LIMITED OFFERUnlimited conversions for $1/week — Cancel anytimeStart trial
Home/Blog/Xtracta vs Zera Books
Competitor Comparison

Xtracta vs Zera Books: Invoice and Bank Statement Extraction

Xtracta provides AI-powered document extraction via API for software companies. Zera Books delivers a complete accounting workflow platform with AI categorization, client management, and direct QuickBooks/Xero integration for $79/month unlimited.

January 26, 2025
-10 min read

What Is Xtracta?

Xtracta is an AI-powered data extraction platform that automates document processing using machine learning and OCR technology. Unlike traditional OCR engines, Xtracta learns with every document processed, enabling extraction from diverse document designs without requiring template configuration.

Key distinction: Xtracta operates primarily as a B2B API service, providing extraction capabilities to software companies and partners who build products on top of their technology. They do not typically sell directly to end-user accountants or bookkeepers.

API-First Architecture

REST API with XML data structures, mobile SDK, and web portal integration options for software companies.

Document Types

Invoices, receipts, bank statements, contracts, forms, passports, IDs, and custom document types.

Machine Learning

AI engine learns from corrections and feedback, improving accuracy over time without manual template configuration.

Validation Tools

Mathematical checks, balance verification, external data lookups, and custom validation rules.

Feature Comparison: Xtracta vs Zera Books

One is a developer API platform, the other is a complete accounting workflow solution. Here's how they compare:

FeatureXtractaZera Books
Target UserSoftware companies, developers, enterprisesAccountants, bookkeepers, CPAs
Access Model
Via partners or API integration
Direct sign-up, use immediately
Bank Statement Extraction
Yes, via API
Yes, with UI and batch processing
Invoice Extraction
Yes, strong capability
Yes, with line item extraction
AI Transaction Categorization
Not included (raw data only)
Built-in for QuickBooks/Xero
Client Management Dashboard
No (API only)
Yes, organize by client
Multi-Account Auto-Detection
Yes, document splitting
Yes, separate Excel tabs
Direct QuickBooks/Xero Export
No (raw data output)
Yes, pre-formatted files
Implementation TimeDays to weeks (API integration)5 minutes (sign up and go)
Technical Expertise RequiredDeveloper/engineering resourcesNone (designed for accountants)

Invoice vs Bank Statement: Different Strengths

Both Xtracta and Zera Books handle invoices and bank statements, but their approaches differ significantly based on their target users.

Xtracta Approach

API-centric extraction

Invoice Processing
  • Line item extraction with custom data tools
  • PO matching and validation
  • Multi-language document support
Bank Statement Processing
  • Mathematical validation (opening/closing balances)
  • Transaction extraction from multiple banks
  • No accounting categorization
  • No QuickBooks/Xero formatting
Best For

Software companies building their own accounting products who need raw extraction capabilities via API.

Zera Books Approach

Complete accounting workflow

Invoice Processing
  • Line item extraction with tax amounts
  • Ready for QuickBooks/Xero import (pre-formatted)
  • Organize by client for multi-client firms
Bank Statement Processing
  • AI categorization for chart of accounts (GAAP-trained)
  • Multi-account auto-detection (checking, savings, credit)
  • QBO, IIF, CSV exports for accounting software
  • Batch processing for 50+ statements at once
Best For

Accountants and bookkeepers who need a ready-to-use platform for processing client documents with accounting workflow integration.

Pricing Comparison: Per-Document vs Unlimited

Xtracta uses per-document wholesale pricing for partners. Zera Books offers flat-rate unlimited pricing for direct users.

Xtracta Pricing

Per-document wholesale model

Xtracta for Infusion Example
$42/100 documents

Plus taxes. Limited to accounting use cases via this partner.

  • -Pricing varies by partner and volume requirements
  • -Contact Xtracta directly for enterprise API pricing
  • -Development costs for API integration not included
  • -Free trial available (no credit card required)
At Scale (500 documents/month)
$210+/month (estimate)

Plus integration development and maintenance costs

Zera Books Pricing

Unlimited flat-rate model

Full Platform Access
$79/month

Unlimited documents. All features included.

  • Unlimited bank statement conversions
  • Unlimited invoice processing
  • AI categorization included
  • Client management dashboard included
  • 1-week trial to test everything
At Any Scale
$79/month (always)

No tracking usage. No surprise charges.

Cost Comparison: 500 Documents/Month for 12 Months

Xtracta (via partner)
$2,520+/year

Plus development costs

Zera Books
$948/year

All features included

Why Accountants Choose Ready-to-Use Platforms

Real feedback from accounting professionals

Ashish Josan
Ashish Josan
Manager, CPA at Manning Elliott
"My clients send me all kinds of messy PDFs from different banks. This tool handles them all and saves me probably 10 hours a week."

The Challenge: Manning Elliott serves clients across diverse industries, each with different banks and statement formats. Building a custom solution using extraction APIs would require significant development resources and ongoing maintenance.

The Solution: Zera Books provides a ready-to-use platform that handles any bank format instantly. No API integration, no development work, no ongoing maintenance. Just upload and get categorized, formatted data ready for QuickBooks.

The Result: 10 hours recovered per week that would have been spent on manual data entry, formatting, and categorization. The firm can focus on advisory work rather than document processing infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Xtracta and Zera Books for document extraction.

What is Xtracta?

Xtracta is an AI-powered document data extraction platform that provides OCR and machine learning capabilities via API. It processes invoices, bank statements, receipts, and other documents, primarily serving software companies and enterprises that integrate extraction capabilities into their own products.

How does Xtracta pricing work?

Xtracta uses per-document wholesale pricing and primarily sells to partners who build products on top of their API. For example, Xtracta for Infusion starts at $42 per 100 documents per month. Pricing varies based on volume and implementation requirements.

Does Xtracta have AI transaction categorization?

Xtracta extracts raw data from documents but does not provide AI-powered transaction categorization for accounting chart of accounts. You would need to categorize transactions manually or build your own categorization logic. Zera Books includes built-in AI categorization for QuickBooks and Xero.

Is Xtracta better for bank statements or invoices?

Xtracta has strong capabilities for both, but is primarily known for invoice processing. Their bank statement extraction API includes validation features like mathematical checks and balance verification. However, for accounting-specific workflows with client management and categorization, Zera Books is purpose-built.

Can I use Xtracta directly or only through partners?

Xtracta primarily provides data services to partners who build products based on their capabilities. Direct end-user access is limited. Zera Books is a direct-to-user platform where accountants and bookkeepers can sign up and start processing documents immediately.

Skip the API Integration. Start Processing Documents Today.

While Xtracta requires developer resources and partner relationships, Zera Books is ready to use in 5 minutes. Get AI categorization, client management, and unlimited document processing for $79/month.

$79/mo
Unlimited documents
5 min
Setup time (not days)
Built-in
AI categorization