Quick answer
MYOB is usually cheaper at the bottom: Solo is $99 a year and Business Lite is $315 a year, against QuickBooks Simple Start at $35.99 a month. QuickBooks lists more users per plan and a 30-day trial. Payroll differs: MYOB charges $5 per employee. Prices 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.
MYOB vs QuickBooks: which is better for an Australian business?
The two products do not line up tier for tier, so we compared them by what you would actually buy. Prices are what each vendor lists after intro offers, per the vendor’s own Australian pages.
| Best for | Software | From (per month) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone-only invoicing, 1 user | MYOB Solo | $99 a year |
| Entry plan with BAS lodgement, billed yearly | MYOB Business Lite | $315 a year |
| Entry plan with BAS lodgement, monthly | QuickBooks Simple Start | $35.99 |
| 3 users | QuickBooks Essentials | $66 |
| Unlimited bank accounts, payroll at $5 per employee | MYOB Business Pro | $70 |
How do the plans compare on price?
| Plan | Price | Per year | Users | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MYOB Solo | $99 a year | $99 | 1 | Phone app only, GST tracking, up to 2 bank accounts |
| MYOB Business Lite | $26.25 a month ($315 a year) | $315 | 1 | Lodges BAS, up to 2 bank accounts, payroll add-on up to 2 employees |
| QuickBooks Simple Start | $35.99 a month | $431.88 (or $387.99 yearly) | 1 | GST tracking, e-lodge BAS, automated bank feeds |
| QuickBooks Essentials | $66 a month | $792 (or $712 yearly) | 3 | Multiple currencies, bill and recurring features |
| MYOB Business Pro | $70 a month | $840 | Not stated | Lodges BAS, unlimited bank accounts, payroll $5 per employee |
| QuickBooks Plus | $89.99 a month | $1,079.88 (or $971.99 yearly) | 5 | Project management, profitability, inventory, purchase orders |
| QuickBooks Advanced | $138 a month | $1,656 (or $1,489.99 yearly) | 25 | Larger teams |
What do you pay in the first year?
| Plan | Offer shown on the vendor’s page | First year | Year two (list price) |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Simple Start, monthly | 70% off for 6 months ($10.80) | $280.74 | $431.88 |
| QuickBooks Simple Start, yearly | 50% off for 12 months | $194 | $387.99 |
| QuickBooks Essentials, monthly | 70% off for 6 months ($19.80) | $514.80 | $792 |
| MYOB Solo | Discounted first year (amount varies) | Check MYOB’s page | $99 |
| MYOB Business Lite | Discounted first year (amount varies) | Check MYOB’s page | $315 |
Compare the second-year column. That is what you pay for as long as you stay.
Which is better for payroll?
If you pay staff, the difference is large. MYOB lists payroll at $5 a month per employee on its Business plans, and Business Lite can add payroll for up to 2 employees. A business with five employees on Business Pro pays $70 plus $25, or $95 a month, by our arithmetic. QuickBooks lists payroll as a separate step at checkout and its page did not show a price, so ask QuickBooks for the cost for your headcount before comparing.
Which is better for users and growth?
QuickBooks plans are limited by users: 1 on Simple Start, 3 on Essentials, 5 on Plus and 25 on Advanced. That makes pricing predictable if your team grows. MYOB Solo and Lite are one-person products, and Business Pro is the step up for more bank accounts and payroll. If your team will grow, check the user limits on each plan before you commit.
Do both handle GST and BAS?
On the pages we checked, MYOB Business Lite and QuickBooks Simple Start both list GST tracking and BAS lodgement. MYOB Solo lists GST tracking but its page does not mention BAS. The ATO says a business must register for GST at $75,000 of GST turnover, and below that registration is optional. If you are not registered, you may not need BAS features yet.
Whichever you pick, check your invoices against the ATO’s tax invoice rules: for sales of $82.50 or more you need seven details, and from $1,000 you also need the buyer’s identity or ABN.
Should you consider Xero instead?
If you want to compare a third option, read our Xero vs QuickBooks and Xero vs MYOB guides, or the full small business roundup.
What should you test in the trial?
- Create an invoice and compare it line by line with the ATO list.
- Connect your real bank account and check bank feeds and matching.
- If you are GST-registered, generate a BAS report and show it to your accountant.
- If you pay staff, run a test pay run and check Single Touch Payroll reporting.
- Write down the post-offer price and set a reminder.
Frequently asked questions
Is MYOB cheaper than QuickBooks in Australia?
At the entry level, yes on the pages we checked. MYOB Solo is $99 a year and Business Lite is $315 a year, while QuickBooks Simple Start is $35.99 a month, or $387.99 a year on its yearly option after the offer. Compare what each plan includes, not just the price.
Which has better payroll, MYOB or QuickBooks?
MYOB lists payroll at $5 a month per employee, with Business Lite supporting up to 2 employees as an add-on. QuickBooks’ page adds payroll as a separate step at checkout and did not show a price. Ask each vendor for the cost for your headcount.
How many users do QuickBooks plans include?
QuickBooks lists 1 user on Simple Start, 3 on Essentials, 5 on Plus and 25 on Advanced. MYOB Solo and Lite are one-person products. If several people need to log in, check the plan limit before you compare price.
Do MYOB and QuickBooks lodge BAS?
On the pages we checked, MYOB Business Lite and QuickBooks Simple Start both list GST tracking and BAS lodgement. MYOB Solo lists GST tracking but its page does not mention BAS lodgement. Confirm the feature list when you sign up.
Which has a free trial?
QuickBooks lists a 30-day free trial. MYOB lists a 14-day trial on Business Pro and AccountRight Plus, and none for Solo or Lite on the pages we read. Check the current terms before you rely on a trial.
Which is easier to leave?
MYOB says there is no minimum subscription or lock-in, and for Solo you keep read-only access for 60 days after cancelling. QuickBooks lists no contract and you can cancel any time. Export your records before you leave either.
Update log: 11 November 2026. Prices and plan limits rechecked against each vendor’s Australian pages. Next check: December 2026.
Sources: MYOB Australia pricing, MYOB Business Lite, QuickBooks Australia pricing, ATO: tax invoices. Prices checked 11 November 2026.