Best Accounting Software for Tradies Australia 2026: Xero vs MYOB
Last updated: March 2026 · Prices verified from official AU vendor sites · Affiliate disclosure
The best accounting software for tradies in Australia is Xero for most businesses, and MYOB AccountRight for larger construction operations that need job costing. Both handle invoicing, payroll, BAS, and super - but they differ significantly on job costing depth, mobile capability, and integration with the trade-specific tools you already use.
Quick comparison - accounting software for tradies (2026)
| Software | Price/mo | Job costing | Mobile app | ServiceM8 | Deputy | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | From $37 | Basic (Projects) | ★★★★★ | ✓ | ✓ | Most tradies |
| MYOB AccountRight | From $165 | Comprehensive | ★★☆☆☆ | ✓ | ✓ | Builders, complex jobs |
| MYOB Pro | From $70 | ✗ | ★★★☆☆ | Limited | ✓ | Simple tradie ops |
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Try the calculator →Xero - best for most tradies
For the majority of Australian tradies - plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, landscapers - Xero is the right call. It's the easiest to use, has the best mobile app for sending invoices on the job, and integrates directly with the tools tradies actually use.
Why Xero works for tradies: ServiceM8 connects directly - quotes, jobs, invoices, and payments sync automatically with no double entry; Deputy handles scheduling and timesheets and feeds directly into Xero payroll; the mobile app lets you create and send invoices from your phone on site and accept card payments; receipt capture lets you photograph receipts in the field and code them instantly; STP Phase 2 payroll is built into every plan, with award rates set up as pay items for trade employees; 24/7 support means help is available before a BAS deadline whenever you need it.
Xero pricing for tradies
| Plan | Price/mo | Payroll for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ignite | $37 | 1 person | Solo tradie |
| Grow | $78 | 2 people | Tradie + 1 employee |
| Comprehensive | $107 | 5 people | Small crew (3-5) |
| Ultimate 10 | $143 | 10 people | Larger team |
MYOB AccountRight - best for builders and complex job costing
If you're a builder, construction company, or project-based trade business that needs to track costs, labour, and profitability per job, MYOB AccountRight is the better platform. Its job costing is built for exactly this use case - you can see the margin on each job before you invoice, track variations, and compare budgeted vs actual costs across a project.
Choose MYOB over Xero as a tradie if: you're running construction projects and need per-job cost tracking; or you have 15+ employees where AccountRight Plus ($165 flat with unlimited payroll) becomes cheaper than Xero.
Job management apps for tradies - and which accounting software they connect to
| App | What it does | Xero | MYOB |
|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 | Job management, quoting, scheduling | ✓ Native | ✓ Limited |
| Tradify | Job management, timesheets, invoicing | ✓ Native | ✓ Native |
| simPRO | Enterprise field service management | ✓ Native | ✓ Native |
| AroFlo | Job management for trades | ✓ Native | ✓ Native |
| Deputy | Rostering, timesheets, award interpretation | ✓ Native | ✓ Native |
| Dext | Receipt capture, expense management | ✓ Native | ✓ Native |
Both Xero and MYOB connect to the major trade apps. Xero has slightly better native integration with ServiceM8 specifically. For everything else, both work.
Our recommendation by tradie type
| Business type | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solo tradie | Xero Ignite ($37) | Easiest, cheapest full solution, ServiceM8 integration |
| Tradie with 1-4 employees | Xero Grow or Comprehensive | Payroll included, easy for whole team to use |
| Builder (project-based) | MYOB AccountRight Plus | Job costing on AccountRight |
| Large construction (10+ employees) | MYOB AccountRight Plus | Unlimited payroll at $165 flat, job costing depth |
| HVAC / plumbing / electrical | Xero + ServiceM8 | Best mobile experience, seamless job management |
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Try the cost calculator →Common questions
Do I need accounting software as a sole trader tradie?
Yes - for BAS lodgement, GST tracking, and STP payroll (even just for yourself), you need accounting software. Xero Ignite at $37/month handles your invoicing, expenses, BAS, and payroll in one place and connects to ServiceM8 if you use it for job management. It's the most straightforward option.
What's the best app for tradies to send invoices?
ServiceM8 combined with Xero is the most popular setup for Australian tradies. ServiceM8 handles the job management (quotes, scheduling, on-site job completion) and syncs invoices directly to Xero for reconciliation, BAS, and payroll. Tradify is a solid alternative with strong MYOB integration.
Does accounting software handle the Building and Construction Award?
Neither does it for you. Xero and MYOB both pay the award rates, allowances and penalty rates you set up as pay items, and you update them when Fair Work changes the rates. For large construction businesses with multiple employees on the award, a tool that interprets it, such as Deputy or Employment Hero, takes that work off you.
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