dataSights vs Exact Online

dataSights is a management reporting and consolidation platform for finance teams. It syncs business systems into a database and produces reports such as profit and loss, balance sheet, trial balance, actuals versus budget, receivables and payables, and cash summary. Multi-entity tools include account mappings, intercompany eliminations, consolidation journals, and multi-currency FX. KPI dashboards, variance analysis, management pack templates, and scheduled distribution are also listed.

Data is stored in Microsoft Azure SQL, hosted either with dataSights or under the customer's own Microsoft account. The connector directory lists 176 systems, including Xero, Shopify, HubSpot, Salesforce, QuickBooks Online, and Stripe. Consolidated data can be used with Excel and Power Query, Power BI, Google Sheets, Looker, SQL, and MCP-compatible AI tools. AI Connect supports Claude, ChatGPT, and Microsoft Copilot for querying data and posting supported updates to Xero. The platform can write journals, invoices, bills, credit notes, bank transactions, and purchase orders to multiple Xero organisations with an audit trail. The listed plans are $130 a month for Xero consolidation and $295 a month for data syncing. A 14-day trial is offered.

Exact Online is a cloud-delivered package for accounting and business operations, with accounting and CRM included across its products. Online accounting provides bank feeds and invoicing, while Time & Billing includes time tracking, invoicing, and CRM. Industry solutions are available for manufacturing, wholesale, and professional services. Wholesale offerings list order, relation, and stock management; a listed manufacturing plan includes calculation, planning, and production. The service also includes inventory and order management, and users can work together online. The accountancy solution supports administration management with clients. Exact says around 675,000 companies use Exact Online and that 2,000 specialists are ready to help. Packages are priced monthly and exclude VAT; payments, including extensions, are made by direct debit. The pricing note says From £25/mo, while the listed Accountancy Professional plan costs £91 a month. There is no free plan, and the free trial's duration and feature limits are unstated.