How to get Xero cheaper

February 1, 2025
7
minutes to read
by
Justin Bohlmann
Table of Contents

For years, Xero was considered a go-to accounting software for small businesses. However, with a steady rise in subscription costs and a lack of meaningful innovation, many businesses are looking for a more cost-effective and efficient alternative. If Xero's pricing is becoming a burden, you're not alone. Here's a deep dive into why Xero has become so expensive, how to get it for cheaper, and why switching to Thriday is the smarter move.

Why did Xero increase prices?

Xero has consistently increased its pricing over the years, often without adding substantial new features. The company cites several reasons for these price hikes:

  • Market dominance: Because Xero has such a large share of the accounting market, there wasn't much choice until Thriday came along. Like any large corporation, the need for more and more money takes precedence over customers.
  • Shareholder pressure: As a publicly traded company, Xero is under constant pressure to maximise profits for investors, which often leads to price increases that impact customers more than they benefit from new features.

Unfortunately, these justifications do not always translate to added value for small business owners. Many users feel that the price increases are unjustified, given the lack of significant improvements in usability or automation.

How to get Xero for cheaper

If you're determined to keep using Xero despite the rising costs, there are a few strategies you can try to get it for cheaper:

  • Opt for the Starter Plan: Xero offers a basic plan, but it comes with significant limitations, such as a cap on the number of invoices you can send monthly.
  • Annual subscription discounts: Some users save by paying for a yearly subscription upfront instead of monthly instalments.
  • Partner discounts: Some accountants or bookkeepers offer Xero at a discounted rate as part of their service package.
  • Switch to Thriday: The best way to get a cheaper price is to switch to Thriday. Thriday offers a better and more affordable platform because it uses AI to automate dozens of manual tasks.

Why is Xero so expensive?

Xero's pricing model is built around upselling. The base plan lacks many essential features, encouraging users to purchase expensive add-ons or upgrade to higher tiers. Here are the primary reasons why Xero is so costly:

  • Paywalled features: Payroll, expense tracking, and multi-currency support are not included in the basic plan and come at an extra cost.
  • Third-party app dependencies: Many key functions require integrations with third-party software, adding to the overall expense.
  • Ongoing price increases: Xero has a history of frequent price hikes, with minimal enhancements to the core product.
  • Limited customer support: Despite the high cost, Xero's customer support is often slow, requiring users to pay for premium support.

Does Xero have a discount code?

Xero rarely offers direct discount codes to customers. The most common ways to access a discount include:

  • Accountant and bookkeeper partnerships: Some professionals offer discounts to their clients.
  • Limited-time promotions: Xero occasionally runs introductory discounts for new customers.
  • Bundled offers: Some business service providers include Xero in discounted software bundles.

However, these discounts are typically short-lived, and users are left with high ongoing costs once the promotional period ends.

Why are businesses leaving Xero?

Many businesses are abandoning Xero in search of better alternatives. The key reasons for this shift include:

  1. Soaring subscription fees: Small businesses find the constant price hikes unsustainable.
  2. Lack of innovation: Xero has stagnated while competitors like Thriday introduce more advanced automation and AI-driven features.
  3. Complexity and learning curve: The platform is not as intuitive as many business owners would like, requiring extensive training.
  4. Dependency on add-ons: The need for additional third-party software increases complexity and cost.
  5. Poor customer support: Many users report slow response times and a lack of meaningful assistance when problems arise.

Why is Thriday better than Xero?

Thriday is an innovative solution for small business owners, freelancers, and sole traders. Unlike Xero, which relies on third-party integrations and expensive add-ons, Thriday offers an all-in-one platform with everything you need:

  • Built-in banking, accounting, and tax management: Thriday eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions by integrating all these features into one platform.
  • Automated bookkeeping: Thriday's AI-driven automation ensures that transactions are categorised, expenses are tracked, and tax calculations are completed automatically.
  • Simple and intuitive interface: Designed for business owners rather than accountants, Thriday is easy to use with no complicated setup.
  • No expensive add-ons required: Everything you need is included in the standard subscription, unlike Xero's costly add-ons.
  • Excellent customer support: Thriday prioritises customer experience, providing fast and helpful support when needed.

Why is Thriday cheaper than Xero?

Thriday keeps costs low by offering a streamlined, all-in-one solution that AI powers. Here's how Thriday remains affordable compared to Xero:

  • No third-party fees: Xero requires users to integrate with multiple other apps, adding extra costs. Thriday includes everything in one platform.
  • Flat, transparent pricing: Thriday provides a transparent and fair pricing structure without confusing tiers or hidden fees.
  • Automation reduces costs: By automating bookkeeping and tax calculations, Thriday eliminates the need for expensive accountants and bookkeepers.
  • No unnecessary feature upgrades: Unlike Xero, Thriday does not charge extra for essential functions like invoicing, bank feeds, and tax reporting.

How do you switch from Xero to Thriday?

Making the switch from Xero to Thriday is simple:

  1. Sign up for Thriday: Create an account on Thriday in under 2 minutes.
  2. Share access with Thriday: Go to Settings > Switch to Thriday and invite Thriday to your Xero account; Thriday's AI bot will pull all the necessary information into your Thriday profile. This includes income, expenses, clients, invoices, and reports from Xero.
  3. Automate your accounting: Thriday's automated switching service will review all the information migrated, categorise transactions, and handle tax calculations automatically.
  4. Cancel your Xero subscription: Once your financials are set up on Thriday, you can cancel Xero and stop paying high fees.

Key takeaways

Xero's rising costs and lack of innovation have led many small business owners to seek better options. Thriday provides an affordable, automated, and all-in-one solution that simplifies banking, accounting, and tax management. Instead of searching for ways to get Xero cheaper, consider switching to Thriday and enjoy a more innovative, cost-effective way to manage your business finances.

Ready to make the switch? Join Thriday for free today and experience the future of automated accounting!

DISCLAIMER: Team Thrive Pty Ltd ABN 15 637 676 496 (Thriday) is an authorised representative (No.1297601) of Regional Australia Bank ABN 21 087 650 360 AFSL 241167 (Regional Australia Bank). Regional Australia Bank is the issuer of the transaction account and debit card available through Thriday. Any information provided by Thriday is general in nature and does not take into account your personal situation. You should consider whether Thriday is appropriate for you. Team Thrive No 2 Pty Ltd ABN 26 677 263 606 (Thriday Accounting) is a Registered Tax Agent (No.26262416).

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