Quick Answer
StatementConvert charges one credit per conversion, with subscription plans providing monthly credit allocations. Credits stack and don't expire, but you still face usage caps. Zera Books replaces all of this with unlimited conversions at $79/month — no credit tracking needed.
1How StatementConvert Credits Work
StatementConvert operates on a credit-based model where each bank statement conversion consumes one credit from your account. Your subscription plan determines how many credits you receive each month. Once you exhaust your monthly allocation, you can purchase additional credit packages to continue converting.
The system uses subscription credits first, then draws from purchased credit packages. Purchased credits stack — meaning you can buy multiple packages and they combine into a single pool. This creates flexibility for occasional spikes but still requires you to monitor and manage your credit balance actively.
2The Hidden Cost Problem with Credit Models
Credit-based pricing creates a psychological burden that flat pricing eliminates. Every time you upload a statement, you're spending from a finite pool. This leads to three common problems for bookkeeping firms managing multiple clients:
Usage anxiety. Accountants start prioritizing which statements to convert, skipping lower-value clients to preserve credits for bigger accounts.
Unpredictable monthly spend. A busy month with new clients means buying extra credits mid-cycle, making budgeting difficult.
Credit math complexity. Tracking subscription credits vs purchased credits vs stacked packages adds unnecessary administrative overhead.
Why Flat Unlimited Pricing Wins:
- Zero credit tracking — convert everything without thinking about balance
- Perfectly predictable monthly costs for firm budgeting
- No mid-month credit purchases to manage cash flow
- Process all 4 document types (bank statements, invoices, financial statements, checks) in one plan
3Step-by-Step: Switching from Credits to Unlimited
Calculate Your Monthly Volume
Count total statements across all clients. Include bank statements, invoices, and any other financial documents you process regularly.
Sign Up for Zera Books
Start your one-week trial at $79/month. No credit system to learn — just upload and convert immediately.
Set Up Your Client Dashboard
Organize all clients in your client management workspace. Track conversion history per client without worrying about depleting a shared credit pool.
Automate Your Workflow
Connect to QuickBooks or Xero for direct exports with AI categorization. StatementConvert doesn't offer this level of integration.
Scale Without Cost Creep
Add 10 new clients next month. Your cost stays $79. No credit calculations, no upgrade tiers, no surprises.
4StatementConvert vs Zera Books: Pricing Model Comparison
| Feature | Zera Books | StatementConvert |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Flat $79/mo | Credit-based |
| Conversion Limits | Unlimited | Plan-based credits |
| Cost Predictability | ||
| AI Transaction Categorization | ||
| Multi-Account Auto-Detection | ||
| Client Dashboard | ||
| Document Types | 4 types | Bank statements only |
| QuickBooks/Xero Direct Export |
5Best Practices for Choosing a Statement Converter
Calculate your true monthly cost. With credit systems, add up subscription cost plus any purchased credits. Compare that to a flat monthly rate to see which model saves money at your volume.
Test with real client data. Use your actual statements during any trial. Check if the tool handles your specific bank formats and scanned quality without requiring template training.
Evaluate workflow integration. A converter that exports directly to QuickBooks with categorized transactions saves hours vs one that only outputs CSV.
Consider growth trajectory. If you plan to add clients, a credit system means your costs grow linearly. Unlimited pricing keeps costs flat as you scale.
6Summary: Credits vs Unlimited for Your Firm
StatementConvert's credit system offers flexibility for light users, but it creates cost unpredictability and administrative overhead for accounting firms processing multiple clients. Tracking credit balances, purchasing top-ups, and budgeting for variable monthly costs adds friction to what should be a seamless workflow.
Zera Books takes the opposite approach: unlimited conversions, AI categorization, and a complete multi-account workflow at a flat $79/month. No credits to track, no overages to worry about — just convert everything your clients send.
