Quick answer
Free accounting software in Australia is limited. The only genuinely free plan we verified is Zoho Books Free ($0, revenue under A$50,000, GST and BAS). Everything else is a trial or an intro discount: QuickBooks and Reckon list 30 days, Xero offers one month free. Checked 11 November 2026.
How we compared: every price and plan limit on this page was read from the vendor’s own Australian pricing page on 11 November 2026. We have not run hands-on tests of these products for this article, so we do not describe how they feel to use. Rules come from the ATO. This is general information, not tax or financial advice. See our editorial policy.
What is the best free accounting software in Australia?
True free plans are rare. Most “free” offers are trials or intro discounts that end. Here is what we could verify on each vendor’s own Australian page.
| Best for | Software | From (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Free for revenue under A$50,000 | Zoho Books Free | $0 |
| Lowest paid price, phone-only | MYOB Solo | $99 a year |
| Lowest listed monthly price with BAS reporting | Reckon One Accounting Plus | $27 listed |
| Free month, then paid | Xero Ignite | $37 after the offer |
| 30-day free trial, then paid | QuickBooks Simple Start | $35.99 after the offer |
What do the free and trial options really offer?
| Option | Type | What you get | What happens next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Books Free | Free plan | GST tracking, BAS generation, 1 user plus 1 accountant, up to 1,000 invoices a year, revenue under A$50,000 | Move to Standard at A$16.50 a month billed annually if you grow |
| Xero | One month free, or 80% off for 3 months | Full plan features | Ignite is $37 a month afterwards |
| QuickBooks | 30-day free trial, or 70% off for 6 months | Full plan features | Simple Start is $35.99 a month afterwards |
| Reckon One | 30-day free trial, 90% off for 6 months | Unlimited users, GST and BAS reporting | Accounting Plus lists at $27 a month; offer expires 30 November 2026 unless withdrawn |
| MYOB | Discounted first year (amount varies) | Solo: phone-only, 1 user | Solo is $99 a year; Lite is $315 a year |
Who can use Zoho Books Free?
Zoho’s Australian page says the Free plan is for businesses with revenue under A$50,000 a year. It lists GST tracking and BAS generation, one user plus one accountant, and up to 1,000 invoices a year, and add-ons are not supported on it. If you pass A$50,000 or need more users, the next plan is Standard at A$16.50 a month billed annually, which lists 3 users and up to 5,000 invoices. Ask your accountant which tool they work in before you choose.
Is a free trial the same as free?
No. A trial ends and a discount ends, so compare the price after the offer. Xero Ignite is $37 a month, QuickBooks Simple Start is $35.99 and Reckon One Accounting Plus lists at $27. Our sole trader guide shows the cost over a full year for each.
Do you need to be registered for GST?
The ATO says a business must register for GST when its GST turnover is $75,000 or more. Below that it is optional, so a sole trader under the threshold may not need GST features at all. If you register, you report GST on a BAS.
Either way, issue valid invoices. For a GST-registered business, the ATO’s tax invoice rules say a sale of $82.50 or more needs seven details, and from $1,000 the buyer’s identity or ABN too.
How do you pick without paying?
- If revenue is under A$50,000 and you are fine with one user, start with Zoho Books Free.
- If you want a mainstream product, use the QuickBooks trial or Xero’s free month on a real invoice.
- Write down the price that starts after any offer, and set a reminder.
- Check that your accountant can work with the tool.
See also our best accounting software for sole traders and Xero vs QuickBooks guides.
Frequently asked questions
Is there free accounting software for Australian sole traders?
Yes, one we verified: Zoho Books’ Free plan is for businesses with revenue under A$50,000 a year and lists GST tracking, BAS generation, one user plus one accountant, and up to 1,000 invoices a year. Other tools offer trials or discounts, not free plans.
Is Xero free?
No. Xero’s Australian page offers a one-month-free option and 80% off for the first 3 months, after which Ignite is $37 a month. Those are offers, not a free plan. Pick one and note the price afterward.
Is QuickBooks free in Australia?
QuickBooks’ Australian page lists a 30-day free trial and 70% off for 6 months on monthly plans. Simple Start is $35.99 a month after that. We did not find a permanent free plan on the Australian page.
What is the cheapest paid option for a sole trader?
On the pages we checked, MYOB Solo at $99 a year is the lowest, followed by Reckon One Accounting Plus at $27 a month listed and MYOB Business Lite at $315 a year. Solo is phone-only and its page does not mention BAS lodgement.
Can I use free software if I am GST-registered?
Zoho Books Free lists GST tracking and BAS generation, within its limit of A$50,000 revenue. If your turnover is higher, you move to a paid plan. The ATO says GST registration is required at $75,000 turnover.
What are the catches of free plans?
Limits on revenue, users and invoices, and fewer features. Zoho’s Free plan, for example, does not support add-ons. Check the limits against your real volume before you rely on it.
Update log: 11 November 2026. Prices and plan limits rechecked against each vendor’s Australian pages. Next check: December 2026.
Sources: Xero Australia pricing, QuickBooks Australia pricing, MYOB Australia pricing, ATO: registering for GST. Prices checked 11 November 2026.