Our Pick: MYOB for established Australian businesses that need robust payroll, deep compliance features, and local support. Choose QuickBooks if you're a sole trader or startup wanting an affordable, clean interface with solid core accounting at a lower price point.
MYOB and QuickBooks are two of Australia's most popular accounting platforms, but they come from very different backgrounds. MYOB is the homegrown veteran — Australian-built, Australian-owned, and deeply embedded in the local accounting ecosystem since the 1990s. QuickBooks is the global giant from Intuit, the US company that dominates accounting software worldwide.
Both handle GST, BAS, and Single Touch Payroll. Both have cloud and mobile apps. But the experience of using them — and the audience they serve best — is quite different. Here's our honest comparison for 2026.
Pricing Comparison (AUD, February 2026)
| Feature | MYOB | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Entry plan | $25/mo (Lite) | $15/mo (Simple Start) |
| Mid plan | $49/mo (Pro) | $30/mo (Essentials) |
| Top plan | $65/mo (AccountRight Plus) | $46/mo (Plus) |
| Payroll add-on | $10/mo extra | Included from Essentials |
| Free trial | 30 days | 30 days (often 50% off 3mo) |
| Unlimited invoices | All plans | All plans |
Bottom line on price: QuickBooks is significantly cheaper at every tier. If budget is your primary concern and your needs are straightforward, QuickBooks saves you $10-20 per month. But MYOB packs more features into each tier, especially around payroll and compliance.
Interface & Ease of Use
QuickBooks wins here. Its interface is clean, modern, and genuinely intuitive. The dashboard gives you a clear snapshot of income, expenses, and profit. Setting up for the first time takes about 15 minutes, and most tasks are just a few clicks deep.
MYOB has improved dramatically in recent years, but it still carries some legacy complexity. The navigation can feel overwhelming for new users, with more menu items and settings screens than QuickBooks. Power users love the depth; beginners find it daunting.
If you're not particularly tech-savvy or just want to send invoices and track expenses without a learning curve, QuickBooks is the friendlier option.
Invoicing
Both platforms handle invoicing well. You can create professional invoices, set up recurring invoices, send payment reminders, and accept online payments.
MYOB offers more customisation options for invoice templates and has deeper integration with Australian payment gateways. It also handles more complex invoicing scenarios like progress invoicing for construction and trades.
QuickBooks has a simpler invoicing experience that's faster to set up. Its built-in payment processing (via Intuit Payments) makes it easy for customers to pay online directly from the invoice.
GST, BAS & Tax Compliance
Both platforms are ATO-certified and handle Australian GST compliance well. Both can prepare your BAS and lodge it directly with the ATO. Both support Single Touch Payroll Phase 2.
MYOB has the edge here simply because of its 30+ years in the Australian market. Every edge case, every unusual GST scenario, every ATO requirement — MYOB has dealt with it. Your accountant is more likely to be familiar with MYOB's BAS reports and workflows.
QuickBooks handles standard BAS scenarios perfectly well, but for complex situations (mixed GST methods, partial exemptions, fuel tax credits), MYOB's deeper compliance engine gives accountants more confidence.
Payroll
MYOB wins on payroll. It's been handling Australian payroll since before most of us had email. Award interpretation, leave management, superannuation calculations, and STP reporting are all deeply integrated.
QuickBooks payroll works fine for straightforward scenarios — a handful of employees on simple salary or hourly rates. But it doesn't handle complex award interpretation as well as MYOB, and some users report friction with super fund integration.
If you have more than 5 employees, especially in hospitality, retail, or trades with award rates, MYOB is the safer bet for payroll.
Integrations & App Ecosystem
QuickBooks has the larger global ecosystem thanks to Intuit's worldwide developer network. It connects to hundreds of third-party apps for inventory, CRM, ecommerce, and more.
MYOB has a smaller but more Australian-focused integration library. It connects well with local banks, super funds, and industry-specific tools. For Australian businesses, the integrations that matter most (banks, ATO, super) work well on both platforms.
Support
MYOB offers phone support from Australian-based teams — a genuine differentiator. When you're stuck on a BAS reconciliation at 4pm on a Friday, being able to call someone who understands Australian tax is invaluable.
QuickBooks provides chat and callback support, which is decent but can involve longer wait times. Online help resources are comprehensive, but some users find the support experience less personal than MYOB's.
Who Should Choose MYOB?
- Businesses with 5+ employees needing robust payroll
- Those who value Australian phone support
- Companies with complex BAS or GST requirements
- Businesses in construction, trades, or hospitality with award rates
- Anyone whose accountant prefers MYOB
Who Should Choose QuickBooks?
- Sole traders and freelancers wanting simplicity
- Budget-conscious startups (cheapest entry plan)
- Businesses that value a clean, modern interface
- Companies needing global integrations (US/UK clients)
- Anyone who finds MYOB overwhelming
Our Verdict
This isn't a case where one is clearly better than the other — it genuinely depends on your business.
MYOB is the accounting software equivalent of a Toyota HiLux: built for Australian conditions, reliable, handles heavy loads, not the prettiest thing on the road but it gets the job done every time. It's the choice for businesses that need depth, compliance confidence, and local support.
QuickBooks is like a well-designed city car: affordable, pleasant to drive, does the basics brilliantly, but you might outgrow it if your needs get complex. It's the choice for businesses that value simplicity and affordability over advanced features.
If you're torn, try both free trials for 30 days. And always check with your accountant — their recommendation carries weight because they'll be the one working with your data at tax time.