Xero is cloud-based accounting software that packs a real punch when it comes to features and functionality. Based in New Zealand, the multi-faceted package currently comes in three incarnations and is aimed at small, medium and larger-sized businesses. 

With a regularly updated appearance, and new features being added all the time even during the coronavirus pandemic, Xero continues to expand its popular appeal and now enjoys a healthy following. If you’ve got a business that’s going places, needs dynamic accounting capacity and the ability to add in multiple users then the newest version of Xero requires further investigation.

Xero sits alongside the likes of competitors FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, Kashoo, Zoho Books, ABC Self Assessment and Kashflow.

• You can sign up for Xero here

Pricing

Xero looks to be shaking up its pricing structure and strategy in the coming months. Currently, if you’re looking to sign up with the service in the US then the Early plan costs $11 per month. This gets you 5 invoices and quotes, lets you enter 5 bills and reconcile 20 bank transactions. 

Next up, the Growing package costs $32 per month and lets you send invoices and quotes, enter bills and reconcile bank transactions. Xero’s Established plan, meanwhile, is $62 per month and on top of the Established features includes multi-currency, expenses (capture and manage claims) as well as having Projects, which allows for project time tracking and costing. 

Xero is available in many other territories, so a look at their website will reveal other costing changes, plus the price of several additional extras that boost its capabilities.

• We've also highlighted the best accounting software

Features

Xero certainly doesn't skimp when it comes to features and even more seem to come out of nowhere as you delve deeper into its hidden depths. Everything revolves around the Xero dashboard area, but we also love the easy way Xero lets you create a new part of your cloud-based experience with a simple ‘+’ button to the right of the screen. Here, you can produce invoices, bills, purchase orders and more besides, with one-click ease. 

Due to the fact that this is a cloud-based service you also get automatic and secure backups, automatic bank feeds plus the ability to add in extra users who you might have on your team. In addition, Xero has an impressive capacity for integrating with over 800 apps that boost the feature set and allow you to include inventory managements, invoicing, time tracking, expenses and more features outside of what comes with the base-level package

Performance

Being a cloud-based service Xero naturally works just as long as you are connected to the internet and use any one of the popular web browsers out there. You’ll find that Xero is similarly sprightly if you choose to use its app-based editions, which are available for both iOS and Android devices. In fact, the Xero experience on a tablet or smartphone seems to be generally good, especially considering its depth of data entry points.

Ease of use

Xero has been nicely put together and if, for example, you choose to try out their demo site, which can be found once you’ve registered, there’s even help as you work. At the same time, Xero has evolved into a pretty meaty package, and as a result has many different areas that you’ll need to acquaint yourself with. 

Some parts of the experience require time and patience to master. Even then you can tend to find yourself getting a little tied up in knots such is the powerful array of features on offer. In that respect the built-in help will pay dividends as you use it to navigate any of the trickier aspects of the cloud-based layout. 

Things start out at the Dashboard, which is just that; the area that lets you move into the other sections of the site and from which you can manage the overall way it ticks. The layout is, on the face of it, pretty simple with a user-experience that delivers quick and easy access to core features. These are found via a top menu that houses not only the Dashboard, but Business, Accounting and Contacts options too. 

To the right of your screen are less prominent but just as useful features, including Help, plus search and notification buttons. Work your way down through those root menus, however and you discover countless tools for tackling every aspect of your business.

Support

To its credit Xero does have quite a lot of help and support options at your disposal. There are handy built-in options that can get you around any minor issues you might encounter during setup. This is most notably handy thanks to the question mark up in the right-hand corner of the interface, which delivers and express-lane dialog box for solving many common queries. 

Xero’s main website is also the source of many helpful videos and other documents that deliver primers and problem-solving solutions for most, if not all the sticking points you might encounter along the way too. There is also a lively community area that boosts the overall useability of the Xero experience.

Final verdict

Xero does a fine job of mixing an enjoyable and modern-looking user interface with a huge collection of accounting features and functions. For the money that makes it a pretty formidable package and with its cloud-based dependability and use-anywhere feel along with the ability to scale up its capabilities with app add-ons means that Xero is impressive on most fronts. 

While the obvious lack of live support might not always be the best part of the overall package there is much to like with this service. If you take time to learn Xero’s ropes you’ll find that it soon starts to reward you by producing a comprehensive and slick picture of your business and its innermost workings.

• Also check out our roundup of the best accounting software for small business

AirPOS is a cloud-based operation based in Northern Ireland and has been in existence since 2009. It offers point of sale solutions and ePOS systems mainly for small businesses. 

AirPOS also currently offers a free 14-day trial of the system so you can see if it’s the right sort of fit for your venture be it an existing business or a new idea. 

While it appears to be a one-stop solution you’ll really need to take up the option of integrating the likes of Zettle, Sumup, Worldpay and Xero in order to fully exploit the potential of AirPOS. The building blocks are in place, so does AirPOS manage to join up the dots and deliver the goods?

• Want to try AirPOS? Check out the website here

AirPOS Pricing

AirPOS gets things off to a solid start when it comes to getting you to invest in its products and services. As with many POS companies, AirPOS underlines that it doesn't require you to have a contract, there are no hidden fees and pricing is simple and transparent. 

That’s good new, and based on its website that certainly appears to be the case. Their pricing setup is as follow:

- AirPOS Basic package is £29.99 per month

- AirPOS Pro is £39.99 per month

There is also a Non-profit option mentioned too, for which you’ll need to contact AirPOS to talk that through. They also offer a free hardware bundle on an annual subscription with AirPOS Pro which is great if you’re starting out, or if you’re in the market for a new POS system.

That is all there is to it; save for the need to integrate those other business solutions mentioned at the beginning that is, for a more complete e-commerce bundle.

AirPOS Features

AirPOS likes to keep things fairly simple with its hardware and software setup, which is obviously good news if you’re a small business owner looking for a straightforward POS solution. 

AirPOS has partnered with hardware suppliers, including StoreKit, a UK-based ePOS company, that allows it to supply you with point of sale kit where needed. As a result of the collaboration, AirPOS says it has solutions for Windows platforms as well as mobile devices including iPad and Android tablets. 

Along with hardware and software, AirPOS integrates with the likes of iZettle, Sumup, and Worldpay for processing payments anywhere, Tide, and Xero for accounting software.

You also get AirPOS reporting, which allows you to keep track of stock levels and overall business activity. This information can be accessed using a dedicated app (or in the back office). 

If you opt for the AirPOS Pro package, incidentally, you enjoy access to power user features such as gaining the ability to create customer loyalty programs, customer & trade accounts, and a direct Shopify integration. 

AirPOS Performance

AirPOS is cloud-based and, if you have a very small business using the Basic package, then day-to-day running should be very straightforward. This package gets you one POS screen and provides unlimited access to the cloud-based back office. 

Businesses with a higher volume level of customers will be better suited to the AirPOS Pro package. The Pro package delivers the same unlimited access to the backoffice, while adding in extra functionality such as offering exclusive access to customer accounts and those customer loyalty schemes. 

Once you’ve signed up to AirPOS then the bulk of your day-to-day work can be done via the AirPOS Backoffice, which we found trundled along okay.

AirPOS Ease of use

Aside from the hardware considerations, you’ll find that AirPOS is managed mainly from within the AirPOS Backoffice. Best accessed via a web browser, you’ll find that inside here there are all the options for coordinating your business. 

A menu down the left-hand side of the browser window lets you access core functions, such as inventory, sales and customers, all of which are accessible once you’ve been through the initial setup steps. 

Starting from scratch means you’ve got a task on your hands to populate the e-commerce categories if you’re selling products. AirPOS does allow you to import CVS files though, so that certainly speeds up the process. 

There’s also the option for configuring PayPal inside the dashboard, as well as a link to downloading the AirPOS app. You can integrate the Xero accounting platform from within this area too. Step-by-step cloud-based simplicity in other words.

AirPOS Support

The AirPOS website has a dedicated help area that features a wealth of useful information, ranging from getting to grips with its systems through to how to generate reports. 

There’s also a basic AirPos FAQ list and a link where you can submit a request, which will presumably find its way to support staff. 

The help articles are actually very nicely detailed, featuring a simplistic breakdown of features and functions, along with screenshots. It’s basic but solid information. 

In terms of speaking to real people, AirPOS has staff available between 9a.m. and midnight seven days a week, UK time. Meanwhile, an in-screen chat option is also available should you need advice on-the-go. 

Another valuable aspect for newcomers to the service is the free point of sale setup service, which will get you started without additional charges. Additionally, the company site has some community articles that offer up a flavor of the AirPOS experience.

AirPOS Final verdict

Overall AirPOS looks like it’s building nicely, with lots to offer the small business owner who is looking for a simple solution that works on one platform. AirPOS has teamed up with the right collaborators to produce a service that does plenty, and also offers many of the features and functions that are expected from POS systems. 

That said, it’s still a pretty small player in this competitive market and might benefit for a slightly more joined up approach. 

Offering the ability to plug-in to the likes of iZettle, Sumup and Worldpay are obvious benefits, but to the layman the add-on feel of these features might be a little bit off-putting. 

The separate reporting app is another example of where the day-today useability could perhaps be a little more unified. It's doubtless that AirPOS will get your e-commerce chores done, especially with the release of their Shopify integration for retailers, but there’s as with any service provider, there's always room for improvement.

• We've also highlighted the best POS systems

Venmo is appealing for many users who need to make payments due to its quick and easy appeal, though it’s not a money transfer service per se. While most services that allow you to send or receive cash don't involve too much in the way of legwork, Venmo has pulled in a lot of users who like its simplicity and social edge. Central to the process of sending money is its excellent app.

The service has undergone numerous improvements of late, such as offering CVS shoppers Venmo QR codes to pay for their goods at the checkout. The PayPal-owned payments app is also set to allow users to sell products and services using their personal accounts, albeit for a fee. 

• Want to try Venmo? Check out the website here

As a result, Venmo comes with plenty of the latest features that make it a great digital wallet-style accompaniment to have on your phone, allowing you to pay for purchases on the go. In addition, there’s the social aspect of Venmo that has been integrated into the service, with the ability for users to share updates about their purchases to contacts. If you frequently spend money as part of a group of friends, for example, Venmo is ideal.

Similar products worthy of investigation include WorldRemit, Azimo, Western Union, PayPal and Zelle.

Pricing

Costs to use Venmo have been kept simple and straightforward, with no monthly or annual fee to worry about. If you’re going to be paying using a credit card to carry out the transaction then expect a 3% fee. Another potential cost is the 1% charge that comes from moving money out of your Venmo account and into a bank account if you don't want to wait for its regular one to three day schedule. Other than that though, Venmo delivers a plain and simple payment option.

Features

While Venmo is owned by PayPal they’re both quite different, with the former being a much more practical day-to-day solution for many more minor purchases. PayPal is obviously handy too, but it’s often used for bigger payments or transfers. Venmo is billed as offering ‘fast, safe, social payments’ and that’s really the appeal of the app summed up right there. 

Wherever you and your phone goes you can tap into Venmo’s handy payment toolbox to pay for things, shop with ease and also send money to family or friends. Different settings allow you to change who can see your activity too, including Public, Friends and Private, which is useful if you have a small circle of people who perhaps all contribute to bills and need to be kept in the loop. 

Students, for example, who maybe share accomodation will find Venmo useful for paying into utility bills and suchlike. Venmo has that strong built-in social aspect too, making it similarly appealing for those of us who are constantly connected. Better still is its use of QR codes to help you make payments faster and to the right person.

Performance

You’ll find that using Venmo in its app incarnation, either for iOS or Android will perform as expected. Having the substantial clout of parent company PayPal obviously means it’s been well engineered. You can also use the service via a web browser, so all in all Venmo can be called upon in a variety of different environments from home, work, hotels or on the move. 

Venmo actually seems to work better the more social you are with it. For example, if you connect with your friends who also use it through Facebook you get the benefit of being able to spend more money.

Ease of use

You certainly can't fault Venmo for its instantly appealing ease of use. Simply install the app, get yourself registered and away you go. You can sign up using your Facebook account if preferred. Otherwise, it’s just a case of filling in the usual kind of details, such as name, email, mobile number and you’ll need a password. 

Central to the way Venmo works is to have a bank account connected to your profile, and Venmo helps you navigate this admittedly straightforward step with ease. Debit card or bank account details will need to be input, or you can add a credit card. 

Paying for things, paying someone else or indeed asking for money from an acquaintance is fuss-free with a tap of the Pay or Request buttons. A couple of steps and you’re sorted. Even if you're not friends with someone on Facebook you can use Venom Codes to pay them if they’re with you in the flesh.

Support

There’s an extensive help hub online to get you through most if not all of the aspects of Venmo, with similar assistance at hand if mobile is your preferred route. It’s possible to contact support via email, using the app or via forms on the Venmo website. Adding to the social aspect of the Venmo experience is the option for chatting with staff between Monday to Friday from 7am-1am EST and Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-11pm EST.

Final verdict

Venmo has heaps of benefits, especially for people who are well-versed in using their phones for all kinds of transactions. The app has been nicely put together and offers speedy payments in all kinds of scenarios. Venmo will be perfect for many who need to pay for a coffee on the go, or settle up with a family member or friends. 

The service is less useful if you’re looking to making international transfers or payments as it can't currently be used for that. Users should also keep a keen eye on security settings. If you're not on top of Venmo’s privacy options you might have more on show to world than you realize. 

That said, Venmo does have the benefit of PayPal’s security technology and systems behind it. All in all then, there’s lots to like about Venmo, especially if you have a close-knit group of friends who also have the app and tend to share a lot of costs when you socialize.

• We've also highlighted the best money transfer apps

With the best POS system, business owners can transform existing devices, such as smartphones and tablets, into advanced transaction management systems. 

Payments can be accepted in seconds, and usually you get the benefit of built-in features like inventory management, transaction history, analytics, and other integrations. 

Canadian brand, Helcim POS, is one of the world’s more popular POS systems, styling itself as a "point of sale system for small retail businesses". 

In our Helcim POS review, we take a close look at how useful Helcim's POS offering is for SMBs. We provide information about everything from the platform’s prices to its main features to help you decide whether it’s the best option for your business. 

Helcim POS: Plans and pricing

Firstly, it’s important to note that Helcim charges no monthly fees. But you will have to pay $199 per unit if you need to use a Helcim card reader, and you will be charged transaction fees on top of this. 

Helcim POS uses a model that’s quite common among POS software providers. It takes the payment processing fee charged by major credit card companies like Visa and MasterCard and adds a small margin that represents its profits.

The exact fees that you pay will vary according to your customer makeup and the fees charged by the various credit card companies. 

You can expect to pay anything from 1.5% + 8¢ to 3% + 8¢ on every retail transaction. Helcim takes 0.3% + 8¢ on retail payments, but this increases to 0.5% + 25¢ on online and manually keyed transactions.

Helcim POS: Features

If you do decide to use Helcim, you will benefit from an impressive range of tools that go above and beyond simply enabling you to accept payments. Indeed, the company recently added new easy-to-deploy QR codes, as well as contactless and self-service checkout options.

Inventory management

The inventory management tools are excellent. They are designed to help you keep track of every item in your catalog. Discover which products are selling best, set up automatic alerts for low inventory levels, and ensure that your store runs smoothly at all times. 

Analytics, Reporting & Insight

You will also benefit from the analytics tools, which present data that you will be able to use to make informed decisions about your business. This includes in-depth reports about sales trends, best-selling items and combinations of items, and transaction sizes. 

Fraud Prevention

To protect your business against transaction risks, Helcim POS comes ready with a Fraud Defender. Fraud Defender stops transactions from questionable accounts by checking for suspicious payment activity. As of February 2021, Helcim have automated this feature for all Helcim POS users. 

Employee Management

We were impressed by Helcim’s employee management portal, which enables you to create and manage employee profiles and permissions. With this, you can allocate different employees’ different responsibilities, ensuring that people only access the parts of your system that they need to.

Helcim POS: Interface and in use

Getting started with Helcim is quite a drawn-out process. 

Although there are no initial sign-up fees, you will have to enter many personal and business details, including your operating name, business registration type, tax ID number, and information about your transactions or expected transactions. 

Similarly, you can expect to spend some time setting up your Helcim account. You will need to connect bank accounts and payment equipment, create employee profiles, and configure business settings before you can start processing transactions. 

Fortunately, the user interface is quite intuitive. Virtually everything that you will need can be accessed via the menu to the left of the screen. Initially, you will also benefit from a few valuable tips to help you get started.

Helcim POS: Support

For starters, Helcim POS system has an excellent Support Center containing information about virtually everything that you will need to know. 

Discover new resources by browsing the cleverly designed categories, or simply use the search bar to find exactly what you want with the click of a button. 

On the live support front, things are also positive. All users can send an email inquiry or speak with a Helcim Guru via a US toll-free phone number.

Helcim POS: Security

As a reliable POS service provider with years of experience, Helcim naturally has great security across the board. All users are protected by powerful firewalls that include both intrusion detection systems and intrusion prevention systems. 

Ongoing server monitoring is used at all times, and suspicious activity is dealt with immediately. On top of this, all data is backed up to external servers, effectively eliminating the risk of customers losing important information. 

User data is also protected by 256-bit AES encryption, which ensures that the data is secure both during transmission and while at rest on Helcim’s servers.

This enables the company to boast Level 1 PCI-DSS compliance, the industry standard for companies working with sensitive payment and personal information.

Helcim POS: business customisation

Helcim POS is built for small businesses across multiple industries. In fact, they claim to process "billions in transactions every year for thousands of merchants across 800 industries." They also list specific POS information for the following industries: 

For true customisation, Helcim's Developer API is ideal. Their full payment gateway API lets you add payments to your app or online store and easily pull out the customer data that's most relevant to you. Developers have over 80 API actions to choose from to help create a truly custom POS experience for your business. 

As with most modern POS providers, Helcim POS also works across devices. It is Mac and Windows compatible. So, your customers can easily pay for your services whether you are using the Helcim app on desktop, mobile or tablet.

If you business has multiple locations, you might even wish to use all three at once! Thankfully, Helcim POS can handle that, and will sync all your payment data through the cloud. Naturally, this also allows you payment flexibility for mobile and pop-up sales events too. 

The competition

If you’re looking for a low-fee POS service provider for your retail business, Helcim POS is a great option. However, its ecommerce fees are a little high. 

For businesses that mainly sell online, we recommend using Square ecommerce. The majority of transactions will come with a 2.6% + 10¢ fee, which is up there with the best in the market. Additionally, Square POS is an extremely popular and trusted option. 

Lightspeed POS is another popular choice, particularly among those looking for an all-in-one business management system. It enables you to use iPads to receive payments, boasts cloud-based data management, and comes with extra analytics, loyalty programs, and other tools.

Final verdict

You might not see Helcim at the top of the most popular POS system lists that often, but it’s a great platform that’s comparable to the major industry leaders nonetheless. 

It boasts a suite of tools to help you accept payments and manage your business, has competitive credit card processing rates, and is backed by excellent customer service. 

On top of this, the user interface is versatile and powerful yet intuitive and easy to use. All things considered, you would do well to use Helcim for your business, especially if you mainly process retail sales.

If you’re looking for the best POS system for your business, you might have heard of Adyen POS, a Dutch company that provides payment processing services for companies like Microsoft, Uber, and Spotify. 

In this Adyen POS review, you’ll find information about its pricing, features, interface, support, and security to help you decide if Adyen POS is the payment processing solution for your needs.

Adyen POS: Plans and pricing

Adyen does not charge monthly, setup, integration, or closure fees. Instead, you’ll be charged a processing fee ($0.12) plus a payment method fee per transaction. Payment method fees vary. 

For example, Adyen charges fees for Mastercard and Visa according to an Interchange ++ model: a combination of the interchange fee charged by the bank, the fee from the card network, and the applicable acquirer markup. 

Other payment methods such as Alipay and ACH Direct Debit see a flat fee of 3% and $0.25 per transaction respectively. 

You can find a full breakdown of Adyen’s pricing on its website. Do note that with Adyen, you’ll require a minimum invoice of $120 per month, depending on transaction volume and region.

Adyen POS: Features

Adyen offers a wide range of features that business owners will find useful. Like many POS providers, they integrate in-store, online, and app-based transactions in an all-encompassing system. 

Merchants can process all kinds of payments in multiple ways without the hassle of dealing with different processors for a point of sale, payment gateway, or mobile payment. 

Local & Global payments

Adyen are well known for their ability to deliver a localized version of global merchant processing. International merchants can accept payments and process them locally as well as globally. 

With this flexibility, you can avoid several costs of operating an international business, such as cross-border card network and interchange fees and bank surcharges. Also, you don't need to juggle between multiple vendors for different global payment types.  

Plugins

Adyen offers a range of plugins for leading technology solutions to give your shoppers the best checkout experience. In addition to in-house plugins built and maintained by Adyen, you’ll find plugins like Shopify, WooCommerce, Spryker, and more that Adyen has created with its partners. 

The plugins are easy to integrate and come with Adyen’s payment platform functionality delivered out of the box. 

POS Reporting & Insights

Adyen’s all-in-one payment solution stores your client’s information and complete transaction history within a single system to allow for a seamless customer experience. More than that, with a dedicated Customer Area, you’ll be able to unlock powerful shopper insights that will help grow your business.

Customer Area gives you a full view of a series of charts that document each step of the payment flow. At a glance, you’ll see how many payments come in, how many are authorized, and how many are finally settled. Business owners can identify potential areas for improvement and take action where necessary. 

Adyen POS: Interface, set-up and in use

Getting started with Adyen is an easy but long process. You'll have to: 

1. Create an account

2. Speak to Adyen's team for tailored advice and an assessment of your business

3. Request to start processing payments

...and only then can you sign a contract, before you can go live. 

After you sign up, however, Adyen's ease of use shines. Its simple API allows you to initiate payments from web browsers, mobile devices, and POS systems. 

On the backend, Adyen's helpful dashboard navigates to all the essentials that you'll need. You can view performance, terminal fleet management, and reporting in one clean and intuitive interface.

Adyen POS: Support

Adyen’s user support team is top-notch and contactable via email or phone. You can find a long list of worldwide offices and phone numbers on Adyen’s contact page, and all lines are available 24/7.

Alternatively, you can fill up a support ticket on the site and get a solution within eight hours. Adyen’s website also features multiple Adyen POS resources, links, and an FAQ section that are useful for troubleshooting.

Adyen is also known to be active on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. You can comment on its posts to get instant replies and support.

Adyen POS: Security

Adyen is fully PCI DSS 3.2 compliant as a Level 1 Service Provider, which is the key security standard within the payments industry. 

All users benefit from Adyen RevenueProtect, a risk management feature that protects your business against fraud. 

It comes with a range of powerful built-in risk tools including 3D Secure authentication, real-time machine learning, specialized device finger-printing, and automated chargeback defence. 

You’ll also be able to customize your risk settings by adding or creating risk rules and block lists.

The competition

Competition is stiff in the POS system market. For one, users who prioritize flexibility and customization will find Lightspeed POS’s bespoke solution attractive. 

A basic plan ($69/month) comes with different features and options that can be added as needed. 

Furthermore, Adyen’s complicated pricing model can make cost determination a challenging process. Users who prefer simpler pricing models often go for platforms such as Square POS ecommerce, where transactions come with a straightforward 2.6% + $0.10 fee. 

Adyen POS: final verdict

With its simple interface, comprehensive support and security, and useful features, Adyen is easy to recommend. Some users, however, may find its pricing model complicated. Additionally, low-volume merchants may find it a challenge to hit the minimum monthly invoice of $120. 

Beyond that, the all-in-one payment solution with global merchant processing is perfect for business owners who'd like to avoid a whole host of operating costs and the hassle of managing multiple processors.

Square is a long-established provider of card payment services, including a raft of point of sale units, that allows business of all kinds and sizes too, to boost their turnover. Square has since gone on to introduce a range of mobile services, with its mobile card reader proving to be hugely popular with business owners on both sides of the Atlantic, especially during the coronavirus crisis. 

You’ll need to sign up for an account with them, but once you’ve got that and one of their card readers you’ll be able to process transactions from all over the place, and for a reasonably small transaction fee too.

Similar products include the likes of SumUp, QuickBooks Payments, Shopify, PayAnywhere and Zettle.

• Want to try Square Reader? Check out the website here

Pricing

Square has a mobile card reader to suit business owners on both sides of the pond, with an American edition that is currently free when you sign up for the service. And, as Square points out, that comes with the benefit of clear pricing and fast transfers, with 2.6%+ 10¢ charged per swipe for Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express payments. 

If you want a Square card reader for contactless and chip cards and for Apple and Google Pay, you’ll need the $49 version however. You’ll then receive the processed payments as fast as the next business day. 

Meanwhile, you can currently get the Square reader for £19 in the UK, which once you have it configured will carry out payment processing for chip and PIN cards, plus contactless too with a fixed flat rate fee of £1.75%.

Features

In the States the Square reader comes in two editions, one with a headset jack and the other with a Lightning connector, which means it’ll work with iOS or Android and can also be connected to an Apple computer or Chromebook. There’s no battery to worry about either, making it even more useful. 

The UK’s Square reader is a simple but effective hardware device that features a lightweight, compact and unobtrusive design that arrives complete with a microUSB cable for charging purposes. It’s compatible with Apple devices running iOS 10.0 or greater, though won't work with the iPad 2 or 3. It is compatible, however, with Android 5.0 devices and upwards. 

The Square reader will process payment types including chip and PIN or EMV cards, contactless or NFC cards, magnetic stripe cards and will also process Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay transactions. Connectivity is done via wireless and it’s pretty straightforward to configure.

Performance

As pointed out in the previous paragraph, Square’s card reader is a well-designed piece of hardware that has a proven track record. There’s not an awful lot to it, and so theoretically not much to go wrong either. 

Considering its small size the Square reader is still pretty versatile, with in the larger edition a slot for chip and PIN cards to be inserted into the card reader for a physical transaction. At the same time it works ell enough for contactless transactions too, with customers only needing to hold their card close to the unit in order to process a payment. 

The same can be said for the likes of Apple Pay, Google Pay and other contactless payment options that are available for smartphones and smart watches.

Ease of use

Square is one of the simpler to use card readers and is also very intuitive, once you’ve got yourself registered with the company that is. You might already have an account with Square if you run a business that uses its products and services in a more permanent location. 

However, the bonus of mobile card readers as opposed to fixed location point of sale machines, is that they deliver additional freedom. Being able to turn up at things like events, markets or pop-up fairs means that you instantly gain the ability to boost your business. And, once you're there, this device accepts all major cards, plus there’s the appeal of that fixed transaction charge. It’s a doddle basically.

Support

Square has been running for long enough now to know how to handle customers successfully. Therefore, starting with its website, you’ll find plenty of assistance should you need it when using the Square card reader. First time users should find getting set up relatively uneventful, but there are plenty of online options to use should you have basic questions. 

Boosting the support angle is the way you can also get in touch with Square representatives in order to deal with more complicated issues. In addition, once you’re signed up with Square and have logged in you’ll receive expedited support, which should get to the bottom of your queries sooner rather than later.

Final verdict

Whichever version you select, Square Reader is a natty little unit that does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s a nicely put together device that boasts a decent size battery (on the larger unit), which subsequently allows you to use it all day long before a recharge. 

Alongside its practical styling and performance we’re also smitten with its one price chip and PIN or contactless price of £1.75% per transaction in the UK or 2.6%+ 10¢ in the USA. 

Add on the convenience of Apple Pay, Google Pay and other contactless options and you’ve got a fully featured gadget that has the capacity to boost your business. If you’re already with Square then it’s the ideal compliment to any static POS units you might possess, delivering portability whenever, and indeed, wherever you might happen to be.

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FreshBooks is a one-stop, cloud-based accounting software package that for a relatively small outlay can provide you with an easy-to-use package that ticks most boxes.

Within its browser-based design you’ll find a whole host of options that cover any and all aspects of running a business. It doesn't matter if you're a lone freelancer or someone who’s growing a business and employing staff.

FreshBooks is a doddle to use, has the capacity to expand with your business needs and, thankfully, keeps those stress levels low as you build up your accounting profile. New features for this year include advanced search, the ability to download your own statements, Dropbox connectivity, new keyboard shortcuts and much more.

In the UK, Freshbooks has teamed up with Barclays to offer joint bookkeeping solutions for customers, offering new ways to help with invoicing and wider business management tasks. It's now possible to integrate Barclaycard Payments into FreshBooks, providing extra convenience for business customers.

Competitors in this software area include QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, Kashoo, Zoho Books and Kashflow.

• Want to try FreshBooks Check out the website here

FreshBooks: Pricing

FreshBooks comes with a selection of package and payment options that should provide a solution for most, but like most other companies in any industry, prices have climbed in recent years. Still, FreshBooks can justify that with feature improvements and other ways to find value for money, and there are often promotions on to get you through the door for less money.

Lite is the entry-level tier, which costs $21 per month. This and Plus ($38/month) are where FreshBooks envisions attracting most freelancers, but self-employed workers who have a bit more income and more complex needs could toss a coin between Plus or the more feature-packed Premium ($65/month).

Any requirements over and above this selection and you’re best advised to contact FreshBooks for a custom deal, which the company calls its Select plan.

All of the plans are pretty customizable, including options for additional team members ($11/month), online payment accepting ($20/month) and Payroll, which costs $40 per month plus $6 monthly per user. All of this means the costs can quite quickly add up compared with other plans, and while we've criticized others for offering too many plans to make sense of, we're worried FreshBooks' approach can make the costs climb quickly.

FreshBooks also gets a thumbs up for its try-free option, which lets you explore the package and cancel within 30 days if it’s not right for your needs.

FreshBooks: Features

FreshBooks comes with an impressive array of features no matter which of the package options you adopt. Even the Lite edition sparkles with the capacity for unlimited and customizable invoices, unlimited expense entries, the ability to accept credit card payments online and ACH bank transfers too.

However, the limits come in areas. For example, you can only work with five clients or you'll need to upgrade.

Naturally, the beefier the package the more features you get, so Plus adds to the Lite feature set with up to 50 clients, unlimited proposals, automated recurring invoices, double entry accounting reports and more besides.

For us, Plus might be the most cost-effective plan, with other features extending to e-signature support, bank reconciliation and slicker receipt and expense tracking.

Similarly, Premium gets all the Lite and Plus features along with an unlimited client capacity (up from 500 previously) and customizable email templates, which means you could pretty much manage most of your financing from the single platform.

Anyone with a custom-priced deal can also enjoy a personal account manager, personal FreshBooks training for you and your team along with other value-added features.

FreshBooks: Performance

FreshBooks has had plenty of time to perfect its operation and this cloud-based system is one that works with little to worry about. The service delivers a neat experience depending on what kind of business you run, and if you’re a one-man-band then there’s very little to go wrong it seems.

Even if you’re operating a large or expanding business FreshBooks seems nicely engineered and rolls with the punches if you’re dealing with large chunks of customer data.

Freshbooks is also available for iOS or Android and the app edition is a clever supplement to the desktop arrangement. Not everyone wants to do everything on their app, especially if that involves large reams of numbers, but this is a great option if you’re keeping track of things on the go.

Updates in early and mid 2025 added manual bank imports and flexible reconciliation options, so if you live in a region where bank connections can be unreliable or your bank doesn't support this feature, then at least you can find another way to connect your expenses.

It's updates like these that speak volumes about a company, and it's promising to know that FreshBooks is making these changes and upping quotas (as mentioned above regarding client capacity) to continue adding value to its products even when prices climb.

FreshBooks: Ease of use

Accounting software can be a long and arduous journey if you’re not au fait with its different sensibilities, let alone the work involved in mastering a new system. However, FreshBooks has been honed and fine-tuned over the years and is now an inviting option, especially if you’re starting out in business.

In fact, FreshBooks is refreshing in its set-by-step setup, with initial manoeuvres involving little more than picking a package and following the email address and password route so common with cloud-based operations.

On the whole, we found the experience clean, simple and jargon-free. The simple setup and onboard process also makes it a welcoming place, given how daunting finance software can be for new starters.

Ease-of-use is enhanced as the system can be adapted to suit what type of user you are. Larger concerns, for example, allows team members to be added. Freelancers and self-employed sole trader-types have it even easier.

FreshBooks: Support

FreshBooks has a dependable and well-established support system that goes back as long as it has been operating. To start, there’s an excellent online area of the FreshBooks site that offers up a delicious selection of quick fix answers.

There are top categories too, such as dashboard and settings, invoicing and payments or handling online payments, which cover the majority of newbie enquiries.

Support extends beyond how to use the platform to discuss broader topics, like MTD explanations for smaller businesses who will soon be affected by the changes.

However, for the more unusual requests you may have, or indeed if you prefer a human to advise you, then there’s an easy-to-find phone number in the same section of the site. Live support is available from Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm EDT (Excluding Holidays) in the US. Alternatively, FreshBooks has a support email address to beef up the contact and support options.

Like other businesses, you can use the chatbot to help you find the right support article 24/7, but you'll still need to wait for a human to come online if you need further assistance.

FreshBooks: Final Verdict

We’re really pleased with the way the latest incarnation of FreshBooks looks and performs. It’s been around for a while now and that is obviously a strength as the FreshBooks folks have refined the essence of the accounts package, but the best part is how polished it has become, making what can be a regular, tedious and complex task a joy to complete.

Its strongest suits include invoicing, expense management and tax-ready reporting, which it handles with ease, and it’s easy to setup and configure, the menu systems and sections are plain and simple, plus there’s plenty of power behind it to ensure things keep on ticking even if you’re asking a lot of it.

All told, FreshBooks seems like a mighty fine way to do your accounting and, depending on your requirements, is actually pretty cost-effective. We just worry that it could be seen as more of a premium product, with higher tiers and add-ons quickly making it a more expensive option than some others.

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Opera was founded in 1995, which makes it one of the oldest browsers (even older than Chrome and Edge), which adds to its credibility. While its earlier versions were known to be slow and featureless, the recent updates have put it on par with the competitors.

In fact, in some areas, such as performance and security, Opera has surpassed other popular browsers with its consistent and remarkable service. If you’re planning to give Opera another try or have yet to experience it, read this guide till the end to find everything you need to know about whether it's the best browser for you.

Opera browser: Features

Opera is perhaps one of the only widely recognized browsers that provides a free VPN to all users. Sure, Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge provide an option to use VPN, but they are either paid services or have a data cap. VPN-enabled browsing is undoubtedly far safer than any incognito mode or private browsing mode.

It also comes with a built-in adblocker that gives you a seamless browsing experience without the distraction of pop-ups. Also, since pop-ups from unknown websites could be bait from hackers, keeping them blocked is a great way to protect your system against such digital attacks. Another notable benefit of having ads blocked is the browser will load much faster.

Opera also integrates with many popular social media sites such as Instagram, X, and Facebook Messenger. If you frequently use these platforms on the web, Opera’s instant access feature will definitely benefit you. Opera also integrates with WhatsApp and lets you chat through a small WhatsApp window on the sidebar as you browse online. It's the perfect way to work online while collaborating with your team.

One of Opera’s most unique features is the “Lucid Mode,” which instantly improves the quality of your videos and images with a click. Opera has also made managing web snapshots easier than ever. While traditionally, you had to go back to the folder where any snapshots you’ve taken are saved to edit them, Opera allows you to edit them as soon as you capture the screen.

If you want to watch videos as you work, Opera has the perfect solution for you — Video Pop-Up. Using this, you can make the video window float on the screen as you browse other things. The same goes for music and podcasts — you can play any audio in the background as you work. Unlike music on YouTube that disappears as soon as you close the tab, this feature will keep the music running at all times.

Opera provides you with an easy way to save and share web content that you frequently browse, all thanks to its “Pinboards” feature. Additionally, you can share this saved content visually with other users.

Talking of sharing content, the browser also has a file sharing service built-in that securely sends data between the connected devices via an encrypted channel.

Opera also has wonderful tab management features. For starters, you can easily identify tabs by adding emojis to them. If you have lots of open tabs, you can organize them in groups, and workspaces for easier access. You can even view the content of two tabs alongside each other by splitting the screen.

Opera browser: Privacy

Opera has a high standard for user privacy. For starters, it provides a free VPN to all its users so that none of you have to worry about your activities being tracked.

Secondly, it blocks all ads and pop-ups that could possibly lead you to websites that steal data.

Thirdly, you get a tracker blocker that's specially designed to keep away third-party tools that are infamous for stealing your data.

These features come together to not only keep your data safe but also reduce the load time, lighten the load on your CPU and RAM, and boost the overall performance of your device.

Opera browser: Ease Of use

Opera has upped its game when it comes to user experience. The browser’s onboarding process is similar to its peers and lets you quickly import bookmarks, and more.

The browser’s interface is neatly arranged and again looks similar to other popular browsers. There’s a search bar in the middle of the landing page along with a list of some popular websites that you can customize or disable altogether.

It also groups and makes available commonly accessed settings in an easily accessible Easy setup menu. From here you can customize the start page, alter the layout, switch themes, and more.

Accessing your social media apps via Opera is easy too. You’ll find all the necessary shortcuts on the left-side menu of the screen. The sidebar comes with its own setup settings, which help you quickly customize the content of the sidebar. You can also hide it altogether if it is a distraction, and further unclutter the interface.

Opera browser: Competitors

As with other tier 2 browsers, Opera faces tough competition from Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

Chrome has the biggest market share in the browser industry, and commands over half of the web browser market share. However, more doesn't always mean better. Opera is slightly ahead of Chrome in terms of user security and performance efficiency.

For example, while Chrome offers a paid VPN service, Opera offers it for free. Chrome takes up too much space and slows down your system, whereas Opera is fast and responsive. Along with that, Chrome has faced several lawsuits and allegations for leaking user data, but Opera is widely renowned for its safe network.

The same goes for Edge. When compared for privacy and security, Opera is the clear winner. It not only has a wide range of security settings but many features, such as an intuitive ad-blocker, are set by default. This way, your browsing experience remains secure from day one.

Speaking of Firefox and Opera, the latter is a few brownie points above the former with faster loading, enhanced tracking protection, and a built-in tracker blocker.

Also, unlike its peers, Opera has a “Battery Saver” mode that can extend battery life. You can even set it up so that it kicks in automatically when you unplug your laptop.

Opera browser: Final verdict

Opera is a comprehensive browser with enough in it to win you over. It provides you with a secure browsing space like no other and offers a free VPN too, which further adds to your protection.

Despite not being one of the top contenders in the market, Opera’s catalog of features is praiseworthy. Starting from multiple browser themes and integrated social media platforms to AI integration and simpler task management, Opera does it all.

Last but not least, Opera takes much less space and CPU power than its more popular peers, meaning your system and other apps work smoother.

We've listed the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers.

Jackson Hewitt Online is another internet-based tax filing solution that originated from over 6,000 actual offices where the company delivers the same thing, only with the benefit of real people assisting you every step of the way. As the name Jackson Hewitt Online suggests, they’ve taken the best bits of that service and applied it to this online tax preparation software. 

And, as you’d expect from a company with so many branches and a capable history they reckon that Jackson Hewitt Online can get your tax affairs completed and filed both accurately and on time. Having the best of both world's is also useful during the coronavirus pandemic. Rival options include TurboTax, H&R Block, TaxSlayer, Liberty Tax, eFile, TaxAct and FreeTaxUSA.

• Want to try Jackson Hewitt Online? Check out the website here

Jackson Hewitt Online: Pricing

Jackson Hewitt Online has simplified its strategy over successive years, having had various packages previously. Which one you'd choose would have been dependent on the complexities of your tax filing affairs. 

However, Jackson Hewitt Online has made ongoing amendments to its pricing structure over time and things are currently even more straightforward than ever, with $25 being the universal charge for tax filing. 

There's the obvious advantage of being able to file at their 5,200 physical locations if you prefer. Jackson Hewitt can also be found in 2,600 Walmart stores, so either of these routes enable you to enlist the services of a tax professional instead.

Jackson Hewitt Online: Features

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of Jackson Hewitt Online is how they promise to get you a guaranteed maximum refund and, they say, if you can do better elsewhere then they’ll cover the difference. 

That’s certainly a good place to start, but Jackson Hewitt Online are also big on their accuracy and the level of assistance they’ll deliver during the course of your filing duties. 

Once you’re inside the straightforward tax-filing workspace you’ll find that there’s nothing too intimidating, while the useful calculators let you pinpoint the likes of depreciation costs without much in the way of fuss or bother.

Jackson Hewitt Online: Peformance

Along with the Jackson Hewitt Online promise to save you money you’ll find that this internet-based tax filing solution rumbles along nicely, once you’ve got yourself set up with an account. 

The service also offers secure storage and access to your tax returns as and when you need them and for up to six years for no additional charge proves useful, especially if you find yourself having to go back in time to check figures from earlier years. 

All in all then, Jackson Hewitt Online therefore ticks all the right boxes when it comes to the performance part of the equation.

Jackson Hewitt Online: Ease of use

Jackson Hewitt Online has been nicely tweaked and fine-tuned over the years and more recently it seems to be functioning better than ever. 

The company has incorporated some very cool tools that aid your filing mission, with something like the W-2 locator tool proving to be an essential addition that allows you to lay your hands on that precious documentation when it might not be immediately obvious where it happens to be. 

The same can be said for their library of other crucial IRS forms, that can all be found via the Jackson Hewitt Online site.

Jackson Hewitt Online: Support

If you’re going it alone and prefer to stick with the wholly internet edition of Jackson Hewitt Online then you’ll find that there is still help at hand via the unlimited online support and live chat features. 

However, along with the internet options, the other big bonus of using Jackson Hewitt Online is the way that the service can be used in tandem with their physical branches across the US. 

Given that some issues with tax filing can be complex to explain, being able to talk things through in a real-world environment makes this support aspect of the Jackson Hewitt Online experience particularly practical.

Jackson Hewitt Online: Final verdict

Jackson Hewitt Online is something of a double-deal when you’re looking at filing your taxes. Whilst everything can be done online, and many people will be happy with that, there’s also the benefit of being able to work hand-in-hand with any one of the many physical branches across the US. 

Jackson Hewitt Online is pretty fuss-free too, with a three-step process that involves signing up and the creation of an account. From there you pick through the guided steps, working out your maximum refund along the way, before finally e-filing at the end of it.

• We've also highlighted the best tax software