As a business owner in Australia, finding the right accounting software can make or break your financial management strategy.
Looking for QuickBooks alternatives? You’re not alone.
After running ProfitBooks for over a decade and helping thousands of Australian businesses streamline their accounting processes, I’ve gained valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in our unique market.
According to recent market research, over 65% of Australian small businesses are considering switching from QuickBooks to alternatives that better suit their specific needs and budget constraints.
The Australian accounting software landscape has evolved dramatically in 2025, with several robust options now available that better understand our local tax regulations and business requirements.
In this guide, I’ll share my hands-on experience with the top QuickBooks alternatives in Australia, examining their strengths, limitations, and pricing to help you make an informed decision for your business.
Why Businesses Are Looking for QuickBooks Alternatives in Australia
While QuickBooks remains a popular accounting solution globally, many Australian businesses are seeking alternatives for several compelling reasons:
- Rising Costs
QuickBooks’ pricing has increased significantly in recent years.
As of 2025, their Simple Start plan now costs $29/month (up from $12.50), Essentials at $55/month, and a substantial $117/month, according to JD Scott.
When you add payroll functionality through third-party integrations like EmploymentHero, you’re looking at an additional $6-$10 per employee per month.
I’ve spoken with dozens of small business owners who’ve been shocked by these unexpected price hikes. One retailer told me their accounting costs doubled after the latest QuickBooks update without significant improvements in functionality.
- Limited Australian Support
In my experience working with accounting software users across Australia, QuickBooks’ customer service has been a major pain point.
Many users report waiting over 26 minutes for support responses, and when help arrives, it often comes from offshore teams unfamiliar with Australian tax regulations.
As Value Adders confirms, QuickBooks suffers from an “American dominant focus, where the product is slightly different” for Australian users.
- Performance Issues
I’ve personally tested multiple accounting platforms alongside business owners and consistently found QuickBooks to have frustrating performance issues. Users frequently report system lags, with the company acknowledging 10-second delays for commonly used pages.
Compare that to competitors offering sub-second response times, and you realize how much productivity you’re losing daily.
- Complexity for Non-Accountants
QuickBooks’ interface, while comprehensive, can overwhelm business owners without accounting backgrounds. The learning curve is steep, and the training resources provided are often inadequate for Australian users with specific local requirements.
Top 4 QuickBooks Alternatives in Australia
After thoroughly evaluating the Australian accounting software landscape, here are the four alternatives I recommend, based on both my personal experience and feedback from hundreds of Australian business owners:
- ProfitBooks
When I co-founded ProfitBooks back in 2012, my mission was simple: create accounting software that actual business owners (not just accountants) could use without a steep learning curve.
After a decade of refinement based on real user feedback, I believe we’ve created the most user-friendly accounting solution for Australian small businesses.
Key Features:
- Simplified Interface: Designed for non-accountants with intuitive navigation
- GST-Compliant Invoicing: Create professional, tax-compliant invoices in seconds
- Comprehensive Inventory Management: Track stock levels across multiple locations with low-stock alerts
- Unlimited Users: No extra charges for team members or your accountant
- Australian Support: In-house support team with deep knowledge of local requirements
What sets ProfitBooks apart is our focus on simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
Unlike QuickBooks or Xero, we don’t overwhelm users with complex reports they’ll never need. Instead, we focus on essential insights that drive business decisions.
One of my proudest achievements is our free forever startup plan, which offers 25 professional invoices monthly at no cost. When bootstrapping my first business, I would have loved such an option!
Pricing:
- Startup Plan: Free forever (25 invoices/month)
- SMB Plan: $20/month (unlimited invoices, unlimited users)
- Xero
Xero dashboard
Xero has undoubtedly become the market leader in Australia, far outpacing both QuickBooks and MYOB according to JD Scott’s analysis.
Being in the software business myself, I respect their clean interface and robust feature set.
Key Features:
- Extensive reporting capabilities
- Strong bank integration with Australian financial institutions
- 1,100+ app integrations
- Unlimited users on all plans
While Xero offers powerful functionality, I’ve found it can still be overwhelming for business owners without accounting knowledge. It’s essentially “accountant’s software” that requires significant training to master. Xero’s recent 15% price increase in 2024 has also pushed many small businesses to seek more affordable alternatives.
Pricing:
- Early Plan: $35/month
- Standard Plan: $62/month
- Premium Plan: $80/month
One restaurant owner I consulted for switched from Xero to ProfitBooks and told me, “It was like lifting a huge weight off my shoulders—intuitive, seamless, and headache-free.”
- Rounded
Rounded Accounting Software – Dashboard
Rounded has carved out an interesting niche as a specialized solution for freelancers and creative professionals in Australia.
Key Features:
- AI-driven insights
- Multi-currency support
- In-app communication tools
- Solid mobile app
What I appreciate about Rounded is their focused approach – they know their target audience and serve them well. However, they lack comprehensive GST features in their Starter plan and don’t offer bank connections at the lower tier, which can be limiting for growing businesses.
Pricing:
- Starter Plan: $19.95/month
- PRO Plan: $24.95/month
- MYOB
As one of the oldest accounting platforms in Australia, MYOB maintains significant market share, but as Reddit users frequently note, it has “fallen behind the times” compared to newer cloud-based alternatives.
Key Features:
- Separate, secure payroll system
- Banking integration
- Multi-business management
- International business tools
In my experience consulting with retail businesses, MYOB’s strength lies in its robust payroll functionality, but its dated interface and high pricing make it difficult to recommend for most small businesses in 2025.
Pricing:
- Lite Plan: $28/month (increased from $15)
- Pro Plan: $55/month
- AccountRight Plus: $88/month
- AccountRight Premier: $110/month
How to Choose the Best Accounting Software for Your Australian Business
After helping hundreds of businesses select the right accounting software, I’ve developed a straightforward framework for making this critical decision:
- Cloud vs. Desktop
While cloud-based solutions have become the standard (offering automatic backups and anywhere access), consider your internet reliability and processing needs. In regional areas with inconsistent connections, desktop software might still be preferable.
- Security Protocols
Data protection isn’t negotiable. Look for HTTPS encryption at minimum, and prioritize solutions with Australian data centers like Xero (AWS Sydney) or MYOB (Azure NSW).
When evaluating ProfitBooks against competitors, I insisted our platform use AES-256 encryption and host data exclusively in Australia, giving our users peace of mind about data sovereignty.
- Feature Requirements
Make a list of non-negotiable features for your business. Consider:
- Invoicing needs (volume, customization, recurring)
- Inventory management requirements
- Payroll functionality
- Bank reconciliation
- Reporting depth
- Multi-currency support (if applicable)
- Accountant Preferences
This is crucial yet often overlooked. Most Australian accountants prefer Xero, followed by MYOB and QuickBooks. Some even charge extra for clients using less common platforms. However, ProfitBooks’ export capabilities allow easy sharing with any accountant regardless of their software preference.
- Growth Potential
Your business won’t stay the same size forever. Choose software that can scale with you without forcing costly migrations later. ProfitBooks’ SMB plan is designed to grow with your business from startup to established company without the price jumps seen with other providers.
- Migration Process
If you’re switching from QuickBooks, understand the migration process before committing. According to multiple sources, most alternatives only automate 2 years of transaction history imports. ProfitBooks offers dedicated migration support to ensure a smooth transition.
- Support Quality
Test support responsiveness before purchasing. Send pre-sales questions and evaluate:
- Response time
- Knowledge level
- Communication clarity
- Available support channels
When I designed ProfitBooks’ support system, I made sure our team understood Australian tax regulations and business practices. Nothing frustrates me more than generic support responses that don’t address country-specific concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Australian businesses: Xero or QuickBooks?
In Australia, Xero has emerged as the clear market leader, outpacing QuickBooks significantly. Xero is generally considered more user-friendly, with better Australian market focus and support. Most accountants and bookkeepers in Australia prefer Xero, though QuickBooks may be slightly cheaper in some cases, according to JD Scott.
What is the most cost-effective QuickBooks alternative in Australia?
ProfitBooks offers the most competitive pricing with a free Startup plan and a $20/month SMB plan with no limitations on invoices or users. Reckon One follows at $22/month compared to QuickBooks’ $29/month for basic plans, according to Reckon’s comparison.
Do Australian accountants have a preference for specific accounting software?
According to multiple sources, most Australian accountants and bookkeepers prefer Xero, followed by MYOB and QuickBooks. Some accountants may charge extra for clients using less common software options. However, ProfitBooks’ export options make it compatible with any accountant’s workflow.
Which QuickBooks alternative has the best inventory management features?
From my extensive testing and customer feedback, ProfitBooks offers the most intuitive inventory management for small to medium businesses, with features like low-stock alerts, multiple warehouse tracking, and custom access controls. For larger operations with complex inventory needs, Sage 50 cloud is frequently mentioned as having strong inventory capabilities, though at a significantly higher price point.
Are there any free QuickBooks alternatives suitable for Australian small businesses?
ProfitBooks offers a genuinely valuable free Startup plan that includes 25 invoices per month, expense tracking, and financial reports – making it ideal for new businesses and sole traders. Wave is mentioned as another free alternative with basic accounting features, though it lacks Australian tax compliance features according to Value Adders.
How does MYOB compare to QuickBooks and Xero in Australia?
MYOB is described as one of the “Big 3” accounting software options in Australia, alongside Xero and QuickBooks. However, several sources suggest it has “fallen behind the times” compared to more modern alternatives. MYOB still maintains a significant user base due to its long history in the Australian market but is generally considered less user-friendly than newer options.
Which accounting software offers the best integration with Australian banks?
Xero is consistently praised for its excellent bank integration and reconciliation capabilities in Australia. ProfitBooks has also significantly improved its banking integration in 2024, now connecting seamlessly with all major Australian banks, including Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac.
What accounting software is best for freelancers and sole traders in Australia?
ProfitBooks’ free Startup plan is perfectly suited for freelancers and sole traders who need professional invoicing and basic expense tracking without the cost. Rounded is specifically designed for creatives and freelancers in Australia but at a higher price point ($19.95/month). FreshBooks is also noted as suitable for service-based businesses and freelancers, according to Anna Money.
Conclusion
After researching hundreds of accounting software options and speaking with thousands of Australian business owners, I firmly believe that ProfitBooks offers the best balance of functionality, ease of use, and value for most small to medium businesses in Australia.
The free Startup plan removes the financial barrier to getting started, while the affordable SMB plan grows with your business.
When I created ProfitBooks, I built the software I wished I’d had when starting my first business – intuitive enough for non-accountants, powerful enough for real business needs, and priced fairly without the constant upsells that plague other platforms.
If you’re tired of QuickBooks’ increasing prices and American-centric approach, I invite you to try ProfitBooks for free.
Our team is ready to help with migration and setup to ensure a smooth transition.
With over 100,000 businesses worldwide trusting ProfitBooks for their accounting needs, you’ll be in good company.
Remember, the right accounting software should empower your business, not complicate it. It should give you clear financial insights without requiring an accounting degree to understand them. That’s the ProfitBooks difference.
Have you tried any of these QuickBooks alternatives? Share your experience in the comments below!
Also Read:
Starting A Small Business In Australia
Top 4 Accounting Software in Australia
4 Superb Reckon Alternatives in Australia
