Xero vs. MYOB – Which Accounting Software Is Best For Your Small Business?

Xero vs MYOB – Which accounting software will best suit your business? Accounting software has come a long way over the last 30 years. From old school notebook ledgers, accounting methods have evolved drastically with the introduction of computers and the internet. The most recent disruption to accounting software occurred in the mid-2000’s with the introduction of modern cloud accounting. Think of the ‘cloud’ as an online server with bank-level encryption that allows you to access your data anytime you need it without having to physically store that information on your computer. If you’ve ever used Gmail, Dropbox, or Outlook, then you have experienced cloud technology.

Prior to the introduction of cloud-based accounting, the dominant player in computer based accounting software for Australian small businesses was MYOB. Feeling that traditional desktop accounting software had become outdated, New Zealand tech entrepreneur Rod Drury founded Xero in 2006 – a cloud-based accounting software company for small and medium-sized businesses that have since dwarfed MYOB’s market share, almost doubling its subscriber base in the space of 10 years.

MYOB is now playing catch up, and over the last few years has released their own cloud-based offerings for small business owners; MYOB Essentials and MYOB AccountRight to compete with the Xero juggernaut. So how do the two major cloud-based accounting software companies compare head to head – Xero vs MYOB? What’s the best accounting solution for your small to medium business? In this article, we complete a thorough comparison of the two cloud accounting heavyweights to help you decide the best one for you.

MYOB Essentials vs. MYOB AccountRight – What’s The Difference?

Before we dive into the head-to-head comparison, it is important to clarify the difference between MYOB’s two main cloud accounting platforms for small business. MYOB Essentials and MYOB AccountRight are both cloud based accounting platforms at their core, but function in different ways. MYOB Essentials is MYOB’s most recent product and is for all intents and purposes, their answer to Xero’s cloud accounting service, featuring a web-based platform that can be accessed from anywhere, on any system (PC, Mac and mobile) without the need for additional software. As the name suggests, MYOB Essentials offers only basic accounting features which would be suitable for a start-up, freelancer or sole trader.

For larger small-medium businesses that require additional features such as managing purchase orders, job tracking and advanced inventory tracking, MYOB’s AccountRight can cover all the bases. The main caveat is that AccountRight requires additional software to run and manage which is only compatible with Windows (sorry Mac users). Once installed onto your desktop, the AccountRight software accesses your accounting data file that is stored in the cloud, giving you access to all your information. It is not a browser based solution.

xero

Xero

myob essentials

MYOB Essentials

myob accountright

MYOB AccountRight

Xero Vs. MYOB – Head-to-head

Which accounting software will best suit your small business? Xero or MYOB? Whichever software you decide to choose, rest assured that they both are powerful solutions that provide an easy way to manage your accounting.

The following comparison has been completed by our qualified accountants who have extensive experience with both MYOB and Xero. The winner for each category has been highlighted in the table below.

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Other considerations for your business

At the end of the day, both accounting platforms should be able to provide most small-medium businesses with the accounting tools necessary to run a business. One major question small businesses need ask when selecting an option is “what does my accountant use and recommend?”. If your accountant recommends and is proficient with a particular accounting platform, then using any other accounting software will make communicating data and getting support much more difficult. By using the accounting platform your accountant recommends you are ensuring a frictionless experience when it comes time to work with your accountant. Business is already stressful enough without worrying about the paperwork and data, so it is highly recommended to streamline collaboration where possible.

Conclusion

Xero remains the dominant leader in the Australian market for cloud accounting software with MYOB trailing second. As the first mover in the online cloud accounting space, Xero has been built from the ground up as a slick and responsive accounting tool for any user. Xero’s strength lies in its ability to complete the fundamentals extremely well – and its flexibility lies in its ability to connect with over 400 third party integrations which can enhance Xero’s capabilities to suit the needs of almost any small-medium business. MYOB’s products offer a range of similar features to Xero, however, MYOB still has a long way to go to create a user experience as polished and as fast as Xero.

To find out more about Xero and if it would be a good fit for your small to medium enterprise, please contact us to book a free no obligation consultation. We can help you implement Xero into your business and offer migration services if you’re looking to swap from different accounting software.

You can also learn more about Xero and MYOB at their respective websites linked below.
https://www.xero.com/
https://www.myob.com/

This document contains general advice only and is prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial circumstances and needs.  The information provided is not a substitute for legal, tax and financial product advice.  Before making any decision based on this information, you should speak to a licensed financial advisor who should assess its relevance to your individual circumstances.  While The Field Group believes the information is accurate, no warranty is given as to its accuracy and persons who rely on this information do so at their own risk.  The information provided in this bulletin is not considered financial product advice for the purposes of the corporations Act 2001.

This document contains general advice only and is prepared without taking into account your particular objectives, financial circumstances and needs. The information provided is not a substitute for legal, tax and financial product advice. Before making any decision based on this information, you should speak to a licensed financial advisor who should assess its relevance to your individual circumstances. While The Field Group believes the information is accurate, no warranty is given as to its accuracy and persons who rely on this information do so at their own risk. The information provided in this bulletin is not considered financial product advice for the purposes of the corporations Act 2001.

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