If your bookkeeping still looks like a shoebox of receipts shoved under the driver’s seat, you’re working harder than you need to. For tradies, time on the tools is precious — and admin shouldn’t eat into it. Moving to a cloud bookkeeping app does more than tidy your desk: it saves hours, improves cashflow, helps at tax time and makes you look like a pro to banks and big clients.
In this guide I’m going to walk you through the best bookkeeping apps for Aussie tradies in 2025 — Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks — and explain how they help you automate invoicing, track cashflow, stay ATO-compliant and get finance-ready. No jargon. No fluff. Just what you need to pick the right tool and start treating your business like an asset, not a daily scramble.
Why tradies should move from shoebox to cloud now
For most tradies the shoebox system starts as “that’ll do” — a nerve-tingling pile of receipts and memory. But the costs mount:
- Tax time pain — scrambling receipts, surprise BAS bills.
- Poor cash visibility — you don’t know which jobs are paid or overdue.
- Loan rejections — lenders want neat, digital records.
- Time wasted — hours on admin instead of paid work.
Cloud bookkeeping fixes all this. Link your bank account, send an invoice from your phone on site, snap receipts with your camera and let the app do the heavy lifting. The result: better cashflow, accurate BAS and a business that’s easier to grow or sell.
What tradies need from a bookkeeping app
Before we compare platforms, here’s what actually matters to tradies — not accountants:
- Mobile invoicing — create and send invoices from the van.
- Bank feeds — automatic transaction imports so you don’t type every item.
- Easy receipt capture — photo receipts auto-matched to expenses.
- Cashflow dashboard — a quick view of outstanding invoices, bank balance and upcoming BAS.
- Payroll & super — if you employ staff, payroll that handles SG (Super Guarantee).
- Integrations — connects with job management apps, EFTPOS and payment links.
- Simple accountant access — give your bookkeeper a log-in without emailing files.
- Security & backups — data stored safely in the cloud.
If the app does these things well, it’s already a win for most tradies.
MYOB — a familiar name, strong payroll and compliance features
MYOB has been an Aussie accounting staple for decades and still plays well for tradies, particularly when payroll and compliance matter. MYOB’s business products have become more cloud-friendly and are a solid pick for teams or tradies with staff.
What tradies like about MYOB
- Strong payroll and award-compliant pay features.
- Local support and long history with Aussie accountants.
- Solid inventory and job-costing for tradies handling materials.
Things to consider
- Interface improvements have been made, but some users find it less slick than Xero.
- Integrations are good but not as extensive as Xero’s ecosystem.
Best for: Tradies employing multiple staff, needing robust payroll features, or preferring a long-standing Australian provider.
QuickBooks Online — simplicity and value for smaller operators
QuickBooks Online has grown strongly in Australia and is a great choice for tradies who want simplicity with decent features. It’s straightforward, mobile-friendly and often cheaper on entry plans.
What tradies like about QuickBooks
- Easy-to-use invoicing and receipt capture.
- Clear mobile app for on-site invoicing.
- Good bank feeds and automatic categorisation.
- Value pricing for smaller businesses.
Things to consider
- Job-costing is available but may need add-ons for complex projects.
- Fewer integrations than Xero, though still covers common tools.
Best for: Sole traders and small tradie businesses who want a clean, low-cost app to handle invoicing, expenses and GST with minimal fuss.
Automation, cashflow and ATO compliance — how each app helps
All three apps (Xero, MYOB, QuickBooks) help tradies move from reactive to proactive. Here’s how they stack up on the core needs:
Automation & receipts
- Xero + Hubdoc/Dext: top-tier automation — receipts auto-extract data, saving heaps of time.
- MYOB: good receipt capture, integrated payroll and compliance tools.
- QuickBooks: simple receipt snap-and-attach feature, increasingly automated categorisation.
Cashflow tracking
- Xero: excellent dashboards showing outstanding invoices, forecasted cash and ageing. Payment links improve collection speed.
- MYOB: strong payroll and cashflow reporting; good for businesses with wages.
- QuickBooks: straightforward dashboard and invoice reminders; ideal for quick status checks.
ATO & BAS readiness
- Xero: easy BAS reporting, GST tracking and accountant collaboration. Trusted by many tax agents.
- MYOB: built with Australian compliance in mind; payroll aligns with SG rules.
- QuickBooks: clear GST reports and BAS features for small operators.
Integrations (job management, EFTPOS, lenders)
- Xero: market leader — integrates with Tradify, simPRO, ServiceM8, Tyro, Square, etc.
- MYOB: strong local integrations, especially for payroll and inventory.
- QuickBooks: covers many common tools, best for smaller stacks.
Mobile-first workflows — send invoices from the van
For tradies the mobile app is everything. Being able to quote on site, invoice instantly, or send a payment link after a job dramatically improves cashflow. All three platforms offer mobile apps that let you:
- Create and send invoices in minutes.
- Add photos and notes to jobs (handy for disputes).
- Accept card payments (with compatible EFTPOS).
- Snap receipts and attach them to expenses.
The difference is in polish and integrations — Xero’s mobile-add-on ecosystem tends to be the fullest, QuickBooks straightforward and MYOB strong for payroll-first workflows.
Conclusion
Moving from a shoebox to a Best bookkeeping apps is one of the best decisions a tradie can make. It improves cashflow, makes BAS painless, helps with lending and gives you the visibility you need to run a profitable business. Xero, MYOB and QuickBooks each have strengths — pick the one that fits your size, team and growth plans, then get started.