Xero vs Concur

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

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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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SAP Concur is a Software-as-a-Service company that provides travel and expense management solutions. Created by a merger of the two companies in 2014, it effortlessly guides employees through every trip by populating charges into expense reports and automating invoice reports.

It automates data capture and accounts payable, uses real-time data and AI to audit transactions. It helps businesses keep an eye on what they are spending and there are no blind spots in the budget.
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$8/User, Monthly
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Product Assistance

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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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  • Reduce Cost: Connect various sources of expense data and reduce the need for manual information entry. Make more intelligent business decisions with accurate and consolidated data. 
  • More Centralized Data: Connect with over 150 apps and spend data giving employees the freedom to work without hunting down information. 
  • Ensure Compliance: Automate policy upgrades to ensure compliance. Leave no room for non-compliance by flagging exceeded spending thresholds for the employees. 
  • Accessibility: Access the system by web or mobile app. Record expenses through the journey in the app while on the go. Manage travel and costs quickly and easily – including photographing receipts and attaching them to the expense claim. 
  • Go Paperless: Eliminate the need for paper receipts by storing all receipts in the receipt store. 
  • Easy Approval: Approve expenses across the different departments with real-time notifications. 
  • More Straightforward Invoice Management: Review the invoice and submit it without any manual intervention. 
  • Minimize Risk: Mitigate risk by importing feeds from travel suppliers and corporate credit card providers. Protect the business in tax season by creating an accurate audit trail. 
  • Transparency: Check for new ways to save money by gaining complete control over the organization’s funds. Keep a tab of open but unapproved expenses in the system. Report spending across each department to identify areas of excess. 
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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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  • Real-Time Integration: See precisely what is being spent with real-time data and AI audits to help the businesses. Eliminate blind spots. 
  • Automate Rules: Automate and apply rules fairly and consistently so that everyone’s expectations are met and fraud is easily caught. 
  • Accounts Payable Automation: Automate the invoice process to catch duplicate entries. Save significant time with invoice tracking and quicker payments. 
  • Travel Integration: Record expenses incurred on work-related trips automatically. Prepopulate business travel information so it’s easy for employees to submit accurate claims for reimbursement. 
  • Analytics: Improve control over funds, examine productivity and increase compliance with automated, fast and accurate reporting. 
  • Budget: Get a consolidated view of revenue and expenses in real time on an easy-to-use dashboard to identify gaps and make well-informed decisions. 
  • Drive: Capture mileage to ensure compliance, reduce fraud, cut costs and reimburse employees adequately. 
  • Audit: Ensure all employees are compliant and each dollar spent is certified against the company’s policy with a receipt audit service. 
  • Payment Solution: Automate and simplify vendor payment and reimbursement. 
  • Company Bill Statements: Centralize company cards and financial statements that capture total spend and maintain policy control. 
  • Travel: Ensure every employee is supported with travel insights, regardless of where the trip is booked. 
  • TripLink: Connect travelers and itineraries across multiple channels. Apply policies to direct booking to boost compliance and locate and support travelers. 
  • TripLink Connected Suppliers: Set up direct connections with suppliers. Integrate with Locale to ensure proper communication with the travelers. 
  • Invoice: Get real-time visibility into financial components, boost cash flow, ensure compliance and minimize security risks. 
  • Other Products: Provide end-to-end, automated data synchronization with the vendor’s suite of products granting visibility into the employee spend and ensuring effortless and accurate management of expenses. 
  • Free Trial: Get the free trial for a demonstration of spend management solutions, travel management. Use the sample information provided or snap a receipt from a phone or computer to see the program in action. 
  • Multiple Scanning Options: Upload receipts to the expense report through using various methods. Scan it in the app, uploading a picture via the web or the receipt through email. 
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
Accounting Software

#32

among all
Accounting Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

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Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

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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 0 25 50 75 100
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 4652 reviews
Great User Sentiment 10098 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.

81%
of users recommend this product

Concur has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 81% when considering 10098 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (17)
4.7 (11)
4.3 (339)
4.0 (6137)
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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

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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 Expense Reporting: Concur simplifies the often tedious process of creating expense reports, allowing users to easily track and submit expenses, which can then be quickly approved and reimbursed. This can save both employees and the accounting department significant time and effort.
Mobile Accessibility: The Concur mobile app enables users to manage expenses on-the-go, offering convenience and flexibility for business travelers. Users can capture receipts, track mileage, and submit reports directly from their mobile devices.
Integration with Accounting Systems: Concur integrates seamlessly with popular accounting software, such as QuickBooks and Xero. This integration streamlines the financial workflow by automatically syncing expense data with the accounting system, reducing manual data entry and the risk of errors.
Policy Compliance: Concur helps organizations enforce travel and expense policies by automatically flagging any out-of-policy expenses during the submission process. This feature promotes compliance and reduces the risk of unauthorized spending.
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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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Clunky User Interface: Users frequently report that Concur's interface feels outdated and cumbersome, making simple tasks like submitting expense reports or booking travel more time-consuming than necessary.
Mobile App Issues: The mobile app is often criticized for being buggy and unreliable, with features that are limited compared to the desktop version. This can be frustrating for users who rely on their mobile devices for managing expenses on the go.
Integration Challenges: Integrating Concur with other business systems, such as accounting software or HR platforms, can be a complex and technically challenging process, requiring significant IT resources and expertise.
Customer Support Concerns: Some users have expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and responsiveness of Concur's customer support, citing long wait times and difficulty resolving issues effectively.
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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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Overall, Concur has garnered a reputation as a comprehensive and reliable solution for managing expenses, travel, and invoices. Users frequently praise its ability to streamline expense reporting, automate tasks, and provide real-time visibility into spending. The mobile app receives kudos for its user-friendly interface and offline functionality, making it easy for employees to capture receipts and submit expenses on the go. Concur's integration with travel booking platforms and credit cards is a major plus, simplifying the process of reconciling expenses and ensuring accuracy. However, some users find the initial setup and configuration to be complex, requiring significant time and effort. Additionally, the system's flexibility can be a double-edged sword, as extensive customization options may overwhelm some users. Concur's pricing structure, often based on the number of users and transactions, can be a concern for smaller businesses. Despite these drawbacks, Concur's strengths in automation, integration, and mobile accessibility make it a top choice for mid-sized to large organizations with complex expense management needs and a desire to enhance efficiency and control over spending.

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