MYOB Solo vs Xero for Sole Traders

Solo by MYOB, MYOB Business Lite and Xero Ignite compared for Australian sole traders (October 2026)

Solo by MYOB or Xero: The Short Answer

Solo by MYOB is still sold (as at October 2026). It's a phone app for sole operators, at $99/year after MYOB's introductory offer, with unlimited quotes and invoices, expense tracking, GST tracking and Tap to Pay. It doesn't include payroll or BAS lodgement, it has no web version, and MYOB says you can't change Solo to another plan later.

Xero's entry plan is Ignite, at $37/month. It runs on the web and your phone, lodges BAS, includes payroll for 1 person and connects to Xero's app marketplace, but it covers up to 20 invoices; beyond that Xero points you to Grow. MYOB Business Lite, at $315/year, sits between the two: web-based, unlimited invoices, BAS lodgement and payroll for up to 2 employees as an add-on.

Which One Suits You?

  • Choose Solo by MYOB if you run everything from your phone, want the lowest cost, and your accountant or BAS agent lodges your BAS.
  • Choose MYOB Business Lite if you want to work on a computer, invoice a lot, lodge BAS yourself or may take on up to 2 employees.
  • Choose Xero Ignite if you send fewer than 20 invoices a month, want to connect other apps, or your accountant prefers Xero.
  • Expect to hire staff? Skip Solo, because it can't be moved to another plan later.
$99/yr

Solo by MYOB

$315/yr

MYOB Business Lite

$37/mo

Xero Ignite

Usual prices after introductory offers, from myob.com/au and xero.com/au in October 2026. Check both sites before you buy.

Talk to your accountant before you choose. Most are comfortable with both MYOB and Xero, and the one they use every day can make tax time simpler.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison for Sole Traders

FeatureSolo by MYOBMYOB Business LiteXero IgniteNotes
Price (as at Oct 2026)$99/year$315/year$37/monthUsual prices after introductory offers
Where you use itPhone app onlyWeb browser, plus the MYOB Assist appWeb browser and phone appSolo has no web version
Quotes and invoicesUnlimitedUnlimitedUp to 20 invoices; Grow for moreXero counts invoices you approve and send
BillsTrack expensesBills and expensesEnter 5 billsMatters if you pay suppliers by bill
Bank accounts connectedUp to 2Up to 2Bank reconciliation includedSolo also offers its own Solo Money account
GST and BASTracks GST onlyTrack GST and lodge BASTrack GST and lodge BASOr have your accountant lodge for you
ReceiptsSnap and track expensesVia the MYOB Assist appBasic document captureAll three let you photograph receipts
Getting paidTap to Pay and online paymentsOnline paymentsOnline invoice paymentsPayment fees apply
Users1 user (invite your accountant)UnlimitedInvite your accountant or bookkeeperCheck before adding a business partner
PayrollNot includedAdd-on, up to 2 employeesPayroll for 1 personSolo cannot be moved to another plan

Features as listed on MYOB's and Xero's Australian websites in October 2026. Plans change, so check the current details before you sign up.

Which Type of Sole Trader Are You?

Phone-first sole operator

Hairdresser, tutor, photographer, mobile service

Solo by MYOB

You want to quote, invoice, take payment and snap receipts from your phone, at the lowest cost, and your accountant lodges your BAS.

Tradesperson working alone

Electrician, plumber, carpenter, painter

Solo, Lite or Xero

Solo suits on-site invoicing and Tap to Pay. If you use a job app or expect to take on an apprentice, check which accounts it connects to and start on Lite or Xero.

Freelancer or consultant

Designer, copywriter, consultant

Xero Ignite or MYOB Lite

If you send fewer than 20 invoices a month and want to work on a laptop, either works. If you invoice often, Lite and Solo have no invoice cap.

Growing towards staff

Sole trader expecting to hire in the next year or two

MYOB Lite or Xero

Solo has no payroll and cannot be changed to another plan. Lite and Xero both let you add payroll and move up as you grow.

Setting Up as a Sole Trader: Quick Checklist

Before You Start

  • Register for an ABN at abr.gov.au
  • Register for GST if your annual turnover is, or is expected to be, $75,000 or more
  • Open a separate business bank account, so business and personal spending don't mix
  • Ask your accountant which software they work with most

Setting Up Your Software

  1. Pick Solo, Lite or Xero Ignite using the comparison above
  2. Connect your business bank account
  3. Set up your invoice template with your ABN and business details
  4. Invite your accountant, bookkeeper or BAS agent
  5. Install the phone app so you can photograph receipts as you go

Ongoing

  • Match bank transactions regularly, so it doesn't pile up before BAS
  • Capture receipts as you get them
  • Send invoices as soon as work is done
  • Lodge BAS yourself (Lite or Xero) or through your accountant or BAS agent

Frequently Asked Questions

No. As at October 2026, MYOB still sells Solo by MYOB. It is a phone app for sole operators that covers quotes, invoices, expenses, GST tracking and in-person payments with Tap to Pay, and MYOB lists it at $99/year after its introductory offer. If you read elsewhere that Solo was discontinued, check myob.com/au, which lists it alongside MYOB Business Lite.

It depends on how you work. Solo suits a sole operator who wants to run invoices and expenses from their phone at the lowest cost, with unlimited quotes and invoices. Xero Ignite ($37/month) suits a sole trader who wants to work on a computer as well as a phone, lodge BAS from the software and connect other apps, as long as 20 invoices a month is enough. MYOB Business Lite ($315/year) sits in between: web-based, with BAS lodgement and room to add payroll for up to 2 employees.

MYOB lists Solo by MYOB at $99/year after its introductory offer (as at October 2026), billed yearly. There is no lock-in contract. Check myob.com/au for the current offer.

Xero's entry plan is Ignite, at $37/month as at October 2026 (the usual price after any introductory offer). It covers sending invoices and quotes, entering 5 bills, bank reconciliation, GST and BAS, and payroll for 1 person. Xero says that for more than 20 invoices you need the Grow plan, at $78/month.

MYOB's plan comparison shows Solo as tracking GST only. Lodging BAS from the software comes with MYOB Business Lite and above. Many sole traders on Solo share their reports with an accountant or BAS agent, who lodges for them.

No. MYOB says Solo is fully app-based, on iPhone or Android, with no web version. If you want to work in a browser, MYOB Business Lite and Xero both run on the web.

MYOB says that once you choose Solo you cannot change it to another plan later. If you expect to take on staff, hold stock or need BAS lodgement in the software, it may be simpler to start on MYOB Business Lite or Xero.

Yes. MYOB says you can invite your accountant, bookkeeper or tax agent to your Solo account, and Lite allows unlimited users. In Xero you can invite your accountant or bookkeeper as a user too.

Solo does not include payroll, and MYOB says you cannot move Solo to another plan. MYOB Business Lite lets you add payroll for up to 2 employees (charged per employee), and Xero Ignite includes payroll for 1 person, with more people on the Grow plan and above. If staff are likely within a year or two, start on Lite or Xero.

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Growing Beyond a Sole Trader?

Kenomont works mainly with businesses that have staff and several systems to keep in step, so for setting up Solo, Lite or Xero as a sole trader, your accountant or bookkeeper is usually the best help. When you're bigger, our full Xero vs MYOB guide covers payroll, job costing, stock and switching.

Full Xero vs MYOB GuideBook a free chat