Xero alternative · Hong Kong
The native AI accounting software built for Hong Kong.
HeyBen is the modern alternative to Xero — AI lives inside the ledger, not bolted on through plugins. Auto-categorization, AI OCR for bank statements, multi-entity reporting, and WhatsApp support, all native from day one.
Native AI vs AI adapter
There's a difference between AI in accounting and AI on top of accounting.
The old way
Legacy ledger + AI adapter
Xero was built before modern AI. To add AI, vendors plug in third-party apps — receipt scanners, categorizers, chatbots — each living outside the ledger. The AI sees a copy of your data, suggests an action, then writes back through an API.
- Fragmented across 3–5 plugins per workflow
- AI runs after the fact, not at posting
- Each plugin charges per user, per month
- Sync gaps, duplicate entries, broken integrations
The HeyBen way
Native AI accounting
HeyBen rebuilt the ledger with AI inside it. Transactions are categorized, matched, and reconciled by the system as they're posted — not by a plugin watching from the outside. One product, one source of truth, one bill.
- AI runs at the moment of posting
- One product — no plugin stack to maintain
- Real-time books, not month-end reconciliation
- Built in Hong Kong, for Hong Kong businesses
Feature comparison
HeyBen vs Xero, at a glance.
| Feature | HeyBen | Xero |
|---|---|---|
| Native AI ledger (not plugin-based) | Included | Not available |
| Auto-categorization built in | Included | Via add-ons |
| Native AI OCR for bank statements | Included | Hubdoc / 3rd party |
| Multi-entity consolidated reporting | Included | Separate app required |
| WhatsApp support & chatbot | Included | Not available |
| AI assistant for financial queries | Native | Limited / beta |
| Real-time books | Included | Manual reconciliation |
| Built in Hong Kong | Included | Not available |
What native AI gives you
Six things you stop paying plugins for.
Auto-categorization, native to the ledger
Every transaction is coded as it lands — vendor, account, entity, project. Not a suggestion in a sidebar. Your books are categorized when you open them, not after you click through 200 review screens.
Native AI OCR for bank statements
Drop in a PDF bank statement and HeyBen extracts every line, matches it to the ledger, and reconciles. No Hubdoc, no third-party scanner subscription, no CSV gymnastics.
Multi-entity reporting, out of the box
Run a group with HK, BVI, and Singapore entities? Consolidated P&L and balance sheet are one click — not a separate consolidation app stitched on top of Xero.
WhatsApp support & AI financial chatbot
Ask 'what was our gross margin last month?' on WhatsApp. Get a real answer from your real books. Send a receipt photo — it's posted. Talk to a human when you need one.
Real-time books, not month-end panic
Because AI runs inside the ledger, books are always current. No more closing the month by reconciling four weeks of plugin sync errors.
One product, one bill
Replace your Xero + Hubdoc + Dext + consolidation app + chatbot stack with one HK-built product. No per-plugin per-user creep.
FAQ
Questions, answered.
Why switch from Xero to HeyBen?+
Xero is a great legacy ledger, but its AI capabilities arrive through third-party plugins. HeyBen rebuilt the ledger with AI inside it — so categorization, OCR, reconciliation, and reporting are native, real-time, and don't require a stack of paid add-ons.
What does 'native AI accounting' actually mean?+
Native means AI is part of the ledger itself. Transactions are coded and matched at the moment they're posted, by the same system that holds your books. AI adapters, by contrast, watch the ledger from the outside and write back through an API — slower, fragmented, and prone to sync errors.
Can HeyBen handle multi-entity HK groups?+
Yes. Multi-entity consolidated reporting is built in. Add as many entities as you need on the Growth and Group plans — no separate consolidation tool required.
How does WhatsApp support work?+
Message HeyBen on WhatsApp to ask financial questions, send receipts, or get help from a real person. The AI chatbot answers questions from your live books; humans step in when needed.
Can I migrate from Xero?+
Yes. On the Group plan, onboarding and migration are included. For Starter and Growth, our team helps you import your chart of accounts, opening balances, and historical transactions.
See HeyBen in action
The Hong Kong-built Xero alternative.
Book a 20-minute demo. See native AI accounting on your own books — and what you'd stop paying plugins for.
Built in Hong Kong. Native AI accounting software for SMBs and the accountants who serve them.