Managing the financial side of an e-commerce business can be challenging. E-commerce accounting solutions like A2X and PlugBooks streamline the process, making it easier to reconcile sales, track expenses, and generate reports. But which one is better for your business? In this article, we’ll compare A2X and PlugBooks to help you make an informed decision.
Table of Contents
- Overview of A2X and PlugBooks
- Key Features Comparison
- Integrations
- Pricing
- Customer Support
- A2X vs. PlugBooks: Which Should You Choose?
Overview of A2X and PlugBooks
Both A2X and PlugBooks are designed to automate e-commerce accounting, providing detailed payout summaries and saving you time by connecting directly to accounting software like QuickBooks and Xero. A2X is widely recognized in the industry, supporting larger businesses with high-order volumes, PlugBooks is designed to serve businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, offering a cost-effective solution with an intuitive interface that simplifies financial management across diverse operations.
Key Features Comparison
Here’s a quick look at the primary features of A2X and PlugBooks:
| Feature | A2X | PlugBooks |
| Automation | Automated reconciliation of sales, taxes, and fees | Automated invoice dispatch, error reduction and reconciliation of sales, taxes, and fees |
| Multi-Channel Support | Supports Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, eBay, and more | Supports Amazon and eBay |
| Accounting Software | QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, NetSuite | QuickBooks, Xero |
| Customization | Tax mapping for categorized reporting | Tax mapping for categorized reporting |
| Feature | A2X | PlugBooks |
| Summarized & Reconciled Data in Xero/QuickBooks | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Reconciling 1099-K & Bank Accounts | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Syncs Every Sale, Tax, Expense, Return, and Adjustment | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Track Recent Settlements Sent to QuickBooks/Xero | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Free Onboarding by an Accounting Expert | ✘ | ✘ |
| Auto-Post Settlements | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Accurate Tax Reporting | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Group SKUs for Bulk Sales Analysis | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Cost Breakdown per SKU | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| PPC Costs per SKU | ✘ | ✔️ |
| Returns/Losses/Adjustments per SKU | ✘ | ✘ |
| Bundles/Returns Mapped to SKU | ✘ | ✘ |
| Cost of Goods Sold per Settlement | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Income, Refunds, Expenses, Profit | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Cost of Goods Sold by SKU/Group | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Breakdown of Income, Refunds, Expenses, Profit per SKU | ✘ | ✘ |
| Breakdown of All Fees per SKU | ✘ | ✘ |
| PPC Ad Spend ROI per Item | ✘ | ✔️ |
| Accurate Instant Profit & Loss | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Calculate & Add Costs for Each Item | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Total Sales, Tax, Shipping, FBA Fees, Storage Fees | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Breakdown of Latest Settlement Dashboard | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Yearly Sales Principal Chart | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| View Sales by Fulfillment Type (FBA/FBM) | ✘ | ✔️ |
| Seamless Connection without Bookkeeping Apps | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Retrieve CSV/PDF Settlement & Cost of Goods Reports | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Monthly & Yearly Sales Reports in PDF & CSV | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Integrations
A2X leads in terms of integrations, supporting a variety of sales channels. However, PlugBooks has expanded its integrations to cover more sales platforms.
- A2X Integrations: Amazon, Shopify, Etsy, Walmart, eBay, BigCommerce
- PlugBooks Integrations: Amazon, eBay
Why Integration Matters
The variety of integrations is essential for multi-platform sellers to simplify financial data management. Businesses that operate solely on Amazon or eBay may find PlugBooks sufficient, while those managing multiple sales channels will benefit from A2X’s extensive integrations.
Pricing Comparison
When choosing between A2X and PlugBooks, pricing plays a significant role. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structures:
| Pricing Tier | A2X Pricing | PlugBooks Pricing |
| Basic | $19/month (1 sales channel, 200 orders) | Free Plan (1 sales channel,500 Orders, 3 Months of Historical data) (Free for 3 months) |
| Standard | $50/month (up to 500 orders) | Plus Plan: $20/month (5 sales channels, 12 months of Historical data) (Free for 3 months) |
| Premium | $69+/month (up to 1000 orders) | Premium Plan: $30/month 24 months Historical data )(Free for 3 months) |
Summary of Pricing
PlugBooks’ pricing structure is straightforward and cost-effective for All size businesses. A2X’s pricing, while higher, aligns with the needs of larger companies.
Customer Support
When it comes to support, both platforms offer reliable options:
- A2X: Offers 24/7 live chat and premium onboarding sessions.
- PlugBooks: Provides email and chat support along with video tutorials for easy onboarding.
Good customer support can make a difference, especially if you’re new to e-commerce accounting software.
A2X vs. PlugBooks: Which Should You Choose?
PlugBooks is built for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large enterprises, offering essential accounting automation with advanced tax mapping and support for high-order volumes. Its cost-effective solution and intuitive interface make it easy to manage financial operations across diverse sales channels without overwhelming users with complexity.
On the other hand, A2X is ideal for larger e-commerce businesses requiring extensive integrations and robust tax mapping capabilities. Its support for multiple sales channels and advanced accounting features makes A2X a strong choice for growth-focused companies managing complex, high-volume operations
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between A2X and PlugBooks, it ultimately depends on the scale and specific needs of your business. A2X caters to companies with high-order volumes and complex integration needs, while PlugBooks offers a user-friendly experience at a lower price point.
Consider your business requirements, budget, and the level of automation you need to make the best choice.
