MYOB suits Australian sole traders and small businesses that want low-cost yearly plans, a desktop option or payroll priced per employee. Xero suits businesses that want everything in the browser with payroll bundled into the bigger plans. Both handle GST, BAS and Single Touch Payroll. As of October 2026, MYOB Business Lite is $315 a year after its offer, while Xero's Australian page lists Comprehensive at A$107 a month.
These are the two names most Australian accountants mention first, and both have changed their plans recently. I read MYOB's Australian pricing page and Xero's Australian pricing page on the same day, so the comparison below uses each company's own numbers and wording.
MYOB and Xero side by side
| MYOB | Xero | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry option | Solo by MYOB app, $99 a year after offer | Ignite and Grow plans (prices on a separate tab of Xero's page) |
| Small business plan | Business Lite, $315 a year after offer | Comprehensive, A$107 a month incl. GST |
| Growing team plan | Business Pro, $70 a month after offer | Ultimate 10, A$143 a month incl. GST |
| Payroll | Extra $3 a month per employee on Lite and Pro | Included: Ultimate covers 10, 20 or 50 people |
| Desktop software | Yes, AccountRight Plus and Premier | No, browser and app |
| Tax and payroll reporting | Single Touch Payroll to the ATO, GST and BAS | Tracks GST, lodges BAS, automates super |
| Free trial | 14 days on Pro and Plus | One month free |
Where MYOB fits best
MYOB's range starts smaller than Xero's. Solo by MYOB is a mobile app for sole traders that MYOB lists at $12 for the first 12 months, then $99 a year. Business Lite covers sole traders and small businesses with up to 2 employees, with payroll added at $3 a month per employee. If you want desktop software, AccountRight Plus runs on the desktop as well as the browser, at $165 a month after its offer, with unlimited payroll at no extra cost. MYOB also says there's no minimum subscription and no lock-in contract.
Where Xero fits best
Xero's Australian page leads with plans for businesses that pay a team. Its Ultimate plans bundle payroll for 10, 20 or 50 people, automate superannuation, and include multiple currencies and project tracking for 10 users. Xero's prices on that page include GST, and new customers get 90% off for the first 3 months, with the offer running until 2 November 2026. Xero charges no per-user licence fees, so adding a bookkeeper costs nothing extra.
If electronic invoicing rules apply to you, see e-invoicing software built for those rules.
The MYOB payroll change to know about
MYOB's pricing page carries a notice that it's changing the prices of MYOB Business Payroll Only and the per-user payroll feature from 1 November 2026. If payroll per employee is the reason you're leaning towards MYOB, check the new figures before you commit.
Questions to settle before you choose
- How many people do you pay, and will that grow this financial year?
- Do you or your bookkeeper want desktop software, or is browser-only fine?
- Would you rather pay yearly or monthly?
- Which software does your accountant use with other clients?
If you're weighing more options, my roundup of accounting software tools covers the field, and this piece on what a bookkeeping service can take off your plate helps if you'd rather hand the books over.
My advice on MYOB or Xero
For a sole trader or a business paying one or two people, MYOB's yearly plans are hard to ignore, as long as per-employee payroll stays reasonable after 1 November 2026. Once you pay ten or more people and want payroll, super and projects in one browser login, Xero's Ultimate plans make more sense. Ask your accountant which one they know best, because that often saves more time than any feature. Then run a free trial on the shortlisted one with a real month of your transactions.
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Frequently asked questions
Is MYOB or Xero better for small business in Australia?
It depends on size. MYOB's Solo and Lite plans suit sole traders and very small businesses, while Xero's Ultimate plans suit businesses paying 10 to 50 people with payroll included.
How much is MYOB a year?
As of October 2026, MYOB lists Solo at $99 a year and Business Lite at $315 a year after their introductory offers.
How much is Xero in Australia?
Xero's Australian page lists Comprehensive at A$107 a month and Ultimate plans at A$143, A$180 and A$250 a month, including GST, as of October 2026.
Does MYOB have desktop software?
Yes. MYOB Business AccountRight Plus and Premier are available on the desktop as well as the browser.
Do both MYOB and Xero do Single Touch Payroll?
Yes. MYOB lists Single Touch Payroll reporting to the ATO, and Xero's Australian plans include payroll with superannuation automation.
