Xero vs Dynamics 365 Finance

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Our analysts compared Xero vs Dynamics 365 Finance based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Accounting Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

Product Basics

Xero is a cloud-based accounting software designed for small businesses. It streamlines bookkeeping tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, and payroll, all accessible from any device. Xero boasts user-friendly interfaces and automated features, saving time and simplifying financial management. Popular features include online invoicing with reminders, bank feeds for automatic transaction import, and customizable reports for insights into cash flow and profitability. While Xero caters well to various industries, its strengths lie in freelancer/contractor work, startups, and service-based businesses. Pricing scales with business size and complexity, starting at a monthly subscription for basic accounting needs and increasing with additional features and users. Compared to some competitors, Xero offers a robust mobile app, strong integrations with third-party tools, and a focus on user experience. However, it may lack advanced inventory management or complex accounting functions suited for larger enterprises. Ultimately, Xero's value proposition lies in its ease of use, automation, and scalability, making it a popular choice for small businesses seeking a streamlined and efficient accounting solution.

Pros:
  • Cloud-based access anywhere
  • Easy invoicing and expense tracking
  • Automated bank reconciliation
  • User-friendly interface
  • Mobile app for on-the-go use
Cons:
  • Learning curve for new users
  • Limited inventory management
  • No built-in payroll (separate fee)
  • Higher cost for advanced features
  • Limited phone support
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Dynamics 365 Finance, a cloud-based Accounting ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software, streamlines financial operations for mid-sized to large organizations. It automates core accounting tasks like general ledger, payables, receivables, and project accounting, providing real-time financial insights. Its strengths lie in scalability, integration with other Microsoft products, and industry-specific features. Users praise its ease of use, reporting capabilities, and workflow automation. However, some find the initial setup complex and customization options limited. Pricing is subscription-based, tiered by modules and user count. It's pricier than basic accounting software but cost-effective compared to comprehensive on-premise solutions.

Pros
  • Real-time insights
  • Scalable & flexible
  • Integrates with MS tools
  • Automates workflows
  • Easy to use (reported)
Cons
  • Complex setup (initial)
  • Limited customization
  • Pricier than basic options
  • Reporting can be complex
  • Subscription-based
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$15 Monthly
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$480/User, Monthly
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Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Windows
Mac
Linux
Android
Chromebook
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile
Cloud
On-Premise
Mobile

Product Assistance

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars
Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support
Email
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Forum
Knowledge Base
24/7 Live Support

Product Insights

  • Affordable Payroll: Take advantage of the free trial to see how much time automated data entry can save and assess if the solution is a good fit for the business. Save countless hours on tracking expenses, calculating payments, processing payroll and more.
  • Better Interoperability: Centralize company processes and handle a wide range of functionality with more than 700 add-ons available through the app marketplace. This includes programs for CRM, e-commerce, inventory, invoicing, job tracking, payroll, time and attendance and more.
  • Centralizes Data and Processes: Organize information and put the primary software that handles day-to-day issues all in one place. Manage files to a document library where users can see originals next to updated versions. Send files to stakeholders to ensure a clear flow of information.
  • Saves Time: Eliminate tedious data entry and ensure better data integrity by cutting down on human error. Provide a clear documentation trail to ensure that the business is running ethically and save time hunting for documents when it’s time to verify the information.
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  • Artificial Intelligence Data: Utilize Dynamics 365 Finance's AI-powered data tools to evaluate business health as well as boost financial controls, maximize cash flows, and develop and execute better business decisions. 
  • Budget Planning: Dwindle operation expenses and increase spending for businesses throughout various regions with the budget planning apparatus. 
  • Reduce Risks: Swiftly adjust to global and local financial regulations with a pliable standards-based chart of accounts and dimensions that permit users to effortlessly and properly superintend their financial operations. 
  • Power BI-Applicable: Initiate wiser, quicker actions and choices through the role-based workspaces that are embedded with Power BI's synergistic data visualization capabilities so users may examine KPIs with more depth as well as dive into transactions to overview the health of their business. 
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  • Payroll Processing: Provide payroll across 50 states. See when payments are due, track them and ensure on time payment. Analyze accounts payable with a quick view, schedule advanced payments and make batch payments.
  • Banking: Connect to the right bank to track and facilitate transactions daily. Keep an eye on the flow of money through a secure connection that goes directly into the solution.
  • Expense Management: Seamlessly track and manage expense claims. Access real-time data and reports that provide insight into patterns and trends. Record costs, see and approve claims, view overall spending and dole out reimbursements. Capture receipts to monitor employee spending and verify costs.
  • Project Management: Integrate with other workflows to facilitate financial project management. Provide a quote for client work before you begin to track time, costs, profitability and other variables for an accurate invoice.
  • Customer History: Use smart lists and contacts to contact details, emails, past sales, emails, invoices, past payments and more when working with a partner or client.
  • Mobile App: Let users track bank transactions, send invoices, access supplier details and more, from any mobile device.
  • Inventory Management: Undertake basic inventory management, including taking inventory, seeing what was bought or sold, look at reports on how well items are doing and get invoices and orders.
  • Gusto Integration: Calculate and pay taxes, deductions and employees through an integration with the accounting software Gusto. Simplify compliance and keep on top of industry updates.
  • Other Capabilities: Processes payment in multiple currencies, calculates sales taxes, tracks purchase orders, manages files and does several other administrative tasks.
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  • Elaborate Reporting: Balance and close books quicker with in-depth reporting and real-time analytics appliances. Users may enable pliable financial reports that showcase numerous currencies and legal entities to administer foreign exchanges and expedite end-of-month bookkeeping procedures. 
  • Grow Revenue: Work with machine learning capabilities that come with reporting, financial intelligence and analytics that compile forecasted recommendations and provide guidance for opportune customer expenditures. 
  • Role-Based Workspaces: Personalize crucial documents and reports such as invoices and statements that align with ever-changing business necessities with the role-based workspaces and modules. Users may also activate automatic recurring bills that seamlessly adapt to new revenue recognition rules, dwindle audit costs and cipher financial statements with precision.  
  • Compliances: Ensure that businesses align with local and global standards to reduce risks with the compliance attribute that guarantees compliance in approximately 37 countries and 42 languages. 
  • Financial Planning: Keep organizations running smoothly whether they're local, abroad or both with the financial process automation, financial planning and analysis, encumbrance and budget control modules. 
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Product Ranking

#3

among all
Accounting Software

#47

among all
Accounting Software

Find out who the leaders are

Analyst Rating Summary

92
85
93
0
97
87
100
100
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Banking and Cash Management
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Integration and Extensibility
Journal Entries
Mobile Support
Banking and Cash Management
Budget and Expense Management
Financial Statements and Revenue Management
General Ledger and Chart of Accounts
Project Accounting

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Xero
Dynamics 365 Finance
+ Add Product + Add Product
Accounts Payable Accounts Receivable Banking And Cash Management Budget And Expense Management Financial Statements And Revenue Management General Ledger And Chart Of Accounts Integration And Extensibility Inventory Management Journal Entries Mobile Support Multi-company Accounting And Asset Management Platform Capabilities Project Accounting Reporting And Analytics Tax Management 93 97 100 89 89 100 100 83 100 100 79 89 100 90 92 0 87 100 100 100 100 0 60 72 0 65 0 97 0 97 0 25 50 75 100
78%
22%
0%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
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we're gathering data
N/A
94%
0%
6%
69%
31%
0%
100%
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100%
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69%
23%
8%
100%
0%
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71%
14%
15%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
0%
100%
0%
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100%
0%
0%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
86%
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14%
0%
100%
0%
100%
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40%
60%
0%
100%
0%
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we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
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we're gathering data
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60%
20%
20%
17%
67%
16%
89%
0%
11%
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
we're gathering data
N/A
100%
0%
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100%
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84%
5%
11%
we're gathering data
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we're gathering data
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we're gathering data
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80%
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20%
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20%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
0%
67%
67%
33%
0%
100%
0%
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17%
83%
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User Sentiment Summary

Great User Sentiment 4652 reviews
Great User Sentiment 3543 reviews
86%
of users recommend this product

Xero has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 86% when considering 4652 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

89%
of users recommend this product

Dynamics 365 Finance has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 89% when considering 3543 user reviews from 5 recognized software review sites.

4.4 (17)
4.0 (19)
4.3 (339)
3.6 (90)
4.33 (2132)
n/a
4.3 (1877)
4.5 (3273)
n/a
4.0 (40)
4.3 (287)
3.6 (121)

Awards

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Xero and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Integration and Extensibility and Mobile Support.

Integration and Extensibility Award
Mobile Support Award

SelectHub research analysts have evaluated Dynamics 365 Finance and concluded it earns best-in-class honors for Budget and Expense Management.

Budget and Expense Management Award

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Affordable: Of all the reviews that mentioned price, over 70% felt it was well within their price range and felt satisfied.
Good Customer Service: Over 70% of reviews that mentioned the customer support said they received excellent service, especially from their reps.
Excellent Functionality: In more than 50% of all reviews that mentioned features, users were happy with its capabilities. They especially like the integrations, reconciliation process, invoices and accounting functions.
Simple and intuitive interface: Xero's clean layout and straightforward navigation make it easy for users of all skill levels to manage their finances. In over 80% of reviews that mentioned the UI, users said it was easy to navigate.
Automated tasks: Xero automates repetitive tasks like invoicing, expense tracking, and bank reconciliation, saving users valuable time and reducing errors.
Mobile app for on-the-go access: Manage your finances and stay up-to-date on your business performance anytime, anywhere with Xero's mobile app.
Customizable reports and dashboards: Gain valuable insights into your cash flow, profitability, and other key financial metrics with Xero's customizable reports and dashboards.
Multi-user access and permissions: Collaborate with team members and advisors seamlessly with Xero's secure multi-user access and permission controls.
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Streamlined Workflow: Automates tasks like payables, receivables, and GL, saving time and reducing errors. Users highlight improved efficiency and fewer manual processes.
Real-Time Insights: Provides instant access to financial data through dashboards and reports, enabling data-driven decisions. Users appreciate the ability to quickly track performance and make informed choices.
Seamless Integration: Connects seamlessly with other Microsoft products like Office 365 and Power BI for a unified user experience and enhanced data sharing. Users value the convenience and improved collaboration across departments.
Industry-Specific Solutions: Pre-built templates and industry-focused features cater to specific needs in sectors like retail, manufacturing, and non-profits. Users benefit from faster implementation and reduced customization costs.
Scalability and Flexibility: Adapts to your growing needs with cloud-based architecture and modular functionality. Users praise the ability to easily add users and modules as their business expands.
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Limited inventory management: Xero lacks advanced inventory tracking features, making it less suitable for businesses with complex inventory needs.
Learning curve for complex features: While basic tasks are easy, some advanced features like multi-currency accounting can be challenging for non-accountants to navigate. Though the system was widely popular after implementation, users said it was old-fashioned and had a steep learning curve in 20% of reviews that mentioned the UI.
Higher cost for advanced features: Access to advanced features like payroll processing and multi-currency comes at a higher price point, potentially exceeding budgets for smaller businesses.
Limited phone support: Xero primarily relies on email and live chat for support, which may not be ideal for users seeking immediate assistance with critical issues.
Integration limitations: While offering many integrations, some key business tools may not have seamless integration with Xero, requiring workarounds or data duplication.
Invoices: While around 60% of users felt that the invoicing system worked well, around 40% said they had trouble making changes to them once they were saved.
Downgrading Issues: Around 20% of reviews that mentioned price said they had issues while trying to go to a lower pricing tier and often ended up paying a month or more at a higher rate.
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Complex Setup: Initial configuration and data migration can be complex, requiring professional assistance for larger organizations, leading to higher implementation costs.
Limited Customization: While offering flexibility, extensive customization can be expensive and require developer resources, potentially negating cost savings and increasing maintenance needs.
Subscription-Based Cost: Ongoing subscription fees can be higher than upfront costs of on-premise solutions, especially for smaller businesses with limited usage, raising concerns about long-term affordability.
Reporting Complexity: Advanced reporting features can have a learning curve for non-technical users, requiring training or dedicated personnel, impacting user adoption and efficiency.
Mobile App Limitations: Some users report occasional glitches and lack of full feature parity with the desktop version, hindering on-the-go access and real-time updates.
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Xero’s users say it’s easy to use and has good accounting and bookkeeping capabilities. Most found the price to be acceptable, with some complaints about issues they ran into while trying to switch to a lower pricing tier. More than 70% loved the customer service and felt their representatives were extremely helpful. It has a range of features including band feeds, invoice creation, integrations and reconciliation processes. The reconciliation was particularly popular with over 80% of reviewers who mentioned it describing positive experiences. One issue with the system came in making updates to invoices after they’d been saved. Some users said they were sent prematurely to clients or claimed to have difficulties changing the data at a later date. Many also felt that the implementation process for the new platform was difficult, but that once they learned where things were they felt comfortable. This may be a good choice for small and medium businesses. Larger companies should consider a system that’s able to handle a higher volume.

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Dynamics 365 Finance users offer a mixed bag of opinions, with praise for its robust functionality and cloud-based accessibility countered by criticisms of its complexity and implementation hurdles. Compared to competitors like SAP Business One and Sage Intacct, Dynamics 365 shines in its tight integration with other Microsoft products and its advanced business intelligence capabilities. However, its steeper learning curve and higher upfront costs can be deterrents. Users laud the software's comprehensive financial management features, from core accounting to project accounting and budgeting. One reviewer, a finance manager at a mid-sized manufacturing firm, highlighted the ease of generating real-time financial reports, enabling them to make data-driven decisions. Another user, the CFO of a growing tech startup, appreciated the seamless integration with Dynamics 365 Sales, streamlining order-to-cash processes. However, the complexity of the software is a recurring pain point. Users report a significant learning curve, requiring extensive training and support, especially for non-technical users. A controller at a non-profit organization mentioned the difficulty in customizing workflows, making it less adaptable to their specific needs compared to more user-friendly competitors like Sage Intacct. Implementation challenges also surface in reviews, with users citing lengthy setup times and integration issues. One reviewer, an accountant at a construction company, emphasized the need for experienced consultants to navigate the initial setup, adding to the overall cost. This can be a disadvantage for smaller businesses or those with limited IT resources. Despite these drawbacks, Dynamics 365 Finance's strengths in functionality, scalability, and future-proof cloud technology make it a compelling choice for larger organizations with complex financial needs and the resources to invest in its implementation. For smaller businesses or those seeking a more user-friendly option, other alternatives might be a better fit.

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