Xero is cloud-based accounting software for individuals, small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers, enabling real-time financial management from anywhere. It includes a wide range of tools designed to streamline your accounting and reduce manual admin, covering online invoicing, payments, bank connections and automatic reconciliation, payroll, purchase orders, inventory, expenses, VAT returns, and multiple app integrations to connect your data and business applications in one place. With recent updates, Xero has also introduced more AI-powered features and automation to help speed up bookkeeping tasks, improve accuracy, and better organise your finances. These features are increasingly valuable as taxes continue to move online, making it more critical than ever to keep your records up to date and ready for digital reporting. Click the link below to get Xero for an exclusive 90% off for six months . Simplify your business accounting for less today.
Best for: Small to medium-sized businesses, sole traders, and their accountants seeking comprehensive cloud-based financial management in the UK.
- Pricing
- Xero offers various pricing plans tailored to different business needs, generally billed monthly
- Free trial
- 30-day free trial
- Platforms
- Web, iOS, Android
- Mobile apps
- iOS and Android
- AI features
- Includes AI-powered features and automation to streamline bookkeeping tasks and improve accuracy.
- Integrations
- 8+ integrations
- Support
- Help centre, online support, and community forums
- Best for
- Small to medium-sized businesses, sole traders, and their accountants seeking comprehensive cloud-based financial management in the UK.
- Founded
- 2006
- Company size
- 5000+ employees
- Headquarters
- Wellington, New Zealand
- Brand
- Xero
What is Xero?
Xero is a leading cloud-based accounting system for small businesses, sole traders, and the accountants who support them. Developed by Xero in New Zealand, it offers a full suite of tools to manage finances, from invoicing and bank reconciliation to payroll and VAT returns.
People choose Xero for its intuitive interface and real-time financial insights. It helps businesses stay organised, reduce manual admin, and remain compliant with digital tax reporting requirements, making financial management more straightforward for everyone involved.
The Slick Media verdict
Xero is a robust accounting platform well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses and sole traders seeking an intuitive cloud solution. Its extensive feature set, including automated bank feeds and integrated payroll, makes it a powerful tool for streamlining financial operations. While it might be overkill for very basic needs, its capacity for growth and integration makes it a strong contender for those planning to scale. With its current offer of 90% off for six months, it presents excellent value.
Why choose Xero
Choosing Xero means opting for simplicity and efficiency in your financial management. Unlike some alternatives, Xero excels at automating routine tasks such as bank reconciliation and expense tracking, freeing up valuable time. Its cloud-based nature allows for real-time collaboration with your accountant and access from any device, simplifying reporting and compliance, especially with the UK's shift to digital tax. This streamlined approach helps businesses maintain accurate records with less effort, making it a compelling choice.
Key features
Pricing
Xero offers various pricing plans tailored to different business needs, generally billed monthly. The features available, such as multi-currency accounting or comprehensive payroll, depend on the specific plan chosen. New users often benefit from promotional offers like a half-price discount for several months. Additionally, Xero provides a free trial period to explore its functionalities before committing to a subscription.
Best current saving: 90% off — see the offer
Xero offers & discount codes
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Who Xero is for
Small to medium-sized businesses, sole traders, and their accountants seeking comprehensive cloud-based financial management in the UK.
- Managing online invoicing and payments
- Automating bank reconciliation
- Tracking expenses and payroll
- Preparing VAT returns
- Monitoring cash flow and profitability
- Collaborating with accountants
Pros and cons
Pros
- Its intuitive interface makes it easy for non-accountants to manage finances.
- Automated bank feeds significantly reduce manual data entry and reconciliation time.
- Cloud-based access allows for flexible working and real-time collaboration.
- Integrates with a wide range of third-party apps, enhancing functionality.
- Supports MTD for VAT, simplifying compliance for UK businesses.
Cons
- Some advanced features are only available in higher-tier plans.
- Initial setup can take time to fully customise to specific business needs.
- The comprehensive features might be overwhelming for very small businesses with basic requirements.
Xero integrations
- Stripe
- GoCardless
- Square
- PayPal
- Zapier
- Hubdoc
- Shopify
- Float
Xero alternatives
Ratings and reviews
Features
Value for money
Design & usability
Ratings are set by the Slick Media editorial team. Member reviews are coming soon — save Xero to be notified when they open.
Xero FAQs
How much does Xero cost in the UK?
Xero offers several subscription plans in the UK, with pricing varying based on the features included, such as invoicing limits, payroll, and multi-currency support. Specific prices are subject to change, but a 30-day free trial is usually available, and promotional offers for new customers are common. It is best to check the official Xero website for the most current pricing details.
Is there a free trial for Xero?
Yes, Xero typically offers a 30-day free trial for new users. This allows you to explore the software's full features and determine if it meets your business needs before committing to a paid subscription. No credit card is usually required to start the trial.
Is Xero worth it for small businesses?
For many small businesses, Xero is indeed worth the investment. Its cloud-based platform simplifies accounting tasks, automates bank reconciliation, and provides real-time financial insights. This helps businesses save time, reduce errors, and stay compliant with tax regulations, particularly beneficial for those operating under Making Tax Digital requirements in the UK.
What are the main alternatives to Xero in the UK?
In the UK, popular alternatives to Xero include QuickBooks Online, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, and FreeAgent. Each offers a different set of features and pricing structures, catering to various business sizes and complexities. Your best option depends on your specific needs for integrations, payroll, and overall user experience.
About Xero
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