Choosing the right invoicing software can save your Australian business hours every week and help you stay compliant with ATO requirements. Whether you're a sole trader sending a handful of invoices per month or a growing business managing hundreds of clients, the right tool makes all the difference.
We've tested and compared the five most popular invoicing platforms used by Australian businesses in 2026. Every product below handles GST calculations, produces ATO-compliant tax invoices, and integrates with Australian banks. Here's how they stack up.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Xero | MYOB | QuickBooks | FreshBooks | Zoho Invoice |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (AUD/mo) | $29 | $25 | $15 | $24 | Free |
| GST Handling | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| BAS Lodgement | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Single Touch Payroll | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Bank Feeds (AU) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Currency | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recurring Invoices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Our Score | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 |
Xero is the most widely used cloud accounting and invoicing platform in Australia, and for good reason. Built in New Zealand and designed from the ground up for ANZ businesses, Xero handles GST, BAS lodgement, and Single Touch Payroll seamlessly. Its invoicing features are polished — you can create customisable, branded invoices, set up recurring billing, enable online payments, and send automatic payment reminders.
Xero's app marketplace is its standout advantage, with over 1,000 integrations covering everything from inventory management to CRM. Most Australian accountants and bookkeepers are Xero-certified, making collaboration straightforward.
Pros
- Excellent GST, BAS and STP support
- Huge app ecosystem (1,000+ integrations)
- Beautiful, modern interface
- Most Australian accountants use it
- Strong bank feed support for AU banks
Cons
- Starter plan limited to 20 invoices/month
- Can get expensive as you add payroll/features
- Occasional slow customer support
Best for: Most Australian small businesses, especially those who want the widest ecosystem and accountant compatibility.
Visit Xero →MYOB (Mind Your Own Business) is an Australian-founded institution — it's been helping local businesses since 1991. The platform offers comprehensive invoicing with full GST compliance, BAS preparation and lodgement, and one of the most thorough payroll modules available, including Single Touch Payroll Phase 2 and superannuation management.
MYOB's invoicing is straightforward: create and customise invoices, set up automatic reminders, accept online payments via MYOB Pay, and track everything against your bank feeds. It also offers an integrated POS solution for retail businesses.
Pros
- Deep Australian compliance (BAS, STP Phase 2, super)
- Excellent payroll for AU businesses
- Strong local phone support
- Long-established, trusted brand
Cons
- Interface feels dated compared to Xero
- Smaller app marketplace
- Can be complex for sole traders
Best for: Businesses that need strong payroll and compliance, or who prefer an Australian-owned platform with local phone support.
Visit MYOB →QuickBooks Online by Intuit is a global heavyweight that has invested heavily in its Australian product. The AU version includes GST tracking, BAS preparation, Single Touch Payroll, and direct bank feeds from all major Australian banks. Its invoicing is fast and flexible — create professional invoices in seconds, track payments, and accept credit cards and bank transfers.
At $15/month for the Simple Start plan, QuickBooks is one of the most affordable options with genuine Australian compliance features. It's a strong choice for cost-conscious businesses.
Pros
- Very affordable entry price
- Clean, intuitive interface
- GST, BAS and STP support
- Excellent mobile app
- Frequent promotional discounts
Cons
- Smaller AU accountant network than Xero
- Fewer Australian-specific integrations
- Support can be hard to reach
Best for: Budget-conscious small businesses wanting solid features without the Xero price tag.
Visit QuickBooks →FreshBooks is purpose-built for freelancers and service-based businesses. Its invoicing experience is arguably the best of the lot — beautifully designed invoices, automatic payment reminders, time tracking built right in, and a client portal where customers can view and pay invoices online.
For Australian users, FreshBooks handles GST on invoices and supports Australian bank connections. However, it doesn't offer BAS lodgement or Single Touch Payroll natively, so you'll need to handle those separately or with your accountant.
Pros
- Best-in-class invoicing experience
- Built-in time tracking and project management
- Excellent for service businesses
- Client portal for online payments
Cons
- No BAS lodgement or STP
- Limited AU-specific features
- Lite plan limited to 5 clients
- Not ideal if you need full accounting
Best for: Freelancers and service-based businesses who prioritise beautiful invoicing and time tracking over full Australian tax compliance.
Visit FreshBooks →Zoho Invoice is a completely free invoicing tool that punches well above its weight. You get unlimited invoices, expense tracking, time tracking, recurring invoices, and multi-currency support — all without paying a cent. It's part of the broader Zoho ecosystem, so if you're already using Zoho CRM or Zoho Books, everything integrates beautifully.
For Australian businesses, Zoho Invoice handles GST on invoices and supports Australian tax settings. However, it's purely an invoicing tool — for BAS lodgement or full accounting, you'd need to step up to Zoho Books ($15/month).
Pros
- Completely free — no hidden costs
- Unlimited invoices and clients
- Clean, professional interface
- Part of the larger Zoho ecosystem
- Multi-currency support
Cons
- Invoicing only — no full accounting
- No BAS or STP
- Limited Australian-specific features
- Support can be slow
Best for: Sole traders and freelancers who need a free, reliable invoicing tool and don't need full accounting features built in.
Visit Zoho Invoice →How We Chose These Products
We evaluated each invoicing platform across several criteria important to Australian businesses: GST and BAS compliance, pricing in AUD, Australian bank feed support, ease of use, mobile app quality, customer support accessibility, and the breadth of integrations. We also considered how well each product handles Single Touch Payroll and superannuation, as many businesses need invoicing and payroll in the same platform.
Our scoring reflects real-world usability for Australian small businesses — not just feature lists. A product that's technically powerful but difficult to use scores lower than one that makes daily invoicing fast and painless.
Choosing the Right Invoicing Software
The best invoicing software for your business depends on your specific needs:
- If you want the safest all-round choice: Xero. It's what most Australian accountants recommend, and its ecosystem is unmatched.
- If payroll and compliance are your priority: MYOB. Its payroll module is the most comprehensive.
- If you're on a tight budget: QuickBooks (paid) or Zoho Invoice (free). Both offer solid value.
- If you're a freelancer or consultant: FreshBooks for the best invoicing experience, or Zoho Invoice if you want free.
For New Zealand businesses, Xero (which was founded in NZ) and MYOB both handle NZ GST and IRD compliance. QuickBooks also has a New Zealand version with local tax support.