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If you’re leaving MYOB, start by asking your accountant which systems they support—not just which one has the lowest listed price. Xero is the clearest alternative to compare: it scores higher in our published data and starts below MYOB, while Reddit commenters often favor its usability. QuickBooks Online, Wave and FreshBooks fit narrower needs; Exact Online and QuickBooks Desktop suit different workflows. Plan caps, add-ons and migration details aren’t fully specified here, so confirm them before moving your books.
01Why people leave MYOB
Accountant compatibility can drive the move
In one Australian accounting thread, commenters recommended Xero, and one said some firms only accept clients using it. Ask your accountant before switching.
Users complain about support and usability
A Reddit commenter described MYOB support as poor; others called Xero more intuitive. These are individual reports, not a guarantee of your experience.
Some teams want to replace manual bookkeeping
A family-business owner described paper quotes and invoices, no inventory tracking and bookkeeping handled by an accountant. That can prompt a broader system change.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Connected-app businesses
XeroXeroXero is the first alternative to price-check: its listed starting price is $7, versus MYOB’s $8.25, and its score is 7.5 versus MYOB’s 6. The published profile highlights connected apps and cash-flow forecasts. Reddit commenters favor its usability, and one says some firms only accept Xero clients. Confirm your accountant’s support and check plan caps before moving.
Trade-off: Plan caps apply, and the listed starting price doesn’t settle your total cost.
7.5/10from
$7/mo - Basic online bookkeeping
QuickBooks OnlineQuickBooks OnlineQuickBooks Online is listed for self-employed users who need basic bookkeeping, businesses already using Intuit products and teams needing shared online access. Its listed starting price is $17.92, with a free plan noted. In a Reddit discussion, commenters reported bugs, poor reporting and usability problems; treat those as user reports, not settled product facts.
Trade-off: The listed entry price is above MYOB’s, and Reddit users report usability issues.
5.3/10from
$17.92/mofree plan - Free bookkeeping starters
WaveWaveWave is worth comparing if you want to start with free bookkeeping. Its published profile also names invoicing and estimates, with paid automation as an option; the listing shows a free plan and a starting price of $15.83. It may fit a small operator better than a broader accounting setup, but check fees and add-ons before switching.
Trade-off: Paid automation and other add-ons can change the cost.
6.6/10from
$15.83/mofree plan - Freelancers who invoice
FreshBooksFreshBooksFreshBooks is aimed at freelancers who invoice clients, small businesses tracking expenses and teams that need time-based billing. The pricing page starts at $23. It is a more focused fit than a general MYOB replacement if your work centers on client billing and time; check the client limits and add-ons before choosing it.
Trade-off: Client limits and add-on costs need checking.
7.2/10from
$23/mo - SMEs needing ERP
Exact OnlineExact OnlineExact Online is the closest fit here for SMEs combining finance and ERP, and the published profile also names accountancy firms, wholesale and manufacturing businesses. Its listed starting price is $25. Consider it if you need a wider finance-and-ERP suite than the other options, but key plan limits are not published on the vendor's site.
Trade-off: Key plan limits are unpublished.
6.8/10from
$25/mo - Existing QuickBooks users
QuickBooks Desktop ProQuickBooks Desktop ProQuickBooks Desktop Pro may suit businesses already invested in QuickBooks or teams needing broad accounting workflows. But the pricing page gives no starting price and says Desktop Pro specifics are not published. That makes it hard to compare against MYOB on cost or confirm whether its workflows fit; verify renewal terms and product details before deciding.
Trade-off: Current pricing and Desktop Pro specifics are unpublished.
4.0/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 MYOB MYOB (current) | 6.0 | A$8.25/mo | No | Australian businesses needing GST and BAS tools |
| Xero Xero | 7.5 | $7/mo | No | Micro-businesses with few invoices |
| QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Online | 5.3 | $17.92/mo | Yes | Self-employed users needing basic bookkeeping |
| Wave Wave | 6.6 | $15.83/mo | Yes | Small businesses starting with free bookkeeping |
| FreshBooks FreshBooks | 7.2 | $23/mo | No | Freelancers who invoice clients |
| Exact Online Exact Online | 6.8 | $25/mo | No | SMEs combining finance and ERP |
| QuickBooks Desktop Pro QuickBooks Desktop Pro | 4.0 | Custom | No | Businesses already invested in QuickBooks |
Questions people ask
What is best, MYOB or Xero?
Our comparison scores Xero 7.5 and MYOB 6, with listed starting prices of $7 and $8.25 respectively. Reddit commenters often recommend Xero, but those are opinions, not a universal verdict. Compare your required features and plan caps, then ask your accountant which system they support.
Is MYOB Exo an ERP?
The published material does not describe MYOB Exo, so we can’t verify its product category or capabilities from these sources. Exact Online is described here as an SME finance and ERP suite, but that does not establish how it compares with MYOB Exo. Check the vendors’ current product documentation before comparing.
Is MYOB going online?
The published material does not establish MYOB’s online product plans, migration options or feature differences between versions. Before switching, ask MYOB what applies to your specific subscription and confirm how your accountant will access your records. Compare current plan limits and add-ons rather than assuming features carry over.