Operations · Payments, billing and finance
Xero
Cloud accounting with bank feeds, invoicing, GST and payroll
At a glance
Xero is cloud accounting software for small and medium businesses. It connects to your bank feeds for reconciliation, handles invoicing, bills and GST reporting, and includes payroll on its Australian plans, with a large marketplace of connected apps.
- Category
- Payments, billing and finance
- Best fit
- SME · Mid-market
- Pricing
- See pricing below
- In Adam’s stack
- No
Who Xero is best for
Australian small and growing businesses that want accounting their bookkeeper or accountant already knows. It suits service businesses, agencies and ecommerce brands that rely on integrations with payment, CRM and inventory tools.
Key features
- Automatic bank feeds and reconciliation
- Invoices, quotes and online invoice payments
- GST tracking and BAS preparation
- Payroll with included pay runs for 2 to 10 people depending on plan
- Cash flow forecasting and multi-currency on higher plans
- Large app marketplace for CRM, payments and inventory
Why it’s worth it
Most Australian accountants and bookkeepers work in it daily, and the integration library means it can sit at the centre of a small business finance stack.
Things to consider
- Payroll, expense claims and projects are capped per plan, with extra charges per person beyond the included numbers
- Multi-currency and budgeting need the Comprehensive plan or above
- Monthly costs have risen over time, and intro discounts only last three months
For Australian businesses
Xero was founded in New Zealand and is listed on the ASX. Australian plans are priced in AUD including GST and include payroll with Single Touch Payroll reporting.
Xero pricing
Pricing as published by Xero
Grow A$78/month, Comprehensive A$107/month, Ultimate 10 A$143/month, all including GST. New Australian customers can get 80% off for 3 months. Higher Ultimate payroll tiers are available.
Source: xero.com/au/pricing-plans. Checked 8 October 2026. Prices change often, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
Alternatives to Xero
Other tools listed under Payments, billing and finance. Tools from Adam’s stack are marked.
Stripe
In Adam’s stackOnline payments, invoicing and subscriptions
SMEMid-marketEnterpriseMulti-currency accounts, FX and company cards
SMEMid-marketEnterpriseMYOB
AustralianAccounting and payroll built for Australia
SMEMid-marketWidely used cloud accounting
SMEMid-marketSubscription billing and revenue operations
SMEMid-marketEnterprisePayments in person and online
SMEMid-marketLow-cost international transfers and accounts
SMEMid-marketMerchant of record for software companies
SMEMid-market
FAQ
Xero: common questions
How much does Xero cost in Australia?
Xero's Australian plans start at A$78 per month for Grow, rising to A$107 for Comprehensive and A$143 for Ultimate 10, including GST, with an introductory discount for new customers.
Does Xero include payroll in Australia?
Yes. Australian plans include payroll for a set number of people, from 2 on Grow to 10 on Ultimate 10, with extra charges beyond that.
Xero vs MYOB?
Both are popular in Australia. Xero is cloud-first with a large app marketplace, while MYOB is Australian-built with strong payroll and an AccountRight desktop option.
Can’t find a tool that fits?
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