10 Best Accounting Software in Australia (2025): Compare Top Platforms for Small Business
Why accounting software matters for Australian small business
What is accounting software and how it makes accounting easier
For an Australian small business or sole trader, the right accounting software streamlines accounting and bookkeeping, automates routine entries, simplifies BAS/GST, and accelerates every invoice and report. It pulls your bank feeds into a single view, tracks expenses, and keeps your books tidy for tax time. To go deeper on expenses, see The ultimate guide to expense tracking for small businesses.
Why 2025 is different: automation, compliance, and growth
In 2025, smarter accounting automation and integrations reduce manual work so you can focus on growth. Choosing the best accounting software isn’t just about price—fit matters for your operations, industry, and future plans.
Australian context: BAS/GST, e-invoicing, and integrations
This guide helps you discover the best accounting software and compare top accounting software available in Australia across BAS/GST, e‑invoicing considerations, and app integrations. We’ll review top accounting software in Australia—platforms in Australia such as Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online, Sage, Zoho Books, Reckon, FreshBooks, Saasu, Rounded, and Invoice Crowd.
How to choose the right accounting software for your Australian business
Choose the right accounting: map features to business needs
Start with your business needs, then evaluate each software package. The right accounting software providers should cover: invoicing and billing, BAS/GST workflows, bank feeds and reconciliation, inventory, project accounting, payroll integrations, and dashboards. If you’re moving on from spreadsheets, consider the switch to purpose-built tools: Why you should switch from spreadsheets to professional invoicing software.
Software isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s best to map features directly to your processes so you can choose the right accounting approach with confidence.
Must-haves for Australian accounting (GST/BAS and compliance)
- BAS/GST configuration and clear guidance on codes
- Accurate bank feeds with fast reconciliation
- P&L, balance sheet, BAS summary reports
- Audit trail and user permissions
Integration and automation: time-savers that fit your workflow
- Payment gateways to speed up every invoice
- Project time tracking and job costing
- Inventory and ecommerce connectors
- Automations via Zapier/Pabbly and bank rules
Use this quick checklist when choosing accounting software for a right accounting solution:
- Does it cover your core accounting software options (invoicing, BAS/GST, bank feeds) today?
- Will it scale for a growing business (more users, projects, inventory)?
- Is it easy to use for non-accountants?
- Does the vendor provide responsive support and training?
Essential features checklist: invoicing, BAS/GST, reporting, and integrations
Invoices, estimates, and billing that get you paid faster
Look for invoicing software with quotes/estimates, on-brand templates, and online payment acceptance. You should be able to raise an invoice in minutes and set reminders. Explore Create Invoice for a quick overview of modern billing and invoicing software capabilities.
BAS/GST and compliance: what to look for in Australian accounting
Your tool should handle BAS/GST codes, tax-inclusive/exclusive pricing, and clear BAS summaries. Bank reconciliation must be straightforward and accurate.
Reporting and automation: bank feeds, dashboards, and add-ons
Essential accounting features include bank feeds, dashboards, P&L and balance sheet, and export options. A cloud-based accounting software experience means mobility and secure access anywhere. See Track Expenses, Generate Reports, and P&L Statement for examples of fully-featured reporting.
This is accounting software designed to simplify your accounting—intuitive enough even for those without accounting backgrounds—yet capable of comprehensive accounting for growing teams.
Top accounting software in Australia: Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks Online, Sage, Zoho Books, Reckon, FreshBooks, Saasu, Rounded, and Invoice Crowd
Here’s a neutral rundown of top Australian accounting options to help you compare top accounting tools logically. The accounting software market is competitive, so we highlight who each fits, core features, BAS/GST strengths, integrations, and trial notes. For international context, compare with the 10 Best Accounting Software in the UK and the 10 Best Accounting Software in the USA for Small Businesses.
Invoice Crowd: An all-in-one invoicing and accounting platform for Australian small business
Best for: freelancers, agencies, and services-focused teams growing their client base.
- Professional invoicing with branded templates and estimates: Create Invoice
- Automations: recurring billing, late fees, and split/partial payments
- Client experience: customer portal and proposal builder
- Accounting: expenses and reporting via Track Expenses and Generate Reports
- Payments and integrations: Payment Gateways, Zapier, and Pabbly
Available in Australia with features aligned to service businesses. Pricing and any free trial are listed on the provider’s site; evaluate based on your volume and growth plans.
Xero: A leading Australian accounting platform with strong BAS/GST and bank feeds
Best for: small and medium-sized businesses that want polished BAS/GST reporting, excellent bank reconciliation, and a deep app marketplace.
- Compliance and BAS/GST workflows are well structured
- Project accounting via Xero Projects and strong inventory add-ons
- Large ecosystem of integrations for payments, payroll, and ecommerce
Check Xero’s website for pricing tiers and any free trial; plans vary by features and users.
MYOB Business: Australian accounting software built for local compliance and payroll add-ons
Best for: retailers, tradies, and operators that need Australian compliance with job tracking and inventory.
- Solid BAS/GST, Australian tax, and reporting focus
- Inventory and job tracking options; MYOB payroll complements the suite
- Integrations for ecommerce and payments
MYOB typically offers multiple tiers; confirm current pricing and trial availability on its site.
QuickBooks Online: Intuitive cloud accounting for software for small businesses
Best for: sole traders through growing teams seeking a user-friendly UI and mobile tools.
- Clean invoicing, receipt capture, and mileage tracking
- Bank feeds with rules and BAS/GST support for Australia
- Third‑party app ecosystem for payments, inventory, and reporting
QuickBooks Online commonly lists trials and bundles; verify details directly with the provider.
Sage Accounting (Sage Business Cloud): A budget-friendly accounting software option
Best for: small business and startups wanting straightforward invoicing and cashflow tracking.
- Core billing, simple inventory, and multi‑currency options
- Reports for P&L and balance sheet with export options
- Integrations for payments and sales channels
Visit Sage for current plans and any free trial information.
Zoho Books: Feature-rich accounting system with a strong suite ecosystem
Best for: service businesses and digital agencies that benefit from Zoho’s broader suite.
- Invoicing, time tracking, projects, and inventory
- GST-ready features and bank reconciliation
- Native links to other Zoho apps and external integrations
Zoho Books often provides tiered pricing; check the site for any trial and regional specifics.
Reckon: Local Australian accounting with flexible modules
Best for: Australian business owners who prefer a local vendor and modular choices.
- Reckon Accounts Hosted and Reckon One for different needs
- Support for BAS lodgement workflows and reconciliations
- Add-ons for payroll and payments
Evaluate Reckon’s modules and any trial on the official site to match your feature mix.
FreshBooks: Simple invoicing-first business accounting software
Best for: freelancers and creative agencies that prioritise client billing and time tracking.
- Polished invoicing and estimates with online payments
- Time tracking, expenses, and basic reporting
- Project collaboration features for service delivery
FreshBooks commonly lists a free trial; confirm plan differences before committing.
Saasu: Australian accounting software with strong inventory and multi-currency
Best for: ecommerce and wholesalers that need robust product workflows.
- Inventory‑centric features and multi‑currency
- BAS and bank feeds for reconciliation
- Integrations for sales channels and payments
Review Saasu’s site for pricing and trial options based on transaction volume.
Rounded: Accounting software designed for Australian freelancers and sole traders
Best for: sole traders and micro operators who want simple, focused tools.
- Lightweight invoicing and expenses
- BAS/GST and simple reporting
- Time-saving automations suited to small and micro businesses
Rounded offers streamlined plans; check its site for current offers and any free trial.
Each of these accounting software options is one of the best accounting fits for certain use cases. If you prefer an invoicing-first approach, Invoice Crowd provides proposals, recurring billing, and Australian-friendly reporting alongside payments and integrations—positioned among platforms in Australia for service-led teams. To broaden your perspective beyond local tools, you can compare top accounting choices across regions via the UK and USA guides above.
Pricing and free trials: what to expect from top accounting software in Australia
Understanding tiers: starter vs. growing vs. premium
Most providers offer tiers (starter, growing, premium) that scale by features and volume. Expect differences in users, invoices per month, connected bank accounts, inventory, projects, and support level across plans.
Free trial strategy to evaluate fit and features
A free trial helps you test everyday tasks—raise an invoice, connect a bank feed, generate a P&L, and send a report to your bookkeeper. It’s the fastest way to find the right accounting software that fits your business best.
Hidden costs: add-ons, payroll, and integrations
Watch for add-ons such as payroll, advanced inventory, or third‑party integrations. If you plan to accept online payments, review fees and options under Payment Gateways.
choosing the best accounting software for Australian sole traders, small and midsize businesses
Sole trader and freelancers: simplicity, invoices, and BAS
If you’re a sole trader, prioritise fast setup, simple invoices, BAS/GST, and receipt capture. See this practical guide to branded billing: Creating professional and branded invoices: a step-by-step guide for freelancers.
Small business: bank feeds, BAS/GST, and reporting
For an australian small business, bank feeds with reconciliation rules, BAS summaries, and solid reporting are essential—tools like Xero lead here alongside several peers.
Growing business: inventory, projects, and multi-user controls
Small and midsize businesses with inventory or job costing need project accounting, multi-user permissions, and integrations with ecommerce. Ensure the accounting system supports future headcount and approvals—this is where small and medium-sized teams often outgrow entry-level tools, so choose with expansion in mind.
Migration and setup: from spreadsheets to cloud accounting in Australia
Preparing your data: clean import and opening balances
Export contacts, items, and transactions from spreadsheets, clean duplicates, and import to your new tool. Establish a tidy chart of accounts and set opening balances.
Connect bank feeds and automate reconciliation
Link your bank accounts, then build rules that categorise frequent transactions automatically. This reduces manual coding and improves accuracy.
Enable payments and invoice templates on day one
Turn on payment acceptance, set a branded template, and send your first invoice. If you need a quick start, review Create Invoice. For a deeper dive on moving off spreadsheets, read why professionals switch from spreadsheets.
Modern cloud accounting software is a cloud-based accounting solution that’s approachable even for those without accounting experience—an accounting solution designed to get you operational quickly.
Compliance, BAS/GST, and Australian accounting essentials
BAS/GST workflows to reduce errors
Australian accounting hinges on correct GST codes and accurate BAS summaries. Good accounting software in Australia structures tax settings so accounting software automates routine entries and reminders.
Audit-ready financials and reporting
Make sure your tool supports audit trails and exports for your accountant. For examples of reporting that supports audit readiness, see P&L Statement and Generate Reports.
Security and data residency considerations
Ask how data is stored, backed up, and protected. For businesses in Australia, confirm where data resides and how access is controlled as part of your risk review of accounting software and related accounting processes.
Integrations and automation: payment gateways, bank feeds, and Zapier
Payment gateways to get paid faster on every invoice
Enabling payments on each invoice improves cash flow. Review gateway options, fees, and settlement times in your accounting software. Learn more via Payment Gateways.
Automate workflows with Zapier and Pabbly
Accounting automation saves hours every month. Use Zapier or Pabbly to trigger tasks like sending proposals when estimates are accepted or updating CRM records after an invoice is paid. Invoice Crowd supports both for streamlined handoffs.
Bank feeds and reconciliation: set-and-forget rules
With bank feeds, set rules to categorise recurring transactions and reconcile in bulk. This is where an accounting software solution really shines—linking payments, coding expenses, and surfacing insights. Most software offers flexible rules that support project accounting and cost tracking.
Conclusion: find the right accounting software for your Australian business in 2025
Recap: choosing the best accounting software options
The right choice aligns with your operations, reporting, and compliance needs. In 2025, the top accounting software in Australia balances BAS/GST, bank feeds, and invoicing with integrations you actually use.
Next steps: test, compare, and decide
Shortlist a few tools and trial them against your daily tasks—this is how you find the right accounting fit for an australian business
