After a careful comparison of Xendoo vs Bench, we believe that Bench is the better fit for most small businesses because of its pricing, tax services, and invoicing services. However, Xendoo is great for both ecommerce and franchise businesses, and its fractional chief financial officer (CFO) services can be useful for those seeking insights on how best to scale their business growth.
- Xendoo: Best for ecommerce and franchise businesses, especially Xero users
- Bench: Best for most small businesses that need unlimited bookkeeping support
We recommend ecommerce businesses also consider QuickBooks Online, our best overall ecommerce accounting software.
- QuickBooks Online: Best do-it-yourself (DIY) ecommerce and overall small business accounting software
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Use Cases and Pros & Cons
- Ecommerce businesses: Unlike Bench, Xendoo provides multi-channel ecommerce and seller marketplace accounting and will handle your bookkeeping—whether you sell on Etsy, Shopify, Amazon, Walmart, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, or any combination of these platforms. Xendoo also integrates with the most popular inventory tracking apps to help support your business.
- Xero users: As a Xero Platinum Partner, it includes a free subscription to Xero accounting software, making it easy if you ever need to transition platforms. It has also created its own proprietary software that works with Xero, so its team can give you access to real-time data. Xendoo also integrates with QuickBooks Online, whereas Bench uses its own proprietary software.
- Franchise businesses: Xendoo has experience working with new and existing franchises and offers expert bookkeeping services to assist both types. It has a custom yet scalable process to integrate with yours, which includes roll-up dashboards that provide insight into revenue trends, top expenses, and most profitable franchises. You can also add multiple currency support if needed. These features are unavailable with Bench.
Pros
- Integrates with Xero and QuickBooks
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Has a mobile app that gives you access to your dashboards
Cons
- Has no invoicing or bill pay
- Has no accrual-based accounting in the Essential plan
- Lacks a free trial
- Businesses needing help with A/R and A/P tracking: If you need support with A/R and A/P, Bench offers A/R and A/P tracking services, which are unavailable with Xendoo. In our evaluation of the leading online bookkeeping services, we selected Bench as the best overall because it offers a range of services at a great value.
- Businesses that don’t want to purchase or learn accounting software: Bench will connect you to a team of professional bookkeepers who will manage your books using Bench’s proprietary software. This eliminates the need to purchase do-it-yourself (DIY) accounting software.
- FreshBooks users: Bench integrates with FreshBooks, making it easier for you to sync transactions in your accounting software and receive FreshBooks support. Note that while Xendoo integrates with QuickBooks Online and Xero, it doesn’t integrate with FreshBooks.
Pros
- Offers affordable plans that include a business income tax return
- Has unlimited support included in price
- Provides catch-up bookkeeping
Cons
- Lacks an Android mobile app
- Requires separate software for bookkeeping tasks like payroll and inventory
- Offers A/P and A/R tracking as add-ons
- New businesses requiring assistance with entity formation: Neither Bench nor Xendoo offer assistance with entity formation, but 1-800Accountant will prepare and file your articles of organization, file for your employer identification number (EIN), serve as your registered agent, and help ensure compliance with the IRS. Read our review of 1-800Accountant to learn more.
- Startup companies: While Xendoo does offer CFO services, Pilot is a better option for startups with big plans for rapid growth, as it offers not only CFO services but also controller services. Its services are built around the needs of startup businesses backed by venture capitalists. Your Pilot controller can assist with the cost of goods sold (COGS) categorization, revenue recognition best practices, and other services as needed. Read our review of Pilot to learn more about its pricing and services.
Would you like to learn more about what we consider to be essential for accurate bookkeeping? Check out our guide to the best small business accounting software for our recommendations.
User Reviews: Tie
Xendoo and Bench scored the same when it comes to user reviews, which is why we consider this category a tie. We agree with users who praised Xendoo’s ease of use and responsive customer support and Bench’s affordable tax services and unlimited tax advisory that is available year-round. Both services have good user experience (UX), are easy to use, and have good customer service. The decision for your business will probably not hinge on these items but rather on the features offered and price of Xendoo and Bench.
Xendoo received high praise from users who appreciated the responsiveness and knowledge of the customer support team. They also liked that the fees are transparent and the dashboard itself is easy to navigate. Two complaints among users are that there aren’t any bill pay or invoicing services available and that the service is pricier than its competitors. Also, many wished Xendoo offered a free trial so that they could try the service before committing.
Xendoo has earned the following average scores on popular review sites:
- Bark[1]: 5.0 out of 5 based on about 35 reviews
- Birdeye[2]: 4.0 out of 5 based on almost 100 reviews
- Google[3]: 4.6 out of 5 based on more than 60 reviews
Bench users like the affordability of the service, and that it offers a free trial of one month of bookkeeping. Another bonus is that Bench offers unlimited customer support and unlimited year-round tax advisory services. However, users wished a mobile app for Android was available, and that Bench offered support for multiple currencies. Another desired service is CFO advisory services, which Bench doesn’t currently offer.
Bench has earned the following average scores on popular review sites:
- Software Advice[4]: 4.7 out of 5 based on almost 300 reviews
- G2.com[5]: 4.3 out of 5 based on around 75 reviews
- Trustpilot[6]: 4.2 out of 5 based on around 950 reviews
Pricing: Bench Wins
We selected Bench as the winner in this category because it is more affordable than Xendoo and also offers valuable services to small businesses, like invoicing and bill pay, which Xendoo lacks. We also like the way that Bench has structured its pricing by letting the business owner decide whether they want a plan with or without tax services. Its 30-day free trial is an added benefit.
Xendoo offers three subscription plans, which are priced based on the monthly expenses of your business and the number of bank and credit card accounts that are connected. Custom plans are also available for businesses with over $125,000 in monthly expenses. Xendoo also offers add-on tax and CFO services for an additional fee. If you opt for the annual subscription for either service, you’ll receive a discount.
Meanwhile, Bench offers the same price no matter what the monthly expenses. Its two plans differ mainly in that the Premium plan includes tax services. However, you can only sign up for Premium on an annual basis. Also, while Bench doesn’t offer add-ons like CFO services, it does allow you to add on invoicing and bill pay services for an additional fee. You can also take advantage of Bench’s 30-day free trial, an incentive that Xendoo doesn’t offer.
Features: Bench Wins
Both platforms integrate with Gusto for payroll support and offer a dedicated bookkeeper who is backed by the support of a bookkeeping team and catch-up bookkeeping services. The two services also offer account reconciliation, transaction categorization, and tax consulting, preparation, and filing. However, day-to-day bookkeeping tasks like entering daily sales are unavailable.
Two other Xendoo features that aren’t offered by Bench include multiple currency support and a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re unsatisfied with its services.
A/R & A/P Tracking: Bench Wins
One major difference in features is that Bench offers A/R and A/P tracking services for an additional cost, which starts at $100 per hour. These are unavailable with Xendoo unless you use Xero or QuickBooks Online—both Xendoo integrations—to pay bills and invoice customers yourself.
Advanced Financial Reporting: Bench Wins
While both providers offer financial reporting, Bench offers a wider variety of reports that allows you to tag transactions with labels like clients, locations, products, or sales channels to determine how your business is performing.
CFO Services: Xendoo Wins
Xendoo’s fractional CFO services deliver the strategic insight needed to accelerate and scale the growth of your business, and you’ll receive expert advice and data-driven strategy from a financial expert. Bench doesn’t offer this service, making Xendoo the winner in this category.
Ease of Use: Bench Wins
Xendoo and Bench are fairly intuitive and easy to use, and their dashboards are user-friendly. They also feature an online portal and mobile app for you to communicate with your bookkeeper, which streamlines communication. The only difference between the two is that Bench has a wider selection of help resources, including an online help section with a searchable knowledge base and community support.
Integrations: Tie
We declared this category a tie because Xendoo and Bench have the same number of integrations, which range from accounting software to ecommerce, payroll, and tax solutions:
- Xendoo integrations: Xero, QuickBooks, Gusto, A2X, OFX, Biller Genie, TaxJar, Sellers Funding, Stripe, and Stax
- Bench integrations: Gusto, FreshBooks, Stripe, Square, Shopify, Attune, Keap, Brex, Clio, and PayPal
Mobile App: Xendoo Wins
Xendoo’s mobile app is available for both iOS and Android while Bench’s app is for iOS only. Therefore, if you’re an Android user, then Xendoo is your best bet. Both, however, allow you to upload documents, communicate with your bookkeeper, and schedule appointments as needed.
Bench is more advanced with the reports that it provides, and you can access real-time cash flow updates. You can also check your spending categories, with the ability to make corrections in the app. Meanwhile, Xendoo keeps you on top of your due dates with reminders and notifications for tax payments, but you’re unable to view your accounts in the app.
Customer Support: Tie
Both solutions offer unlimited phone support with all plans and have strong customer support features. While Bench has more online resources, including a searchable knowledge base and community support, Xendoo has a live chat feature.
Our article on how to choose a virtual bookkeeper will guide you through selecting the best online bookkeeping service for your business.
How We Evaluated Xendoo vs Bench
We evaluated Xendoo vs Bench based on the following criteria:
35% of Overall Score
Because each plan depends on many factors, we looked at the value provided in terms of the time and potential money that you’re saving by using the service.
20% of Overall Score
You should be able to access a dedicated bookkeeper for any questions or advice and one-on-one assistance.
15% of Overall Score
The best online bookkeeping service should offer a wide range of bookkeeping solutions, including catch-up bookkeeping, invoicing, bill pay, bank reconciliation, payroll, and tax filing.
10% of Overall Score
We evaluated whether the online bookkeeping service offered tax and consulting, and the scope of those services.
20% of Overall Score
We consider the opinions of users and the service’s ratings on various review sites. These criteria were disregarded for providers where no reviews were found.
*Percentages of overall score
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No, Bench uses its own proprietary software and isn’t compatible with QuickBooks. It does, however, integrate with FreshBooks, so you can sync transactions in the software.
Xendoo works with both QuickBooks Online and Xero because they are both equipped with key features to streamline your bookkeeping tasks and ensure that your books are tax-ready. Also, you own the software, so if you ever decide to leave Xendoo, then you can take your data with you.
Yes, tax services are available with Bench’s Premium plan. Once your bookkeeper completes your your-end financials, your dedicated tax coordinator and tax advisor will start the preparation, review, and filing of your income tax return. Once you have reviewed the return and approved it for filing, Bench will process it and use your account to pay any applicable taxes.
If, after 30 days of engagement and working with your bookkeeping team, you don’t see the guaranteed results, then Xendoo will refund the monthly fee for the first month.
Bench Accounting offers two monthly subscription plans. Bench charges $299 for Essential (bookkeeping services only) and $499 for Premium (bookkeeping and tax services). If you sign up for an annual contract, the price goes down to $249 for Essential and $399 for Premium.
Bottom Line
When we compare Xendoo to Bench, we believe Bench is the better fit than Xendoo for most small businesses because of its low price and the ability to handle bill payments and invoicing. However, Xendoo has some great features for ecommerce companies and slightly larger companies requiring the services of a part-time CFO.
While we selected Bench as the overall winner in our comparison of Xendoo vs Bench due to its affordability and range of services offered, it depends on the specific needs of your business.
User review references:
1Bark
2Birdeye
3Google
4Software Advice
5G2.com
6Trustpilot
