AnyGig vs Xero — Why UK Performers Need More Than Invoicing Software
Xero Manages Your Money. AnyGig Gets You Booked, Protects Your Payment and Handles Your Contracts Too.
Xero is excellent accounting software. If you need to manage VAT returns, run payroll and produce financial reports, it does the job well. But if you're a freelance performer in the UK and your main problems are getting consistent bookings, getting paid without chasing and having contracts in place on every gig — Xero doesn't solve any of those. AnyGig does.
What Xero Does — and What It Doesn't
Xero is one of the UK's most popular accounting platforms. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, VAT returns and financial reporting. For a freelance performer who has grown their business to the point of needing full accounting software, it's a solid choice.
But Xero starts at £15 a month — and it doesn't solve the core problems most freelance performers in the UK actually face day to day.
It won't get you in front of the event planners who are actively looking to book your act. It won't generate a contract when a booking is confirmed. It won't secure your payment before you perform so you don't have to chase invoices afterwards. It won't verify your PLI and display it to professional buyers. And it won't protect you if a client cancels at short notice.
For a freelance performer, those aren't accounting problems. They're business problems — and they need a different tool.
Xero vs AnyGig
| Xero | AnyGig | |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes — free performer invoicing built in |
| Get you booked | ❌ No | ✅ Yes — hirers post briefs, you apply directly |
| Automatic contracts | ❌ No | ✅ Generated on every confirmed booking |
| Payment protection | ❌ No | ✅ Funds secured before the event |
| PLI verification | ❌ No | ✅ Verified and displayed on your profile |
| Booking dashboard | ❌ No | ✅ All bookings managed in one place |
| Cancellation protection | ❌ No | ✅ Built into every contract |
| Monthly cost | £15–£55/month | Free to list |
| Built for performers | ❌ Generic accounting tool | ✅ Built specifically for freelance performers |
What AnyGig Does That Xero Can't
Gets you booked
AnyGig connects you directly with the event planners, corporate clients and agencies that are actively posting briefs and looking to hire performers. Your act listing is visible to every professional buyer on the platform. You apply to the briefs that fit. No agency. No middleman.
Generates your contracts automatically
Every booking confirmed through AnyGig includes an automatically generated contract covering performance terms, fee, payment schedule and cancellation terms. You don't need a contract template, a lawyer or a separate tool. It happens on every booking, every time.
Secures your payment before you perform
When a booking is confirmed, the client's payment is secured through the platform. It's not sitting in their bank account waiting to be transferred. It's held against the booking and released after you perform. No invoice to chase. No waiting.
Verifies your PLI
Your public liability insurance status is verified and displayed on your profile. Every professional event buyer requires confirmed PLI — having it verified through AnyGig removes the single biggest barrier to being booked by corporate clients and agencies.
Protects you from cancellations
Every contract includes cancellation terms. If a client cancels after confirming, the cancellation terms apply and your secured payment covers you.
Do I Still Need Xero If I Use AnyGig?
If you're VAT registered, run a limited company or need full accounting software to manage your finances — yes, Xero or a similar tool may still be relevant for your accounts.
But for most freelance performers operating as sole traders in the UK, AnyGig handles the parts of your business that actually affect your day-to-day income — bookings, contracts, payments and protection. The free performer invoicing built into AnyGig covers your basic invoicing needs without the monthly subscription.
Xero manages your accounts. AnyGig manages your performance career — bookings, contracts, payments and protection. And it's free to list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is AnyGig free for performers?
Yes — creating your act listing on AnyGig is completely free.
Does AnyGig replace my accounting software?
For most sole trader performers, AnyGig's built-in invoicing covers day-to-day needs. If you need full accounting, VAT returns or payroll management, a dedicated accounting tool may still be relevant alongside AnyGig.
Do I need Xero to use AnyGig?
No — AnyGig operates independently. You don't need any other software to create your listing, receive briefs, confirm bookings and get paid.
Does AnyGig handle tax?
AnyGig manages your booking payments and invoicing. For tax returns and accounting, a separate tool or accountant may be needed depending on your business structure.
Free to List. Built to Get You Booked.
Xero costs £15–£55 a month and won't get you a single gig. AnyGig is free, gets you in front of professional buyers and protects every booking with automatic contracts and payment security.