Xero vs. SQL Account: Cloud Convenience or Inventory Power?

Agnes Lee
2 hours ago
3 min read

The "Pretty" Dashboard vs. The Warehouse Workhorse

If you ask a startup founder in a coffee shop what accounting software they use, they will probably say Xero.

It is undeniable: Xero is beautiful. It lives in the cloud, it has a lovely mobile app, and it connects to your bank feed effortlessly. It is the perfect solution for digital agencies, consultants, and cafes who sell simple things.

But what if you are a Trading Company? What if you have three warehouses, 5,000 SKUs, and you need to track batch numbers for expiry dates?

Suddenly, that "pretty dashboard" starts to struggle.

We help businesses choose the right tool for the job. Today, we are breaking down the battle between the Cloud Native (Xero) and the Inventory Powerhouse (SQL Account).

Round 1: Inventory Management

Xero: The "Lite" Version

Xero’s built-in inventory is basic. It is designed for businesses that sell a few finished goods.

The Limit: It generally handles up to 4,000 inventory items. After that, the system slows down.
The Gap: It does not natively handle complex stock needs like Batch Tracking (essential for food/pharma), Serial Numbers (electronics), or Multi-Location stock taking without expensive third-party add-ons.

SQL Account: The Heavy Lifter

SQL Account was built for traders, wholesalers, and manufacturers.

Unlimited Scale: You can have 50 or 50,000 items. The database doesn't blink.
Built-in Power: Need to track an item by Batch, Expiry Date, and Location? It is standard. Need a Picking List for your warehouse team? It is one click away.
Unit of Measurement (UOM): SQL handles complex UOM conversions easily (e.g., Buy in Cartons, Sell in Pieces). Xero struggles with this natively.

Round 2: The "Add-On" Trap

Xero: Pay to Play

Because Xero is "light," if you want advanced inventory features, they tell you to "visit the App Marketplace."

You end up subscribing to Xero ($$) + an Inventory App ($$$) + a Reporting App ($$).
Suddenly, your "cheap" cloud software costs $500+ a month.

SQL Account: All-in-One

SQL Account comes with these features "in the box."

You pay for the software, and you get the Sales, Purchase, and robust Inventory modules included. No hidden "apps" required to do your basic job.

Round 3: Speed & Connectivity

Xero: 100% Internet Dependent

Xero is pure cloud. If your internet is down, your operation stops. If the server in Australia is lagging, your invoicing is lagging.

SQL Account: The Hybrid Advantage (Your Choice)

SQL Account offers a Hybrid Model that adapts to your budget and IT preference. You aren't forced into a subscription if you don't want one. We offer two distinct ways to go remote:

Option 1: The "Hassle-Free" Data Center Hosting / Public Cloud If you don't want to manage a server, we can host your database at our secure data center. You get a secure web link to access the software from anywhere.
- The Cost: Clear and predictable. It’s just $240/year per user (per company). No hidden tier jumps.
Option 2: The "Cost-Saver" (Own Hosting) Already have a powerful PC in the office? You can use it as your server. We will help you install a Remote Desktop solution (which is included in your package) so you can access the system remotely anytime.
- The Cost: $0 extra. You use your own hardware, and you get remote access for free.

The Speed Factor: For high-volume data entry (like entering 100 invoices a day), SQL Account’s interface is generally faster and requires fewer clicks than a web-browser-based system like Xero. Whether you choose our Cloud or your own PC, the workflow is built for speed.

The Verdict: Which One Are You?

Choose Xero If:

You are a service-based business (Marketing, Consulting, Design).
You have very simple inventory (T-shirts, Coffee beans) with no batch tracking needs.
You prioritize mobile usage over complex reporting.

Choose SQL Account If:

You are a Wholesaler, Distributor, or Retailer with complex stock.
You need to track Batch Numbers, Expiry Dates, or Serial Numbers.
You want a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) without paying for monthly add-ons.
You want software that can grow with you from 1 warehouse to 10.