Dext Review

Dext began as Receipt Bank, a tool focused primarily on receipt capture. Over time, the platform evolved to address broader data extraction needs, leading to its rebranding as Dext—short for (D)ata (ext)raction. This shift reflects its expanded capabilities, which now include invoice processing, expense tracking, and integrations with over 11,500 banks, suppliers, and e-commerce platforms like QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, PayPal, Shopify, and Stripe. With over 250 million financial documents processed and a user base of 700,000 businesses and 11,500 partner firms, Dext has solidified its position as a global leader in pre-accounting automation.

The platform’s mission is to eliminate manual bookkeeping tasks, allowing users to focus on strategic activities like business growth and client advisory services. Dext’s acquisition by IRIS in December 2024 further underscores its growing influence in the accounting technology space.

Key Features of Dext

Dext offers a suite of features tailored to businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers. Below, we dive into its core functionalities.

1. Automated Data Extraction with OCR and AI

Dext’s standout feature is its ability to extract data from receipts, invoices, and other financial documents with 99.5% accuracy. Using OCR and AI, the platform converts images or scanned documents into machine-readable text, capturing details like supplier names, amounts, dates, tax codes, and currencies. This automation eliminates hours of manual data entry, reducing errors and ensuring consistency. For crumpled or messy receipts, Dext’s technology performs exceptionally well compared to competitors like Hubdoc.

Users can upload documents via multiple methods:

• Mobile App: Snap photos of receipts or invoices using the Dext mobile app (available on iOS and Android). The app supports Single Mode (one-page documents), Multiple Mode (up to 50 separate documents), and Combine Mode (multi-page documents).
• Email: Forward digital invoices to a unique Dext email address for automatic processing. Users can set up auto-forwarding for recurring invoices.
• Web App: Drag and drop files directly from a computer for batch uploads.

Once processed, data appears in the Costs or Sales Inbox, sorted into “To Review” (missing information) or “Ready” (complete and publishable) sections. Users can edit details, categorize transactions, and export them as CSV, PDF, or directly to accounting software.

2. Seamless Integration with Accounting Software

Dext integrates with leading accounting platforms, including QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreeAgent, and FreshBooks, as well as e-commerce tools like PayPal and Shopify. This compatibility ensures that extracted data flows directly into your accounting system, streamlining reconciliation and expense tracking. For example, users can process expenses in Dext and publish them to QuickBooks Online with automatic transaction matching, saving time and improving accuracy.

3. Mobile App Functionality

The Dext mobile app is a game-changer for on-the-go expense management. Users can capture receipts, create expense claims, and categorize transactions from anywhere. The app’s intuitive interface allows users to add notes or details before submission, and accountants can send app invitations via text for easy client onboarding. However, some users note limitations, such as the inability to publish non-expense transactions and occasional image compression issues.

4. Expense Management and Reporting

Dext simplifies expense tracking by allowing users to generate expense reports, manage employee reimbursements, and categorize expenses by tax code, supplier, or client. The platform’s real-time reporting provides insights into cash flow and spending patterns, empowering businesses to make informed financial decisions. Approval workflows further streamline reimbursement processes for teams.

5. Secure Document Storage

All documents are stored securely in the cloud with 256-bit encryption, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR. Dext retains documents for at least 10 years, making them easily accessible for audits or tax reporting. This eliminates the need for physical paperwork and reduces the risk of lost receipts.

6. Partner Accounts for Accountants

Dext’s Partner Accounts are designed for accountants and bookkeepers managing multiple clients. These accounts allow users to create and oversee client profiles from a single dashboard, with clients submitting documents directly to their accounts. This centralized approach reduces the time spent chasing paperwork and enhances client collaboration.

7. Workflows and Review Processes

Dext Precision’s Workflows feature enables users to assign up to two reviewers per workflow, ensuring accuracy before publishing. Reviewers receive email notifications and can provide feedback via comments, streamlining collaboration. The Workflow History tracks changes, completed tasks, and health scores, offering transparency into the process.

Pricing and Plans

Dext offers flexible pricing plans for small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and accounting firms, with monthly and annual subscriptions. Annual plans provide up to a 13–20% discount. Below is an overview based on available information:

• SME Plans: Start at $24/month for basic features, with higher tiers offering more document uploads and advanced functionality.
• Accounting Firm Plans: Start at $199.99/month, supporting multiple clients and higher document volumes.
• Dext Precision: Starts at $150/month for up to 20 clients or $225/month for up to 30 clients.
• Dext Commerce: Starts with 1,000 transactions/month, with pricing tailored to transaction volume.
• Enterprise Tier: Designed for businesses with 11–500 seats, with custom pricing.

A 14-day free trial is available, allowing users to test the platform before committing. However, some users find the pricing expensive, especially for larger businesses or those with complex needs. For detailed pricing, visit x.ai/grok.

Pros of Dext

1. Time-Saving Automation: Dext’s OCR and AI reduce manual data entry, saving hours on bookkeeping tasks. Users report significant efficiency gains, with one wholesaler noting that Dext “strips information out in seconds.”
2. High Accuracy: The platform’s 99.5% data extraction accuracy minimizes errors, outperforming competitors in capturing complex receipt data.
3. User-Friendly Interface: Dext’s clean design and mobile app make it accessible for beginners and experienced users alike.
4. Robust Integrations: Compatibility with QuickBooks, Xero, and other platforms ensures seamless workflows.
5. Excellent Support: Users praise Dext’s responsive support team, with specific shoutouts to staff like Aleksiana for clear, detailed assistance.
6. Secure and Compliant: Bank-level encryption and long-term document storage ensure data security and regulatory compliance.

Cons of Dext

1. Pricing Concerns: Some users find the subscription plans expensive, particularly for larger businesses or after recent price increases following acquisitions.
2. Learning Curve: While generally user-friendly, Dext’s extensive features can overwhelm new users. Some report confusion with field names in the mobile app.
3. Customer Support Issues: A minority of users experience slow or cryptic support responses, with delays of up to a week in some cases.
4. Mobile App Limitations: The app struggles with publishing non-expense transactions and occasional image compression issues.
5. Integration Challenges: Some users had to switch accounting systems (e.g., to QuickBooks) for full compatibility, and issues with QuickBooks Desktop integration have been noted.
6. Regional Formatting Issues: Users in the US report problems with European date formats (DD/MM/YY), which can cause confusion.

User Feedback and Ratings

Dext enjoys strong user ratings across review platforms:

• GetApp: 4.2/5 based on 137 reviews.
• G2.com: 4.6/5 based on nearly 250 reviews.
• Trustpilot: 4.0/5 based on 1,583 reviews.
• Capterra: 4.2/5 based on 153 reviews.

Positive reviews highlight Dext’s time-saving automation, ease of use, and integration capabilities. For instance, a small business owner noted, “Dext saves me the most precious commodity—my time,” while an accountant praised its ability to “manage AP workflows with clients.” Negative feedback often centers on pricing, support delays, and occasional OCR errors, such as duplication or unsuccessful uploads.

Who Should Use Dext?

Dext is ideal for:

• Small to Medium-Sized Businesses: SMEs benefit from automated receipt capture, expense tracking, and cloud storage, reducing administrative burdens.
• Accountants and Bookkeepers: Partner Accounts streamline client management, making Dext a top choice for firms handling multiple accounts.
• Businesses with High Receipt Volumes: Wholesalers and retailers with frequent invoices appreciate Dext’s fast data extraction.
• Remote Teams: The mobile app and cloud-based system support geographically dispersed teams.

However, larger businesses with complex needs or those on a tight budget may find the pricing and scalability limitations restrictive.

Comparison with Alternatives

Dext competes with tools like Hubdoc, Expensify, and Zoho Expense. Here’s how it stacks up:

• Hubdoc: While Hubdoc offers similar receipt capture, Dext’s OCR is more accurate for complex documents. However, Hubdoc may be more affordable for smaller businesses.
• Expensify: Expensify focuses on expense reporting and is simpler for employee reimbursements but lacks Dext’s robust accounting integrations.
• Zoho Expense: Zoho is budget-friendly and integrates well within the Zoho ecosystem but has a steeper learning curve compared to Dext’s intuitive interface.

Dext’s strength lies in its accuracy, integrations, and accountant-focused features, making it a preferred choice for professionals over general expense trackers.

Conclusion

Dext is a powerful bookkeeping automation platform that delivers on its promise to save time and reduce errors. Its advanced OCR and AI, seamless integrations, and user-friendly mobile app make it a top choice for small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers. The platform’s ability to process receipts in seconds, store documents securely, and provide real-time financial insights is a game-changer for those looking to streamline their workflows.

However, Dext is not without flaws. High pricing, occasional support delays, and mobile app limitations may deter some users. Businesses with simple needs or tight budgets might explore cheaper alternatives like Hubdoc or Zoho Expense. For those prioritizing accuracy, scalability, and integration, Dext’s benefits often outweigh its drawbacks.