Ever felt like doing your business books was harder than convincing your dog not to eat your shoes? Yeah, same. That’s why choosing the right accounting software— Xero vs MYOB 2025 —can be the difference between peacefully sipping your arvo coffee… and panic-Googling “What is BAS and why is it yelling at me?”

Currently, I use MYOB for a mid-size operation with a turnover around $1–2 million a year—and Xero for my own small, family-run business. So, when I say I’ve tested both in the real world, I mean it. And trust me, the difference is more than just the colour of the dashboard.

In the battle of Xero vs MYOB in 2025, both are still the big players in the Aussie accounting game. They’re ATO-compliant, cloud-based, and packed with features. But depending on your business size, setup, and how much time you want to spend swearing at your screen—one might suit you better than the other.

Let’s dive in.

Xero vs MYOB: Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Xero	MYOB
Ease of Use	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Super intuitive. Even your technophobic uncle could use it.	⭐⭐⭐☆☆ It’s got a bit of a learning curve, and you’ll probably find yourself Googling “how do I…” more than once.
Pricing (2025)	Starts at $35/month	Starts at $34/month
Payroll	1 staff member on Grow plan.	1 – 2 staff members on basic plan.
Invoicing & Quotes	Clean, customisable, and super easy.	Functional, but less polished.
Bank Feeds & Reconciliation	Fast, daily updates, reliable, and easy to set up with most major Australian banks. More beginner friendly and clean interface.	Fast, daily updates, support most Australian banks. Interface looks more “accountant-y”. Accountants set up.
Inventory Tracking	Included in standard plans.	Available, but can feel clunky.
Mobile App	4.6 star app store review. Intuitive and easy to use. Full features available on the mobile app.	3.3 star app store review. Simple dashboard features with limited functionality.
Support & Resources	Huge help centre, webinars, 24/7 support.	Solid support and online community. Good online “How To’s”.
Best For	Small to mid-size businesses, sole traders, and growing teams.	Bigger or more traditional businesses, or those with specific legacy needs.

⚙️ Xero: Where It Shines

Let’s be real: most small business owners didn’t get into business because they love spreadsheets. Xero seems to get that. It’s built for humans—not just accountants—and that’s one of its biggest wins.

• Super Intuitive Design
  • Xero’s layout is clear, easy to use and modern. From the dashboard to reconciling transactions, it’s designed to be clean, clickable, and actually enjoyable to use (yes, even for finance stuff). You don’t need an accounting degree—or a YouTube tutorial rabbit hole—to get started.
• Automation That Actually Works
  • Need to chase invoices automatically? Set up repeating bills? Auto-categorise regular expenses? Xero handles all of it without making you cry into your keyboard. It saves time and reduces errors—which, let’s be honest, is worth its weight in gold during BAS season.
• Collaboration Is a Breeze
  • Your accountant, bookkeeper, and business partner can all log in and work together in real-time. No messy file versions or “Wait, are you using last month’s numbers?” drama.
• Seamless Integrations
  • Xero connects with over 1,000 apps—Shopify, Stripe, HubSpot, you name it. Whether you’re in retail, consulting, or selling your homemade chilli sauce on the side, there’s likely a plug-in for that.
• Mobile App That’s Actually Useful
  • Xero’s mobile app lets you invoice on the go, reconcile bank transactions while waiting for your coffee, and check cash flow before a client meeting. It’s not just a token app—it’s a fully functioning mini-bookkeeper in your pocket.
• Built for Small Businesses
  • Xero was born in the cloud, not bolted onto it. That means it’s lean, flexible, and built with small business needs front and centre. Whether you’re a tradie, consultant, café owner or side hustler, it’s made to make your life easier.

🧰 MYOB: Why Businesses Still Love It

MYOB is geared toward a different kind of business—typically larger operations with more complex needs, or long-standing companies that have been using it since the CD-ROM days. It’s powerful and packed with features, but it’s not the most intuitive straight out of the gate. The interface has a more traditional feel, and it can take some time to get comfortable navigating its deeper functions.

That said, once you’re across it, MYOB still delivers plenty of grunt under the hood—especially in areas like these:

• Robust Feature Set for Complex Operations
  • MYOB shines when you’ve got lots of moving parts—detailed job tracking, time billing, or deep inventory requirements. It’s solid for businesses that need those layered tools.
• Customisation Options
  • If you like digging deep into how your accounting software works—and you want to tailor your reports, chart of accounts, or payroll functions—MYOB offers more flexibility under the hood than Xero does.
• Legacy Power & Familiarity
  • There are businesses that have been using MYOB for a decade or more, and their staff know it inside out. For them, switching to something new can feel more disruptive than helpful.
• Offline Access (Kind Of)
  • Using MYOB AccountRight? You’ve still got offline access, which can be a lifesaver if you’re out bush or dealing with dodgy Wi-Fi. Just keep in mind, that’s mostly limited to desktop versions—and cloud syncing still requires a connection eventually.

🤔 So, Which One’s Better for You?

Honestly? It depends on your business.

Go with Xero if:

• You’re a small to mid-sized business and want something clean and simple.
• You need strong mobile access and automation.
• You’re starting fresh and want software that grows with you.

Go with MYOB if:

• You’ve got a more complex operation—like stock-heavy retail or manufacturing.
• You need advanced job costing features.
• You’re already used to the MYOB ecosystem and don’t want to switch.

🧡 My Take: Why I Prefer Xero (for Most Small Biz Setups)

Having used both professionally in 2025—MYOB in a mid-sized business, and Xero in my own small family-run one—I’ve seen firsthand how each stacks up. I’ve also spoken to heaps of fellow business owners, and Xero consistently comes out on top for one big reason: it just makes life easier.

From sending invoices on the go, to reconciling bank feeds without swearing at your laptop, Xero’s user-friendly design means you spend less time buried in numbers and more time actually running your business.

That said, if your business is larger, or you’ve got more complex industry needs, MYOB still has its strengths—especially with detailed job tracking or inventory-heavy operations.

But if you’re a small to mid-size team chasing invoices, sorting BAS, and just want your bookkeeping to feel less like pulling teeth—Xero’s probably your best mate.

💥 Bonus: If you use the following link to sign up, Xero are offering you 90% off your first 6 months of membership. If you’ve been thinking about making the switch or trying it out, now’s a pretty good time to give it a whirl. Check out Xero here.