BusinessFinancing.co.uk

Featured* Small Business Accounting Software
 

Xero vs Absolute: Which Is Better Accounting Software?


Last Updated: 20 May 2025
Reviewed By: Ian Wright (Managing Director)

Which accounting software is better Xero or Absolute?

We compare them based on real user reviews, prices and what features they both offer.

Xero homepageAbsolute homepage
 

Xero vs Absolute Basics

XeroAbsolute
Software WebsiteXero WebsiteAbsolute Website
HMRC MTD StatusApprovedIn Development
Who Can Use It?Agents and businessesBusinesses, Accountants, and Sole practitioners
HMRC Listed FeaturesDigital record keeping, Updates to HMRC for self-employment, Tax estimates from HMRC based on provided updates, Updates to HMRC for UK propertyNone
PlatformsWeb-based application, Android, iOSWeb-based and Desktop application
Note data for this section comes from HMRC here and here

Xero vs Absolute Reviews

Wondering if Xero or Absolute has better user reviews. We compared them below.

XeroAbsolute
Trustpilot Rating4.3No Rating
Number of Trustpilot Reviews6017No Reviews
iPhone App Rating4.7No Rating
Number of iPhone Reviews12700No Reviews
Android App Rating4.6No Rating
Number of Android Reviews11900No Reviews
Please note ratings we’re accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed

Xero vs Absolute Prices

Which is cheaper Xero or Absolute? Here are their prices compared.

Xero pricingAbsolute pricing

Free Plans & Trials

XeroAbsolute
Free Plan?NoYes
Free Trial?YesYes
Free Trial Length?30 daysNo
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Paid Plan Prices

XeroAbsolute
Cheapest Plan Cost Per Month£7.50£25.00
Mid-Tier Plan Cost Per Month£15.00£430.00
Top Plan Cost Per Month£27.50£1,200.00
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Xero vs Absolute Features

Xero featuresAbsolute features

Xero Basic Features

  • Send invoices and quotes
  • Enter bills
  • Reconcile bank transactions
  • Submit VAT returns to HMRC
  • Capture bills and receipts with Hubdoc
  • Automatic CIS calculations and reports
  • Short-term cash flow and business snapshot
  • Payroll
  • Claim expenses
  • Track projects
  • Analytics Plus
  • Submit CIS returns

Xero Software Integrations

  • BlueHub
  • LimeCloud
  • Outserve

Absolute Basic Features

  • One program – multiple applications
  • Simple “pay as you go” process
  • Spread the cost or go unlimited
  • Demo download

Absolute Software Integrations

Not Listed

Common Feature Comparison

XeroAbsolute
Payroll Software IntegrationYesYes
Track VATYesYes
VAT FilingYesYes
Real-Time Financial ReportsYesYes
Prepare Self AssessmentYesYes
Income Tax EstimatesYesYes
Manage Income & ExpensesYesYes
Create InvoicesYesNo
Forecast Cash FlowYesYes
Accept and Make Payments In Different CurrenciesYesNo
Employee Time TrackingYesNo
ProjectsYesNo
Bank Feed IntegrationYesNo
End of Year FilingsYesYes
Capture Bills And ReceiptsYesYes
Bulk Reconcile TransactionsYesNo
Track Inventory & Stock LevelsYesNo

XeroAbsolute
Pros
  • User Friendly
  • User Interface
  • Saves Time
  • Integrations
  • Cloud Based
  • Free plan
  • FRS102 and FRS105 compliant
  • Fully XBRL and iXBRL compatible with Companies House and HMRC
Cons
  • Expense Report Issues
  • Not User Friendly
  • Expensive
  • Room for Improvement
  • Technical Issues
  • Lack of reviews
  • No app

More Comparisons

Xero vs BTCSoftware by Bright
Xero vs Coconut
Xero vs Dext Prepare
Xero vs Earnr
Xero vs Federation of Small Businesses MTD

Disclaimer: Businessfinancing.co.uk is a business finance and lending research and information website publisher. We are not a lender, bank, broker and/or other financial institution and as such we are not authorised or regulated by the FCA to offer financial advice. We can't recommend any of the products and/or services featured on the site. Companies are ranked in no particular order and higher ranking does not imply one company is better than another. We work with FCA authorised and regulated firms who may pay us a commission for referring you to them but this has no impact on our content and helps keep this website free to use.



Best Business Bank Accounts · Free Business Bank Accounts · Business Savings Accounts · Business Credit Cards
Blog · About Us · Contact US · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use
Copyright © 2025 BusinessFinancing.co.uk

Registered Office Address:
3rd Floor Great Titchfield House, 14-18 Great Titchfield Street, London, United Kingdom, W1W 8BD
Company number 10490224