Xero vs Accounting Seed

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Our analysts compared Xero vs Accounting Seed based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Accounting Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses. It streamlines bookkeeping tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and payroll, all accessible from any device. Xero boasts user-friendly interfaces and automated features, saving time and simplifying financial management. Popular features include online invoicing with reminders, bank feeds for automatic transaction import, and customizable reports for insights into cash flow and profitability. While Xero caters well to various industries, its strengths lie in freelancer/contractor work, startups, and service-based businesses. Pricing scales with business size and complexity, starting at a monthly subscription for basic accounting needs and increasing with additional features and users. Compared to some competitors, Xero offers a robust mobile app, strong integrations with third-party tools, and a focus on user experience. However, it may lack advanced inventory management or complex accounting functions suited for larger enterprises. Ultimately, Xero's value proposition lies in its ease of use, automation, and scalability, making it a popular choice for small businesses seeking a streamlined and efficient accounting solution.

Pros:
  • Cloud-based access anywhere
  • Easy invoicing and expense tracking
  • Automated bank reconciliation
  • User-friendly interface
  • Mobile app for on-the-go use
Cons:
  • Learning curve for new users
  • Limited inventory management
  • No built-in payroll (separate fee)
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited phone support
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Accounting Seed streamlines financial processes for mid-sized to enterprise businesses, particularly those in professional services, non-profits, and project-based industries. Built on the Salesforce platform, it leverages CRM integration and robust customization options to cater to specific needs. Key benefits include automated workflows, multi-currency support, and real-time financial reporting. Popular features range from billing and revenue recognition to inventory management and project accounting. User reviews praise its intuitive interface, scalability, and reporting capabilities. Pricing follows a tiered subscription model based on user count and desired functionality. While considered a premium solution, its feature set and integration capabilities often outweigh the cost for businesses seeking a comprehensive financial management system.

Pros
  • Easy to use interface
  • Robust reporting features
  • Seamless Salesforce integration
  • Customizable dashboards
  • Strong customer support
Cons
  • Limited customization options
  • Occasional bugs or glitches
  • Steeper learning curve for some features
  • Can be slow at times
  • No mobile app
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$750 Monthly
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Product Assistance

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24/7 Live Support
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Product Insights

  • Affordable Payroll: Take advantage of the free trial to see how much time automated data entry can save and assess if the solution is a good fit for the business. Save countless hours on tracking expenses, calculating payments, processing payroll and more.
  • Better Interoperability: Centralize company processes and handle a wide range of functionality with more than 700 add-ons available through the app marketplace. This includes programs for CRM, e-commerce, inventory, invoicing, job tracking, payroll, time and attendance and more.
  • Centralizes Data and Processes: Organize information and put the primary software that handles day-to-day issues all in one place. Manage files to a document library where users can see originals next to updated versions. Send files to stakeholders to ensure a clear flow of information.
  • Saves Time: Eliminate tedious data entry and ensure better data integrity by cutting down on human error. Provide a clear documentation trail to ensure that the business is running ethically and save time hunting for documents when it’s time to verify the information.
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  • Better SalesForce Integration: Integrate with SalesForce CRM and use the SalesForce Product Object. Use it as a standalone product if the system is hooked to the complete platform. 
  • Improved Invoicing: Make use of multiple invoice formats with built-in approvals. Set up recurring bills for improved security and compliance and to minimize the possibility of errors. 
  • User-friendly Reporting: Create user-friendly or fully formatted financial reports using SalesForce. Easily track the company’s performance regularly with custom reports. 
  • Time Tracking and Expenses: Manage accounting with built-in time cards. Track and report on expenses using the app. 
  • Better Accessibility: Access and conduct business from anywhere in the world with the mobile app. 
  • Eliminate repetitive tasks: Automate repetitive tasks and personalize the system using point-and-click automation. Leverage the feature to personalize with codes if the automation doesn't work for certain use cases. 
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  • Payroll Processing: Provide payroll across 50 states. See when payments are due, track them and ensure on time payment. Analyze accounts payable with a quick view, schedule advanced payments and make batch payments.
  • Banking: Connect to the right bank to track and facilitate transactions daily. Keep an eye on the flow of money through a secure connection that goes directly into the solution.
  • Expense Management: Seamlessly track and manage expense claims. Access real-time data and reports that provide insight into patterns and trends. Record costs, see and approve claims, view overall spending and dole out reimbursements. Capture receipts to monitor employee spending and verify costs.
  • Project Management: Integrate with other workflows to facilitate financial project management. Provide a quote for client work before you begin to track time, costs, profitability and other variables for an accurate invoice.
  • Customer History: Use smart lists and contacts to contact details, emails, past sales, emails, invoices, past payments and more when working with a partner or client.
  • Mobile App: Let users track bank transactions, send invoices, access supplier details and more, from any mobile device.
  • Inventory Management: Undertake basic inventory management, including taking inventory, seeing what was bought or sold, look at reports on how well items are doing and get invoices and orders.
  • Gusto Integration: Calculate and pay taxes, deductions and employees through an integration with the accounting software Gusto. Simplify compliance and keep on top of industry updates.
  • Other Capabilities: Processes payment in multiple currencies, calculates sales taxes, tracks purchase orders, manages files and does several other administrative tasks.
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  • Billing: Create an invoice, start a project or make a recurring billing plan without tedious integration. Customize recurring billing to business requirements. Configure and personalize the system for simple, smarter billing and payment management. 
    • Bookkeeping: Make sure that the business has relevant tax data and error-free and consistent bookkeeping with Avalara. Ensure seamless high-level security transactions without any fee structure with Stripe. Manage billing at the contract level by monitoring past, present and future activity. Make billing simpler with automatic subscription renewals. 
  • Accounts Receivable: Bridge the gap between invoices and payment cycle for a productive cash flow. Automate collection notices and monitor customer activities, aging balances in real-time with configurable dashboards and reports. 
    • Single-View Visibility: Maintain visibility of the project lifecycle and manage customer communication with custom processes. Compile accounts receivable data from any date or time and gain real-time visibility. Get a single view of billing quotes and incoming sales orders. Eliminate the need for repetitive billing work and get paid faster. 
  • Revenue Recognition: Free up the finance department’s time with a CRM-integrated customizable revenue management system. Enhance financial accuracy and make well-informed decisions by recognizing patterns, establishing connections and classifying financial data. 
    • Customizable Accounts Receivable: Customize accounts receivable for revenue recognition based on policies and procedures to ensure an efficient process. Streamline business workflow by automating revenue recognition. Minimize dependency on multiple IT resources with custom configuration. Record and edit contracts natively without the need of any additional integration software. 
  • Recurring Payments: Eliminate repetitive manual calculation with usage-based billing and built-in tiered payments. Customize the solution according to the business model. Make single or batch billing records from single or multiple sales opportunities. Create invoices from sales orders at any stage of completion with a click. Use time cards or expense reports to create bills. 
  • Paying Vendors: Customize the purchasing process and link a purchase order with a manufacturing or construction order as the business demands. Analyze stock level and purchase inventory without the hassle of integration points. Make transactions easier with the connectivity to over 14,500 banks and credit card companies. 
  • General Ledger: Gain complete control of charts of accounts set up with the analytical and intuitive financial management software. Manage user configuration without coding or customization and automate back-office operations with ease. 
  • Multi-Currency: Pay foreign vendors and receive payments in any currency. Keep track of the gain and losses based on fluctuations in the exchange rates with the standard pronouncements. Save time and money by automating conversions for transactions. Create compliant reports in multiple currencies. Minimize the possibility of errors with automated financial consolidation tools. 
  • Multi-Company: Manage budget for multiple companies in a single database. Share sales quotes and opportunities, vendors, charts of accounts, projects and accounting periods between different entities. Get real-time insights by switching between companies and local account views. Boost visibility and control with flexible, multi-company reports. 
  • Bank Reconciliation: Clear bank transactions and make quick reconciliations with minimal data entry using Bank Direct Connect. Ensure correct and up-to-date information by tracking changes with the audit trail function. 
    • Statement Management: Get statements from any bank and reconcile checking, savings and credit card accounts. Efficiently manage bank errors, keep an eye for frauds and maintain accurate cash flow. 
  • Sales Order Management: Save time and money with a streamlined sales order process. Make a sales order from the inventory in the CRM. Reserve products for a particular customer’s orders by designating the items. Capture packaging and shipping details from a single interface. 
    • Purchase Orders: Generate purchase orders directly from sales. Monitor and manage warehouse and inventory directly into one integrated system. Build a customized solution with kitting, serialized and non-serialized inventory, historical inventory balance reporting, multi-warehouse and multi-location environments. 
  • Project Accounting: Consolidate general ledger and project accounting into one system. Eliminate confusion and wasted time with an integrated general ledger and connected project system. Manage resources and gain rich insights from the financial reporting dashboards. 
    • Project Tracking: Keep track of the individual project and monitor overall business health. Analyze past projects and make the right project bid. Effectively track and manage the lifecycle of the project from beginning till the end. 
  • Tax Accounting: Organize and store accounting data in one cloud-based platform. Ensure compliance, accuracy and efficiency with Avalara integration, providing 360-degree sales tax compliance control. 
    • Real-time Data: Get access to financial data in real-time and gain optimal flexibility for VAT reporting, tax calculation. Get an automatic sales tax calculator. Create VAT returns with Avalara VAT reporting and digitally transmit it to the tax authorities. 
  • Data Security: Keep data safe with secure API, strong SalesForce IT infrastructure, two-factor authentication, user permissions, real-time event monitoring. Make sure your business is safe and the data is secure with a reliable, flexible solution. 
  • Point and Click Configuration: Create translation for the configuration with the translation workbench. Update data fields with workflow rules and process builders. 
  • Integration: Credit disbursement, collection tracking and customer interaction can be managed with SalesForce CRM integration, while Stripe integration helps with online payment collection. 
  • Drag-and-Drop: Drag-and-drop editing allows the managed reports configuration allowing for a future data export to Excel. Track expenses, reports and budgets with a consolidated general ledger. 
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
Accounting Software

#281

among all
Accounting Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

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100
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85
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100
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Banking and Cash Management
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Integration and Extensibility
Journal Entries
Mobile Support
Accounts Payable
Banking and Cash Management
Financial Statements and Revenue Management
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Journal Entries

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Xero
Accounting Seed
+ Add Product + Add Product
Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Banking And Cash Management Budget And Expense Management Financial Statements And Revenue Management General Ledger And Chart Of Accounts Integration And Extensibility Inventory Management Journal Entries Mobile Support Multi-company Accounting And Asset Management Platform Capabilities Project Accounting Reporting And Analytics Tax Management 93 97 100 89 89 100 100 83 100 100 79 89 100 90 92 100 85 100 91 100 100 69 94 100 100 73 89 100 90 96 0 25 50 75 100
78%
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86%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 4652 reviews
Great User Sentiment 337 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

Xero has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 4652 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

84%
of users recommend this product

Accounting Seed has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 84% when considering 337 user reviews from 4 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (17)
n/a
4.3 (339)
4.2 (25)
4.33 (2132)
n/a
4.3 (1877)
4.4 (127)
n/a
4.1 (151)
4.3 (287)
4.1 (34)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Xero and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Integration and Extensibility and Mobile Support.

Integration and Extensibility Award
Mobile Support Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Accounting Seed and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Accounts Payable and Mobile Support.

Accounts Payable Award
Mobile Support Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Affordable: Of all the reviews that mentioned price, over 70% felt it was well within their price range and felt satisfied.
Good Customer Service: Over 70% of reviews that mentioned the customer support said they received excellent service, especially from their reps.
Excellent Functionality: In more than 50% of all reviews that mentioned features, users were happy with its capabilities. They especially like the integrations, reconciliation process, invoices and accounting functions.
Simple and intuitive interface: Xero's clean layout and straightforward navigation make it easy for users of all skill levels to manage their finances. In over 80% of reviews that mentioned the UI, users said it was easy to navigate.
Automated tasks: Xero automates repetitive tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation, saving users valuable time and reducing errors.
Mobile app for on-the-go access: Manage your finances and stay up-to-date on your business performance anytime, anywhere with Xero's mobile app.
Customizable reports and dashboards: Gain valuable insights into your cash flow, profitability, and other key financial metrics with Xero's customizable reports and dashboards.
Multi-user access and permissions: Collaborate with team members and advisors seamlessly with Xero's secure multi-user access and permission controls.
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Streamlined Workflows: Automates tasks, reduces manual data entry.
Seamless Salesforce Integration: Unifies financial and customer data.
Real-time Insights: Provides instant visibility into key metrics.
Improved Reporting: Customizable dashboards and reports for better decision-making.
Scalability and Flexibility: Adapts to growing businesses and diverse needs.
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Limited inventory management: Xero lacks advanced inventory tracking features, making it less suitable for businesses with complex inventory needs.
Learning curve for complex features: While basic tasks are easy, some advanced features like multi-currency accounting can be challenging for non-accountants to navigate. Though the system was widely popular after implementation, users said it was old-fashioned and had a steep learning curve in 20% of reviews that mentioned the UI.
Higher cost for advanced features: Access to advanced features like payroll processing and multi-currency comes at a higher price point, potentially exceeding budgets for smaller businesses.
Limited phone support: Xero primarily relies on email and live chat for support, which may not be ideal for users seeking immediate assistance with critical issues.
Integration limitations: While offering many integrations, some key business tools may not have seamless integration with Xero, requiring workarounds or data duplication.
Invoices: While around 60% of users felt that the invoicing system worked well, around 40% said they had trouble making changes to them once they were saved.
Downgrading Issues: Around 20% of reviews that mentioned price said they had issues while trying to go to a lower pricing tier and often ended up paying a month or more at a higher rate.
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Limited Customization Options: May not fully adapt to specific needs.
Occasional Bugs or Glitches: Can disrupt workflows and require support.
Steeper Learning Curve for Some Features: Complex functionalities might require training.
Can Be Slow at Times: Performance issues can impact user experience.
No Mobile App: Lacks on-the-go access and data management.
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Xero’s users say it’s easy to use and has good accounting and bookkeeping capabilities. Most found the price to be acceptable, with some complaints about issues they ran into while trying to switch to a lower pricing tier. More than 70% loved the customer service and felt their representatives were extremely helpful. It has a range of features including band feeds, invoice creation, integrations and reconciliation processes. The reconciliation was particularly popular with over 80% of reviewers who mentioned it describing positive experiences. One issue with the system came in making updates to invoices after they’d been saved. Some users said they were sent prematurely to clients or claimed to have difficulties changing the data at a later date. Many also felt that the implementation process for the new platform was difficult, but that once they learned where things were they felt comfortable. This may be a good choice for small and medium businesses. Larger companies should consider a system that’s able to handle a higher volume.

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Accounting Seed users share a love-hate relationship with the software. For many, its Salesforce integration shines brightest, with "it truly ties into Salesforce seamlessly" and "no need for an API connection" being common praises. This unified data view across sales and finance wins favor in companies wanting clear customer-to-financial insights. However, some find its customization options "cluttered and confusing," particularly when compared to rivals like Xero or QuickBooks. Users lament "frustrating input screens" and a "steeper learning curve" for complex features. Reporting is another battleground. Some rave about "robust reporting features" that provide "real-time insights," while others criticize "a rework is receiving a rework" and "not integral to any accounting software." Compared to Intuit's FinancialEdge, Accounting Seed's reporting flexibility seems to fall short for some. Despite these frustrations, praise for the user interface and support persists. "Easy to use interface" and "strong customer support" are frequent positives, contrasting with complaints about clunky competitors like Sage. Efficiency gains are also highlighted, with users enjoying "reduced manual work" and "streamlined financial processes." Overall, Accounting Seed seems to be a mixed bag. Its Salesforce integration and user interface charm some, while its reporting and customization limitations disappoint others. For companies prioritizing user-friendliness and real-time financial insights, it's a contender. But for those needing highly customizable reporting or slick on-the-go access (no mobile app yet!), other options might be a better fit.

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