Exact Online
Cloud business software popular in Netherlands and Europe.
About Exact Online
Exact Online runs accounting, CRM, project billing, inventory, and HR from a single cloud platform. Day-to-day that means posting journals, reconciling bank feeds, generating MTD-compatible VAT returns, and tracking project hours without switching between apps. The VAT engine handles Dutch BTW, Belgian VAT, and other EU regimes natively — not through bolt-on workarounds — which is why it dominates among Netherlands-based SMBs and their accountants. It fits manufacturing, wholesale, and professional-services firms with 5–250 employees that need real financials alongside CRM pipelines and project cost tracking. If you work with Dutch or Belgian SMB clients, Exact Online is the local market standard you will encounter constantly. The platform's weak spots are real. The CRM module lags behind Salesforce and even HubSpot on pipeline features, so sales-heavy teams still bolt on a second tool. The interface dates badly in places, and switching costs after setup are high — chart of accounts, project structures, and HR data are not easy to export cleanly. There is no free tier, and pricing requires contacting a reseller for larger configurations, making cost comparisons opaque before you commit.
Best for
European SMBs wanting integrated business management with local compliance
Key Features
- Multi-currency accounting for international business
- Real-time financial reporting and dashboards
- Automated VAT compliance for European markets
- Integrated CRM with sales pipeline management
- Project-based accounting and time tracking
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Native VAT filing for Netherlands, Belgium, and other EU markets — no third-party compliance add-on required
- Single ledger covers project costs, inventory movements, and payroll accruals without manual reconciliation between modules
- Bank feeds connect to major Dutch and Belgian banks directly, including Rabobank, ING, and ABN AMRO
- Multi-currency accounting posts exchange differences automatically on settlement, reducing month-end adjustments
- Built-in project time tracking feeds directly into billing runs, cutting the gap between hours logged and invoices raised
- Shopify and WooCommerce integrations sync sales orders into inventory and update debtors in real time
- User community and accountant-partner network in the Netherlands is large enough that local implementation support is easy to find
Cons
- No free trial for self-evaluation — you go through a reseller or demo call, which slows down the buying decision
- CRM pipeline views and automation are weak relative to standalone CRM tools; firms with active sales teams will still need HubSpot or similar
- Migrating out is painful — project structures, custom fields, and HR records do not export in universally portable formats
- UK and US firms get limited value from the EU compliance features and will find QuickBooks Online or Xero better supported locally
- The interface across modules is inconsistent — the accounting screens feel newer than HR and CRM, which reflect older design generations
- Pricing scales per module and per user, so mid-size teams adding HR and project management see costs rise sharply compared to entry-level accounting-only plans
Ledger Brief Take
Built for the European market with deep compliance features that US-focused competitors often miss, making it the go-to choice for Dutch and broader EU businesses that need everything under one roof. The integrated approach means you're replacing multiple subscriptions, but also committing to their way of doing CRM and project management alongside accounting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions accountants ask about Exact Online.
How much does Exact Online cost?
Exact Online prices by module and user count. Accounting-only plans for small firms start around €39–€50 per month. Adding CRM, project management, or HR modules raises the monthly cost significantly. Larger configurations require a quote through a certified reseller. There is no free tier and no self-serve trial.
Does Exact Online integrate with QuickBooks or Xero?
No direct integration exists. Exact Online is a standalone general ledger, not a companion app. If a client already runs QuickBooks Online or Xero, migrating to Exact Online means a full chart-of-accounts migration, not a sync. Zapier connections cover limited data transfer for specific workflows but do not replace a proper migration.
How does Exact Online compare to Xero for European accountants?
Xero covers UK VAT and Making Tax Digital well but its Dutch BTW and Belgian VAT support is thinner. Exact Online files EU VAT returns natively and handles intra-community supply reporting that Xero requires workarounds for. For Netherlands and Belgium client books, Exact Online is the more complete compliance tool.
Is Exact Online suitable for UK or US-based firms?
Not as a primary platform. The compliance engine is built around EU VAT regimes. UK firms using MTD will find Xero or QuickBooks Online better supported by local accountants and HMRC-recognised software. US firms have no relevant compliance benefit from Exact Online's core differentiators.
How secure is financial data stored in Exact Online?
Exact Online operates on ISO 27001-certified infrastructure with data centres in the Netherlands. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. EU data residency is confirmed, which matters for GDPR compliance. Role-based access controls let practice managers restrict module access per user. Audit logs are available on all paid plans.
What size firm gets the most from Exact Online?
SMBs with 10–150 employees in the Netherlands, Belgium, or broader EU that need accounting alongside at least one of CRM, project billing, or inventory. Sole practitioners and micro-firms pay for module depth they will not use. Enterprises above 250 staff typically outgrow the HR and CRM modules and move to SAP or Microsoft Dynamics.