FreeAgent vs Xero

Making the decision about which accounting software to use for your business can be daunting. Two popular options are FreeAgent and Xero. Both have their pros and cons, so it’s important to be fully informed before deciding. Below, we’ll take a comprehensive look at each software package in areas such as pricing, ease of use, features, accounting capabilities, payroll capabilities, customer support, and mobile app use, as well as integration capabilities, user reviews, and pros and cons of each. Finally, we’ll provide a conclusion that will help you determine which software is best for your business.

Overview of FreeAgent and Xero

FreeAgent and Xero both offer cloud-based accounting software options that are accessible from anywhere. Developed in 2007, FreeAgent has its headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, and was created specifically for small business owners, freelancers, and solo entrepreneurs. Xero, developed in 2006, has its headquarters in New Zealand and has been adopted by a wide range of businesses, from small start-ups to large corporations, in more than 180 countries worldwide. Both provide automatic bank feed integration, invoicing, and expense tracking as standard features.

One key difference between FreeAgent and Xero is their pricing models. FreeAgent offers a fixed monthly fee, with no additional charges for adding users or accessing additional features. Xero, on the other hand, offers tiered pricing based on the number of users and the level of functionality required. While this may make Xero more expensive for some businesses, it also allows for greater flexibility in terms of scaling up or down as needed. Additionally, Xero offers a wider range of integrations with other business software, such as CRM and project management tools, making it a more comprehensive solution for some businesses.

Pricing comparison between FreeAgent and Xero

FreeAgent offers three pricing packages: ‘Sole Trader’, ‘Partnership’, and ‘Limited Company’. The ‘Sole Trader’ package costs £12.95 per month, whereas the ‘Partnership’ package costs £18 per month, and the ‘Limited Company’ package costs £24 per month. On the other hand, Xero offers a range of pricing packages: ‘Early’, ‘Growing’, and ‘Established’. The ‘Early’ package costs £10 per month, ‘Growing’ costs £25 per month, and ‘Established’ costs £30 per month. The pricing structure of both software packages is similar, but Xero offers a more affordable entry-level package.

It is important to note that both FreeAgent and Xero offer a free trial period, allowing users to test out the software before committing to a paid package. FreeAgent offers a 30-day free trial, while Xero offers a 14-day free trial. This can be a useful way to determine which software is the best fit for your business needs.

In addition to pricing, both FreeAgent and Xero offer a range of features to help manage finances, such as invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation. FreeAgent also offers project management tools, while Xero offers payroll and inventory management. It is important to consider which features are most important for your business when choosing between the two software options.

Ease of use comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

Both FreeAgent and Xero have user-friendly dashboards that are easy to understand and navigate. Xero stands out in this area, however, with its intuitive design and helpful tutorials. FreeAgent has a simple and clean interface that’s easy to use, but some users may find certain features hidden or difficult to locate. Overall, Xero wins in this area.

It’s worth noting that both FreeAgent and Xero offer mobile apps for on-the-go accounting. Xero’s app is particularly impressive, with a sleek and easy-to-use interface that allows users to manage their finances from anywhere. FreeAgent’s app is also user-friendly, but some users have reported occasional glitches and slow loading times. If mobile accessibility is important to you, Xero may be the better choice.

Features comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

FreeAgent offers a wide range of features to help businesses run their day-to-day accounting operations, including invoicing, expense tracking, detailed reporting, and banking integration. One notable feature is Receipt Bank integration, which allows users to snap a photo of a receipt and automatically enter the expense information into FreeAgent. Xero also provides a similar set of features, including invoicing, expense tracking, payroll integration, and detailed reporting. Xero also provides a multi-currency feature, which may be more appealing to businesses who trade overseas. Overall, the feature sets of both software packages are comparable.

However, there are some differences between the two software packages that may make one more suitable for certain businesses. For example, FreeAgent offers a project management feature, which allows users to track time and expenses for specific projects. This may be particularly useful for businesses that work on multiple projects simultaneously. On the other hand, Xero offers a more robust inventory management feature, which may be more appealing to businesses that sell physical products.

Another difference between the two software packages is their pricing models. FreeAgent offers a flat monthly fee, which includes all features and unlimited users. Xero, on the other hand, offers tiered pricing based on the number of users and the level of features required. This may make FreeAgent a more cost-effective option for smaller businesses, while Xero may be more suitable for larger businesses with more complex accounting needs.

Accounting capabilities comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

FreeAgent is a particularly strong accounting package, with easy bank reconciliation and VAT filing features. It also provides an HMRC-compliant self-assessment feature, making it a good choice for UK-based small businesses. Xero, on the other hand, has more in-depth accounting features, including double-entry accounting, custom invoicing, and purchase order creation. Additionally, Xero’s accounting platform is much easier to customize to meet the needs of individual businesses. Overall, Xero has a slight edge in accounting capabilities.

However, it is important to note that FreeAgent offers a more user-friendly interface, making it easier for non-accountants to navigate and understand their finances. This can be a significant advantage for small business owners who may not have a background in accounting. On the other hand, Xero’s interface may be more complex, but it offers more advanced reporting and analysis tools, which can be beneficial for businesses with more complex financial needs.

Payroll capabilities comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

Xero provides a payroll feature as part of its pricing package, which allows businesses to keep track of employee payroll and remittances. Payroll functionalities, such as setting up payments and auto-remittances, are easy to use and understandable. FreeAgent, on the other hand, provides payroll capabilities outside of the main app via Iris payroll software. This adds another layer of complexity to the process and requires an additional subscription fee. As such, Xero stands out in payroll capabilities.

However, it is worth noting that FreeAgent’s integration with Iris payroll software offers more advanced payroll features, such as the ability to handle complex payroll scenarios and generate custom reports. This may be beneficial for businesses with more complex payroll needs. Additionally, FreeAgent’s customer support team is highly responsive and can provide assistance with any payroll-related issues. Ultimately, the choice between FreeAgent and Xero for payroll capabilities will depend on the specific needs and preferences of the business.

Customer Support comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

Both FreeAgent and Xero offer extensive customer support, with help resources available through email, phone, and support forums. FreeAgent provides assistance seven days a week, while Xero provides support during regular business hours. Xero’s customer support, however, stands out with its extensive online documentation, extensive webinars, and helpful tutorials. FreeAgent’s customer support is good but could be improved to match Xero’s level of richness.

Mobile app comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

Both software packages offer a mobile app to help businesses manage their finances on the go. Xero’s mobile app is better reviewed, with a user-friendly interface. The Xero mobile app enables the user to take care of their daily accounting needs from anywhere, such as checking bank balances, creating invoices, and tracking expenses. FreeAgent’s mobile app, on the other hand, is functional but lacks the same level of customization as Xero’s, but it has an accounting feature added via its calendar view. Overall, Xero’s mobile app is more superior than FreeAgent’s.

Integration capabilities comparison for FreeAgent and Xero

Both FreeAgent and Xero have a significant range of integrations with other software packages available. Xero has an edge in this area, with over 800 integrations available, whereas FreeAgent has around 100. Xero’s integrations include e-commerce integration, CRM, time tracking, and more accreditations with partners which offer packages such as Practice Ignition. This means Xero can integrate with more business applications to streamline the accounting process than FreeAgent.

User reviews of FreeAgent vs Xero

Both FreeAgent and Xero have a strong user rating. User reviews for FreeAgent praise its ease of use and support, while Xero users prefer its accounting capabilities and bank reconciliation features. There are also some negative reviews for both, with users wishing for more reporting features in FreeAgent and others struggling with Xero’s multi-currency features. Overall, both packages receive positive feedback from users.

Pros and cons of using FreeAgent vs Xero

The pros of using FreeAgent are that it is easy to use, with reliable bookkeeping and VAT filing facilities. On the other hand, it lacks in-depth accounting abilities and only provides a minor payroll feature. The cons of Xero are that it may be too feature-rich for small businesses, with too many options to choose from. However, it provides an innovative and complex accounting platform that is popular with users worldwide and offers more extensive payroll and integration options.

Which businesses are best suited to use FreeAgent vs Xero

FreeAgent is an ideal solution for small businesses and freelancers who are operating in the UK. Its VAT filing feature, self-assessment, and easy bank reconciliation make it stand out in its target market. Xero, on the other hand, is a better fit for larger, more established businesses or those who want more advanced accounting features. Its payroll capabilities and integration capabilities make it a good option for businesses that prioritize growth and expansion.

Conclusion: which accounting software is better – FreeAgent or Xero?

Both FreeAgent and Xero are excellent accounting software packages that offer a range of features, integrations, and customer support. In conclusion, it is difficult to pick a clear winner between the two as it depends on the individual needs of your business. However, the winner in individual areas of comparison could be contemplated. For small businesses based in the UK, FreeAgent may be the better fit due to its easy accessibility and targeted VAT filing feature. Xero is the better fit for established and large businesses, providing more advanced accounting features and payroll capabilities paired with extensive integration possibilities. Ultimately, the decision between the two accounting software options will come down to the specific needs of your business.