QuickBooks Vs. Xero? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Software for your Singapore business
"Software is the magic thing whose importance only goes up over time." - Bill Gates
Understanding QuickBooks and Xero Accounting Softwares
Both QuickBooks and Xero are powerful accounting software solutions suited for most small to medium size business owners in Singapore. The comparison between softwares is more than just price. If you are in the midst of searching for an accounting / invoicing tool, you may have a few considerations when deciding which tool to use – budget, business needs, and comparing different options on the market.
In this post, we will give you a complete detailed breakdown of the features in both QuickBooks and Xero, and recommend the appropriate tool for your business needs.
| QuickBooks | Xero | |
|---|---|---|
| Key things we Like | • More Accounting-related features • User-friendly design • Lower pricing • Excellent reporting capability | • More Business-related features • Better approval control • Strong Integrations • All plans support unlimited users |
| What could be better | • More types of application and bank integrations • More types of user-access controls | • No live customer support option available • Some key features like multi-currency only offered on most expensive plan (Premium) • Little customisation allowed for invoice templates |
| Pricing / Month (as of 26 August 2023) | • Simple (single-currency): S$25.68 • Essentials (multi-currency): S$39.59 • Plus (multi-currency): S$53.50 | • Standard (single-currency): S$55 • Premium (multi-currency): S$72 |
| Key Features | • Accounting • Invoicing • Banking • Expenses • Projects • GST • Inventory • Insights & Reporting • Multi-Currency | • Accounting • Invoicing • Banking • Expenses • GST • Inventory • Insights & Reporting • Multi-Currency |
| Invoicing Capabilities | • Send via email - Yes • Send via Whatsapp Web - Yes • Customisation of invoice templates | • Send via email - Yes • Send via Whatsapp - No • Can link to Stripe and Paypal • Ability to approve invoices (but cannot unapprove) • Minimal customisation of invoice templates |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive user interface | Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners |
| User Limits | • Simple start: 1 user • Essentials: 3 users; 2 accounting firms • Plus: 5 users; 2 accounting firms (While it says 5 users on the website, they allow up to 25 users for Plus Account) | Unlimited number of users |
| Bank Reconciliation | • Bank rules • Easy search, sort and filter function | • Bank rules • No search, sort and filter function |
| Direct Bank Feed | OCBC, Aspire | • DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC and more (For DBS, allow direct to 'push' supplier invoices directly to DBS IDEAL) |
| Accounting-related Features | • Adjusting Journal entries (MJEs) allowed across all Chart of Accounts (COA) • COA can be combined • No fixed asset module on its own | • Adjusting journal entries not allowed for certain COA such as Cash and AR (which affects Interco billing) • COA cannot be combined • Have a fixed asset module |
| Payroll | • No Payroll function | • Have Payroll function - limited as it is not compliant to Singapore |
| GST F5/Tax Features | • Optimised for GST submissions in SG | • Optimised for GST submissions in SG • Direct filing of report to IRAS |
| Mobile App | Yes. 4.7/5 rating on Apple Store | Yes. 4.5/5 rating on Apple Store |
| OCR Software | • QBO OCR available • Complimentary Hubdoc OCR with any Tisch Global PSG Quickbooks Plan | Complimentary HubDoc OCR with any Xero plan |
| Customer Support | • 24/7 Online Chat Support • Email Support • Phone Support • Product Training | • 24/7 Online Support • Product Training • No phone support |
| Community Support | Singapore Online Community with forum and Q&A | Singapore Online Community with forum and Q&A |
| App Integration (worldwide) | 800+ integrated apps | 650+ integrated apps |
| Split by Project / Location | • Project - Yes (FREE) • Location - Yes | • Project - No (Top up S$10++) • Location - Yes |
Some common questions about Quickbooks and Xero
QuickBooks vs Xero, which is cheaper?
- If you require multi-currency functions, QuickBooks Essentials costs S$35 per month VS Xero Premium costs S$65 per month.
- Comparing across the board, QuickBooks is cheaper than Xero.
Do both softwares allow for Multi-Currency function?
- Yes, both have great multi-currency functions. The multi-currency function can be set up in Xero for a selected period of time whereas QuickBooks allows for a daily exchange rate to be used.
Which software has the function to deliver invoice straight into another account of the same platform?
- Xero has a ‘XERO to XERO’ invoicing function where invoices can be delivered straight to your customer or supplier’s Xero account should they be a Xero user. QuickBooks does not have this function.
Which software provides more customisation of reports?
- QuickBooks provides a more comprehensive reporting function – invoice templates are very flexible. While editing the invoice template, users can alter most fields, change colour and fonts. Users can also edit sales message and the fields they want to be displayed on an invoice.
- QuickBooks reporting capability scale up with each level. QuickBooks is able to run detailed reports like AR/AP with many ways to slice the report like by customer type etc, while Xero has slightly fewer customisations.
QuickBooks Vs Xero, which one can do Bulk Actions like Bulk import?
- QuickBooks has a good amount of bulk transactions for setting up your business. Users are able to add in products and services, Contacts and suppliers. Columns can be mapped before importing.
Expense Function
- The expense function is more user-friendly in QuickBooks as once users upload an invoice, it will be recorded as paid. Whereas for XERO users will have to upload invoice then select pay in the system.
QuickBooks Vs Xero, which one can do GST F5 Report/Submission?
- Both platforms are customised to Singapore’s GST reporting standards.
- GST reporting function is more intuitive in QuickBooks. The platform gives user the ability to click on the total of each Box and have a secondary report generated showing the individual lines that make up the total of that box.
- Users can also record GST paid or claimed via QBO GST function.
Does QuickBooks or Xero have WhatsApp Integration?
- QuickBooks’ latest feature allows for users to send invoices from QuickBooks Online and Mobile to their WhatsApp, so these invoices can be WhatsApped to your customers or clients.
- Xero does not currently have such a function.
In summary, Quickbooks Vs Xero, which is the more suitable software?
QuickBooks Online is best for:
- Businesses that are looking for a more cost-efficient & cheaper accounting software.
- Businesses that are looking for an easy-to-learn and intuitive user interface.
- Businesses looking for more comprehensive financial reports.
Xero is best for:
- Businesses that require a wide range of integrations with applications.
- Businesses that require a wide range of bank integrations such as international banks: ANZ, Citibank, HSBC.
QuickBooks Vs. Xero? A Complete Guide to Choosing the Best Software for your Singapore business
"Software is the magic thing whose importance only goes up over time." - Bill Gates
Understanding QuickBooks and Xero Accounting Softwares
Both QuickBooks and Xero are powerful accounting software solutions suited for most small to medium size business owners in Singapore. The comparison between softwares is more than just price. If you are in the midst of searching for an accounting / invoicing tool, you may have a few considerations when deciding which tool to use – budget, business needs, and comparing different options on the market.
In this post, we will give you a breakdown of the features in QuickBooks and Xero, and recommend the appropriate tool for your business needs.
| QuickBooks | Xero | |
|---|---|---|
| Key things we Like | • More Accounting-related features • User-friendly design • Lower pricing • Excellent reporting capability | • More Business-related features • Better approval control • Strong Integrations • All plans support unlimited users |
| What could be better | • More types of application and bank integrations • More types of user-access controls | • No live customer support option available • Some key features like multi-currency only offered on most expensive plan (Premium) • Little customisation allowed for invoice templates |
| Pricing / Month (as of 26 August 2023) | • Simple (single-currency): S$25.68 • Essentials (multi-currency): S$39.59 • Plus (multi-currency): S$53.50 | • Standard (single-currency): S$55 • Premium (multi-currency): S$72 |
| Key Features | • Accounting • Invoicing • Banking • Expenses • Projects • GST • Inventory • Insights & Reporting • Multi-Currency | • Accounting • Invoicing • Banking • Expenses • GST • Inventory • Insights & Reporting • Multi-Currency |
| Invoicing Capabilities | • Send via email - Yes • Send via Whatsapp Web - Yes • Customisation of invoice templates | • Send via email - Yes • Send via Whatsapp - No • Can link to Stripe and Paypal • Ability to approve invoices (but cannot unapprove) • Minimal customisation of invoice templates |
| Ease of Use | Intuitive user interface | Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners |
| User Limits | • Simple start: 1 user • Essentials: 3 users; 2 accounting firms • Plus: 5 users; 2 accounting firms (While it says 5 users on the website, they allow up to 25 users for Plus Account) | Unlimited number of users |
| Bank Reconciliation | • Bank rules • Easy search, sort and filter function | • Bank rules • No search, sort and filter function |
| Direct Bank Feed | OCBC, Aspire | • DBS, OCBC, UOB, HSBC and more (For DBS, allow direct to 'push' supplier invoices directly to DBS IDEAL) |
| Accounting-related Features | • Adjusting Journal entries (MJEs) allowed across all Chart of Accounts (COA) • COA can be combined • No fixed asset module on its own | • Adjusting journal entries not allowed for certain COA such as Cash and AR (which affects Interco billing) • COA cannot be combined • Have a fixed asset module |
| Payroll | • No Payroll function | • Have Payroll function - limited as it is not compliant to Singapore |
| GST F5/Tax Features | • Optimised for GST submissions in SG | • Optimised for GST submissions in SG • Direct filing of report to IRAS |
| Mobile App | Yes. 4.7/5 rating on Apple Store | Yes. 4.5/5 rating on Apple Store |
| OCR Software | • QBO OCR available • Complimentary Hubdoc OCR with any Tisch Global PSG Quickbooks Plan | Complimentary HubDoc OCR with any Xero plan |
| Customer Support | • 24/7 Online Chat Support • Email Support • Phone Support • Product Training | • 24/7 Online Support • Product Training • No phone support |
| Community Support | Singapore Online Community with forum and Q&A | Singapore Online Community with forum and Q&A |
| App Integration (worldwide) | 800+ integrated apps | 650+ integrated apps |
| Split by Project / Location | • Project - Yes (FREE) • Location - Yes | • Project - No (Top up S$10++) • Location - Yes |
Some common questions about Quickbooks and Xero
QuickBooks vs Xero, which is cheaper?
- If you require multi-currency functions, QuickBooks Essentials costs S$35 per month VS Xero Premium costs S$65 per month.
- Comparing across the board, QuickBooks is cheaper than Xero.
Do both softwares allow for Multi-Currency function?
- Yes, both have great multi-currency functions. The multi-currency function can be set up in Xero for a selected period of time whereas QuickBooks allows for a daily exchange rate to be used.
Which software has the function to deliver invoice straight into another account of the same platform?
- Xero has a ‘XERO to XERO’ invoicing function where invoices can be delivered straight to your customer or supplier’s Xero account should they be a Xero user. QuickBooks does not have this function.
Which software provides more customisation of reports?
- QuickBooks provides a more comprehensive reporting function – invoice templates are very flexible. While editing the invoice template, users can alter most fields, change colour and fonts. Users can also edit sales message and the fields they want to be displayed on an invoice.
- QuickBooks reporting capability scale up with each level. QuickBooks is able to run detailed reports like AR/AP with many ways to slice the report like by customer type etc, while Xero has slightly fewer customisations.
QuickBooks Vs Xero, which one can do Bulk Actions like Bulk import?
- QuickBooks has a good amount of bulk transactions for setting up your business. Users are able to add in products and services, Contacts and suppliers. Columns can be mapped before importing.
Expense Function
- The expense function is more user-friendly in QuickBooks as once users upload an invoice, it will be recorded as paid. Whereas for XERO users will have to upload invoice then select pay in the system.
QuickBooks Vs Xero, which one can do GST F5 Report/Submission?
- Both platforms are customised to Singapore’s GST reporting standards.
- GST reporting function is more intuitive in QuickBooks. The platform gives user the ability to click on the total of each Box and have a secondary report generated showing the individual lines that make up the total of that box.
- Users can also record GST paid or claimed via QBO GST function.
Does QuickBooks or Xero have WhatsApp Integration?
- QuickBooks’ latest feature allows for users to send invoices from QuickBooks Online and Mobile to their WhatsApp, so these invoices can be WhatsApped to your customers or clients.
- Xero does not currently have such a function.
In summary, Quickbooks Vs Xero, which is the more suitable software?
QuickBooks Online is best for:
- Businesses that are looking for a more cost-effective & cheaper accounting software.
- Businesses that are looking for an easy-to-learn and intuitive user interface.
- Businesses looking for more comprehensive financial reports.
Xero is best for:
- Businesses that require a wide range of integrations with applications.
- Businesses that require a wide range of bank integrations such as international banks: ANZ, Citibank, HSBC.
Our Verdict
Overall, both QuickBooks and Xero are well-developed Accounting softwares with strengths in different areas. From a cost-perspective, companies looking for a more cost-efficient software should consider Quickbooks as it is cheaper on a monthly basis. On the other hand, Xero would be a good choice for businesses who prefer vast banks integration and a wide range of application integrations. Ultimately, when deciding which software to pick, you should consider which better suits your business needs and ability to support the company’s growth.
Our Verdict
Overall, both QuickBooks and Xero are well-developed Accounting softwares with strengths in different areas. From a cost-perspective, companies looking for a more cost-efficient software should consider Quickbooks as it is cheaper on a monthly basis. On the other hand, Xero would be a good choice for businesses who prefer vast banks integration and a wide range of application integrations. Ultimately, when deciding which software to pick, you should consider which better suits your business needs and ability to support the company’s growth.
Written by, Sai | QuickBooks vs Xero | 23 May, 2022 | #TischInsights
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