Ekue vs Xero
A side-by-side look at how Ekue serves as a practical Xero alternative for small businesses that want simplicity without compromise.
Xero is a well-regarded cloud accounting platform with strong global adoption, particularly in markets like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. It offers a polished interface and a large app marketplace. However, its pricing tiers can feel restrictive, and certain features — like multi-currency — are locked behind higher plans.
Ekue is a cloud-based accounting platform built for small businesses that value transparency, auditability, and a clean user experience. If you're evaluating a Xero alternative, here's an honest comparison to help you decide.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Ekue | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $19/month | $15/month (Starter — limited to 20 invoices) |
| Invoice Limits | Unlimited invoices on all plans | 20 invoices/month on Starter; unlimited on Standard+ |
| Users Included | 3 users on Starter, unlimited on Business | Unlimited users on all plans |
| User Interface | Modern, minimal learning curve | Clean and well-designed; moderate learning curve |
| Invoicing | ✓ Create, send, track | ✓ Create, send, track |
| Expense Tracking | ✓ Categorization & reporting | ✓ Categorization & receipt capture |
| Financial Reports | ✓ P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow, Trial Balance | ✓ Comprehensive report suite |
| Multi-User Roles | ✓ Granular, role-based permissions | ✓ Predefined roles (limited customization) |
| Audit Logs | ✓ Built-in on every transaction | Basic history tracking; no dedicated audit trail |
| Multi-Currency | ✓ Included on all plans | Standard plan and above only |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✓ Manual & account management | ✓ Automatic bank feeds |
| Payroll | ✗ Not included (planned) | ✓ Add-on (Gusto partnership in US) |
| Inventory | ✗ Not included (planned) | ✓ Basic inventory on Standard+ |
| App Marketplace | CSV import/export, Slack, SSO | 1,000+ third-party integrations |
| Data Ownership | ✓ Full export anytime, no lock-in | Export available; some format limitations |
| Pricing Transparency | Flat monthly rate, no feature caps by tier | Feature-gated tiers; invoice limits on lower plans |
| Support | Email & in-app (real people) | Email and online; no phone support |
Who Is Each Platform For?
Ekue is a good fit if you…
- Need unlimited invoicing without tier restrictions
- Want built-in audit logs on every transaction
- Value granular, customizable role-based permissions
- Prefer multi-currency on all plans, not just premium tiers
- Want transparent pricing with no invoice caps
- Need multi-company management under one account
- Are a service-based business or consultancy
Xero may be better if you…
- Need access to a large app marketplace (1,000+ integrations)
- Require automatic bank feeds from day one
- Need payroll integrated into your accounting
- Want inventory tracking built in
- Are based in the UK, Australia, or New Zealand (strong local support)
- Need unlimited users at the lowest tier
How to Switch from Xero to Ekue
Moving from Xero is straightforward. Here's a high-level overview.
Export Your Data from Xero
In Xero, go to Accounting > Chart of Accounts and export to CSV. Export your contact list, invoices, and bills separately. Xero also provides a full data export under Settings > Export Accounting Data.
Create Your Ekue Account
Sign up for an Ekue plan and set up your company profile with your fiscal year, base currency, and tax settings.
Import Your Data
Upload your exported CSV files into Ekue. Start with your chart of accounts, then import customers and vendors. The import tool maps columns and lets you review before confirming.
Verify and Reconcile
Run a trial balance in both Xero and Ekue to verify that account balances match. Adjust opening balances if needed.
Invite Your Team
Add team members and assign granular permissions. With Ekue's role-based access, you can control exactly who sees and does what.
Need help with the switch? Contact our support team — we'll guide you through every step.
Switching FAQs
Compare Ekue to Other Platforms
See how Ekue stacks up against other popular accounting tools.