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Choosing the Right Bookkeeping Software

10 min read January 2024

The right bookkeeping software can save you hours each week and give you real-time insight into your business finances. Here's our comparison of the best options for Irish businesses.

Quick Recommendation

For most Irish small businesses, we recommend Xero for its excellent Irish bank integrations and intuitive interface. But read on to find the best fit for your specific needs.

Our Top Pick

Xero

Best overall for Irish businesses

€15-55

/month

Strengths

  • • Excellent Irish bank feeds (AIB, BOI, PTSB, etc.)
  • • Clean, intuitive interface
  • • Strong mobile app
  • • Huge app marketplace
  • • Great for collaboration with accountants

Considerations

  • • Pricing increased recently
  • • Limited inventory features on basic plans
  • • Multi-currency on higher plans only
Best bank feedsBest UXMost recommended

QuickBooks Online

Great for beginners

€12-36

/month

Strengths

  • • Very user-friendly
  • • Competitive pricing
  • • Good invoicing features
  • • Solid mobile app
  • • Good Irish VAT support

Considerations

  • • Bank feeds not as comprehensive
  • • Less popular with Irish accountants
  • • Reports can be limited
Easiest to learnBest value

Sage Business Cloud

Established choice

€14-48

/month

Strengths

  • • Long-established in Ireland
  • • Strong payroll integration
  • • Comprehensive features
  • • Good local support

Considerations

  • • Interface feels dated
  • • Steeper learning curve
  • • Bank feeds less reliable
Best payrollMost established

Feature Comparison

FeatureXeroQuickBooksSage
Irish Bank Feeds★★★★★☆★★☆
Ease of Use★★★★★★★★☆
VAT Returns★★★★★★★★★
Mobile App★★★★★★★★☆
Payroll (Ireland)★★☆★★☆★★★
Reporting★★★★★☆★★★
App Integrations★★★★★☆★★☆

Which Should You Choose?

Choose Xero if: You want the best Irish bank integrations and plan to work with an accountant

Choose QuickBooks if: You're new to bookkeeping and want the easiest learning curve

Choose Sage if: You need robust payroll features or have used Sage products before

Need Help Setting Up Your Software?

We can set up and manage your bookkeeping software for you, or provide training if you want to do it yourself.

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