Most small Australian packaging distributors start on Xero or MYOB. Both are mature accounting products with large Australian user bases, both have published developer APIs, and both connect to the credit and warehouse tools distributors use. The better choice depends less on the accounting and more on how you hold stock and how fast you are growing.
The short version
| Xero | MYOB | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Cloud accounting software | Accounting and business management software, from small business plans to ERP |
| Pricing | Published, from A$78 a month (Grow, including GST) after an introductory offer | Published on the MYOB pricing page |
| Multi-currency | Comprehensive and Ultimate plans | See the MYOB pricing page |
| Inventory | See the Xero pricing page | See the MYOB pricing page |
| Developer API | Public API documentation | Public API documentation |
| Credit application tools | Access Intell connects to Xero | Access Intell connects to MYOB |
Prices and plan details change often. Check the Xero pricing page and the MYOB pricing page before you decide.
Where Xero suits
Xero suits distributors who want simple cloud accounting and are happy to add specialist apps for inventory, ordering and warehousing. Its multi-currency support on the Comprehensive and Ultimate plans helps if you import from overseas converters.
Where MYOB suits
MYOB suits distributors who want one product family that runs from small business plans up to a larger business management system as they grow.
Which suits you
- You hold a lot of stock for brands. Neither product is a warehouse system. If stock sits with a 3PL, the warehouse system (for example CartonCloud) becomes the stock record, and your accounting product records the money.
- You mostly trade and invoice. Either works well. Choose the one your accountant and team already know.
- You are outgrowing both. When purchase orders, customer-specific SKUs and several warehouses start to strain your accounting product, it is usually time to look at an ERP such as Microsoft Business Central.
Whichever you choose, Otopack automates the work around it
Accounting software records the money. The packaging work around it (quotes, proofs, supplier RFQs, new brand setup, call-offs and delivery paperwork) usually runs on email. Otopack does that work and keeps your accounting product up to date: it creates new brand accounts after a credit check, raises invoices once proof of delivery matches the call-off, and flags overdue balances before a reorder.
See how Otopack connects to Xero and MYOB, or the ready-made workflows for Xero + CreditorWatch, Xero + CartonCloud and MYOB + CartonCloud.
