Xero vs Airbase (2024 Comparison)
Xero offers a comprehensive suite of accounting tools, making it a great choice for small businesses. With its user-friendly interface and wide range of integrations, Xero helps streamline business operations.
- Comprehensive accounting features
- User-friendly interface
- Wide range of integrations
- Limited corporate card management
- Basic expense management
Free plan?
YesStarting price
$2.90 per month
Airbase provides a comprehensive spend management solution, with advanced features like automated workflows and real-time visibility. It's ideal for businesses looking to control their finances and improve efficiency.
- Advanced spend management
- Real-time visibility
- Automated workflows
- Higher price point
- Limited payroll features
Free plan?
NoStarting price
Contact salesWhat is Xero?
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses. It offers a comprehensive suite of tools for managing finances, including invoicing, bank reconciliation, and payroll. Xero's intuitive interface and robust features make it easy for users to keep track of their financial health. With its ability to integrate with over 800 third-party apps, Xero helps streamline business operations, saving time and reducing errors. Whether you're a freelancer or a growing business, Xero provides the flexibility and scalability needed to manage your finances effectively.
What is Airbase?
Airbase is a comprehensive spend management platform that simplifies the way businesses handle their finances. It combines accounts payable, expense management, and corporate card management into a single platform, providing a seamless experience for users. Airbase automates manual processes, reduces errors, and offers real-time visibility into spending, making it easier for businesses to control their finances. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Airbase helps businesses save time and money, allowing them to focus on growth and innovation.
Pros and Cons of Xero vs Airbase
Pros & Cons of Xero
- Xero offers a wide range of accounting features, including invoicing, payroll, and bank reconciliation. These features make it easy for businesses to manage their finances and keep track of their financial health.
- Xero's intuitive interface makes it easy for users to navigate and manage their finances. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, making it a great choice for beginners and small businesses.
- Xero offers over 800 integrations, making it easy to connect with other business tools. This wide range of integrations allows businesses to streamline their operations and improve efficiency.
- Xero offers basic corporate card management features, but its focus is more on accounting. Businesses with multiple employees may find the corporate card management features lacking.
- Xero provides basic expense management tools, but lacks the advanced features offered by other platforms. Businesses looking for more comprehensive expense management may need to look elsewhere.
Pros & Cons of Airbase
- Airbase offers a comprehensive spend management solution, with features like automated workflows and real-time visibility into spending. These advanced features make it easy for businesses to control their finances.
- Airbase provides real-time visibility into spending, allowing businesses to track expenses and make informed decisions. This feature is particularly useful for businesses looking to improve financial control.
- Airbase offers automated workflows for managing expenses, reducing manual processes and errors. This feature saves time and improves efficiency, making it a great choice for businesses looking to streamline operations.
- Airbase offers a comprehensive solution, but its advanced features come at a higher price point. Businesses with limited budgets may find the cost prohibitive.
- Airbase provides basic payroll features, but lacks the comprehensive tools offered by other platforms. Businesses with complex payroll needs may need to look elsewhere.
Xero vs Airbase: At A Glance
Xero vs Airbase: A Detailed Breakdown of Key Features
Invoicing
Invoicing is a crucial feature for any business, and both Xero and Airbase offer robust invoicing capabilities. Xero provides a user-friendly interface for creating and sending invoices, with customizable templates and automated reminders. Airbase also offers invoicing features, but its focus is more on spend management. If invoicing is a primary concern for your business, Xero's comprehensive invoicing tools make it the better choice. However, if you're looking for a platform that integrates invoicing with spend management, Airbase is a great option.
Expense Management
Expense Management is essential for tracking and controlling business expenses. Xero offers a range of tools for managing expenses, including receipt capture and expense tracking. Airbase takes expense management to the next level with automated workflows and real-time visibility into spending. If you need a basic expense management solution, Xero is a solid choice. However, if you're looking for a more advanced platform with automated features, Airbase is the better option.
Payroll
Payroll is a critical feature for businesses with employees. Xero offers a comprehensive payroll solution, with features like automatic tax calculations and employee self-service. Airbase provides basic payroll features, but its focus is more on spend management. If payroll is a primary concern for your business, Xero's robust payroll tools make it the better choice. However, if you're looking for a platform that integrates payroll with spend management, Airbase is a great option.
Bank Reconciliation
Bank Reconciliation is an important feature for ensuring accurate financial records. Xero offers a seamless bank reconciliation process, with automatic bank feeds and transaction matching. Airbase also provides bank reconciliation features, but its focus is more on spend management. If bank reconciliation is a primary concern for your business, Xero's comprehensive tools make it the better choice. However, if you're looking for a platform that integrates bank reconciliation with spend management, Airbase is a great option.
Corporate Card Management
Corporate Card Management is a key feature for businesses with multiple employees. Xero offers basic corporate card management features, but its focus is more on accounting. Airbase provides a comprehensive solution for managing corporate cards, with features like real-time spending visibility and automated expense tracking. If corporate card management is a primary concern for your business, Airbase's advanced tools make it the better choice. However, if you're looking for a platform that integrates corporate card management with accounting, Xero is a great option.
Accounts Payable
Accounts Payable is an essential feature for managing business expenses. Xero offers a range of tools for managing accounts payable, including bill tracking and payment scheduling. Airbase provides a more comprehensive solution, with automated workflows and real-time visibility into spending. If accounts payable is a primary concern for your business, Airbase's advanced tools make it the better choice. However, if you're looking for a platform that integrates accounts payable with accounting, Xero is a great option.
Pricing Comparison of Xero and Airbase
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve outlined the pricing plans and essential features of Xero and Airbase. This comparison will highlight the best option for managing your business finances.
Xero Pricing Plans
- Enter up to 5 bills for efficient tracking.
- Reconcile bank transactions with ease.
- Capture bills and receipts using Hubdoc integration.
- Access short-term cash flow and business snapshot.
- Enter unlimited bills for comprehensive tracking.
- Bulk reconcile transactions for efficiency.
- Advanced reporting and analytics for insights.
- Enhanced security features for data protection.
- Advanced project tracking and management tools.
- Priority customer support for quick resolutions.
- Comprehensive expense management features.
- Customizable dashboards for personalized insights.
Airbase Pricing Plans
- AP Automation with support for global operations and complex workflows.
- Corporate Cards offering visibility and control over card spend.
- Expense Management with AI-powered reports and policy compliance.
- Accounting automation for efficient financial processes.
- Advanced features and workflows for enhanced efficiency.
- Higher ROI with rapid time-to-value for scaling businesses.
- Comprehensive modules for managing efficiency and compliance.
- Enhanced user management with HRIS integration.
- Advanced accounting automation for complex processes.
- Ultimate visibility and control for large organizations.
- Customizable approval workflows for all types of spend.
- Multi-currency and multi-subsidiary support for global operations.
Our Rating Methodology
We thoroughly test each spend management platform, evaluating key features like ease of use, functionality, and scalability. We also analyze user reviews to ensure our recommendations fit your needs. Each of the seven evaluation factors is weighted by importance to provide an accurate final rating, helping you avoid poor-quality tools and make informed decisions.
Xero or Airbase: Which One Matches Your Business Needs?
Choose Xero If You Need ...
- Comprehensive accounting solution
If you are a small business owner looking for a comprehensive accounting solution, Xero is a great choice. With its wide range of features, including invoicing, payroll, and bank reconciliation, Xero helps streamline business operations and improve financial management.
- User-friendly interface
If you are new to accounting software and need a user-friendly interface, Xero is the perfect option. Its intuitive design makes it easy to navigate and manage your finances, making it a great choice for beginners.
Choose Airbase If You Need ...
- Advanced spend management
If you are a business looking for advanced spend management features, Airbase is the ideal choice. With its automated workflows and real-time visibility into spending, Airbase helps businesses control their finances and improve efficiency.
- Real-time visibility
If you need real-time visibility into your business spending, Airbase is the perfect solution. Its advanced features provide real-time insights, allowing you to track expenses and make informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between Xero and Airbase?
Which tool is better for small businesses?
Is Airbase suitable for large organizations?
Can Xero integrate with other business tools?
Does Airbase offer payroll features?
Which tool offers better customer support?
Martin Lunendonk
Martin Lunendonk is a senior tech writer specializing in website builders, web hosting, and ecommerce platforms. With a background in finance, accounting, and philosophy, he has founded multiple tech startups and worked in medium to large tech companies and investment banking, bringing deep expertise and reliable insights to his software reviews.
