Software & Tools
Choose software around a job you need done, then get it set up properly. Start with the overall toolkit or jump straight to accounting, payroll, sales or keeping the systems secure.
Plan the everyday toolkit
List the work you need to do and who needs access. Keep the essentials in view before adding more apps.
Selected starting pointsThe Essential Software Stack for a New Australian Small Business
The eight software tools a new Australian small business actually needs — with real AUD pricing, budget picks and tips for keeping your stack lean.
8 min readGoogle Workspace vs Microsoft 365 for Small Business (2026)
Google Workspace vs Microsoft 365 for Australian small business: real AUD pricing, email on your domain, Meet vs Teams, security and which suits your team.
9 min readYour First AI Assistant: A Guide for Australian Small Business
What AI assistants like ChatGPT, Claude and Copilot can actually do for your Australian small business — real tasks, real AUD prices and a 7-day plan.
9 min read
Choose accounting software for your business
Start with the work, budget and access you need. Then compare the relevant plans and their full ongoing costs.
Selected starting pointsBest Accounting Software Australia (2026): 11 Compared
Our picks from 11 accounting packages for Australian small business, with October 2026 prices, a payroll, BAS, bank feed and stock feature table and our method.
17 min readAccounting Software for Sole Traders: Choose by the Work
Choose accounting software for your Australian sole-trader business. Compare simple invoicing, GST, bank feeds, free options and plans for your first employee.
3 min readBest Free Accounting Software in Australia (2026)
Compare 9 free accounting apps for Australian businesses (October 2026): free-tier limits, bank feeds, GST and BAS, free STP payroll and the catch with each one.
18 min read
Understand the individual accounting products
See how the software works day to day, which limits matter and what to test in a trial.
Selected starting pointsXero Australia: Features, Plans and Everyday Bookkeeping
A detailed guide to Xero in Australia: all eight plans, invoices, bank reconciliation, payroll, GST, projects, inventory and limits, with vendor screenshots.
11 min readMYOB Business Lite vs Pro (2026): Limits and Costs
MYOB Business Lite vs Pro: bank, payroll and stock limits, costs with the 1 November 2026 payroll rise, who each plan suits and the signs it's time to upgrade.
13 min readMYOB AccountRight: Desktop, Browser, Stock and Payroll
Explore MYOB AccountRight Plus and Premier, with screenshots, desktop-versus-browser differences, inventory, payroll, reporting and the 2026 offline changes.
11 min read
Compare your two finalists
Read the practical tradeoffs behind the plan tables. Check payroll, users, stock and the reporting handover.
Selected starting pointsXero vs MYOB (2026): Which Is Better for Your Business?
Xero vs MYOB for Australian small business: a 15-point table, yearly costs at 0 to 10 staff with MYOB's 1 November payroll rise, category winners and FAQs.
12 min readXero vs QuickBooks Australia: Payroll, Plans and Practical Fit
Compare Xero and QuickBooks Online for Australian small business. Understand payroll packaging, user limits, projects and the trial tasks that reveal fit.
3 min readXero vs Reckon One: Cost, Payroll and Bookkeeping Compared
Compare Xero with Reckon One in Australia. Look beyond subscription prices to payroll, BAS preparation, integrations and the work required each month.
3 min read
Test the workflow before moving your books
Use a repeatable trial, check feeds and stock requirements, then preserve the records through the migration.
Selected starting pointsAccounting Software Trial Checklist: Test Before You Buy
Use the same practical tasks to trial accounting software: invoices, bills, bank reconciliation, reports, access and exports. Includes a printable scorecard.
3 min readAccounting Bank Feeds: Coverage, Imports and Reconciliation
Understand what bank feeds do and what they don't. Check Australian account support, missing transactions, duplicates, access and statement reconciliation.
3 min readBest Accounting Software with Inventory in Australia (2026)
Which accounting plans track stock in Australia (October 2026): Xero, QuickBooks, MYOB, Zoho, Reckon and Cashflow Manager prices, add-on apps and a stock checklist.
12 min read
Set it up and build a working routine
Choosing an app is only the beginning. Use the setup and month-end guides to turn it into records you can work with.
Selected starting pointsXero Setup Checklist for a New Business (Get It Right First Time)
Step-by-step Xero setup checklist for a new Australian business: GST basis, chart of accounts, bank feeds, payroll and the 5 settings people get wrong.
9 min readMYOB Training in Australia (2026): Free, Paid, Accredited
Compare MYOB courses in Australia (October 2026): free MYOB Academy and partner certification, 10 course options with prices, accredited units and payroll training.
21 min readMYOB bookkeeping checklist: a practical month-end routine
Use this MYOB month-end checklist to reconcile accounts, review unpaid invoices and GST reports, and prepare clear records for your bookkeeper or BAS agent.
4 min read
Software & Tools library
Showing 1 to 18 of 59. Newest articles first.
Invoicing Software Australia 2026: Prices and Card Fees
Compare 14 invoicing tools on October 2026 prices, free tiers, card fees, eInvoicing and GST tax invoices, with monthly costs at 10, 50 and 200 invoices.
15 min readJob Management Software for Tradies 2026: Prices Compared
ServiceM8, Tradify, Fergus, AroFlo, Ascora, simPRO and Jobber compared on October 2026 prices, offline use, SWMS forms, Xero/MYOB sync and costs at 1–10 users.
18 min readSquare vs Tyro: Fees, Rental and POS Compared (Oct 2026)
Square vs Tyro as at October 2026: 1.6% with no rental vs 1.3% plus $19 to $29, payouts, offline mode, POS software, banking and costs at three turnover levels.
17 min readZeller vs Tyro: Fees, Rental and Settlement (Oct 2026)
Zeller vs Tyro as at October 2026: 1.4% vs 1.3% plus $19 to $29 rental, settlement, ADI banking, POS integrations and monthly costs at three turnover levels.
18 min readBest EFTPOS Machines in Australia 2026: 12 Compared
Compare 12 EFTPOS providers on card rates, terminal prices, settlement and exit terms as at October 2026, with monthly costs worked out at $5k, $20k and $50k.
23 min readBest Rostering Software Australia 2026: Prices Compared
Compare 12 rostering apps for Australian businesses: AUD prices per user (October 2026), free plans, award interpretation, clock-in, payroll links and picks.
21 min readMYOB Pricing Australia 2026: Plans, Payroll and Real Costs
MYOB costs $99 a year (Solo) to $210 a month (Premier) as at October 2026. Every plan, promo vs standard prices, the 1 November payroll rise and costs by staff.
16 min readXero Pricing Australia 2026: Plans, Payroll and Add-ons
Xero costs $37 to $500 a month in Australia (October 2026). Compare every plan, the 80% off offer, payroll limits, add-ons, the July 2026 rise and yearly costs.
18 min readXero Courses in Australia 2026: Free, TAFE and Accredited
Compare Xero courses in Australia (October 2026): free Xero certification, TAFE and private courses from $209 to $792, accredited units and the BAS agent pathway.
14 min readZeller vs Square: Fees, Terminals and Costs (Oct 2026)
Zeller vs Square as at October 2026: 1.4% vs 1.6% in person, $99 vs $329 terminals, settlement, POS features and monthly costs worked out at three turnover levels.
13 min readCard Surcharge Changes: Check Every Payment Channel
Check terminals, online checkout, invoice links and staff instructions after the October 2026 card-surcharge changes. Includes a printable evidence checklist.
2 min readPOS product tax codes: audit the catalogue before the BAS
Check product-level GST settings against evidence, then test mixed baskets, refunds and exports. Use a SKU audit sheet before relying on the POS tax report.
3 min readChanging POS systems: export and check data before switching
Prepare a POS migration with checked product exports, sales records, customer credits and gift balances. Use a cutover worksheet before ending the old service.
3 min readIntegrated EFTPOS or separate terminal: test the workflow
Compare integrated EFTPOS with a separate terminal using checkout steps, measured staff time, refund checks and outage dependencies before you commit.
3 min readOffline card payments: check limits and later-decline risk
Understand offline card capture, provider time limits and later declines. Use a settings checklist and recovery timeline before enabling offline payments.
3 min readPayment outage checklist: record sales and recover once
Prepare for an EFTPOS or POS outage with tested fallback methods, clear customer wording and a recovery log that prevents duplicate payment processing.
3 min readPOS trial checklist: test awkward sales before committing
Test a shortlisted POS with realistic split payments, discounts, returns and closing reports. Record observed results and unresolved limits before buying.
3 min readMultiple EFTPOS terminals: map devices, locations and payouts
Map each EFTPOS terminal to its location, merchant account and payout destination. Use a register and worked closing totals to trace combined bank deposits.
3 min read
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