Smoko vs Xero.
Accounting software (built for SMBs, not sole traders).
Smoko
$249 once
lifetime · founders price
5-year cost: $249
Xero
$35-70/month
Starter from $35/month. Standard $70/month. Premium $90+/month.
5-year cost: $2,100+
Xero pros
- + Industry standard — every accountant uses it
- + Massive feature set (payroll, inventory, multi-currency)
- + Bank feeds for almost every NZ bank
Xero cons
- − Wildly overspec'd for a sole-trader tradie
- − $420-840/year — most expensive option
- − Steep learning curve — tradies don't have time
- − Locks you in via accountant relationship
Pick Smoko if…
You're a sole trader doing under $200K turnover. You don't need payroll or inventory. You'd rather not spend Sunday wrestling Xero.
Pick Xero if…
You have employees, run a limited company, or your accountant insists on Xero.