You’ve got ten people on the books, invoices piling up, and your accountant keeps asking why you’re still using spreadsheets. Fair enough. But which accounting software actually makes sense for a business your size?

Let’s cut through the marketing noise and look at what Xero, MYOB, and QuickBooks Online actually deliver for Australian SMBs in 2026.

Xero: The Cloud-First Favourite

Xero’s been the darling of Australian small business for years, and there’s good reason for it. The interface is genuinely intuitive—most people can navigate it without training. Bank feeds work reliably, the mobile app doesn’t feel like an afterthought, and it handles BAS and STP reporting without drama.

Pricing (2026): Starter plan at $35/month covers basic invoicing but limits you to 20 invoices and 5 bills. For a 10-person business, you’ll realistically need the Standard plan at $69/month (unlimited invoices, bills, and quotes) or the Premium at $85/month if you need multi-currency or project tracking.

The good stuff: Third-party integrations are Xero’s superpower. Whether you need payroll add-ons, inventory management, or point-of-sale systems, chances are there’s a solid Xero integration. The Australian Taxation Office approves it for STP Phase 2, and your accountant probably already uses it.

The downsides: Payroll costs extra (starts at $5/employee/month). Inventory management works but feels basic compared to dedicated systems. And if you need deep job costing, you’ll be looking at add-ons or workarounds.

MYOB: The Local Veteran

MYOB’s been around since 1991, and they know Australian tax law inside out. If you’ve inherited a business running MYOB AccountRight, there’s something to be said for sticking with what works.

Pricing (2026): MYOB Business starts at $40/month but only handles basic features. For a proper setup with payroll, inventory, and time billing, you’re looking at MYOB Business Pro at $90/month. AccountRight (their desktop/cloud hybrid) runs about $100/month with payroll included.

The good stuff: Payroll is built in, not bolted on. Superannuation calculations are rock-solid. Industry-specific templates for construction, retail, and manufacturing actually reflect how those businesses operate. Phone support from people who understand Australian compliance is worth something when you’re stuck at 4pm on a Friday.

The downsides: The interface feels dated compared to Xero. Mobile experience is functional but clunky. And while MYOB has integrations, the ecosystem is smaller. Moving data out if you decide to switch later can be painful.

QuickBooks Online: The Global Player

QuickBooks has massive market share in the US, and Intuit’s been pushing hard in Australia. The software is solid, but you can tell it’s been adapted from an American product.

Pricing (2026): Simple Start at $20/month is genuinely affordable but only suitable for solo operators. For a team, you need Essentials at $42/month or Plus at $70/month. Payroll is separate—QuickBooks Payroll starts at $4/employee/month.

The good stuff: Project profitability tracking is better than Xero’s basic version. The Plus plan includes inventory tracking without add-ons. Workflow automation features have improved significantly. And that lower price point is real—if you’re cost-sensitive, QuickBooks delivers decent value.

The downsides: Australian-specific features sometimes lag behind the US version. BAS reporting works but doesn’t feel as native as MYOB or Xero. Some accountants are less familiar with it. And customer support can be hit-or-miss.

So Which One?

Here’s the honest answer: for most 10-person Australian businesses in 2026, Xero makes the most sense. The ecosystem, the accountant familiarity, and the reliability of Australian compliance features outweigh the extra payroll cost.

Choose MYOB if you’re in construction, retail, or manufacturing and need industry-specific features, or if you value local support and don’t mind paying more for it.

Choose QuickBooks if budget is tight and you don’t need complex inventory or job tracking. It’s the scrappy underdog option that gets the job done.

One final tip: whatever you pick, get your accountant’s input first. They’re the ones who’ll be working with your data at tax time, and their familiarity with the platform matters more than any feature comparison chart.

The right accounting software isn’t the one with the longest feature list. It’s the one your team will actually use, that your accountant understands, and that doesn’t make BAS time a nightmare. That’s fit-for-purpose technology in action.