Accounting

Everlance is a mileage and expense tracking app that helps self-employed professionals and businesses monitor mileage deductions. Some of its notable features include automatic mileage tracking, team reporting, long session tracking, and customizable approval workflows. With , you can track up to 30 trips per month for free or subscribe to a paid plan starting at $12 per user monthly for businesses and $8 for self-employed individuals. Everlance Deciding Factors Everlance Alternatives Everlance vs Competitors We compared Everlance with TripLog and MileIQ. TripLog is our best overall mileage tracker app, while MileIQ is our recommended mileage tracker for simple mileage tracking. Pricing isn’t Everlance’s strongest suit because TripLog and MileIQ have more affordable pricing plans. At $12 per month, Everlance offers similar features with TripLog and MileIQ. However, the possible justification for a higher price is the VIP support and live admin and user training included in this plan. TripLog takes the win for mileage tracking features with a perfect score but Everlance gets the second place in this comparison. Our evaluation reveals that Everlance offers decent features with advanced functions like approval workflows. Everlance leads over TripLog and MileIQ in related app features because it has a reimbursement system and tax deduction finder. Everlance Pricing Everlance offers two pricing packages: one for self-employed individuals and another for businesses. Both offer a free plan that includes up to 30 automatic trips per user, per month. Paid plans for businesses and self-employed start at $12 and $8 per user, per month, respectively. The tables below summarize the plans for self-employed individuals and businesses. Everlance Features Customer Service & Ease of Use Everlance has a neat and minimalistic layout, both in the web dashboard and app, making it easy to navigate, even for first-time users. The mobile app is very comprehensive, and the features are easy to locate. Free subscribers can seek help through email, while Premium users receive exclusive access to customer service representatives whom they can chat with directly within the app. If you want customized training and support from a dedicated onboarding and customer success manager, you might want to upgrade to the most expensive plan, FAVR. Everlance User Reviews In Everlance reviews on third-party review websites, most users are real estate agents. What they like about Everlance is its accuracy in tracking mileage, especially if they’re meeting multiple clients in a day. They also commended the platform for making mileage deductions easier during tax season. However, some users found some inefficiencies, such as automatic mileage tracking even if riding in someone else’s car. Though this feature can be turned off, there’s a possibility of forgetting to turn it back on and missing some business-related trips: GetApp: 4.5 out of 5 stars based on around 60 reviews G2: 4.3 out of 5 stars based on about 80 reviews Google Play: 4.4 out of 5 stars based on around 19,200 reviews App Store: 4.8 out of 5 stars based on around 22,800 reviews How We Evaluated Mileage Tracker Apps We evaluated Everlance based on five major categories that should be present in mileage tracker apps. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is the free plan of Everlance enough for mileage tax deductions? Yes, it is, as you can get IRS-compliant reports and relevant tax data even with the free plan. The only advantages of getting paid plans are unlimited trips, automations in mileage tracking, and advanced features like approval workflows. Is Everlance worth the money? Yes. Self-employed individuals like real estate agents need to spare only $8 per month to get decent mileage tracking features. However, it can get expensive for businesses that allow mileage tracking for multiple employees. Bottom Line If you’re looking for a single app to track your mileage and expenses, is a good choice. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a small business, or a large company managing many drivers, you can find the right package for you. The provider has a generous free plan that has many useful features you’ll find in premium packages, such as automatic tracking and unlimited receipt uploads. If you’re a solo business owner or a self-employed individual needing to track mileage for tax purposes, the free plan might be enough. If you’re a company with many employees who drive for work, an upgrade to Premium is worth your money.

TaxWorkFlow is a tax and accounting practice management solution that helps tax firms and professionals speed up their accounting and internal and client-facing communication processes. It’s a unique hybrid solution that combines the speed of desktop software and the accessibility of a cloud-based app. In addition to basic accounting tools, like invoicing and time tracking, it offers specialized features, like customer relationship management (CRM) and document management. charges an annual fee of $1,500 per firm. TaxWorkFlow Deciding Factors TaxWorkFlow Alternatives TaxWorkFlow Pricing TaxWorkFlow is available at a flat annual fee of $1,500, which includes free support and unlimited access to all features. The annual fee remains the same as long as you’re a client, and it allows for unlimited users. You’ll also receive free training to help you maximize the benefits of TaxWorkFlow. If you choose TaxWorkFlow to manage your firm, you’ll also need to choose a separate bookkeeping software. Check out our review of the best small business accounting software for help. TaxWorkFlow Features The software incorporates many powerful capabilities, allowing every step of the tax preparation process to be managed and completed in an accurate and efficient manner. Here are some of the highlights. TaxWorkflow Customer Service & Ease of Use TaxWorkFlow’s intuitive native Windows interface makes it very user-friendly and offers enhanced data storage capacity in the cloud. You’ll enjoy the fast processing speed and ease of use that you get from a PC desktop platform, plus the advantages of collaboration, sharing, and productivity that come from working in the cloud. When you get stuck with something, you can send an email for support or talk to an agent over the phone. Also, during the trial period, the TaxWorkFlow team will train your staff and customize the system to your needs. This means there’s no need for you to learn how to install or set it up. TaxWorkFlow User Reviews As of this writing (January 2023), there are no TaxWorkFlow user reviews on third-party websites. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) How Does TaxWorkFlow back up my data? TaxWorkFlow replicates clients’ data in real time and stores them off-site to ensure that they’re immediately available in case an unexpected event, such as disasters or power outages, happens. Can I get my data if I stop my subscription? Yes, you can, and the TaxWorkFlow team will even help you migrate your data to your new system. How can I migrate my data from TaxWorkflow to another platform and vice versa? TaxWorkFlow enables you to import or export your existing data using Excel spreadsheets. Bottom Line provides a complete tax and accounting practice management solution for tax firms and professionals who want to improve their profitability and productivity. The pricing structure isn’t as flexible as other software, but it offers a robust set of features that you won’t find in most accounting practice management solutions. Also, the ability to store your data in-house or in the cloud lets you choose your storage option based on your compliance and security preferences. TaxWorkFlow’s powerful CRM system is also useful to enhance internal and client-facing communication.

FreshBooks and Wave have many similar features, such as the ability to send unlimited invoices and track unpaid bills. Both have a lot to bring to the table, but FreshBooks has the edge in terms of project accounting, invoicing, and customer service. While it charges a low monthly fee that starts at $15, Wave’s bookkeeping software, which includes invoicing, bill tracking, and receipt scanning, is completely free. Wave is a great choice for businesses on a budget with basic needs while FreshBooks is ideal for service businesses needing to assign time and expenses to customers. FreshBooks vs Wave at a Glance When To Use Fit Small Business Case Study We compare FreshBooks and Wave head-to-head in our case study to help you make the right choice. We compare these two accounting solutions across 11 key categories, such as general features, accounts payable (A/P), accounts receivable (A/R), and banking and cash management. We’ve done in-depth research so that it’s easier for you to find out which program is suited better for your business. Check out our detailed FreshBooks review and Wave review for more information. Case Study Results for FreshBooks vs Wave. FreshBooks vs Wave: Pricing FreshBooks offers four plans, and each has specific inclusions and the option to purchase add-ons, such as more team members. There are additional fees incurred for credit card processing, which are 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for most cards and 3.5% plus 30 cents per transaction for American Express. All plans include one user with the option to add additional users for $10 per month. If you would like to check out the program first, FreshBooks currently offers a free 30-day trial with no credit card required. Meanwhile, there’s no charge to use Wave’s bookkeeping software, and it supports unlimited users. There are additional fees for credit card and payroll processing, which is typical of any bookkeeping program. The fees you may encounter with Wave include: Accounting and Invoicing: Free Credit card processing: 2.9% plus 30 cents per transaction for most cards, 3.4% plus 30 cents per transaction for American Express Bank payments: $1 per transaction Payroll: $35 per month plus $6 per employee or independent contractor for users living in tax-service states: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin $20 per month plus $6 per employee or independent contractor for users living in the remaining 36 states FreshBooks vs Wave: Features We selected three categories in our case study to provide you with a more thorough comparison of FreshBooks and Wave in terms of features. Banking & Cash Management Based on our case study, FreshBooks and Wave have their own unique strengths and weaknesses in terms of bank account reconciliation. While both let you connect your bank accounts, Wave lets you manually upload your files of transactions, instead of linking your bank. With FreshBooks, you can’t upload files of transactions unless you connect your bank account. This can be a huge limitation since not all users are comfortable connecting their bank accounts to their accounting software. Both can’t reconcile transactions with timing differences, including outstanding checks that aren’t yet cleared by your bank. They also lack options for combining multiple checks in a single deposit. If your business relies on checks for your day-to-day transactions, you should consider for powerful bank reconciliation. Invoicing (A/R) Collecting payments is necessary for any business. Both FreshBooks and Wave have good invoicing capabilities, but FreshBooks offers more optimization options. Not only does it have more templates to choose from, but it also offers advanced functions like customizing payment reminders and late fees by clients. The two programs can set up recurring invoices, but Wave doesn’t allow you to add late fees to your invoice. Also, the project management feature in FreshBooks lets you bill for hours worked and add it to your invoice. Project Accounting If you’re a service-based business that works on projects or bills clients by the hour, then you’ll find FreshBooks useful—it allows you to set up hourly or flat-rate projects and assign them to your employees or customers. Once you’re done with a project, you can convert it into an invoice easily. When setting up a project estimate in FreshBooks, you have the option to add sales taxes, inventories, and labor. You can also compare cost estimates to actual costs, which is useful for contractors. Unfortunately, Wave has no project accounting system, although it does allow you to create an estimate. FreshBooks vs Wave: Ease of Use FreshBooks requires minimal setup. You can input your business details easily, such as company name, address, and telephone number. Additionally, the main page includes shortcut functions like the +New button to help you execute certain tasks easily, such as creating a new invoice and adding a new customer or bill. The left menu bar contains all the core features of FreshBooks, including Banking, Sales, Cashflow, Expenses, Projects, and Payroll. The problem with FreshBooks is that you can’t modify the chart of accounts or import a chart of accounts unless you sign in as an accountant. This can be annoying if you’re switching to FreshBooks from previous accounting software. Being free software, Wave is one of the easiest-to-use accounting programs on the market. When setting up your account in Wave, you’ll start with the Wave Launchpad, where you can choose one of the displayed options and then set up the entire process. Just like FreshBooks, the Wave dashboard is easy to navigate, with uncluttered menu items and visible buttons to help you find what you need easily. Even as a beginner, you’ll get the gist of automating workflows easily, such as setting up a new client, adding a new bill, creating a project estimate, and sending an invoice. FreshBooks vs Wave: Integrations FreshBooks integrates with hundreds of third-party software to automate different business processes that are beyond its capability. Some of its most popular integrations include Shopify, Square, Bench Bookkeeping, Zapier, Calendly, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Gusto, Stripe, and PayPal. Wave has very few direct integrations, but it connects with thousands of apps through Zapier. Some of its popular integrations include PayPal, Square, Stripe, Etsy, HubSpot, Slack, Google Sheets, and Pipedrive. FreshBooks vs Wave: Mobile App Functionality FreshBooks’ app wins in this section. If you’re a service-based business or an independent contractor who’s always out in the field, having the ability to record hours worked and assign them to your customers is very convenient. FreshBooks vs Wave: Assisted Bookkeeping FreshBooks by itself has no bookkeeping service for users. Instead, it partners with an online bookkeeping service provider, , to accommodate users requiring expert help with their bookkeeping needs. With Bench, you’ll receive a dedicated bookkeeper who’ll assist you in managing your books. They’ll help you connect your bank and credit card accounts, categorize your transactions, reconcile your statements, and prepare the reports you need for the tax season. Check out the breakdown of Bench’s pricing below: Essential: $299 per month, with access to a dedicated bookkeeping team, plus monthly bookkeeping, year-end tax reports, and direct, unlimited support from Bench Premium: $499 per month, includes everything in Essential, plus one one-on-one tax coaching, unlimited tax advisory, and annual tax filing for businesses and individuals Meanwhile, Wave users who need help with their books can seek help from . These are Wave-certified accounting and tax professionals who provide one-on-one accounting, bookkeeping, and tax consulting services exclusively for Wave customers. You can choose from the following services provided by Wave Advisors: Accounting coaching: $229 for one session (1-hour package)—on-on-one coaching through video call, plus access to video recording, live chat support, and unlimited email support $329 for two sessions (2 hours)—includes two separate 1-hour sessions Bookkeeping service: Starts at $149 per month—you’ll receive professional assistance with major bookkeeping tasks like account setup, bank reconciliation, and financial reporting Tax service: Starts at $149 per month and includes year-round support for federal and state tax filing FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: Customer Support FreshBooks has excellent customer support, where users can seek help through email or talk with a representative via a chatbot. The best part here is that you have the option to talk to a real person over the phone. Some providers, such as QuickBooks Online, do the same, but you can’t initiate the call. With FreshBooks, you can dial the phone, so you can directly talk to an agent without having to submit a ticket first. It also has a vast online help section equipped with detailed instructions on how to use FreshBooks’ features. On the other hand, you can’t trust Wave to help you with serious or immediate technical problems. There’s literally no one to talk to over the phone, and the only thing you can hold on to is chat support, which is available for new users for 60 days after purchase. In addition to a chatbot, you can use the Wave Help Center, which includes some helpful resources that provide answers to your questions. FreshBooks vs QuickBooks: User Reviews Those who left FreshBooks reviews said that they like that the tool is one-stop accounting software that’s easy to set up and use. Users also praised its project tracking features and how easy it is to invoice clients if you use the project feature. The software’s biggest drawback is its inability to manage inventory, and other users wished that it had a live chat feature. It earned the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4.5 out of 5 based on about 650 reviews GetApp: 4.5 out of 5 based on around 4,000 reviews TrustRadius: 8.2 out of 10 based on about 190 reviews Meanwhile, Wave users said that they appreciate that the platform is free and very easy to use, giving a small business many of the features it needs to get up and running. Some also praised its mobile app that allows you to invoice customers while you’re working remotely. The solution’s biggest drawback is its lack of phone support. Wave earned the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4.4 out of 5 based on about 275 reviews Software Advice: 4.43 out of 5 based on around 1,350 reviews TrustRadius: 7.1 out of 10 based on about 160 reviews Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is Wave Invoicing really free? Yes, Wave’s invoicing features are available free of charge. Can you upload and reconcile bank statements manually in FreshBooks? No, it isn’t possible to reconcile bank statements manually in FreshBooks because it doesn’t allow you to upload files of transactions unless you connect your bank account. Does Wave offer live phone support? No, Wave doesn’t offer live phone support; only live chat and email support. How We Evaluated FreshBooks vs Wave We evaluated FreshBooks and Wave based on ease of use, pricing, and how well it performed against the ideal features we’re seeking, including project accounting, inventory management, and mobile accounting. Our evaluation was based on a rubric scoring methodology in six categories, each with a designated appropriate percentage. Our criteria for choosing the best small business accounting software are as follows: Bottom Line FreshBooks and Wave have a lot of similar features despite their different pricing structures. has a definite edge as it provides more options to invoice and bill customers, track employee time, track actual vs estimated project costs, and unbeatable customer support. However, if you only need basic accounting features, such as income and expense tracking and invoicing, regardless of how many users you need, the price of is unbeatable.

Zoho Books and Xero are equally popular accounting software, but they have unique features, varied capabilities, and different price points. Ultimately, your budget and business situation will determine which one is right for you. If you’re a solopreneur or a freelancer wanting free invoice tracking, or an established small business needing advanced inventory reporting, go with Zoho Books. If you have a small business with many employees to pay, Xero is the more suitable choice. Zoho Books vs Xero At-a-Glance Comparison When To Use Fit Small Business Case Study Using the case study framework we designed, we examined Zoho Books and Xero in 11 key areas that an accounting software service should possess. The chart below is the side-by-side comparison of Zoho Books and Xero in all 11 key areas. Later in this article, we’ll provide an in-depth comparison of accounts receivable (A/R), inventory, and project accounting. These three areas are where Zoho Books and Xero go head-to-head. For an in-depth article that tackles all key areas of our case study, read our Zoho Books review and Xero review. Zoho Books vs Xero: Pricing We find that Xero’s Growing plan at $37 per month is the most affordable plan suitable to most users, especially if you’d like the capacity for unlimited users. However, if you need project accounting, Zoho’s Professional plan at $50 monthly may be your best option. Zoho Books Pricing Zoho Books, which offers a free 14-day trial, has six tiers with monthly fees ranging from $0 to $275 per month. The free plan supports a single user and includes basic features, such as bank reconciliation, expense tracking, and recurring invoices. However, it has limits, such as 1,000 invoices per year and $50,000 annual revenue. Meanwhile, the paid options give you access to advanced features, like sales orders and purchase order (PO) management, time tracking, and budgeting. Additional users can be added to any plan for $3 per user, per month. Xero Pricing Xero offers three packages with monthly prices ranging from $13 to $70. The Early plan is limited, allowing you to enter up to five bills and send 20 invoices. If you need to send unlimited invoices and enter unlimited bills, we recommend the Growing and Established plans. Zoho Books vs Xero: Features Zoho Books and Xero offer unique features but share a lot of similarities. Our case study found out that there are only a few striking differences between the two programs, yet they offer the features that ideal accounting software should have. Let’s go over the features of Zoho Books and Xero and emphasize certain key features from our case study. Invoicing (A/R) Zoho Books and Xero are even in terms of the functions we want to see in an A/R management system. You can create invoice items, accept short payments, view invoices, view balances per customer, and many more. However, the only feature with a striking difference is invoice creation. The invoices in Zoho Books are outstanding. It gives users a lot of design options and templates to make unique invoices. We like how Zoho went to the nitty-gritty of invoice creation, such as the font, alignment, orientation, and margins. It feels like you’re making an invoice straight out of word processing software because of the level of control you can exert in the overall look of your invoice. Xero, meanwhile, falls a bit short in invoice design—you can only edit the invoice line items. But as to the design, color, and font style, it lacks those features. You can create personalized invoices because you can replace the line items, but you can edit anything else for the invoice to be aligned with your branding. Inventory Management The inventory management system of Zoho Books and Xero is also commendable in terms of the features we want to see, such as creating inventory items, managing inventory costs, and accounting for the cost of goods sold (COGS). As full-featured accounting software programs, it comes with no surprise that these features are present. However, the only fine line we can highlight between Zoho Books and Xero is the expandability of inventory features—and here’s where Zoho Books comes at a bit of an advantage. Within the Zoho environment, it offers Zoho Inventory, a dedicated inventory management software that provides more inventory features than those found in Zoho Books. If you want to be detailed in tracking inventory, Zoho Books and Zoho Inventory are great partners within the Zoho suite, making Zoho convenient and easy to use. For Xero, you can integrate with more than 20 inventory management software choices through the Xero App Store. For some, the wider selection of integrations might be preferable to being restricted to only one app, as with Zoho Books. Project Accounting Tracking and managing projects on Zoho Books and Xero are a breeze. They both have the project accounting features we expect to see, such as project creation, assignment of project costs, project estimations, allocation of inventory used, and project reporting. The only feature we noticed that Zoho Books missed is the actual-to-budget comparison of inventories used on the project. Although it’s not a major miss for Zoho Books, we believe that it could’ve been better to include this feature in the budget-to-actual reports. Meanwhile, Xero has all the features in project accounting, so it garnered a perfect score in our evaluation. Zoho Books vs Xero: Ease of Use Zoho Books vs Xero: Integrations One of the biggest benefits of using Zoho Books is that it seamlessly integrates with other Zoho products, such as Zoho CRM and Zoho Inventory. On top of that, it integrates with payment gateways, such as PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net. Meanwhile, Xero has a more extensive marketplace, integrating with over 700 third-party software. Its many integrations include PayPal, Stripe, HubSpot, Mailchimp, BigCommerce, Shopify, Gusto, WorkflowMax, and simPRO. Zoho Books vs Xero: Mobile App Functionality *Recording bills through the Xero mobile app cannot record units for inventory purchases. It’s only suitable for operating expenses. Zoho Books gets the win here as the mobile app allows you to do all basic accounting and documentation work. Meanwhile, Xero’s app covers only a few basic functions. It can’t be used as an alternative way to do accounting work, so you’ll still have to use the web version. Zoho Books vs Xero: Assisted Bookkeeping Zoho Books doesn’t have a dedicated in-house team of bookkeepers, but you can seek assisted bookkeeping services in the form of certified, independent Zoho Books Advisors. Suppose you need help to manage your books or your business with Zoho Books. In that case, you can check Zoho Books’ directory for the list of independent accountants, bookkeepers, and financial advisors that have earned the Zoho Books Advisor designation. Xero certifies accountants and bookkeepers as Xero Advisors. You can find advisors near you by going to the page. It also uses third-party programs and services to provide assisted bookkeeping to its users. For instance, you can seek on-demand access to a professional bookkeeper through Bookkeeper360. Zoho Books vs Xero: Customer Support When it comes to customer service, Zoho Books beats Xero, hands down. Unlike Xero, Zoho Books offers live customer support via telephone or chat in all of its paid packages. If you need to contact the Xero support team, you’ll have to send an email and wait for a response. The good news is that they work 24/7, so the response will probably be less than 24 hours. Zoho Books offers live telephone and chat support in all paid packages, while the free plan only includes email support. In addition, it also has the following resources: Zoho Help Database: A comprehensive help guide that includes basic navigation instructions, keyboard shortcuts, and step-by-step instructions in banking, contacts, invoices, client portal, expenses, and items. Zoho Video Tutorials/Webinar: In the help database, you’ll also find video tutorials and a webinar on using Zoho Books. Xero doesn’t have the option to speak to a live person as you can with Zoho Books. However, it has Xero Business Help Center and Xero University: Xero Help Center: A robust help center with video tutorials and step-by-step how-to articles on both basic and advanced Xero topics. Xero U (University): Xero University includes video tutorial courses that you can take to learn how to use Xero. The topics are broken down into three user types: accountants, bookkeepers, and small business owners. Zoho Books vs Xero: User Reviews Zoho Books users appreciate that the platform has several useful features, such as inventory management and project accounting. Reviewers also praised its ability to seamlessly integrate with other Zoho products like Zoho Inventory and Zoho CRM. The tool’s biggest drawback is its limits on the number of users and invoices for each plan. It earned the following average scores on popular review sites: GetApp: 4.4 out of 5 based on about 510 reviews G2: 4.5 out of 5 based on around 130 reviews TrustRadius: 8.2 out of 10 based on about 120 reviews Meanwhile, those who left Xero reviews said that the software is easy to set up and use, with a simple and clean user interface along with intuitive features. Users also praised the fixed assets manager and the project accounting capabilities. The software’s biggest drawbacks are its inability to reconcile transactions without bank feeds and its lack of live phone and chat support. Xero earned the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4.4 out of 5 based on about 510 reviews GetApp: 4.4 out of 5 based on around 2,400 reviews TrustRadius: 8.7 out of 10 based on about 575 reviews Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) What are the disadvantages of Zoho Books? Zoho Books has three main disadvantages: it has 1) restrictions on the number of users for each plan; 2) no payroll services; and 3) limited integration options other than its own suite of products, such as Zoho Inventory. Does Xero offer phone and live chat support? No, Xero doesn’t currently offer phone or live chat support. Is Zoho Books really free? Zoho Books offers a free plan for businesses with less than $50,000 in annual income, and it also offers paid plans that range in price from $20 to $275 per month, depending on the number of users and required features. How We Evaluated Accounting Software We evaluated the small business accounting software based on ease of use, pricing, and how well it performed against the ideal features we’re seeking, including project accounting, inventory management, and mobile accounting. Our evaluation was based on a rubric scoring methodology in six categories, each with a designated appropriate percentage. Our criteria for choosing the best small business accounting software are as follows: Bottom Line Zoho Books and Xero have their strengths and weaknesses, and the decision comes down to understanding your exact business needs. Choose if you only need a few people to access your accounting data or you’re already a Zoho user. On the contrary, pick if you have over 10 people in your accounting department or you have many employees to pay.

Whether Xero or QuickBooks Online is right for you depends on the specific features you need and how much you can afford to pay. If you need multiple user access at a low price and you manage fixed assets, you might consider Xero. However, if you’re willing to pay more for a comprehensive bank reconciliation feature and strong customer service, QuickBooks Online is preferable. Xero vs QuickBooks Online At-a-Glance Comparison When To Use Fit Small Business Case Study We compared Xero and QuickBooks Online across 11 categories to see which industry-leading accounting software stands out. The detailed results of our case study are presented in our Xero review and QuickBooks Online review, whereas the chart below sums it up. Xero vs QuickBooks FSB Case Study Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Pricing Xero is more affordable and scalable than QuickBooks since all subscriptions come with unlimited users. If you have a very small business and only need to manage and track a few bills and invoices, then you might do well with Xero’s Early plan. However, if you work with multiple vendors and customers and need more enhanced features, you should consider QuickBooks Online Plus. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Features We evaluated Xero and QuickBooks across several accounting categories, and we found significant differences in terms of bank reconciliation and fixed-asset accounting. Below, we include a detailed assessment of the two programs across our preset metrics. Banking & Cash Management While both programs include bank reconciliation features, QuickBooks is much more flexible as it allows you to reconcile a bank account by entering the ending bank balance and manually marking transactions that have cleared your bank. Another notable difference is that QuickBooks Online lets you upload your file of transactions, so you aren’t required to connect your bank account. With Xero, you have to hook up your account to reconcile your transactions. Invoicing QuickBooks Online is more versatile than Xero in terms of invoicing. There are plenty of customization options, which can be a great deal for those wanting to present and maintain a professional brand image. Another reason QuickBooks Online stands out is its ability to calculate sales tax rates automatically based on the customer address, which is something Xero can’t do. Hence, it’s no surprise that QuickBooks Online is our overall best invoicing accounting software. Accounts Payable Both have great accounts payable (A/P) features, but QuickBooks Online is slightly better due to its ability to generate recurring payments. Xero lets you create a recurring bill but not the payment, which means it doesn’t charge your checking account automatically. Fixed Assets Management Xero is far ahead of QuickBooks Online in terms of fixed asset accounting. You can record a fixed asset purchase in QuickBooks Online, but you can’t track your fixed assets and calculate depreciation. On the other hand, Xero’s fixed asset manager is impressive. It allows you to record a fixed asset purchase and then calculate depreciation. You can also create asset types and assign an account ID for each asset. When you sell an asset, the program will calculate a gain or loss. If fixed assets are an important part of your business, you should choose Xero. Inventory Management Both Xero and QuickBooks Online do a great job of accounting for inventory and calculating the cost of your inventory sold automatically. However, inventory accounting is included in all Xero plans, while it’s only in the Plus and Advanced versions of QuickBooks Online. So, if you want a low-cost inventory management solution, go with Xero. Project Accounting You can rely both on Xero and QuickBooks Online for project accounting, but if you want a more detailed option of tracking your profitability, then Xero may be better. Unlike QuickBooks Online, it allows you to compare estimated and actual project costs, which is crucial in budgeting. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Ease of Use Xero is more straightforward than QuickBooks Online in terms of company setup as you need the patience to set up a company in QuickBooks Online. You can enter your company details, but the process is a bit more labor-intensive. Both have shortcut links and buttons on their dashboards, but QuickBooks Online is a tad more complex, especially when performing complicated tasks like printing checks. With practice, both programs should be easy to learn and use. However, for users with no accounting experience, we recommend Xero. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Integrations Xero boasts around 800 integrations, connecting to plenty of major business software applications, such as: HubSpot Mailchimp Microsoft Outlook Google Contacts WorkflowMax Hubdoc Fathom Pipedrive Constant Contact Agile CRM Spotlight PayPal Zapier QuickBooks Online also has more than 750 integrations, including QuickBooks Payroll QuickBooks Commerce QuickBooks Payments QuickBooks Time Insightly CRM Gusto ADP BILL ClockShark eBillity Zapier Just because one accounting program has more software integrations than another doesn’t mean it’s more functional. Xero and QuickBooks both have a large collection of integrated apps, so the best fit for your business depends on the specific business workflows you want to automate. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Mobile App Functionality The ability to accept payments on your smartphone through the QuickBooks Online mobile app is a very convenient feature for many on-the-go business owners. You can even track the spending habits of your company by simply viewing the reports on your phone. Meanwhile, Xero’s mobile app might be preferable if you often need to record bills and bill payments on the go. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Assisted Bookkeeping If you have no accounting experience to execute crucial bookkeeping tasks like reconciling bank accounts, then assisted bookkeeping is useful. If you have complex bookkeeping needs and require a QuickBooks-specific virtual bookkeeping service, then choose QuickBooks Live. However, if you want a more scalable solution with the option to hire additional services like payroll and tax filing, then Xero is the more suitable choice. Xero partners with to provide assisted bookkeeping services, and this lets you have on-demand access to a team of accounting and tax professionals who can help you manage your bookkeeping duties. Bookkeeper360 offers three virtual bookkeeping packages, depending on how often you need assistance, such as pay-as-you-go, monthly, or weekly basis. However, you and your bookkeeper can also work together to create a custom service plan, depending on your needs. Meanwhile, you can get bookkeeping, an add-on that can be activated from the left menu bar of your QuickBooks dashboard, if you need a QuickBooks-certified bookkeeper to help you complete your bookkeeping tasks. They’ll help you reconcile your bank and credit card statements and prepare your monthly reports. After the initial cleanup, you’ll receive assistance with importing historical data, customized setup of your chart of accounts, live one-on-one video chat support with your bookkeeper, customized reports, and a free audit request of your books at any time. QuickBooks Live doesn’t offer tax filing or payroll services, unlike Bookkeeper360. Prices for QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping scale with the monthly expenses of your business, which means higher costs for businesses with higher expenses. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: Customer Support QuickBooks Online’s customer support is better than Xero’s since you can interact with an agent through a phone call. You can’t initiate a call, but you can submit a ticket and then wait for an agent to call you. You can also talk to a real person through live chat. Xero vs QuickBooks Online: User Reviews Users appreciate that Xero is easy to set up and use, with a simple and clean user interface along with intuitive features. Reviewers also praised the fixed assets manager and the project accounting capabilities. The software’s biggest drawback is its inability to reconcile transactions without bank feeds and its lack of live phone and chat support. It earned the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4.3 out of 5 based on about 520 reviews GetApp: 4.4 out of 5 based on around 2,400 reviews TrustRadius: 8.7 out of 10 based on about 570 reviews Meanwhile, QuickBooks Online users like that the tool has advanced invoicing tools, the ability to integrate with multiple software, and a wide variety of reports, including the ability to customize as needed. Its biggest drawback is the inability to contact customer support directly by phone, and other users experienced issues with using the QuickBooks Payroll integration. The platform has the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4 out of 5 based on about 3,000 reviews Software Advice: 4.32 out of 5 based on around 6,000 reviews TrustRadius: 7.9 out of 10 based on about 1,500 reviews Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Can you use Xero to track inventory? Yes, you can use Xero to track inventory, and the feature is available in all plans. How much does QuickBooks Online cost? Depending on the plan you select, QuickBooks Online ranges in price from $30 per month for the Simple Start plan to $200 per month for the Advanced plan. Can you use Xero to track fixed assets? Yes, Xero has a fixed assets manager that allows you to track fixed assets and calculate depreciation. How We Evaluated Xero vs QuickBooks Online We evaluated Xero and QuickBooks Online based on ease of use, pricing, and how well they performed against the ideal features we’re seeking—including project accounting, inventory management, and mobile accounting. Our evaluation was based on a rubric scoring methodology in six categories, each with a designated appropriate percentage. Bottom Line Xero and QuickBooks Online are powerful accounting software programs and, in our case study, both prove why they’re the leading tools in the industry. They may have almost the same features, but each has its own strengths and drawbacks. If your business needs many users to access your accounting data and requires low-cost inventory and fixed-asset accounting, is the better choice. If you need comprehensive bank reconciliation, class and location tracking, good customer support, and easy access to local bookkeepers, then wins.

The Arkansas Real Estate Commission (AREC) requires broker and salesperson pre-licensees to complete 60 hours of approved education to fulfill state licensing requirements. There are additional hours required for continuing education and post-licensing. Arkansas online real estate classes offer the flexibility to complete the education requirements at home or in the office through various learning formats. We evaluated numerous Arkansas (AR) real estate schools and narrowed them down to the six best online real estate schools in Arkansas based on course features, pricing, learning formats, and customer reviews: : Best for new and experienced agents seeking personal access to local real estate instructors : Recommended for real estate professionals who thrive on engaging, interactive self-study : Great choice for experienced agents looking to upgrade to a broker's license : Best career development resources for students who want tools and support to jump-start their real estate careers : Best Arkansas livestream classes for students who want to engage with the classroom virtually : Best for affordable continuing education (CE) packages for students on a budget Best Online Schools in Arkansas at a Glance Colibri Real Estate: Best for Personal Access to Local Real Estate Instructors (formerly Real Estate Express) is an online education platform offering comprehensive tools for new and current agents. The Arkansas real estate license courses are led by active local real estate experts. It offers prelicensing, post-education career support, and recruitment for new licensees. Its continuing education classes available to Arkansas residents are offered through its sister company, . Aside from learning real-life experiences, access to local instructors is crucial for real estate agents to learn Arkansas-specific laws, documents, and processes. Colibri Real Estate tops the list as one of the best Arkansas real estate schools, with over 132 instructors across the United States. Licensees can connect directly with experienced local real estate professionals who aren’t affiliated with just one real estate agency, like and , giving students broader perspectives. Additional Colibri Real Estate Features Livestream Exam Crammer series: Exam Crammer includes six one-hour webinars led by real estate instructors. It also includes monthly 40-hour live instructor Q&A sessions with favorite instructors. Readiness Indicator: Colibri’s unique exam readiness tool helps students track their progress and assess their overall test readiness, giving them the confidence and edge they need to excel on their exams. Consistently high first-time pass rates: Though we could not verify the data, many websites report Colibri's 78% prelicensing exam pass rate. This is considered pretty high in the industry. Students who don’t pass can be reassured by Colibri’s “pass or don’t pay guarantee.” Smart Bites learning methodology: In addition to the comprehensive tools and curriculum, Colibri offers its unique Smart Bites methodology that breaks down real estate concepts into smaller bite-sized pieces, which reinforces concepts and improves recall. Colibri Real Estate Reviews Colibri Real Estate has a customer satisfaction rating of 4.2 out of 5 on multiple review sites. Most reviewers love the convenience and 24/7 access to work at their pace. Exam prep is popular among students, stating that it helped them ace their exams. Licensees commented that the prelicensing course provides everything they need to pass the exam. A few students appreciate the positive experience and access to licensed instructors. Some negative reviewers mentioned the curriculum could be more entertaining and offer more visual content instead of being too text-heavy. A few students wish for more classroom interaction instead of working independently since instructors are not available day and night. Colibri has added livestream courses in some states, but it’s not available in AR at this time. AR students who want more interaction should consider , which provides livestream and in-person courses. Colibri Real Estate Pricing Colibri Real Estate offers a variety of prelicensing packages with professional growth opportunities. It doesn’t offer prelicensing or post-licensing broker education but does offer continuing education through its partner school, . The CE Shop: Best for Engaging Interactive Self Study Taking online courses requires content to be engaging to help students learn and hold their interest. engaging curriculum surpasses that offered by , though they both are well-known national brands. Its vivid graphics, vibrant colors, and easy language keep it simple while ensuring students are able to learn and retain the content, thus making it an enjoyable learning experience. The CE Shop is one of the most widely known and best online real estate schools in Arkansas and the country, providing real estate education to all 50 states. Upon enrollment, it gives students a full year to complete their education. It offers 30 CE classes, allowing students to pick courses they will enjoy. It also gives students a full year to complete the curriculum. This is among the lengthiest completion time for our top picks. It’s best for information retention to complete the classes close together and take the exam as soon as possible. Additional The CE Shop Features Referral program: The CE Shop has a unique referral program that allows students to earn $10 when their referral spends under $200 and $25 for referrals who purchase over $200. Free trials: The CE Shop offers a five-day free trial, letting students see if the course or a career in real estate is right for them. Agent Essentials: Offers free resources consisting of blogs, e-books, videos, podcasts, and webinars. They frequently add new content to further professional development for agents. Exam Prep money-back guarantee: The Exam Prep Edge program offers a money-back guarantee if students demonstrate competency in all sections but don’t pass the exam. The CE Shop Reviews The CE shop has a customer happiness rating of 4 out of 5, with 83% of reviewers giving it 5 stars. Students say the courses are easy to navigate, enjoyable, and interactive. Many students report they tried other programs and returned to the CE Shop, claiming it’s the best. Many of the unfavorable reviews cite technical difficulties with the site going down for hours to a few days. CE Shop uses a third-party company, PSI Online, to proctor the online exams, and there were technical difficulties with that site too. Some students say the length of time to complete the course was not transparent, so their courses closed before they were finished. Students who want a more reliable online experience may want to look at . The CE Shop Pricing The CE Shop offers a variety of individual classes and course packages at different prices. Students can choose the courses they need based on their budget or choose what they want out of a program. However, it doesn’t include broker prelicensing. Lindsey School of Real Estate: Best for Broker Licensing Education livestream courses are combined with in-person classes, so online students can enjoy the interaction with their peers from a remote location. It gives students the convenience of taking online Arkansas real estate classes from their homes or offices while giving them a live classroom experience. It is located in Fayetteville, AR, giving students access to local real estate professionals who are active in the field. It is one of the only schools on the list to offer online livestream broker licensing education for students who want to advance their careers or start their own firms. This real estate school is affiliated with Lindsey & Associates, allowing students to launch their careers with a company they’ve experienced through the courses. Students may prefer to have access to a variety of local real estate agents instead of just one firm. In that case, they should look at . Additional Lindsey School of Real Estate Features Private on-site classes: To accommodate different learning styles, Lindsey School of Real Estate offers private on-site classes in its Fayetteville, AR, office. The private classes require a minimum enrollment; contact Lindsey for details. Materials included: Livestream and in-person courses include textbooks and print materials. 100% refund policy: Students have 10 days to cancel before classes begin and 72 hours from the start date to receive a full refund. Lindsey School of Real Estate Reviews Lindsey School of Real Estate has a rating of 4.5 out of 5 from online reviewers. AR students appreciate the instruction from local real estate professionals, stating it keeps the classes engaging with real, local examples and stories. They have an A+ Better Business Bureau rating, making it a trustworthy business from which to receive Arkansas real estate education. While Lindsey School of Real Estate receives 4.5 out of 5 stars, the lower star reviews have no comments to determine the reason for the less than stellar rating. Student testimonials say they feel comfortable with the instruction and the materials to help them pass their exams. However, it is limited in its livestream classes for post-licensing and broker education. It also gives students only six months to complete, unlike , which offers a full year. Lindsey School of Real Estate Pricing No matter where you’re at in your real estate career, the Lindsey School of Real Estate offers real estate education for nearly every licensee at various prices. However, except for CE, it doesn’t offer broker prelicensing or broker exam prep. Kaplan: Best for Career Development Resources is best for its career development resources with an extensive Career Toolbox containing articles, e-books, and a comprehensive YouTube series. Its content covers everything, including getting started in your career, industry trends and news, marketing resources, lead generation, and flipping houses. Additionally, its high-quality prelicensing and exam preparation courses support a variety of learning styles. The courses are offered via livestream, self-paced, and on-demand video. Kaplan’s prelicensing packages include access to additional textbooks, exam preparation materials, and interactive study groups. Students can also purchase flashcards, a Math On Demand professional development course, an additional study package, and two apps to help them succeed. It’s a good option for first-time agents seeking a new real estate license. Additional Kaplan Features Toby Talks: Among Kaplan's vast video library is a series of short videos called “Toby Talks,” which features a loveable character named Toby who imparts real estate-specific information to help agents start and grow their real estate careers. Real Estate Accelerator: This live eight-hour intensive course offers eight weeks of professional coaching to help students launch their real careers. It provides business-building skills and critical operating activities used by the most successful real estate agents. It prepares students to implement personal business, marketing, and income plans. Professional development courses: In addition to continuing education and career development, Kaplan offers two additional packages—the eight-week live online coaching and sales training program for $399 and a business brokerage training for $499. Tuition assistance: The website mentions tuition assistance under the “Student Support Services” tab, which leads to the customer support page. Though it doesn’t give specific details, it's worth reaching out to see what’s available. Kaplan Reviews Trustpilot gives Kaplan Real Estate a rating of 4.4 out of 5 in more than 1,000 reviews. Students raved about the available tools and resources and the quality and availability of their instructors. They also commended the study groups. A few also reported that they enjoyed Kaplan’s online real estate education so much that they eagerly looked forward to each session, making it one of the best online real estate schools in Arkansas. Other less favorable reviews remarked that the six months to complete the program isn’t enough. Some reviewers said that the course could benefit from local instructors since it lacked Arkansas-specific experiences that they find helpful. If you need access to local real estate professionals, we recommend or . Kaplan Pricing Kaplan offers AR students prelicensing packages, exam preparation classes, salesperson, and broker continuing education. It has a limited number of packages and individual classes but meets students' educational needs. Arkansas Real Estate School: Best for Arkansas Livestream Classes , located in Little Rock, is a good choice for students who want a local experience. It offers both livestream and self-paced courses that include prelicensing, exam prep, and continuing education for license renewal. Livestream courses have a set schedule and include pre- and post-licensing education. Exam prep can be purchased separately for livestream, and textbooks include exam practice tests. Learning directly from local experts gives students a keen insight into the Arkansas real estate market, helping them understand trends and what to expect upon entering the field. Its pass guarantee allows students one full year to re-attend classes if they don’t pass the exam. If students switch between course types, they are charged an administration fee and a book fee. Unlike , career development is limited. Sometimes real estate firms visit the school and offer optional recruiting presentations. This benefits students considering which brokerage to choose from to start their careers. Additional Arkansas Real Estate School Features Generous tech support hours: Students can call, text, email, or chat with tech support seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Central Time on Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time on weekends. Classes in other locations: Arkansas Real Estate School offers courses in north-central AR and southern Missouri. Instructors also teach in Texarkana, El Dorado, Hot Springs, Jonesboro, Camden, Sherwood, and Cabot. If there’s enough interest, staff are willing to set up courses in other locations. VA Benefits: If you’re a veteran, Arkansas Real Estate School can accept your veteran’s benefits for in-person classes. 12-month course audit: Students can audit any portion of a course they completed for up to one year at no charge. Arkansas Real Estate School Reviews Since Arkansas Real Estate School is a smaller local school compared to the national schools in our evaluation, independent reviews are limited. There are 28 Google reviews, rating the school with 4.8 out of 5 stars. The school’s website has some impressive testimonials also. Across these reviews, students rave about their instructors' delivery of the content, the support they receive, and describe the information as thorough and entertaining. While we didn’t find any negative reviews online, students should know it has limited CE classes and career development opportunities. Additionally, if students need to change course formats, such as switching from livestream to self-study, there are additional administration and textbook fees. For students looking for further career development opportunities, check out . Arkansas Real Estate School Pricing Arkansas Real Estate School offers pre- and post-licensing packages ranging from $395 to $480 in self-study and livestream formats. Students can also take individual CE credits for $25 to $70. There are three exam preparation options available: the state-only exam, national only, and a combination of these. Each option is $60. McKissock Learning: Best for Continuing Education offers Arkansas licensees continuing education courses to maintain their real estate licenses. While it only directly offers Arkansas continuing education for real estate, it is partnered with Colibri Real Estate to diversify its offerings. Its affordable CE packages and the option of taking individual classes instead of buying a whole package allow students to customize their continuing education while meeting state and national requirements. It’s ideal for students who want a no-fluff continuing education. Students can learn at their own pace, and McKissock Learning also lets them customize courses in the packages they choose, giving them ultimate control over their learning. All courses are self-study, offering complete flexibility. If students want prelicensing courses and exam prep, they can hop over to its partner company and begin their education there. Additional McKissock Learning Features Colibri Real Estate Collaboration: McKissock, being the partner company of Colibri Real Estate, gives licensees access to all that Colibri offers for Arkansas real estate licensing courses. Pro Series library: Includes webinars and an on-demand library with industry topics, insider tips, and expert advice. Over 100 job aids: Including worksheets, scripts, and checklists to stay on track and grow a thriving real estate career. McKissock Learning Reviews McKissock Learning has an online rating of 4.5 out of 5. Students state that the platform is easy to use. They also say that the CE prepared them well in their careers, that the courses are affordable, and that they like the flexibility to take classes that fit their schedules. Less favorable reviews state that McKissock Learning sends too many promotional emails once they sign up. Other reviewers say that customer service needs improvement. Two students reported that it isn’t clear upon signing up for the CE membership that they are agreeing to an annual subscription. Some of the smaller local schools, like , generally would be less inclined to send out a lot of promotional emails compared to a national company like McKissock Learning. McKissock Learning Pricing McKissock Learning offers four salesperson prelicensing packages, ranging from $352 to $582. Individual continuing education classes range from $19 to $44.95, depending on the number of credits. There are also three continuing education packages ranging from $96 to $99 for students who are ready to renew their licenses. The two options for exam preparation outside of what’s included in the prelicensing packages range from $99 to $219. How We Evaluated the Top Real Estate Schools in Arkansas Whether you’re renewing your Arkansas real estate license or becoming a real estate agent, to avoid pitfalls, you need a top-shelf education. And with so many options to find a decent real estate school in Arkansas, it can become overwhelming. We’ve taken the guesswork out of it by comparing and evaluating the best online Arkansas real estate schools based on learning styles, quality, program features, and pricing. We also evaluated the expertise of the providers and customer reviews. Additionally, our top picks are all approved by the Arkansas Real Estate Commission. Of these,  is the best online real estate school in Arkansas. With our independent rating of 4.85 out of 5, it ranks as the top online real estate program. Its AR courses are led by local experts. Its user-friendly interface, money-back guarantee, and comprehensive post-licensing career development prepare students well for the state exams and for developing their careers. We used the following criteria to evaluate Arkansas’ best online real estate schools:

MileIQ is a cloud-based mileage tracking software that tracks your drive and mileage automatically and then classifies your trips as personal or business. The platform is free for the first 40 drives each month, and you can upgrade to the Unlimited plan at $5.99 monthly if you need to go beyond 40 trips. is accessible through a mobile app and web dashboard. MileIQ Deciding Factors MileIQ Alternatives MileIQ vs Competitors We compared MileIQ with TripLog and Hurdlr. TripLog is our overall best mileage tracking app while Hurdlr is our best mileage tracker for rideshare drivers. MileIQ leads in pricing over TripLog and Hurdlr because it offers more tiers for businesses. But in terms of mileage tracking, TripLog gets a perfect score because it contains all the features we’d like to see in mileage trackers. However, MileIQ is still a good choice for businesses that don’t need complex trackers. In related app features, MileIQ needs third-party integrations to work with accounting software or expense trackers. Hurdlr leads in the area because it has accounting and bookkeeping capabilities included in the plan. Overall, MileIQ is a decent mileage tracker for businesses that aren’t engaged in courier or delivery services. MileIQ Pricing MileIQ offers separate packages for personal and team use. With MileIQ’s Personal package, you can test out MileIQ for free for 40 drives per month and upgrade to the Unlimited plan if you need unlimited mileage tracking. Those interested in the For Teams package can subscribe to MileIQ’s Lite plan for $50 per driver, per year. If you want a premium solution, MileIQ is launching a new plan called Teams Pro―$100 per driver, per year. On top of what’s offered in its other plans, it also provides simple invoicing, custom reimbursement rates, multiple admins, and personalized support. MileIQ Features While not as comprehensive as other mileage tracker apps like TripLog and Hurdlr, MileIQ offers many useful features that can help you automate your mileage tracking workflows. Below is a list of some of MileIQ’s most notable features. MileIQ User Reviews Users said that they find the MileIQ app easy to use and like being able to set multiple filters to classify data. However, others have noticed that the platform forgets to record trips, and some pointed out that MileIQ needs to keep running in the background, which can deplete smartphone batteries. Here are the scores of the MileIQ on app stores and a user review website: App Store: 4.7 out of 5 stars based on around 43,200 reviews Play Store: 4.5 out of 5 stars based on around 62,100 reviews G2: 4.1 out of 5 stars based on around 40 reviews How We Evaluated Mileage Tracker Apps We evaluated MileIQ based on six major categories that should be present in mileage tracker apps. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Is MileIQ really free? Yes, MileIQ is free to download and use. It offers 40 free drives per month, and if you go beyond that, you can get a premium subscription or wait for the next month’s free drives. Is MileIQ still included in Microsoft 365 subscriptions? MileIQ has no longer been associated with Microsoft since 2021, and the inclusion of MileIQ in Microsoft 365 Business accounts ended in March 2022. Bottom Line If you’re looking for an automatic mileage tracker for mileage reimbursement or tax purposes and don’t need accounting or expense tracking, then is right for you. It can be easy to forget to log your business drives from time to time, so it’s nice to have a simple automatic mileage tracker like MileIQ. With a single swipe, you can classify your trips instantly as personal or business. The free version tracks up to 40 trips per month, which should be enough if you make one trip per day. If you’re concerned that you might go beyond 40 trips, then you can sign up for any of the paid plans, which are generally more affordable than those from similar providers.

Xero and Wave are both popular accounting software that share similar features, but Xero is more sophisticated bookkeeping software. Unlike Wave, it includes the tracking of inventory costs and the ability to print checks to pay your bills and process payroll. For small service-based businesses, Wave is a good free option to consider. Xero vs Wave at a Glance When To Use Fit Small Business Case Study In our comparative analysis of Wave and Xero, we see that Xero outranks Wave in all of the 11 key areas in our case study. However, we don’t discredit Wave’s features—even though it doesn’t perform as well as Xero. Considering that Wave is free, we’re still amazed by some of its features that aren’t present in most free and basic plans of many accounting software programs today. You can review the detailed results of the case study in our Xero review and Wave review. The graph below presents a summary of how each software performed. Case study results for Xero vs Wave Wave’s best features lie in tax, reporting, and accounts receivable (A/R). Meanwhile, Xero gets a perfect score for project accounting and high scores for general features and reporting. In the succeeding sections, we’ll discuss the similarities and differences between Wave and Xero in selected key areas in our case study. Xero vs Wave: Pricing Xero Pricing Xero offers three different subscription plans. Each supports unlimited users, but the higher packages include advanced features, such as multicurrency support, expense claim management, and project tracking. Xero also offers payroll through Gusto at $40 per month, plus $6 per month, per employee. You can use Xero for free for 30 days before signing up for a paid subscription. For processing online payments, Xero integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and GoCardless. Here are the processing fees applicable: PayPal: Invoicing: 3.49% plus fixed fee; depends on currency received; if you’re receiving United States dollars, the fixed fee is 49 cents Quick response (QR) code transactions $10.01 and above: 1.90% plus fixed fee QR code transactions $10.00 and below: 2.40% plus fixed fee Send & receive money for goods and services: 2.99% plus fixed fee Standard credit and debit payments: 3.49% plus fixed fee Stripe: Cards and wallets: 2.9% plus 30 cents per successful card charge; additional 1% for international cards and another 1% if currency conversion is required Automated clearing house (ACH) debits and credits: 0.8% capped at $5 GoCardless: Within the United States: 1% plus 25 cents capped at $2.50; a fee of 0.3% applies if the transaction amount is above $1,000. International: 2% plus 25 cents, including currency conversion rates provided by Wise. Take note that these charges aren’t from Xero but payment channels. Integrating these channels is free on Xero. Wave Pricing All of Wave’s core functions of accounting, invoicing, and receipt tracking are free. You’ll only pay for processing credit card and bank payments and payroll transactions. Accounting, invoicing, and receipt tracking: Free Credit card processing: 2.9% plus 60 cents per transaction (for most cards), 3.4% plus 60 cents (for American Express) per transaction, and 1% bank payments fee (ACH) per transaction Bank payments (ACH): 1% per transaction, minimum of $1 Payroll: Tax service states: $40 per month plus $6 per employee or independent contractor for users living in tax-service states Self-service states: $20 per month plus $6 per employee or independent contractor for users living in the remaining 36 states Xero vs Wave: Features Banking & Cash Management Xero scores high in banking and cash management because of its easy-to-use cash management and bank reconciliation features. The best feature we like is its bank reconciliation module—except for the fact that users can’t enter ending balances of checking accounts to start reconciling. Instead, they must import the ending balance from their bank. However, Xero provides a side-by-side presentation in reconciling bank and book items for you. Once you upload your bank statement, Xero will extract line items automatically from it and look for possible matches. If there are no matches, the platform will let you create a transaction. In Wave, bank reconciliation is manual. First, you have to input the statement balance and set the dates covered for reconciliation. Then, you have to manually reconcile transactions by corroborating information from the bank statements and Wave and clicking the check icon to indicate that the transaction has been matched. Xero and Wave may seem to have similar banking and cash management features at first glance. However, Wave lacks the functionality that we’re looking for in bank reconciliation. Although Wave may not have comprehensive reconciliation features, its simplicity matches the needs of small businesses with few banking transactions. But if you process a lot of bank transactions daily, Xero is a better option since it’s easier to reconcile. Invoicing (A/R) Xero performed well in our evaluation for A/R management. You can set sales prices, create customers, email invoices, accept short payments, and manage customer accounts in Xero. Functionality-wise, Xero’s invoicing is great except that it doesn’t enable users to customize the aesthetics, such as colors, of the invoice However, Wave isn’t too far behind because it has similar features to Xero, such as emailing invoices, creating recurring invoices, managing customer accounts, and accepting short payments. The fine line between the two is that Wave cannot issue credit memos and sales receipts for sales paid immediately. Accounts Payable (A/P) Xero’s A/P management system gets 21 out of the 22 features we’re looking for in an A/P system. The only feature that Xero fell short of is with recurring payments. It can record recurring bills, but users have to record the payment of the bill manually. Typically, other accounting software programs record recurring expenses directly to the enrolled bank or credit card. Meanwhile, Wave’s A/P system isn’t as comprehensive as Xero’s. It’s basic because it contains the foundations of an A/P management system like creating vendors, recording expenses, billings for inventory purchases, and viewing unpaid bills. Wave can’t issue credit memos, add unbilled labor and expenses, and view unbilled but incurred expenses. Project Accounting We give Xero a perfect 10 for project accounting because it contains all the features we’re looking for, especially project estimations, project cost assignment, and cost variance analysis. While Wave can be used to create estimates for a project, it cannot track costs by project. Xero vs Wave: Ease of Use Amid Xero’s comprehensive and advanced features, we’re giving it an average difficulty for ease of use. Given that there are many features to check out and study, it’ll take a little bit of time for users to get acquainted with the interconnectedness of the features. However, setting up Xero for your business is easy because it follows a step-by-step process before landing on the dashboard. Its user experience (UX) is clean and not intimidating. There’s enough white space on the web page in case you’re multitasking on one computer screen. For subsequent use, it’s easy to use the solution, and we think it’ll take less than a week for new users to understand the basics of the software. Wave is also easy to use. For free software, it delivers a clean and user-friendly interface. Since it possesses only basic accounting features unlike Xero, it’s not difficult to use. Most of its features are simple accounting and invoicing functions, so it would be easy for users to study how Wave works. Its UX is slightly more modern than Xero’s and deviates from using tabular presentations in some modules. Xero vs Wave: Integrations In terms of third-party app integrations, Xero wins. It features the Xero App Store, wherein you can get third-party apps that can integrate with Xero. You can use popular apps—like Stripe, PayPal, Gusto, DEAR Inventory, HubSpot CRM, Mailchimp, Hubdoc—and other industry-specific apps. Xero also integrates with apps that we’ve reviewed. You can read our Dext Prepare, Hurdlr, and Expensify reviews for additional insights. Meanwhile, to integrate Wave with third-party apps, you must first subscribe to Zapier and create Zaps for every app you want to integrate. Xero vs Wave: Mobile App Functionality You can download Xero and Wave mobile apps from Google Play and App Store. Both apps have very basic features, and we find the apps lacking in important features. At the very least, Wave’s mobile app is already a bonus given that it’s a free service, so we wouldn’t put too much emphasis on the missing features of Wave’s mobile app. However, Xero’s mobile app isn’t as comprehensive compared to the high-quality app available with . Overall, Xero and Wave’s mobile apps can do better, especially for Xero since it’s a paid service. Xero vs Wave: Assisted Bookkeeping Both Xero and Wave have assisted bookkeeping services in the form of Bookkeeper360 and Wave Advisors. With the advisor programs of Wave, you can get one-on-one bookkeeping and advisory services. You’ll also receive the following additional services at the following price points: Bookkeeping and payroll support: $149 and up per month; best for entrepreneurs who want to outsource bookkeeping Accounting and payroll coaching: $379 one-time fee for a one-hour coaching session and 30 days of email support from your coach; best for Wave users who want to do their own bookkeeping Unlike Wave, Xero has partnered with Bookkeeper360 to provide assisted bookkeeping services. We selected Bookkeeper360 as the best online bookkeeping service for Xero users because of its scalability and seamless integration with Xero accounts. Bookkeeper360 offers accounting, bookkeeping, and business advisory services: Pay-as-You-Go: $125 per hour of bookkeeping support Monthly: Starting at $399 per month for cash-based businesses and $549 per month for accrual-based businesses, including support Weekly: Starting at $549 per month for cash-based businesses and $749 per month for accrual-based businesses, including support Xero vs Wave: Customer Support Xero and Wave’s customer support is poor. With Xero, you can only access support by chatbot and email or through self-help information. Meanwhile, Wave offers support only by chatbot, and its self-help information isn’t detailed. Neither provider gives a phone number where customers can reach them. We recommend for excellent customer support. Xero vs Wave: User Reviews Users who left Xero reviews said that the tool is easy to set up and use, adding that it has a simple and clean user interface along with intuitive features. Some also praised its fixed assets manager and project accounting capabilities. However, its inability to reconcile transactions without bank feeds and its lack of live phone and chat support are its biggest drawbacks. It earned the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4.4 out of 5 based on about 510 reviews GetApp: 4.4 out of 5 based on around 2,390 reviews TrustRadius: 8.7 out of 10 based on about 570 reviews Meanwhile, Wave users like that the free solution is very easy to use and that it gives small business owners the tools they need to get the business up and running. Those who left feedback on the mobile app said that they appreciate that it allows them to invoice customers while working remotely. The solution’s biggest drawback is its lack of live phone support. Wave earned the following average scores on popular review sites: G2: 4.4 out of 5 based on about 270 reviews Software Advice: 4.5 out of 5 based on around 1,340 reviews TrustRadius: 7.1 out of 10 based on about 160 reviews Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Does Wave charge for payroll? Yes, the price of your monthly payroll subscription depends on whether you’re doing business in a state in which Wave offers automated tax payments and filings. The monthly price of a new payroll subscription in states where tax payments and filings are available is a $40 base rate plus $6 per active employee or contractor paid. In all other states, the monthly price of a new payroll subscription is $20 base and $6 per active employee or contractor paid. Does Xero have project accounting features? Yes, Xero has robust project accounting tools that include project estimations, project cost assignment, and cost variance analysis. How much does Wave charge to receive electronic payments? Wave charges the following fees, based on the type of transaction: for credit card processing, 2.9% + 60 cents per transaction (for most cards), 3.4% + 60 cents (for American Express) per transaction, and 1% bank payments fee (ACH) per transaction. Bank payments (ACH) charge a fee of 1% per transaction with a minimum of $1. How We Evaluated Accounting Software We evaluated the small business accounting software based on ease of use, pricing, and how well it performed against the ideal features we’re seeking, including project accounting, inventory management, and mobile accounting. Our evaluation was based on a rubric scoring methodology in six categories, each with a designated appropriate percentage. Our criteria for choosing the best small business accounting software are as follows: Bottom Line In our in-depth evaluation of Wave and Xero, we explained the ins and outs of each software. However, we don’t discourage you from choosing one over the other. We recommend for small businesses that don’t need complex accounting features. Although it’s limited in many aspects, it’s still flexible enough for basic accounting functions. Meanwhile, offers a complete bookkeeping solution. We recommend it for product-based retailers and manufacturers needing to keep track of inventories.