Xero brings invoicing, bills, bank reconciliation and financial reporting together in a cloud accounting system. It suits an Australian business that wants its owner, bookkeeper and accountant working from the same records.

• Its Australian tools cover GST and BAS workflows. Payroll is available through eligible plans or arrangements, so check employee limits and the precise subscription before comparing costs.
• Bank feeds, app integrations and mobile access help reduce repeated entry. Test invoice templates, approval steps, bank matching and the reports you actually need during the trial. Include your accountant in that test where practical.

Our view: A growing business that values a broad accountant network and connected workflows.

MYOB offers accounting and invoicing software built around Australian small business needs. Business Lite is an entry point, while other plans add capacity and features for more complex operations.

• Invoices, expenses, bank transactions, GST and BAS tools can sit in the same system. Payroll choices differ by plan and employee count, so check the current package and Single Touch Payroll requirements.
• Try a real month of transactions, including a supplier bill, customer payment and bank reconciliation. Compare any introductory discount with the standard renewal fee and the cost of payroll or extra functions.

Our view: A business prioritising Australian compliance workflows and an established local ecosystem.

QuickBooks Online combines invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation and financial reports for small businesses. Simple Start is the entry plan, with higher tiers offering more capacity and controls.

• Its Australian offering includes GST and BAS features. Payroll may involve an integrated third-party service, so confirm the provider, total cost and ATO reporting workflow before selecting a plan.
• Use a trial or current offer to test your bank connection, invoice design, recurring tasks and accountant access. Check how many users each plan permits and whether the apps you need add separate fees.

Our view: A small team wanting familiar accounting functions and a wide choice of integrations.

Zoho Books combines invoices, expenses, bank reconciliation and reports in an accounting product tailored for Australia. It can appeal to a small business already using other Zoho apps.

• A free tier is available to eligible businesses, subject to revenue and feature limits. Paid plans add users and more advanced tools; check whether the tier you choose covers your transaction volume.
• Zoho publishes Australian GST and BAS functionality. Test the exact reporting process with your bookkeeper, and assess payroll needs separately rather than assuming it is included.
• Automation, client portals and integrations may reduce manual follow-up. Compare the whole Zoho setup, including any other apps, with a standalone accounting subscription.

Our view: A smaller business seeking a lower-cost start and room to connect other Zoho tools.

FreshBooks focuses on making client billing manageable, with invoices, estimates, expenses, time tracking and project tools alongside double-entry accounting reports. It suits a freelancer or service business whose work is billed by client or project.

• The Lite plan is the entry point, but client limits, team access and advanced features vary by tier. Test a full job from estimate through time entry, invoice and payment.
• It supports sales tax settings and financial reports, yet FreshBooks says it does not generate tax-time-specific accounting reports. Ask your Australian accountant whether its reports meet your BAS workflow.
• Payroll and payment options shown on a regional page may have different Australian eligibility. Verify local availability and fees before relying on them.

Our view: Service providers who prioritise clear invoicing and tracking billable work.