The Best Scoro Alternative for Australian Consultants on Xero
Tired of Scoro's complexity? Drum is the simple, fast alternative for Aussie consultants. See the side-by-side video comparison. Get set up in hours, not months.
Watch: From signup to first invoice in 5 minutes
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Setup in days, not weeks
Why Australian Consultants Are Switching from Scoro to Drum
We built Drum specifically for nimble firms who value simplicity over enterprise features they'll never use.
| Consideration | Scoro's Approach | The Downside for Nimble Firms | Drum's Approach | The Outcome for You |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | Multi-step configuration process, often requiring paid onboarding sessions, and the setup of complex user permissions and system settings. | Weeks/Months to Value. A significant upfront investment of time and money is required before any return on investment is realized, delaying productivity gains. | A simple, intuitive wizard guides you through setup, connects to Xero, and helps you create your first project in minutes. | Setup in an Afternoon. You are actively tracking time, managing projects, and ready to invoice on the same day you sign up. |
| Monthly Cost (3-Person Team) | Billed for the mandatory 5-user minimum. For example, the Standard Plan at ~$42/user/month results in an actual cost of $210/month. | Paying for 'ghost' users. Your software costs are artificially inflated and do not scale with your actual team size, directly impacting your firm's profitability. | Simple Per-User Pricing. You are billed only for your 3 active users at a transparent monthly rate. No minimums, ever. | Fair, Transparent Pricing. Your costs scale directly with your business. You only pay for what you use, with no surprise charges. |
| Creating a New Project | Involves navigating multiple tabs, potentially using a complex project template, and configuring various enterprise-level settings for each new engagement. | High admin overhead on every project. Simple client engagements become a time-consuming administrative task, slowing down your ability to begin billable work. | A streamlined, one-click flow converts a quote to a live project, automatically pulling in all relevant client data. | Go from 'Won Deal' to 'Work Started' in 60 seconds. You can start delivering value to your clients almost instantly. |
| Invoicing via Xero | Generate an invoice in Scoro, then sync it to Xero. The two-way sync is powerful but can involve setup complexities and minor data discrepancies, such as rounding issues. | Potential for sync errors and setup friction. Requires checking two systems to ensure data integrity and may require manual adjustments in Xero. | A deep, native Xero sync designed for Australian business practices. Invoicing is a seamless extension of your project workflow. | Invoice with Confidence. Invoices are created and sent from one place, perfectly synced to Xero with correct GST, getting you paid faster. |
| Understanding Project Profitability | Requires configuring detailed financial reports, setting specific labor costs per role, and analyzing data across multiple dashboards to get a clear picture. | Data Overload. While powerful, finding a simple answer to the critical question, "Are we making money on this project?" can be a complex, multi-step task. | Simple, at-a-glance dashboards visually display billable hours and costs against the project budget in real time. | Instant Financial Clarity. You know exactly where you stand on every project, at any moment, allowing you to make proactive decisions. |
The Real Scoro Experience (According to Their Users)
Steep Learning Curve
Users consistently report being overwhelmed by the "avalanche of features" and a UI that feels "cluttered" and "corporate-looking". Screens can be very busy and hard to navigate.
Hidden 5-User Minimum
That advertised "$52.90/user" price? It's actually $264.50/month minimum. For a 3-person team on the Performance plan, you're paying $399.50/month while only using 60% of what you're forced to buy.
"Buggy" & "Slow to Load"
Reviews mention "occasional technical issues", unannounced updates that break workflows, and Google Calendar sync failures. Support can take "2+ weeks" to respond via email.
A Xero Integration Built for Australian Consultants
Not just another API connection – a true partnership that understands GST, BAS, and the way you actually work.
One-Click Xero Connect
No complicated setup guides or manual currency configuration. Just authenticate and go.
Perfect GST & Rounding, Every Time
No more "manual adjustment of penny rounding in Xero". We handle Australian tax requirements perfectly.
A True Single Source of Truth
No need for Zapier or other connectors. Track time, create invoices, and see them instantly in Xero.
Simple, Transparent Pricing That Scales With You
No hidden fees. No user minimums. Just honest pricing for Australian consultants.
Scoro Essential
*Minimum 5 users = $474.50/mo
- Complex setup requiring consultants
- Steep learning curve
- Email support only
- Enterprise-focused features
Drum Pro
Save 61% compared to Scoro
- 30-minute self-setup
- Intuitive interface built for consultants
- Instant live chat support
- Native Xero integration
What Australian Consultants Say About Drum
"After struggling with Workflow Max, we were searching for a fresh and user-friendly solution. Drum's clean interface and intuitive layout have significantly improved our time sheeting, quoting, project performance visibility, and billing processes. The Drum team are incredibly responsive to our needs."
"This is exactly the tool I was looking for. Drum is becoming an evermore integral part of my business. Day or night any issues I've had with the software have been rectified within minutes. It is a mile away from the faceless SanFran wannabes. This is the real deal."
"Shout out to the Drum team for helping us pull our project management, CRM, proposal generation, time tracking and financial tracking into one package! Quick, friendly and effective responses from the team. We have finally found a user friendly system to streamline our back office operations."
Common Questions from Scoro Users
Where is Drum based?
Drum has been created from the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
How long does it really take to set up Drum?
After running through the walkthrough in 30 minutes, you'll understand the basics and be able to start using Drum. The best part? The Australian-based support team is available to help at all times to help you get started.
What about data migration from Scoro?
We provide clear guides for exporting your key data from Scoro. Since Drum syncs with Xero, your financial history remains intact. Contact us for a free migration.
Do you really have no user minimums?
Absolutely none. Whether you're a solo consultant or a 20-person firm, you only pay for the users you actually have. Our pricing scales with your business, not against it.
What features will I lose coming from Scoro?
Drum focuses on what consultants actually use: project management, time tracking, invoicing, and profitability reporting. You won't lose any features, but you will lose the complexity.
How does support work?
Live chat with our team or simply email our team directly and get responses within minutes, not weeks. No tiered support or extra charges for basic help. You talk to the people who build the product.
Ready to Simplify Your Consultancy Operations?
Join 200+ Australian consultancies who've made the switch to simplicity.