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    strively vs Socket

    Socket is built for proposals and billing that sync with Xero. strively automates the admin before the proposal too: screening enquiries, booking meetings and sending reminders, then onboarding new clients automatically.

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    Last checked 27 October 2026 against Socket's public website.

    Choose strively if

    you want to fully automate client onboarding and cut the admin. Enquiry forms screen out the wrong clients before you speak to them, meetings book themselves into the right person's calendar, and proposals are fully customisable web pages, not PDFs. Once a client accepts, engagement letters, AML checks and direct debit set-up follow automatically.

    Choose Socket if

    you want low-cost proposals and billing that sync closely with Xero, with unlimited users and price monitoring, and you don't need automatic enquiry screening or built-in meeting booking.

    Feature comparison

    We compared both products on the work that takes up most admin time when taking on new clients.

    FeaturestrivelySocket
    Qualifying enquiry formsYesAuto accept or reject leads with your own rulesNot availableLeads add-on collects enquiries, no automatic accept or reject
    Waitlist for busy periodsYesEnquiries still screened, prospects get your custom message and join a separate list to contactNot found
    Automatic meeting bookingYesGoogle Calendar and Outlook, routed to the right specialistThrough CalendlyNeeds a separate Calendly account
    Automated chasers and remindersYesMeetings, lead and proposal follow-upsProposal remindersNo lead or meeting chasers found
    Web-based proposals, not PDFsYesFully customisable, with section-by-section trackingYesBranded web pages
    Engagement lettersYesUK-format letters and terms of businessYesEmbedded in the proposal
    E-signaturesYesProposals and engagement letters signed onlineYes
    AML checksYesAML HQ. Separate monthly chargeYesThrough the Xama integration
    Client onboardingYesAML and engagement lettersYesProposal, letter and payment set-up in one step
    Sales pipeline reportingYesConversion by stage, bottlenecks, team performanceLeads add-onWin rate, pipeline value and aging leads
    Direct debit mandatesYesNew clients added to your Adfin direct debit mandateYesThrough GoCardless or Adfin
    Recurring billingNoYesAutomated billing through Xero
    Users2 to 10, depending on planUnlimited
    Pricing currencyGBP, ex VATGBP, ex VAT
    Built forUK accountants, bookkeepers and payroll bureauxUK accountants and bookkeepers, mainly using Xero
    "Not found" means we couldn't find the feature on Socket's public website on the date checked. Spotted something out of date? Email info@strively.io and we'll correct it.

    Pricing compared

    Socket costs less than strively. Here's what each costs for the same size of firm, so you can weigh the price against the admin strively automates.

    Typical firmstrivelySocket
    Sole practitioner, up to 25 proposals a month£110/month
    Automate · 2 users    		£35/month + Calendly
    Standard (100 active clients) + Leads add-on
    Small firm wanting conversion reporting, 50 proposals£135/month
    Report · 2 users    		£35/month + Calendly
    Standard + Leads add-on, which includes pipeline reporting
    Growing team, unlimited proposals, up to 10 users£220/month
    Team · routing and team reports    		£65/month + Calendly
    Premium (500 active clients) + Leads add-on · unlimited users
    All prices exclude VAT. Socket prices are billed annually, taken from usesocket.com on the date checked, and monthly billing costs more. Socket charges by active clients rather than proposals. Calendly and AML checks cost extra. On strively, AML HQ has its own monthly charge.

    Why UK firms choose strively

    Stop speaking to the wrong clients

    Enquiry forms qualify every lead against your own rules. Poor-fit enquiries are turned away automatically, so your time goes on the clients you want.

    No more arranging meetings

    Qualified prospects book straight into the right person's Google or Outlook calendar, with confirmations and reminders sent for you.

    Proposals that aren't PDFs

    Fully customisable web proposals with your branding, services and pricing. You can see which sections prospects read, so you know when to follow up.

    Onboarding that runs itself

    Once a client accepts, the engagement letter is signed online, AML checks run and they're added to your Adfin direct debit mandate, with no re-keying.

    What Socket does well

    Socket is a fast-growing UK tool with a strong following among Xero practices, and for some firms it's the right choice.

    • Low price. Plans start at £10 a month on annual billing, with unlimited users on every plan.
    • Xero integration. Two-way billing sync with Xero. Socket was named Xero's UK Practice App of the Year in 2026.
    • Billing and price monitoring. Automated billing through Xero, with price monitoring to keep fees up to date.
    • Integrations. Connects with Karbon, FYI, Xero Practice Manager, QuickBooks, GoCardless, Adfin and Xama.

    Switching from Socket is simple

    You add your services, proposal templates and engagement letter in strively yourself. Once they're in, new enquiries go through strively automatically.

    1. Add your services and fees
    2. Set up your enquiry form
    3. Add your proposal templates and engagement letter
    4. Embed the form on your website and go live

    Frequently asked questions

    Is strively a good alternative to Socket for UK accountants?

    Yes, if you want to fully automate client onboarding and cut admin. Enquiry forms screen out the wrong clients before you speak to them, meetings book themselves, and proposals are fully customisable web pages rather than PDFs. Once a client accepts, e-signed engagement letters, AML checks and direct debit set-up through Adfin follow automatically. Socket is a better fit if you want low-cost proposals and billing that sync closely with Xero.

    What's the main difference between strively and Socket?

    strively automates the admin before the proposal. It screens enquiries against your rules, books meetings into the right person's calendar and sends reminders before the call. Socket's Leads add-on collects enquiries into a pipeline, but we couldn't find automatic screening, and meeting booking needs a separate Calendly account.

    Is strively cheaper than Socket?

    No. Socket starts at £10 a month on annual billing, and add-ons such as Leads start at £5 a month. strively's plans are £110, £135 and £220 a month excluding VAT. strively is priced for firms that want enquiry screening, meeting booking and chasers automated in one place, without extra tools such as Calendly.

    Can I move my proposals and engagement letters from Socket to strively?

    Yes. You add your services, fees, proposal templates and engagement letters in strively yourself. Once they're in, new enquiries move through strively automatically.

    Can strively set up direct debits for new clients?

    Yes. strively integrates with Adfin and adds new clients to your direct debit mandate as they sign up. strively does not create invoices, so you keep invoicing as you do today.

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    See strively with your own enquiries

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