Bridgly vs Xero: Which is Better for UK Micro-Entities?
Xero is popular accounting software favoured by many accountants, but is it the right fit for UK micro-entity limited companies? Let's compare Xero with Bridgly to see which bookkeeping solution works best for the smallest UK businesses.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Bridgly | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | £2.99/month | £12-35/month |
| Built for UK Micro-Entities | ✓ Yes | General purpose |
| Cash-Basis Focused | ✓ Yes | Accrual-focused |
| VAT Features | Not included | ✓ Full VAT support |
| Learning Curve | Very simple | Moderate-steep |
| Invoicing | Not included | ✓ Yes |
| Bank Feed Integration | CSV/Google Sheets import | ✓ Direct feeds |
| Accountant Friendly | ✓ Easy export | ✓ Yes |
Xero: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set
- Very popular with UK accountants
- Direct bank feed integration
- Full VAT support
- Invoicing and quotes
- Mobile app available
- Multi-currency support
Cons
- Expensive for micro-entities (£12-35/month)
- Complex interface with steep learning curve
- Many features you won't use
- Designed for growing businesses
- Accrual-focused (not ideal for cash-basis)
- Can feel overwhelming for beginners
Bridgly: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very affordable (£2.99/month)
- Built specifically for UK micro-entities
- Cash-basis accounting focus
- Simple, easy to learn
- Plain English explanations
- No unnecessary features
- Easy export for accountants
Cons
- Not suitable if you're VAT-registered
- No invoicing features
- Limited to cash-basis accounting
- No direct bank feeds (yet)
Who Should Choose Xero?
Xero might be better for you if:
- You're VAT-registered (or plan to be soon)
- Your accountant specifically requires Xero
- You need invoicing and quote features
- You're growing beyond micro-entity limits
- You need multi-currency support
- You have a larger budget for software (£12-35/month)
Who Should Choose Bridgly?
Bridgly is perfect for you if:
- You're a UK micro-entity limited company
- You're not VAT-registered
- You use (or want to use) cash-basis accounting
- You want simple, affordable bookkeeping
- You don't need invoicing features
- You want to keep software costs as low as possible
- You're tired of complex software
The Verdict
Xero is excellent software, and there's a reason so many accountants recommend it. It's powerful, reliable, and comprehensive. However, for micro-entities not registered for VAT, you're paying £12-35/month for features you'll likely never use.
Bridgly is purpose-built for UK micro-entities using cash-basis accounting. It strips away the complexity and gives you exactly what you need — simple bookkeeping at a fraction of the cost.
If you're a micro-entity looking for affordable, straightforward bookkeeping without the overwhelm, Bridgly offers everything you need for just £2.99/month.
Try Bridgly — Get started