forecasts, giving management immediate visibility over current liquidity.

Project Costing and Job Management

Field personnel and project managers use job tracking tools for project planning, budget management, estimate creation, and client billing. Team members log worked hours and assign project costs directly to individual jobs. This functionality provides clear visibility into project expenditures, allowing business owners to monitor profitability, compare actual costs against budgets, and issue progress invoices as milestones are completed.

Expense Tracking and Vendor Bill Management

Employees capture receipt photos and submit expense claims directly through mobile devices or web browsers. Managers review, approve, and process reimbursements while updating accounting records automatically. For vendor management, Xero tracks accounts payable, creates digital purchase orders, and records incoming deliveries, ensuring bills are settled on time and giving management full oversight over operational spending.

Advisory Collaboration and Practice Management

Professional accountants and bookkeepers access client financial records online to perform routine accounting and end-of-period procedures. Advisors use shared financial reports, fixed asset records, and sales tax summaries to verify ledger accuracy and prepare tax returns. Real-time online collaboration allows accounting practices to consult directly with small business clients using live transaction data, eliminating paper handoffs and static file transfers.

Alternatives to Xero

Other tools in Accounting & Finance, listed A–Z. No vendor pays to appear here.

ZypperZypper is a personal financial management platform that monitors accounts, transactions, investments, and net worth. It is tailored for individuals who want to create budgets and gain personalized insights into their financial status. 1099PRO1099PRO is a cloud-based tax filing platform that automates recipient form delivery, state filing, and TIN matching for tax compliance. It is designed for businesses needing to manage and submit 1099, 1098, 1042, and W-2 tax reporting. AirwallexAirwallex is a financial software platform that unifies banking accounts, fund transfers, cards, expense tracking, and invoicing. It is designed for international businesses and marketplaces to handle multi-currency payments and treasury management. AplosAplos is a financial management application designed to handle fund accounting, grant tracking, and budget monitoring. Nonprofits and faith-based organizations use the platform to maintain financial compliance and generate reports for donors and boards. AspireAspire is a financial management platform offering multi-currency business accounts, corporate cards, and cross-border payment processing. Startups and growing companies use the software to manage business expenses, handle invoicing, and track accounts payable and receivable. BILLBILL is an automated financial operations platform for managing accounts payable, accounts receivable, vendor payments, and company expenses. It is built for businesses and accounting firms that need to streamline invoice approvals, monitor budgets, and sync transaction data with accounting software. Bolt for BusinessBolt for Business is a travel management solution that coordinates corporate rides, airport transfers, and courtesy rides. It is designed for companies seeking to handle employee business travel with consolidated monthly invoicing and streamlined expense reporting. CoastCoast is an expense management platform paired with financial cards designed for fuel, fleet, and field operations. It helps businesses issue team payment cards, enforce spending controls, capture receipt documentation, and simplify accounting reconciliations.

Xero FAQs

What is JAX and how does it assist Xero users?

JAX is Xero's artificial intelligence assistant, currently available in beta. It helps business owners automate routine administrative tasks, simplifies financial data into easy-to-read insights, and provides real-time business answers. Users can also utilize JAX to send quotes and invoices directly to clients via messaging platforms including WhatsApp, SMS, and email.

Can users try Xero for free before purchasing?

Yes, Xero offers a 30-day free trial that provides access to platform features. Prospective buyers can set up accounts using their own business data or explore functionality with a demo company. The free trial does not require credit card details, includes 24/7 online support, and can be cancelled at any time.

How many bank institutions connect with Xero?

Xero connects with over 21,000 global financial institutions to provide automated bank feeds. These statement feeds bring daily bank data directly into the platform, allowing automated matching and bank reconciliation so businesses can keep financial records current with minimal manual entry.

How does Xero support project planning and job tracking?

Xero includes job tracking tools for project planning, budgeting, quote generation, and invoicing. Teams can log billable time and assign direct costs to specific jobs. This enables business operators to monitor project expenses, track profitability against budget limits, and issue progress invoices throughout the job lifecycle.

What types of applications can be found in the Xero App Store?

The Xero App Store offers over 1,000 certified software integrations organized by industry and business function. Available integrations cover sectors such as retail, construction, trade services, and real estate, alongside functional solutions for payment processing, inventory control, CRM, point of sale, payroll, and document management.

Does Xero handle multi-currency transactions?

Yes, Xero provides multi-currency accounting capabilities designed for international business operations. The platform allows users to manage sales invoices, bills, and payments in foreign currencies. It automatically converts currency balances and calculates foreign exchange gains and losses for accurate financial recordkeeping.

How do accountants and bookkeepers work with clients on Xero?

Accounting and bookkeeping professionals use Xero to collaborate online with small business clients in real time. Advisors access live ledger numbers, run reports, review fixed asset schedules, and summarize sales tax data to assist with return preparation and provide ongoing financial advice without paper-based record exchanges.

What is Xero Small Business Insights?

Xero Small Business Insights is a research initiative that analyzes anonymized and aggregated data to track small business trends. The program evaluates metrics such as sales growth, job creation, wage changes, late payments, and labor productivity across markets including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

What additional software products are offered under the Xero brand?

In addition to the core accounting software, Xero offers specialized tools including Planday for employee shift scheduling and workforce management, Hubdoc for receipt capture, Syft for AI-first financial reporting, Melio for payment workflows, TaxCycle for Canadian income tax preparation, and Tickstar for international e-invoicing.

What features are included in the Xero mobile app?

The Xero Accounting mobile app allows business owners to manage operations on the go. Users can draft quotes, issue invoices, take photos of receipts, approve employee expense claims, perform bank reconciliations, and review financial health dashboards from smartphones or tablets.

Who uses Xero?

Xero is designed for sole traders, self-employed individuals, newly established businesses, growing small enterprises, and established commercial organizations. It also serves professional accountants and bookkeepers who provide financial advisory and bookkeeping services to client accounts.

  • Sole traders
  • Self-employed individuals
  • New businesses
  • Growing small businesses
  • Established businesses
  • Accountants and bookkeepers
  • Construction and trades
  • Retail and hospitality
  • Real estate and property

Xero pros and cons

Until real users review Xero, this tab shows what the vendor highlights and the points worth checking — never invented opinions.

What Xero highlights

  • Automated bank reconciliation with connections to over 21,000 global financial institutions
  • Library of over 1,000 certified app integrations in the Xero App Store
  • JAX AI assistant (beta) for real-time insights and multi-channel document delivery via WhatsApp, SMS, and email
  • Bi-directional synchronization keeps external software data aligned with the accounting ledger
  • 30-day free trial accessible without entering credit card details

Points to check before choosing

  • The website does not specify data residency options or hosting locations
  • Native payroll functionality focuses on basic runs for small teams, requiring third-party apps for complex workforce management
  • Artificial intelligence features under JAX are currently offered in beta
  • Storage limits for uploaded files and document attachments are not stated on the vendor website

Xero features

Online Invoicing

Enables businesses to draft, customize, and transmit digital invoices using any web-enabled device. The function automates payment reminders and accepts settlement through credit cards, debit cards, or direct debits. Users can also issue invoices and estimates directly via messaging options like WhatsApp, SMS, and email using integrated artificial intelligence tools.

Bank Feeds and Reconciliation

Establishes secure links to over 21,000 global financial institutions to automatically import daily statement records. The software uses automated matching to pair bank feed entries with recorded billing items, receipts, and invoices, reducing manual input while maintaining reconciled accounting ledgers in real time.

JAX AI Assistant

An artificial intelligence application currently in beta that assists users with routine business admin tasks. JAX delivers real-time financial insights, converts numerical data into simplified explanations, and handles quote and invoice delivery over email, SMS, and WhatsApp messaging platforms to streamline business communication.

Expense Claims Management

Allows workers to log commercial receipts and submit expense claims electronically via mobile devices or desktop web browsers. Managers inspect, approve, and reimburse staff spending while the software logs each entry into the ledger, preserving document records and financial clarity.

Project and Job Tracking

Provides job management utilities for project planning, budget preparation, estimate generation, and client invoicing. Users can log time dedicated to tasks and assign direct expenses, enabling businesses to measure project profitability, manage costs, and create progress invoices based on completed milestones.

Online Payroll Management

Maintains online staff wage records and executes basic pay runs for smaller worker teams within the system. The module generates payroll reports and feeds wage data into accounting records, helping small business owners meet basic employer obligations and maintain organized payroll documentation.

Inventory Tracking

Tracks stock levels by logging purchased and sold goods. The feature populates sales invoices and digital purchase orders automatically with pre-configured item details, assisting retailers, trade firms, and wholesalers in monitoring stock quantities, purchasing expenses, and reorder requirements.

Financial Reporting and Analytics

Generates interactive financial reports to assist business owners and advisors in assessing financial performance, evaluating financial health, and forecasting future cash flow. Users can adjust report formats, monitor key business metrics, and share live data online with financial advisors.

Multi-Currency Accounting

Supports international business activities by processing invoices, bills, and payments in multiple global currencies. The platform converts foreign currency figures automatically and computes exchange gains or losses, helping organizations maintain accurate accounting statements without manual calculations.

Purchase Order Management

Allows teams to draft and transmit digital purchase orders to vendors online. The tool tracks order status from creation to delivery, linking purchase orders directly to vendor bills and inventory logs to control accounts payable and incoming shipments in the cloud.

Sales Tax Automation

Calculates applicable sales tax across taxable purchase and sales transactions automatically. The platform compiles tax entries into structured summary reports, assisting business owners and bookkeepers in preparing accurate tax filings.

Xero Mobile App

Provides mobile platform access on smartphones and tablets. Business owners can prepare estimates, send invoices, capture receipt photos, approve expenses, reconcile statement entries, and view financial dashboards while away from their desks.

Xero pricing

We don't publish prices: they change often and differ by country. Check current plans on Xero's own pricing page.

Xero structures pricing across subscription tiers built for accounting essentials with options to scale. Available options include Starter for sole traders and self-employed individuals, Standard for growing businesses, and Premium for established organizations. A 30-day free trial allows users to evaluate features using custom data or a demo company set without entering a credit card.

Free plan
No
Free trial
Yes

See Xero pricing

Xero integrations

Xero integrates with external tools through the Xero App Store, which includes over 1,000 certified integrations. Connected applications feature bi-directional data flow, ensuring updates in third-party tools sync back to Xero and vice versa. Applications are categorized by industry sectors, such as retail, construction, and property, as well as functions including CRM, point of sale, payroll, inventory, and payment processing.

  • WhatsApp
  • SMS
  • Planday
  • Hubdoc
  • Syft
  • Melio
  • TaxCycle
  • Tickstar

Xero support

Xero offers continuous 24/7 online support to users and prospective clients. Educational assets include small business guides, customer case studies, business templates, accountant and bookkeeper guides, podcasts, and the Xero TV video library. The vendor also publishes macroeconomic studies through Xero Small Business Insights.

  • 24/7 online support
  • Small business guides
  • Xero TV video library
  • Podcasts
  • Business templates
  • Accountant and bookkeeper resources

Xero reviews

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This page was written with AI from 7 pages of xero.com's own website (read on Sep 16, 2026) and checked automatically: no copied wording, no prices, and no figure that isn't on the vendor's site. Nobody on our team has tested Xero.

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