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Guide
Xero vs MYOB vs Countova
Xero, MYOB and Countova all run the books for New Zealand and Australian business, but they are built on different ideas. Here is an honest look at where each one fits.
The one-line version
Xero is the polished cloud accounting standard with a huge app marketplace. MYOB is the long-established ANZ player, strong on payroll and used widely by accountants. Countova is the all-in-one newcomer that puts accounting, inventory, purchasing and payroll on one platform at one flat price.
How they compare
| Xero | MYOB | Countova | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Core accounting | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Pricing model | Tiered plans | Tiered plans | One flat price |
| Inventory | Basic, deeper via add-ons | Basic to mid | Multi-warehouse, batch, landed cost built in |
| Payroll | Add-on / regional | Strong | Built in |
| Add-ons needed | Often | Sometimes | Rarely, it is all-in-one |
| GST & BAS | Yes | Yes | Yes, built in |
| Best for | Businesses wanting the biggest app ecosystem | Payroll-heavy ANZ businesses and accountant workflows | Businesses wanting one system, one price |
When Xero is the right call
If your accountant lives in Xero, or you want to pick from thousands of specialised add-ons and are happy to manage and pay for that stack, Xero is hard to beat. Its ecosystem is the biggest reason to choose it.
When MYOB fits
MYOB has deep roots in Australia and New Zealand and strong payroll. If you have complex ANZ payroll needs or an accountant who prefers it, MYOB is a safe, established choice.
When Countova wins
If you have felt the drag of paying for an accounting plan plus a separate inventory app plus a payroll add-on, and reconciling between them, Countova is built for you. Accounting, sales, inventory, purchasing and payroll sit on the same data, so a sale updates stock, cost of goods and your books at once. It is one login and one flat price, with NZ GST and Australian BAS built in. You get the breadth of a stack without the seams or the bill.
The honest take: Xero and MYOB are excellent, mature tools. Countova is the better fit when you want one system instead of a stack, and predictable pricing instead of tiers plus add-ons. The best way to know is to try it on your own numbers.
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