Comparison
SmokoBooks vs MYOB for tradies
MYOB has been the accountant's choice in Australia for decades and covers everything from a sole trader to a mid-sized company. This page compares it with SmokoBooks for one case only: a tradie with no staff who needs quotes, invoices, job paperwork and a BAS they can do themselves.
Where MYOB wins
- Bank feeds and reconciliation against your bank statement.
- Payroll and Single Touch Payroll, if you employ anyone.
- Inventory, if you carry stock.
- Accountant and bookkeeper access to the same file.
- Mobile apps and a browser version.
Where SmokoBooks wins
- The trade paperwork: nine branded document types including work orders, variations, defect notices, safety checks and SWMS, from the same customer record.
- Quote to job to invoice with nothing retyped, and profit per job visible.
- A dashboard that opens on who owes you, with one-click reminders.
- A BAS view a sole trader can read without an accountant.
- Your data on your own PC, backed up daily, working offline.
- A single flat price with no tiers to outgrow.
Side by side
| SmokoBooks | MYOB | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs | Windows PC, offline | Cloud, browser and mobile |
| Bank feeds | No | Yes |
| Payroll | No | Yes (paid tiers) |
| Inventory | No | Yes (higher tiers) |
| Quotes and invoices | Yes, branded, from a price list | Yes |
| Trade documents (work order, SWMS, variation) | Included | Not included |
| Job profitability | Per job, built in | Jobs feature on some plans |
| Accountant | Excel workbook export | Direct login |
| Where the data lives | Your PC | MYOB's cloud |
| Price | $19 a month, 14 days free | See MYOB's pricing page |
MYOB's features and prices change; check their pricing page for the current plans. SmokoBooks pricing is on our pricing section.
Our honest take
MYOB if you have employees, stock, or an accountant who needs to be in the file every week. SmokoBooks if you are a one-person trade business and the job paperwork and BAS are what eat your evenings.
Common questions
Is MYOB harder to learn?+
It is built for accounting, so it uses accounting language and structure. SmokoBooks is built around jobs, which is how a tradie already thinks about the work.
Can my accountant still do my return?+
Yes. SmokoBooks exports an Excel workbook with income, expenses, GST, subcontractors, assets and vehicle kilometres, which is what an accountant needs for a sole trader return.
Can I import my MYOB customers?+
Export them from MYOB as a spreadsheet and enter or import them. Email us if you want a hand.
Other comparisons: SmokoBooks vs Xero · SmokoBooks vs a spreadsheet