QuickBooks vs Xero - a Brief Comparison

All prices are in ZAR (South African Rand)and correct as of April 2024. These providers sometimes offer special discounts.

Click on the buttons below to take you to their websites and see what discounts they currently offer – the prices  listed below in red are standard monthly prices. QuickBooks Online also offers an annual pricing. See their website for more details.

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QuickBooks Online

QuickBooks Online currently has three packages to choose from in South Africa. Here is a brief summary of each package:

Simple Start
  • Track income & expenses
  • Send custom invoices & quotes
  • Connect your bank
  • Track VAT
  • Insights & reports
  • Capture & organise receipts
  • Progress invoicing
  • For one user, plus your accountant
Essentials
  • Track income & expenses
  • Send custom invoices & quotes
  • Connect your bank
  • Track VAT
  • Insights & reports
  • Capture & organise receipts
  • Progress invoicing
  • Manage bills & payments
  • Track employee time
  • Multi-currency
  • For three users, plus your accountant
Plus
  • Track income & expenses
  • Send custom invoices & quotes
  • Connect your bank
  • Track VAT
  • Insights & reports
  • Capture & organise receipts
  • Progress invoicing
  • Manage bills & payments
  • Track employee time
  • Multi-currency
  • Recurring transactions and bills
  • Track inventory
  • Track project profitability
  • Manage budgets
  • For five users, plus your accountant

R264.50 per month

R408.25 per month

R546.25 per month

Current QuickBooks Online Special

As of April 2024, QuickBooks Online South Africa are offering the following special. Check their website for any updates!

Simple Start

R23 per month for 3 months

Save R210 for 3 months!

Essentials

R23 per month for 3 months.

Save R335 for 3 months!

Plus

R23 per month for 3 months

Save R455 for 3 months!

Xero Cloud Accounting

Xero Cloud Accounting currently has three packages to choose from in South Africa. Here is a brief summary of each package:

Starter
  • Send 20 Invoices and Quotes
  • Enter 5 Bills
  • Reconcile Bank Transactions
  • Capture Bills and Receipts with HubDoc
  • Short-term Cash Flow and Business Snapshot
Standard
  • Send 20 Invoices and Quotes
  • Enter 5 Bills
  • Reconcile Bank Transactions
  • Capture Bills and Receipts with HubDoc
  • Short-term Cash Flow and Business Snapshot
  • Bulk Reconcile Transactions
Premium
  • Send 20 Invoices and Quotes
  • Enter 5 Bills
  • Reconcile Bank Transactions
  • Capture Bills and Receipts with HubDoc
  • Short-term Cash Flow and Business Snapshot
  • Bulk Reconcile Transactions
  • Multiple Currencies

R435 per month

R695 per month

R955 per month

Xero Cloud Accounting offers a free 30 day trial period on all packages

All of this information may still leave you somewhat confused as to which package is the best for you.

Make a list of what your business needs out of a bookkeeping package. Below is a basic list to help you.

Tick the ones that apply to you and then compare with each software brand to see which brand is a good fit and a price that your b

Sales
Do you need to issue more than a handful of sales invoices and track customer payments?

Purchases
Do you want to enter and track your bills and payments? (plus sales mentioned above)

Income and Expenses
Do you just want a simple income and expense tracking option without the first two mentioned above?

Inventory or Point of Sale
Do you sell stock and want to track your inventory purchased, sold and stock on hand?

Size
Is your business very tiny with very few banking transactions, or requirement of sales invoicing, or do you work on the side and need help with tax calculations?

Sit with your bookkeeper or accountant before you commit to any bookkeeping subscription and talk through your needs and expectations with them. They will be able to advise and recommend the best fit for you.

 

As a Certified ProAdvisor for QuickBooks Online as well as a Certified Xero Advisor, we can help you with your choice of Online Accounting needs. Contact us today for a no-obligation meeting to discuss what you need for the success of your small business.

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