7 tools compared on extraction accuracy, Xero integration depth, pricing, and automation.
The best PDF to Xero tools in 2026 are Lido, Hubdoc, Dext, AutoEntry, Datamolino, Lightyear, and ScanInvoice. Lido offers the most accurate extraction with a spreadsheet review step before data hits Xero. Hubdoc comes free with most Xero plans but has limited extraction accuracy. Dext is the most popular third-party option for accountants managing multiple Xero clients. Lido starts at $29/month for 100 pages.
| Tool | Xero integration | Line items | Email capture | Batch | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lido | Export to Xero | Yes | Yes | Yes | $29/mo |
| Hubdoc | Native (Xero-owned) | Limited | Yes | Yes | Free with Xero |
| Dext | Deep native | Yes | Yes | Yes | $24/mo |
| AutoEntry | Native | Yes | Yes | Yes | $12/mo |
| Datamolino | Native | Yes | Yes | Yes | $20/mo |
| Lightyear | Deep native | Yes | Yes | Yes | Custom pricing |
| ScanInvoice | Native | Limited | Yes | Yes | $10/mo |
Only Lido offers MCP server integration
Extract data from documents directly inside Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible AI assistant. No browser, no upload UI, no integration code. One command to install:
claude mcp add lido -- npx -y @lido-app/mcp-server
Lido provides the most accurate path from PDF invoice to Xero. Upload invoices and Lido extracts vendor name, invoice number, date, due date, line items, tax, and totals into a spreadsheet. Review and correct any fields, then export the clean data to Xero. The spreadsheet step catches extraction errors before they reach your accounting system.
Lido handles invoices from any vendor without pre-configuration, processes batches of hundreds at once, and supports multi-currency invoices. The AI adapts to new invoice layouts automatically, making it reliable for businesses with diverse supplier bases.
Best for: Businesses that want high-accuracy invoice data in Xero with a verification step.
Hubdoc is Xero's own document capture tool, included free with most Xero subscriptions. Upload invoices, receipts, or bank statements and Hubdoc extracts key fields and publishes them as Xero bills or transactions. The tight integration means data flows directly into the right Xero accounts.
The limitation is extraction accuracy, particularly for line items and complex invoices. Hubdoc works best for simple invoices with clear header fields. For invoices with detailed line items, you often need to manually add data in Xero after import.
Best for: Xero users processing simple invoices who want a free, built-in solution.
Dext (formerly Receipt Bank) is the most popular choice among accountants and bookkeepers managing multiple Xero clients. The platform extracts invoice data with strong accuracy and maps it to Xero chart of accounts categories using learned rules. Multi-client management features make it efficient for accounting practices.
Dext supports email forwarding, mobile capture, and supplier fetch (automatically downloading invoices from online portals). The Xero integration handles bills, credit notes, and bank transactions.
Best for: Accountants and bookkeepers managing Xero for multiple clients.
AutoEntry offers reliable invoice-to-Xero automation at a competitive price point. The service extracts header fields and line items from invoices, learns your category mapping rules over time, and publishes directly to Xero. Per-document pricing starts at $0.12 per invoice.
The platform handles receipts and bank statements alongside invoices, making it a comprehensive data entry replacement for small accounting teams. Supplier rules automate category assignment after initial setup.
Best for: Cost-conscious businesses wanting per-document pricing for Xero invoice automation.
Datamolino focuses on invoice data extraction with strong line item support. The platform extracts complete invoice details including individual line descriptions, quantities, unit prices, and tax codes. Data reviews happen in a clean interface before publishing to Xero.
Datamolino supports multi-currency invoices and handles VAT-specific fields for European businesses. The Xero integration maps line items to the correct accounts and tax rates based on configurable rules.
Best for: Businesses needing detailed line item extraction from invoices going into Xero.
Lightyear provides accounts payable automation with deep Xero integration including purchase order matching and approval workflows. The platform creates purchase orders in Xero, then matches incoming invoices against them automatically. Discrepancies are flagged for review before payment.
The approval workflow routes invoices to the right approvers based on configurable rules (amount thresholds, department, vendor). Once approved, bills publish to Xero with full audit trail.
Best for: Businesses needing PO matching and approval workflows alongside Xero invoice capture.
ScanInvoice provides straightforward invoice scanning to Xero at the lowest price point. The service handles basic invoice fields (vendor, date, amount, invoice number) and publishes them as Xero bills. Email forwarding automates the capture process for regular invoices.
Line item extraction is limited, and complex invoice layouts may require manual correction. ScanInvoice is best suited for businesses with straightforward invoices that need a simple, affordable Xero integration.
Best for: Small businesses needing the most affordable basic invoice-to-Xero automation.
Start with Hubdoc since it is free with your Xero subscription. If Hubdoc handles your invoices accurately enough, you do not need an additional tool. Most businesses outgrow Hubdoc when they need line item extraction, handle complex multi-page invoices, or process high volumes.
Line item extraction is the key differentiator. If you only need header-level data (vendor, total, date) in Xero, most tools work adequately. If you need individual line items mapped to Xero accounts, evaluate Lido, Dext, AutoEntry, and Datamolino specifically on your invoices.
Consider your review workflow. Tools like Lido that provide a spreadsheet review step before data reaches Xero prevent errors in your accounting system. Tools that publish directly to Xero are faster but mean errors need to be corrected inside Xero itself.
If you use an accountant or bookkeeper, ask what they prefer. Many accountants standardize on Dext across their client base for efficiency. Your accountant's familiarity with the tool can be more valuable than feature differences between competing products.
Lido is the best way to import PDF invoices into Xero. It extracts invoice data using AI into a spreadsheet where you can review and correct before pushing to Xero. Hubdoc (owned by Xero) is the built-in alternative but offers less extraction flexibility.
Xero acquired Hubdoc for document capture, which provides basic OCR for invoices and receipts. However, Hubdoc's extraction accuracy is limited compared to dedicated tools like Lido and Dext. For complex invoices with line items, a specialized tool delivers significantly better results.
Pricing ranges from free (Hubdoc is included with most Xero plans) to $39/month for Dext and Lido at $29/month. AutoEntry and Datamolino charge per document, typically $0.10-0.30 per invoice. Lightyear offers custom pricing for larger organizations.
Yes. Hubdoc, Dext, and AutoEntry all support email forwarding where you forward invoice emails to a dedicated address for automatic processing. Lido can be configured to process email attachments and route extracted data to Xero. ScanInvoice also supports email-based invoice capture.
50 free pages. No credit card required.