Last updated: 6 October 2026 · Independent buyer’s guide · We do not sell rankings or coverage.
The best MYOB alternative for a growing Australian business depends on which MYOB product you run today and what is pushing you to review it. If you are on MYOB Business or AccountRight and need stronger inventory, multi-entity or job costing, MYOB Acumatica keeps you inside the MYOB support network with native Australian payroll, while Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central gives you published AUD pricing and Microsoft integration but needs a separate payroll product. Oracle NetSuite suits multi-entity groups with offshore operations that can fund a larger project and a third-party payroll system. Odoo and Sage Intacct fit narrower profiles, and Xero remains a sensible move for smaller firms that mainly want simpler cloud accounting. No single system is the right answer for every MYOB customer.
Key takeaways
- MYOB is raising the MYOB Business Payroll Only subscription to $20 a month and the per-employee payroll fee to $5 a month from 1 November 2026 (incl. GST). Lite and Pro base prices are unchanged.
- Since 17 June 2026, the AccountRight desktop app works only with company files stored online. If you relied on offline files, that change alone may have started your review.
- MYOB Acumatica (formerly MYOB Advanced) is a legitimate step-up option, with native STP Phase 2 payroll. Partner-published implementation estimates start at $20,000 to $30,000 for finance only.
- Business Central and NetSuite both handle GST and BAS, but neither runs Australian payroll natively. Budget for a payroll product alongside either one.
- Odoo’s version 19 documentation still describes its Australian payroll as “in the process of becoming compliant” with STP Phase 2 and SuperStream. Treat it as an accounting and operations platform unless your partner proves otherwise.
- Plan the payroll cutover carefully. The ATO requires you to tell it when you carry year-to-date amounts into new software, and Payday Super now applies to every pay run.
Who this guide is for
This guide is for owners, finance managers and CFOs at Australian businesses that currently run MYOB Business (Lite or Pro), MYOB Business AccountRight (Plus or Premier) or MYOB Acumatica, and that are reviewing whether to stay. Most readers will have between 10 and 300 staff, one or more trading entities, and a growing load of inventory, project or payroll work that the current system handles with workarounds.
We focus on the MYOB-specific questions: what MYOB has changed in 2026, when MYOB’s own upgrade path is the sensible choice, and what it takes to move payroll history and STP reporting to a different vendor. If you are still deciding whether you need an ERP at all, our guide to outgrowing Xero or MYOB covers the warning signs. For the wider Australian market, see our best ERP software in Australia guide.
What has changed at MYOB in 2026
Payroll pricing changes from 1 November 2026
MYOB has confirmed that from 1 November 2026 the MYOB Business Payroll Only subscription will cost $20 a month, and the per-user payroll premium feature on MYOB Business will rise to $5 for each employee paid each month, both including GST. The new payroll fee will first appear on invoices from 1 December 2026. MYOB states that the Lite and Pro base subscription prices remain unchanged (MYOB pricing update, no date shown, checked 6 October 2026). MYOB’s current pricing page lists the per-employee fee at $3 a month, so the increase is $2 per employee per month (MYOB, checked 6 October 2026).
The effect depends on your plan. On MYOB Business Pro, which lists at $70 a month after the introductory offer, a business paying 15 employees currently pays about $115 a month for the plan and payroll. From November that becomes about $145 a month, or $360 more a year. AccountRight Plus, at $165 a month, includes unlimited payroll at no extra cost, so a growing Pro customer will find AccountRight Plus cheaper than Pro plus per-employee fees once it pays 20 or more employees from November (MYOB, checked 6 October 2026). This follows an earlier round of increases from 1 March 2026, which Rechargly, a company that sells subscription management software to accounting firms, reports took AccountRight Premier to $210 a month (Rechargly, no date shown). MYOB’s own AccountRight Premier page confirms $210 a month after the introductory offer period (MYOB, checked 6 October 2026). MYOB states that its payroll fees include GST, but its pricing pages do not say whether the AccountRight Plus and Premier subscription prices include or exclude GST, so confirm this before you compare them with prices quoted excluding GST.
AccountRight now requires online company files
MYOB announced that from 17 June 2026 the AccountRight desktop app (PC edition) would only work with company files stored online. From version 2026.5, users can no longer open, edit or save files stored locally in a My Library or Network Library. MYOB offered AccountRight Server Edition as a temporary offline option, but stated it would receive only bug fixes after 17 June (MYOB Community, 15 June 2026).
For businesses that kept AccountRight on a local server for speed, control or poor internet access, this change removes the main reason they stayed on the desktop product. If you are going to move your data to the cloud anyway, it is a reasonable moment to test whether AccountRight is still the right cloud system.
MYOB Advanced is now MYOB Acumatica
In July 2024, MYOB renamed its mid-market cloud ERP from MYOB Advanced to MYOB Acumatica, along with the related payroll and workforce management products. MYOB has been Acumatica’s exclusive partner in Australia and New Zealand since 2013, and positions the product for organisations with 20 to more than 1,000 full-time employees (iTWire, 16 July 2024). If you already run MYOB Acumatica, your review is about whether a different ERP suits you better, not about outgrowing small business software.
When staying with MYOB makes sense
Changing vendor is not automatically the right response to a price rise. If your main issue is the November payroll fee, compare your current plan against AccountRight Plus before you look elsewhere. If you need multi-currency or a second business file, AccountRight Premier adds both (MYOB, checked 6 October 2026).
If you have outgrown AccountRight because of inventory depth, warehouse locations, multiple entities or project accounting, MYOB Acumatica is the natural step within the same company. You keep a familiar vendor relationship and Australian payroll in the same system. You should still treat it as a new ERP implementation, with a partner, a project plan and a data migration, because it is a different product from AccountRight.
The main alternatives, option by option
MYOB Acumatica
MYOB Acumatica suits businesses that want a full ERP with native Australian payroll. MYOB’s enterprise support documentation confirms STP Phase 2 support, including disaggregated gross payments, income types and fields for an employee’s previous BMS ID and payroll ID when they move from another system (MYOB Enterprise Support, 25 September 2024). That last point matters for anyone migrating payroll mid-year.
MYOB does not publish a price list. Leverage Technologies, an MYOB Acumatica partner, publishes implementation estimates of $20,000 to $30,000 for finance only, $30,000 to $50,000 for finance, distribution and inventory, and $55,000 to $75,000 for finance, distribution and manufacturing, with timelines of two to five months. The firm notes its figures may be out of date and that subscriptions are priced per named user (Leverage Technologies, updated 14 September 2026). ERP Research, an independent directory, lists A$148 to A$215 per user per month depending on edition and modules (ERP Research, no date shown). We compare it directly with NetSuite in NetSuite vs MYOB Acumatica.
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
Business Central has the clearest published pricing in this group. Microsoft lists Essentials at AU$119.70, Premium at AU$164.60 and Team Members at AU$12.00 per user per month, billed annually and excluding GST (Microsoft, checked 6 October 2026). Microsoft’s Australian localisation covers GST posting, BAS setup, withholding tax, ABN, EFT and Peppol eInvoicing (Microsoft Learn, 23 May 2025).
Payroll is the main gap for an MYOB customer. Microsoft does not list Australian payroll among Business Central’s local features, so you will need a separate payroll product or a partner add-on. If your business already runs on Microsoft 365, Business Central is often the most comfortable step up from AccountRight. Our NetSuite vs Business Central comparison covers the choice between the two in more detail.
Oracle NetSuite
NetSuite fits groups with several entities, overseas subsidiaries or investor reporting needs, where consolidation and multi-currency matter more than payroll. Its payroll module, SuitePeople U.S. Payroll, covers United States payroll only (Oracle NetSuite Help, no date shown), so Australian employers run a separate payroll system and integrate it.
Pricing is quoted rather than published. Annexa, an Australian NetSuite partner, notes that NetSuite has no public price list and that the annual subscription depends on the edition (set by user count), any industry package and an infrastructure tier based on transaction volume (Annexa, updated 21 September 2026). Our NetSuite pricing in Australia guide sets out the partner-published figures we could verify, and our multi-entity ERP guide explains when consolidation needs justify the extra cost.
Odoo
Odoo appeals to businesses that want broad functionality, including inventory, manufacturing and eCommerce, at a lower subscription cost. Its global pricing page lists the Standard plan at US$31.10 and the Custom plan at US$61.00 per user per month billed annually, reduced to US$24.90 and US$49.00 in the first year by a discount. Prices are in US dollars, and Odoo’s Australian pricing page returned an error when we checked (Odoo, checked 6 October 2026).
Payroll is the limitation for an MYOB customer. Odoo’s version 19 Australian payroll documentation states that Odoo is “in the process of becoming compliant” with STP Phase 2 and SuperStream, and still describes super payments in quarterly terms (Odoo documentation, checked 6 October 2026). If you choose Odoo, plan on a separate Australian payroll product.
Sage Intacct
Sage Intacct is a finance-first system for organisations that want strong multi-entity accounting and reporting rather than inventory or manufacturing. Sage documents automated Australian GST setup, BAS calculation through Sage Regulatory Reporting, and TPAR tracking (Sage Intacct Help, 1 October 2026). The same page does not cover Australian payroll, and Sage does not publish Intacct prices in Australia. We did not find an Australian partner that publishes an AUD price range either, so budget from a written partner quote that separates licence, implementation and payroll integration costs. It suits professional services firms, not-for-profits and investment groups more than stock-holding businesses.
Xero (for smaller firms)
For a smaller MYOB Business or AccountRight customer whose main problem is cost or usability, Xero is a reasonable sideways move rather than a step up. Xero lists Grow at $78, Comprehensive at $107 and Ultimate 10 at $143 a month including GST, with payroll for 2, 5 and 10 people respectively, and higher Ultimate tiers for larger teams (Xero, checked 6 October 2026). Jet Convert, a third-party partner, migrates MYOB data into Xero and states that Xero subsidises eligible conversions by $250 (Xero App Store listing, no date shown). Xero will not solve problems that come from needing ERP-level inventory, manufacturing or consolidation.
At-a-glance comparison
The table summarises where each option fits for a current MYOB customer. All prices are in AUD unless stated and are subject to scope and negotiation.
| Option | Best fit for MYOB customers | Australian payroll | Published pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| MYOB Acumatica | AccountRight users outgrowing inventory, jobs or entities | Native, STP Phase 2 | No vendor list; partner and directory ranges |
| Business Central | Microsoft 365 businesses wanting known per-user costs | Not native; separate product | Essentials AU$119.70/user/month excl. GST |
| Oracle NetSuite | Multi-entity and international groups | Not available (US payroll only) | Quote only |
| Odoo | Cost-conscious firms with technical capacity | Not yet compliant per vendor docs | From US$24.90/user/month (promotional) |
| Sage Intacct | Finance-led, multi-entity, low inventory | Not documented | Not published |
| Xero | Smaller firms leaving MYOB Business | Included, up to plan limits | From $78/month incl. GST |
When NetSuite is not the right choice
NetSuite is usually the wrong move for a single-entity AccountRight customer with a domestic workforce. You would take on a larger implementation, a quote-based subscription and a separate payroll system to solve problems that MYOB Acumatica or Business Central can address at lower cost. It is also a poor fit if you need payroll and award interpretation tightly joined to your general ledger, because that link will always run through an integration. See our NetSuite implementation guide for what a typical project involves.
When MYOB Acumatica is not the right choice
MYOB Acumatica is less suitable if your growth is mainly offshore, with subsidiaries in markets outside Australia and New Zealand, because MYOB’s partner network and payroll are built for those two countries. It is also not the obvious choice if your team is deeply invested in Microsoft tools and wants published per-user pricing to budget against. Finally, if part of the reason you are reviewing is your experience with MYOB as a vendor, moving to another MYOB product will not address that, even though it is a different system.
Moving off MYOB: data, payroll history, STP Phase 2 and Payday Super
Decide how much history to bring
Most businesses bring opening balances, open invoices and bills, master data such as customers, suppliers and items, and a summary of prior-year balances by month. Full transaction history is often better left in an archived, read-only MYOB file, which you can keep accessible for the ATO’s record-keeping period. Because AccountRight now requires online files, check access before you cancel. MYOB’s pricing page does not list a read-only or archive plan for AccountRight, so ask MYOB in writing how you will keep access to the file and what that will cost. As a fallback, export the general ledger, payroll summaries and lodged BAS reports to PDF and spreadsheet before your subscription ends.
Payroll year-to-date and STP Phase 2
Payroll needs the most care. If you move payroll mid-year and carry year-to-date amounts into the new system, the ATO requires you to tell it, either by zeroing out amounts from the old software or by reporting the previous BMS ID or payroll IDs from the new one. If you skip this, employees end up with duplicate income statements and your PAYG withholding liability is overstated. You must also finalise STP reporting for each ABN, branch, BMS ID and payroll ID combination by 14 July (ATO, 13 November 2023). Many businesses avoid the issue by changing payroll at the start of a financial year, on 1 July.
Payday Super continuity
From 1 July 2026, employers must pay super on each payday, and the money must reach the employee’s fund within seven business days. Super is now calculated on qualifying earnings, and both qualifying earnings and the super liability are reported through STP (ATO, 18 November 2025). During cutover you cannot leave a gap: every pay run in the old system needs its super paid from that system, and the first pay run in the new system must already have the super clearing process tested. Ask any shortlisted payroll vendor to show you a live Payday Super pay run, not a roadmap.
Australian buyer scenarios
Melbourne wholesaler, 45 staff, AccountRight Premier. The business carries 3,000 SKUs across two warehouses and pays staff weekly. It needs proper multi-location inventory and purchasing, plus Australian payroll in the same system. MYOB Acumatica is the strongest fit, with Business Central plus a payroll product as the comparison quote.
Sydney professional services group, 120 staff, three entities including one in Singapore. Consolidation and multi-currency reporting take a week each month in spreadsheets. Payroll already runs through a dedicated payroll provider. NetSuite or Sage Intacct deserve a full evaluation, and the payroll integration is a known cost rather than a new problem.
Brisbane trade services business, 12 staff, MYOB Business Pro. The owner is unhappy about the November payroll fee increase but has no inventory or multi-entity needs. Moving to AccountRight Plus, which includes unlimited payroll, or switching to Xero is more sensible than an ERP project. The decision should come down to job costing features and the cost of conversion.
Perth manufacturer, 80 staff, MYOB Acumatica. The business wants tighter production scheduling and is frustrated with partner response times. Before replacing the ERP, it should test whether a different MYOB Acumatica partner solves the problem, then compare against Business Central with a manufacturing-focused partner.
Our independent take
For most AccountRight customers who have genuinely outgrown the product, MYOB Acumatica and Business Central should be the first two quotes, because they cover the widest range of Australian mid-market needs at a predictable cost. MYOB Acumatica has the advantage on payroll, and Business Central has the advantage on pricing transparency and Microsoft integration. NetSuite earns a place only when multi-entity or international reporting is the main driver. For smaller MYOB Business customers whose concern is the November price change, a cheaper plan or a move to Xero is a better use of money than an ERP project.
How we evaluated
We reviewed each vendor’s Australian pricing pages and documentation on 6 October 2026, focusing on the issues that matter most when leaving MYOB: native Australian payroll and STP Phase 2 support, GST and BAS handling, published AUD pricing, and the effort involved in migrating data and payroll. Where a vendor publishes nothing on a point, we say so. Where we rely on a partner or a company that sells related software, we name it. We do not accept payment for rankings, and we do not name an overall winner because the right choice depends on your entities, workforce and industry.
Related guides
- Best Xero Alternatives for Growing Australian Businesses (2026)
- Replacing Spreadsheets and Legacy Accounting Software in Australia: Your ERP Options (2026)
- ERP and Australian Tax Compliance (2026): GST, BAS, STP Phase 2, Payday Super and Peppol
Frequently asked questions
What is the best ERP alternative to MYOB?
It depends on your starting point. For AccountRight customers who need deeper inventory, jobs or multi-entity accounting with Australian payroll in one system, MYOB Acumatica is usually the first option to evaluate. Business Central is the main alternative if you want published per-user pricing and Microsoft integration and can run payroll separately. NetSuite suits multi-entity and international groups.
Which ERP system is best for replacing legacy accounting software?
The best replacement is the system that matches your next three to five years, not your current pain alone. For Australian businesses leaving MYOB, AccountRight or other desktop accounting software, Business Central and MYOB Acumatica cover the widest range of mid-market needs. Check payroll first, because NetSuite has no Australian payroll and Odoo’s documentation says it is still becoming STP Phase 2 compliant.
What is changing in MYOB pricing on 1 November 2026?
MYOB Business Payroll Only rises to $20 a month and the per-employee payroll fee on MYOB Business rises to $5 a month, both including GST. Lite and Pro base subscription prices stay the same. The new payroll fee appears on invoices from 1 December 2026.
Can I still use AccountRight desktop offline?
Not with current versions. Since 17 June 2026, the AccountRight PC edition works only with online company files. MYOB has offered AccountRight Server Edition as a temporary offline option, with bug fixes only.
Is MYOB Acumatica the same as MYOB Advanced?
Yes. MYOB renamed MYOB Advanced to MYOB Acumatica in July 2024. It is a separate product from AccountRight, so moving to it is a full ERP implementation rather than an upgrade within the same file.
When is the best time to switch payroll away from MYOB?
The start of a financial year, 1 July, is the simplest point because you avoid transferring year-to-date amounts. If you switch mid-year, you must follow the ATO’s process for reporting transferred amounts and finalise STP for each payroll ID combination by 14 July.
Sources
Every figure and claim in this article traces to one of these. Prices were checked on the date shown. Partner and vendor-affiliated sources are marked because those firms sell the software or related services.
- MYOB, MYOB pricing update (payroll changes from 1 November 2026), no date shown, checked 6 October 2026. pages.myob.com
- MYOB, Plans and pricing, checked 6 October 2026. myob.com
- MYOB, MYOB Business AccountRight Premier, no date shown, checked 6 October 2026. myob.com
- MYOB Community, Changes to MYOB AccountRight offline mode, 15 June 2026. community.myob.com
- Rechargly (sells subscription management software to accounting firms), MYOB’s 2026 price increase, no date shown. rechargly.com
- iTWire, MYOB continues ERP platform evolution with change to MYOB Acumatica, 16 July 2024. itwire.com
- MYOB Enterprise Support, Changes in MYOB Advanced for STP Phase 2, 25 September 2024. enterprise-support.myob.com
- Leverage Technologies (MYOB Acumatica partner), What does it cost to implement MYOB Advanced, updated 14 September 2026. leveragetech.com.au
- ERP Research, MYOB Acumatica pricing, no date shown. erpresearch.com
- Microsoft, Dynamics 365 Business Central pricing (Australia), checked 6 October 2026. microsoft.com
- Microsoft Learn, Australia local functionality in Business Central, 23 May 2025. learn.microsoft.com
- Oracle NetSuite Help, SuitePeople U.S. Payroll, no date shown. docs.cloud.oracle.com
- Annexa (NetSuite partner), How much does NetSuite cost in Australia and New Zealand, updated 21 September 2026. annexa.com.au
- Odoo, Pricing, checked 6 October 2026. odoo.com
- Odoo, Australia payroll localisation documentation, version 19.0, checked 6 October 2026. odoo.com
- Sage Intacct Help, Australia region overview, 1 October 2026. intacct.com
- Xero, Pricing plans (Australia), checked 6 October 2026. xero.com
- Xero App Store, Jet Convert listing (third-party conversion partner), no date shown. apps.xero.com
- ATO, Changing your payroll solution or employees’ payroll IDs (STP Phase 2 employer reporting guidelines), 13 November 2023. ato.gov.au
- ATO, About Payday Super, 18 November 2025. ato.gov.au
Prices in this article are estimates based on list pricing and implementation partner labour, and actual pricing depends on scope. All figures are in AUD unless stated otherwise.