Xero is generally better for sole traders. The Starter plan ($25/mo) covers everything most sole traders need: invoicing, bank feeds, GST tracking, and basic reporting. MYOB Solo has been discontinued — MYOB now starts at $35/mo (Essentials), which includes features most sole traders don't need. The $120/year saving with Xero adds up.

Xero: $25/mo (Starter), $50/mo (Standard), $70/mo (Premium). MYOB: $35/mo (Essentials), $55/mo (Growing), $65/mo (Plus). For payroll, Xero charges $13/mo plus $4.50/employee. MYOB includes basic payroll in higher plans. Both offer promotional discounts for the first few months.

Yes. Migration typically takes 1-2 weeks. Export your MYOB data (chart of accounts, contacts, outstanding invoices) and import into Xero. Professional migration services cost $2,500-$8,000 depending on complexity. We recommend migrating at the start of a BAS quarter for cleaner reporting.

Xero is generally better for construction due to superior project tracking integrations with tools like Procore, Buildxact, and Fergus. Its API and app ecosystem makes it easier to connect with construction-specific software for job costing, progress billing, and subcontractor management.

Both offer excellent bank feeds with all major Australian banks (CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ). Xero has a slight edge with automatic bank feed setup, more advanced reconciliation rules, and faster transaction matching. Xero connects to 200+ financial institutions compared to MYOB at roughly 100+.

No. MYOB Solo was a separate, cheaper product designed for sole traders but has been discontinued. MYOB now starts at Essentials ($35/mo). For sole traders who were on MYOB Solo, Xero Starter ($25/mo) is the closest equivalent in terms of simplicity and pricing.

Xero has significantly better multi-currency support — foreign currency invoicing, payments, bank accounts, and automatic exchange rate updates on Standard and Premium plans. MYOB has limited multi-currency features requiring manual exchange rate entry. If you do any international business, Xero is the clear choice.

Xero Expenses (Standard and Premium plans) offers receipt scanning, automatic data extraction, and approval workflows. MYOB has basic expense claims with a less streamlined mobile experience. For teams that need staff to submit expenses regularly, Xero provides a smoother workflow.

For manufacturing, MYOB has the edge with better inventory management, bill of materials tracking, and production costing features built into MYOB Plus. However, small manufacturers with simpler needs often prefer Xero paired with manufacturing-specific apps like Unleashed or Katana for inventory and production tracking. If you manufacture with complex BOMs and multi-stage production, MYOB is stronger out of the box.

Both can handle retail, but integration quality matters more than the accounting software itself. Xero integrates seamlessly with 100+ POS systems including Square, Shopify POS, Vend, and Lightspeed. MYOB also connects to major POS systems but has fewer native integrations. For multi-location retail or e-commerce, Xero typically offers smoother automation and real-time inventory sync through its app marketplace.

Xero is generally better for tradies (electricians, plumbers, builders, landscapers). It integrates with tradie-specific apps like Tradify, Simpro, and ServiceM8 for job management, quoting, and invoicing. The mobile app is excellent for on-site invoicing and expense capture. Xero Projects also handles job costing well for tracking profitability per job. MYOB can work but has a steeper learning curve and fewer tradie-focused integrations.

Xero has significantly better e-commerce integrations. For Shopify, Xero offers real-time sync of sales, inventory, and customer data through apps like A2X and Synder. For WooCommerce, Xero connects via apps like WooCommerce Xero Integration and Amaka. MYOB has basic Shopify integration but fewer options and less reliable sync. If you run an online store, Xero is the clear winner for automation and accurate financial reporting.

Most Australian accountants now prefer Xero, particularly younger practices and cloud-focused firms. Xero Partner Program has over 300,000 subscribers globally and dominates the Australian small business market. Xero Practice Manager is also widely used by accounting firms. MYOB still has strong support among traditional accountants, especially those working with established businesses using legacy MYOB products. If choosing based on accountant preference, ask your accountant which they use most — most are proficient in both.

You should not use both for the same entity — it creates duplicate data entry, reconciliation nightmares, and BAS/tax reporting errors. However, some businesses use different systems for different entities (e.g., MYOB for the main trading company with complex inventory, Xero for a simpler service-based subsidiary). If you are considering running both, it is almost always better to migrate fully to one platform or use a single ERP system that handles multiple entities.

Xero is significantly easier to learn. The interface is intuitive, uses plain language instead of accounting jargon, and most users are productive within 1-2 weeks. MYOB has a steeper learning curve with more complex navigation and setup — most users need 4-6 weeks of training to feel confident. If you do not have an accounting background or want staff to self-serve basic tasks like invoicing and expense entry, Xero is the better choice.

Xero offers better project reporting for most project-based businesses through Xero Projects (available on Premium plan). You can track time, costs, and profitability per project with visual dashboards. It integrates well with time-tracking apps like Harvest and Deputy. MYOB has job tracking and project reporting but the interface is less intuitive and harder to get real-time project profitability insights. For construction, professional services, and creative agencies, Xero Projects is more user-friendly and actionable.