Enter your business details to see what each option would cost you. Prices are live from our database and shown in Australian dollars.
Most businesses look for a MYOB alternative for one of three reasons: the per-employee payroll charge adds up as the team grows, Business Lite's payroll stops at 2 employees so a third hire forces a step up to Pro, or they simply want a wider app ecosystem. One thing that is not a reason to leave is seats, because MYOB does not cap users on any Business plan. The good news is that the Australian market is mature, so there are several strong, locally compliant options. Below are our ranked picks, then a live calculator so you can cost each at your own invoice count and headcount.
What are the best MYOB alternatives?
The best alternatives to MYOB in Australia are Xero, QuickBooks Online, Reckon and Zoho Books. Xero is the closest like-for-like and the market leader, QuickBooks is the affordable all-rounder, Reckon is the budget option built in Australia, and Zoho Books is the value pick that is free under $50K turnover. Each lodges BAS and Single Touch Payroll to the ATO, so the decision comes down to price, users and how you handle payroll.
Is Xero a good alternative to MYOB?
Xero is the most direct swap from MYOB. Both are built for Australian compliance, both lodge straight to the ATO, and both include unlimited users, so seats are not what separates them. Payroll is. Xero includes it on every plan, where MYOB charges $3 per employee a month on Lite and Pro, and Lite's payroll stops at 2 employees. At entry MYOB is a couple of dollars cheaper, $35 a month against Xero's $37 Ignite plan, and Ignite caps invoices at 20 a month. For a growing team that runs payroll, Xero often ends up cheaper once staff are counted.
What is the cheapest alternative to MYOB?
Zoho Books is the cheapest on subscription, free for businesses under $50K annual turnover and $16.50 a month beyond it. Among the Australian-built platforms, Reckon One is the value pick: Accounting Plus is $24 a month, with a payroll add-on banded by headcount ($16 a month up to 4 employees, $32 up to 10, and $60 for unlimited staff). At 10 employees that is about $56 a month all in, still well under MYOB's roughly $100 once its $3 per employee payroll is counted. Both Zoho Books and Reckon come in under MYOB's $35 a month Business Lite plan.
How we chose
We ranked the alternatives on the things that matter when you are leaving MYOB: total monthly cost once users and payroll are counted (not just the sticker price), how well the platform handles Australian BAS, GST and Single Touch Payroll, the depth of the local app and accountant network, and how easy it is to migrate your data. Pricing is pulled live from our database and shown in Australian dollars. We are independent and not owned by any provider, so these picks weigh price, features and Australian fit, not commercial relationships.
Other options worth knowing
Beyond the four ranked picks, two platforms suit narrower cases. FreshBooks is invoicing-led and popular with freelancers, but it prices in US dollars and lacks STP Phase 2, so it is a weaker fit for Australian employers. Sage is a global platform aimed at mid-market and enterprise, with Australian pricing available by quote only. For most businesses leaving MYOB, the four picks above will be the stronger comparison.
The verdict
For most businesses leaving MYOB, Xero is the natural alternative: included payroll and the widest accountant network make it the safe, scalable default, and it is often cheaper than MYOB once staff are counted. If price is the priority, Reckon is the cheapest, and it stays ahead even on its top payroll band, and Zoho Books is free under $50K turnover. QuickBooks sits in between as a strong, affordable all-rounder. Use the calculator above to see which lands cheapest for your invoice count and team size.