It’s the 28th of the month. Your BAS is due. A client still hasn’t paid. Your spreadsheet has three tabs, and you’re not sure what the second one does.
Sound familiar? The right software can make this much easier. But choosing the best small business accounting software is harder than it looks. Prices change, payroll rules have changed, and many comparison guides simply repeat the same list without showing what you’ll actually pay.
This guide takes a practical approach. You’ll see current pricing, realistic costs for different types of Australian businesses, and the compliance features that matter in 2026.
What to Check Before You Choose
Features come second. Compliance comes first. Check these three things before you look at a single price.
GST and BAS support
Your software should track GST on your transactions and help you prepare and lodge your Business Activity Statement. The major Australian accounting platforms offer GST and BAS features, but the workflow and level of automation can differ.
Payday Super readiness
This is one of the biggest changes for Australian employers in 2026. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super when they pay employees, rather than waiting for the quarterly deadline. Super contributions generally need to reach the employee’s fund within seven business days of payday. The Small Business Superannuation Clearing House also closed on 1 July 2026. If you have employees, check that your payroll and super payment setup can handle the new requirements. The ATO’s Super Product Register can be used as one starting point when checking software support.
Your accountant’s preference
Ask your bookkeeper or accountant what they already use. Shared access can save time at tax time and may make it easier to keep your records consistent.
Here’s a simple test. If you have no staff, GST, BAS, invoicing and bank feeds may be your main priorities. If you have staff, payroll and Payday Super support become much more important.
Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and Reckon: Prices and Who They Suit
Four well-known platforms worth comparing for Australian small businesses are Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online and Reckon. Prices below are in AUD and reflect the regular prices shown by the providers, excluding temporary introductory promotions. Always check the provider’s website before subscribing because pricing and offers can change.
| Software | Entry plan | Mid plan | Best suited to |
| Xero | Ignite $37 | Grow $78 | Businesses wanting broad accounting and app integrations |
| MYOB Business | Lite $35 | Pro $70 | Small businesses, payroll and inventory |
| QuickBooks Online | Simple Start $33 | Essentials $60 | Simple accounting and growing businesses |
| Reckon One | Accounting Plus $24* | Accounting Premium $46* | Businesses comparing lower-cost accounting options |
*Reckon’s current website is displaying promotional pricing, while $24 and $46 are shown as the previous monthly prices. Check the current offer and regular price before subscribing.
Xero
Xero’s Australian pricing currently lists Ignite at $37 per month, Grow at $78 and Comprehensive at $107 after introductory pricing. Grow includes payroll for two people, while Comprehensive includes payroll for five people. Xero also includes GST tracking and BAS lodgement features.
Xero can suit businesses that want a large ecosystem of connected apps and strong bank-feed and accounting features. The main thing to watch is the total cost as your business grows and you need more payroll or advanced features.
MYOB
MYOB Business currently lists Lite at $35 per month on its regular monthly pricing, while Pro is $70 per month after promotional pricing. Lite supports up to two employees with payroll available as an additional feature, while Pro supports unlimited employees with payroll charged separately per employee.
MYOB also offers inventory and order management features, making it worth considering for businesses that sell products or need more than basic bookkeeping.
QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Australia currently lists Simple Start at $33 per month, Essentials at $60, Plus at $84 and Advanced at $124.99. Simple Start is designed for one user plus accountant access, while Essentials expands the number of users and adds features such as supplier and bill management. QuickBooks also includes GST tracking and electronic BAS lodgement features.
QuickBooks can be a practical option for businesses that want straightforward accounting and invoicing. If you employ staff, check the payroll options and additional costs before comparing it directly with a payroll-inclusive plan from another provider.
Reckon One
Reckon One offers Accounting Plus and Accounting Premium, with the provider currently displaying promotional pricing alongside the previous monthly prices of $24 and $46. Both plans allow unlimited users. Payroll can be added separately, so the total cost depends on your business and employee requirements.
Reckon can be worth considering if keeping software costs under control is important. However, compare the features, payroll setup and integrations you actually need rather than choosing on subscription price alone.
What You’ll Really Pay: Three Examples
Sticker prices don’t tell the full story. Payroll, inventory and additional features can change the total cost quickly. Here are three illustrative businesses. These are examples, not real clients.
Example 1: The Solo Consultant
Sam is a sole trader with no staff. She sends about 15 invoices a month and needs GST, BAS and bank feeds.
Using the regular monthly prices above, her starting options include:
- Reckon One Accounting Plus: $24 previous regular monthly price
- QuickBooks Simple Start: $33
- MYOB Business Lite: $35
- Xero Ignite: $37
All four can cover basic accounting needs, but Sam should look at invoice limits, reporting, integrations and accountant access before choosing.
Example 2: The Tradie With Five Staff
Jake runs a plumbing business with five employees.
MYOB Business Pro is $70 per month, with payroll available at an additional $3 per employee per month under the current pricing information. Five employees would bring the base-plus-payroll cost to $85 per month.
Xero Comprehensive is $107 per month and includes payroll for five people.
This illustrates why you should compare plans at your actual employee count rather than comparing entry-level prices.
Reckon may also have a different cost structure because payroll is added separately. Check the current payroll pricing before making a direct comparison.
Example 3: The Growing Retailer With Ten Staff
Priya sells homewares online and in-store. She needs inventory tracking, sales reporting and payroll.
Here, features matter more than the entry-level subscription price. Compare inventory tools, stock reporting, payroll, integrations and user access.
A useful approach is to take advantage of free trials where available and run a sample week of sales through two platforms. That gives you a better idea of how each system fits your actual workflow.
One more cost to remember is the long-term subscription. A $10 monthly difference adds up to $600 over five years. That’s why it’s worth comparing the regular price, not just an introductory offer.
Which Software Fits Your Business Type?
Use this as a starting point, not a final answer.
- Sole trader or freelancer: Compare Reckon One, QuickBooks Simple Start, MYOB Lite and Xero Ignite. Your accountant’s preference and the features you actually use may matter more than a small price difference.
- Tradie with a small crew: Compare MYOB Business Pro, Xero and Reckon based on payroll, job management, invoicing and your total employee costs.
- Service business with advisors: Look at Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks based on accountant access, bank feeds, reporting and the integrations you need.
- Retail or product-based business: Put inventory features near the top of your checklist. Compare MYOB, QuickBooks Plus and the relevant Xero plans based on stock management and integrations.
- Budget-focused micro business: Reckon One can be worth considering, but check the current regular price and confirm that it supports every feature your business needs.
Don’t choose only because one plan looks cheaper on the first screen. Calculate your expected cost after adding payroll, inventory or other features.
Costly Mistakes to Avoid
Believing Outdated Tax Tips
Some older guides mention a 20% bonus deduction for accounting software under the Small Business Technology Investment Boost. That measure applied to eligible expenditure incurred between 29 March 2022 and 30 June 2023. It should not be treated as a current 2026 tax incentive.
Software subscriptions may still be deductible as business expenses when they meet the relevant tax rules, but your circumstances matter. Ask your accountant or tax adviser how the rules apply to your business.
Ignoring Price Changes
Accounting software prices and promotions change regularly. Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks and Reckon all display promotional offers or pricing conditions that can affect what you pay initially.
Always look at the regular price and check what happens when the promotional period ends.
Choosing Without Checking Payroll
A cheap accounting plan can become much more expensive once you add employees.
Before subscribing, calculate the cost using your real headcount. Also check whether the payroll system supports your Australian reporting and Payday Super requirements.
Skipping the Migration Plan
Switching accounting software later is possible, but it can take time.
Before moving, plan how you’ll transfer your customer information, supplier records, chart of accounts, transactions and other important data. MYOB, for example, provides migration options for businesses moving from spreadsheets or other accounting platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best small business accounting software for a sole trader in Australia?
There isn’t one option that fits every sole trader. Xero Ignite, QuickBooks Simple Start, MYOB Lite and Reckon One are all worth comparing. Look at the features you actually need, your accountant’s preference and the regular subscription price.
Is Xero better than MYOB?
It depends on your business requirements. Compare the two based on price, payroll, inventory, integrations, reporting and accountant access. Xero and MYOB offer different plan structures, so comparing the total cost for your business is more useful than comparing only their entry-level plans.
Do I need accounting software that supports Payday Super?
If you have employees, you need a payroll and super payment process that can meet your Payday Super obligations. From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super when they pay employees, with contributions generally needing to reach the employee’s super fund within seven business days of payday. Check your payroll provider’s current Payday Super capabilities and use the ATO’s information when evaluating your setup.
Is accounting software tax deductible?
Accounting software costs may be deductible when they meet the normal rules for business deductions. The previous Small Business Technology Investment Boost is not a current 2026 bonus deduction. Speak with your accountant or tax adviser about your specific circumstances.
Can I switch accounting software later?
Yes. Many providers offer migration tools or support. Plan the move carefully, export important records and choose a suitable time to switch so your bookkeeping remains organised.
Conclusion: Pick for Your Business, Not the Brand
The best small business accounting software is the one that fits your business size, staff, workflow and accounting needs. There is no single option that works perfectly for every Australian business.
Before you subscribe, write down your number of employees, monthly invoices, inventory needs and the integrations you use. Then compare two or three platforms using your real requirements and the regular subscription prices.
If a free trial is available, use it. Enter a few real-world transactions, create an invoice, reconcile a bank transaction and test the reports you expect to use.
Do that, and your next BAS should feel a lot less stressful.
Prices and rules in this article were checked against published sources in October 2026. Prices, promotions and software features can change. This article provides general information and is not tax, accounting or financial advice.
