The Sage alternative with smart reporting
Xero is the Sage alternative built for financial visibility. Get powerful, real-time financial reports, dashboards, cash flow forecasts, and performance tracking, all in one intuitive platform. Trusted by 4.9 million subscribers, Xero gives you the financial visibility to make confident decisions.
Cloud accounting built for real-time access
Xero is 100% cloud-based, so your real-time financial data and reports are always accessible on any device.
Powerful, customizable financial reports
Run P&L, Balance Sheet, and Budget Variance reports. Filter by tracking categories like region or department.
Real-time dashboards and KPI tracking
Track your performance, get real-time insights, and forecast cash flow up to 90 days with Xero Analytics Plus.
Make the switch from Sage today
Upload your data in a few simple steps and you're up and running with Xero's reporting and accounting suite.
| Xero | Sage 50 Accounting | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription plan | Early Growing Established | Pro Premium Quantum |
| Unlimited Users | Unlimited | △ Each subscription has a restriction on the number of users. |
| Bank connections/bank feeds | ||
| Bank reconciliation | ||
| Auto bank reconcile | Supported in Growing & Established subscriptions via JAX. | △ Supported in Premium and Quantum subscriptions via Sage Copilot |
| Invoicing & quotes | Early limits to 20 invoices. All other subscriptions offer unlimited invoicing. | |
| Bill management | Early limits to 5 bills. All other subscriptions offer unlimited bills. | |
| Online payments | ||
| Cloud based | ||
| Works on mobile | ||
| W-9 + E-File directly from platform | ||
| Payroll | Optional add-on via Gusto. | Optional add-on. |
| Sales Tax | ||
| Data capture | Free with Hubdoc. | Optional add-on. |
| PDF statement import | ||
| Basic Inventory & tracking | ||
| Advanced inventory | Optional add-on via Inventory Plus in Growing & Established subscription plans. | Supported in Premium & Quantum subscriptions only. |
| Manage fixed assets | Optional add-on | |
| Foreign Currency | Supported in Established subscription only. | Supported in Premium & Quantum subscriptions only. |
| Expense and mileage tracking | Supported in Established subscription only. | △ Limited (does not support mileage). |
| Project tracking & profitability | Supported in Established subscription only. | Basic project tracking and profitability analysis are available in the Pro subscription. More advanced features are available in the Premium and Quantum subscriptions. |
| Advanced Business Intelligence & Financial Insights | All features powered by Syft are exclusive to the Established subscription; some are available in the Early and Growing subscriptions. | All features are exclusive to the Quantum subscription; some are available on Pro & Premium subscriptions. |
| Quick Online Bill Pay | Powered by Melio (ACH 3 Days: Pay vendors via CC) | |
| Onboarding & Migration | Xero Coaches (1st 90 Days) | |
| AI Agent (automate tasks and surface real-time insights) | JAX | Sage Copilot |
Note: (✓) indicates a strong capability, (✗) indicates a significant limitation, and (△) indicates a partial or conditional capability
Get powerful reporting in three simple steps
Xero's financial reporting software turns your raw data into clear, actionable insights, automatically. Here's how it works.
Connect your financial data in one place
Xero brings all your accounting data into easy-to-read reports, saving you time and giving you a single source of truth.
Customize your financial reports
Filter and customize financial reports by tracking categories to compare different areas of your business.
Track KPIs and forecast cash flow in real time
The analytics dashboard, business health scorecard, and cash flow forecasting give you the visibility to act fast.
Access your reports anywhere, on any device
Xero is 100% cloud-based, so your reports and dashboards are always live, no matter where you’re working. Say goodbye to being tied to your desktop, and hello to flexibility.
- Check real-time financial data from your laptop, tablet, or mobile, wherever you are
- No waiting, no outdated numbers, just instant access to your finances from any device
Ready to switch from Sage? Here's how
Moving from Sage to Xero is straightforward. Upload your historical financial data in a few simple steps and you’re ready to go.
- From day one, you’ll have access to Xero’s full reporting suite and real-time dashboards
- Get access to Xero coaches during your first 90 days to learn how to use Xero
- Unlock 1000+ app integrations – four times larger than Sage’s ecosystem
Everything you need to run your finances
Xero is purpose-built for small businesses that need more than the basics. As a Sage alternative, it brings financial reporting software and automated bank reconciliation to invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll all into one platform.
- Run customizable financial reports and track performance all in one platform
- Connect to more than 1000 certified apps to build a setup that works for your business
Xero's reporting: see your business clearly
Xero gives you a complete reporting and analytics suite built for confident decision-making. Get real-time visual insights, track your performance, see business health scorecards, and more.
- Access cash flow projections up to 90 days ahead with Xero Analytics
- Spot trends and get answers to business questions with JAX, Xero’s AI financial superagent
Xero + Claude: financial insight for you
Xero connects directly to Claude, giving you a smarter way to understand your business finances. Ask Claude questions about your revenue, cash flow, overdue invoices, and performance, and get clear, conversational answers based on your live Xero data. No exports, no spreadsheets, no switching tools.
- Available to all Xero subscribers on any business pricing plan
- Get insights on revenue and profit, contacts and receivables, and your overall financial and cash position
- Financial data shared between Xero and Claude is used solely for your session, not to train AI models
Real businesses. Real financial visibility.
See how small businesses across the US use Xero's reporting and insights tools to stay on top of their finances and make smarter decisions.
- 7 in 10 small businesses say they're more confident in their books with Xero.
- When you can see exactly where your money is going, you can focus on growing
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Xero decreased my weekly accounting tasks by like a hundred percent.
Monique Malcolm, Tiny Action
FAQs on Xero vs Sage
For small businesses, the best reporting software gives you the key facts about your business in a way that is easy to understand and exactly what you want to know.
Xero brings all your accounting data into an easy-to-read set of reports, giving you a single source of truth. You can filter reports by tracking categories like region or department to compare different parts of your business, while your live homepage dashboard surfaces net profit, cash flow, and outstanding tasks the moment you log in.
For users weighing up Xero vs Sage on reporting, 88% of Xero customers agree that Xero improves financial visibility.
For small businesses, the best reporting software gives you the key facts about your business in a way that is easy to understand and exactly what you want to know.
Xero brings all your accounting data into an easy-to-read set of reports, giving you a single source of truth. You can filter reports by tracking categories like region or department to compare different parts of your business, while your live homepage dashboard surfaces net profit, cash flow, and outstanding tasks the moment you log in.
For users weighing up Xero vs Sage on reporting, 88% of Xero customers agree that Xero improves financial visibility.
Both Xero and Sage offer accounting software for small businesses, but there are some meaningful differences worth knowing when it comes to reporting. Xero is built 100% in the cloud, which means your reports, dashboards, and financial data are accessible in real time from any device. Sage does have cloud options, but if you have a desktop version, you’re limited to accessing reports on your desktop only.
Both Xero and Sage offer accounting software for small businesses, but there are some meaningful differences worth knowing when it comes to reporting. Xero is built 100% in the cloud, which means your reports, dashboards, and financial data are accessible in real time from any device. Sage does have cloud options, but if you have a desktop version, you’re limited to accessing reports on your desktop only.
Yes – and it's one of Xero's strongest features as a Sage alternative.
Xero gives you an easy-to-read set of reports including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Budget Variance, and you can filter your Profit and Loss report by tracking categories to compare different areas of your business side by side. This means you can easily understand which parts of your business are performing well and where you might need to act, with all your accounting data feeding into one clear, reliable source of truth.
Yes – and it's one of Xero's strongest features as a Sage alternative.
Xero gives you an easy-to-read set of reports including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Budget Variance, and you can filter your Profit and Loss report by tracking categories to compare different areas of your business side by side. This means you can easily understand which parts of your business are performing well and where you might need to act, with all your accounting data feeding into one clear, reliable source of truth.
Absolutely. Xero is designed so you can confidently know where you stand at any moment. The moment you log in, your homepage surfaces real-time widgets showing net profit/loss, cash flow position, outstanding invoices, and bills due, so you're always across the numbers without having to dig.
Xero's analytics tools transform your financial data into clear visualisations, and the business health scorecard tracks key performance metrics so you can manage your money better and plan ahead — practical, visual, and always current.
Absolutely. Xero is designed so you can confidently know where you stand at any moment. The moment you log in, your homepage surfaces real-time widgets showing net profit/loss, cash flow position, outstanding invoices, and bills due, so you're always across the numbers without having to dig.
Xero's analytics tools transform your financial data into clear visualisations, and the business health scorecard tracks key performance metrics so you can manage your money better and plan ahead — practical, visual, and always current.
Xero's cash flow forecasting tools give you a clear picture of what's coming, not just what's already happened. The cash flow manager shows your projected position based on approved invoices, bills, and bank balances, while upgrading to Analytics Plus lets you project cash flow up to 90 days ahead based on expected inflows and outflows.
JAX, Xero's AI financial superagent, goes further by using your business data and real-time external information to answer cash flow questions, flag risks, and surface trends — and customers report a 30% improvement in forecast confidence since using Xero.
Xero's cash flow forecasting tools give you a clear picture of what's coming, not just what's already happened. The cash flow manager shows your projected position based on approved invoices, bills, and bank balances, while upgrading to Analytics Plus lets you project cash flow up to 90 days ahead based on expected inflows and outflows.
JAX, Xero's AI financial superagent, goes further by using your business data and real-time external information to answer cash flow questions, flag risks, and surface trends — and customers report a 30% improvement in forecast confidence since using Xero.
Yes. Xero has built AI directly into the product through JAX, Xero's AI financial superagent, which is designed to do the analytical heavy lifting so you don't have to. JAX draws on your real financial data to answer questions about your revenue, expenses, or cash position instantly, and uses your business data to help you spot critical trends before they become problems.
Beyond insights, JAX can also automate routine tasks like creating and sending quotes and invoices across channels including Xero, WhatsApp, SMS, and email — saving you time on admin so you can focus on running your business.
Yes. Xero has built AI directly into the product through JAX, Xero's AI financial superagent, which is designed to do the analytical heavy lifting so you don't have to. JAX draws on your real financial data to answer questions about your revenue, expenses, or cash position instantly, and uses your business data to help you spot critical trends before they become problems.
Beyond insights, JAX can also automate routine tasks like creating and sending quotes and invoices across channels including Xero, WhatsApp, SMS, and email — saving you time on admin so you can focus on running your business.
Switching from Sage to Xero is more straightforward than most people expect — you can migrate your financial data in a few simple steps using Xero's conversion guide.
If you'd prefer a guided migration, Xero's certified partners can help you move across and customize your chart of accounts and reporting setup from the start. Xero also offers hands-on coaching support including one-on-one video or phone calls during your first 90 days.
Switching from Sage to Xero is more straightforward than most people expect — you can migrate your financial data in a few simple steps using Xero's conversion guide.
If you'd prefer a guided migration, Xero's certified partners can help you move across and customize your chart of accounts and reporting setup from the start. Xero also offers hands-on coaching support including one-on-one video or phone calls during your first 90 days.
All Xero business plans include Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Budget Variance reports, tracking categories for filtering by region or department, a real-time dashboard with cash flow and profit/loss widgets, a business health scorecard, and bank reconciliation — so you get strong reporting fundamentals on every plan.
Analytics Plus, which unlocks cash flow projections up to 90 days ahead and the full cash flow manager, is available as an add-on or on higher tiers.
All Xero business plans include Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet, and Budget Variance reports, tracking categories for filtering by region or department, a real-time dashboard with cash flow and profit/loss widgets, a business health scorecard, and bank reconciliation — so you get strong reporting fundamentals on every plan.
Analytics Plus, which unlocks cash flow projections up to 90 days ahead and the full cash flow manager, is available as an add-on or on higher tiers.
Yes, and that's one of the most practical advantages of choosing cloud-based accounting software. Because Xero is 100% cloud-based, your entire reporting suite is available in real time from any device with an internet connection, whether that's your laptop, tablet, or mobile.
Your numbers update automatically as transactions are reconciled, invoices are paid, and bills come in, so there's no need to be at a specific machine to know how your business is performing. Your accountant sees the same live data you do, making conversations faster and more productive, and Xero's free mobile app means your dashboards and reports travel with you wherever you go.
Yes, and that's one of the most practical advantages of choosing cloud-based accounting software. Because Xero is 100% cloud-based, your entire reporting suite is available in real time from any device with an internet connection, whether that's your laptop, tablet, or mobile.
Your numbers update automatically as transactions are reconciled, invoices are paid, and bills come in, so there's no need to be at a specific machine to know how your business is performing. Your accountant sees the same live data you do, making conversations faster and more productive, and Xero's free mobile app means your dashboards and reports travel with you wherever you go.
Pay your bills at no extra cost
Free standard ACH bill payments are now included in Xero business plans.*
Early
for the first 3 months
Then $25 per month
An easy financial foundation - track cash flow with the essentials.
- Send quotes and 20 invoices†
- Accept online invoice payments^
- 5 bills
- Reconcile bank transactions
- Smart Document Capture
- View real-time reports
- W-9 + 1099 management
- Sales tax
- Visualize performance with basic graphs
- 30 day cash flow forecast
- Make online bill payments (Domestic - Free ACH)
- Make online bill payments (Cross Border)
Growing
for the first 3 months
Then $55 per month
Go beyond the basics - automate tasks and access performance dashboards.
- Send invoices and quotes
- Accept online invoice payments^
- Automate bill entry and track bills
- Auto-reconcile bank transactions (Beta)
- Smart Document Capture
- View real-time reports
- W-9 + 1099 management
- Sales tax
- Visualize performance with graphs
- 60 day cash flow forecast
- Make online bill payments (Domestic - Free ACH)
- Make online bill payments (Cross Border)
- Customize performance dashboards
- Tailored financial health scorecards
Forecast with clarity
Forecast with clarity
Established
for the first 3 months
Then $90 per month
Future proof your scaling business - with advanced tools and analytics.
- Send invoices and quotes
- Accept online invoice payments^
- Automate bill entry and track bills
- Auto-reconcile bank transactions (Beta)
- Smart Document Capture
- View real-time reports
- W-9 + 1099 management
- Sales tax
- Visualize performance with graphs
- 180 day cash flow forecast
- Make online bill payments (Domestic - Free ACH)
- Make online bill payments (Cross Border)
- Customize performance dashboards
- Tailored financial health scorecards
- Analyze KPIs and ratios
- Use multiple currencies
- Track time and costs for projects
- Employee expense and mileage claims
- Benchmark against the industry
- Make online bill payments (International)
Get one month free
Sign up to any Xero plan, and we will give you the first month free.
*Fees apply for other payment methods.