Xero vs MYOB vs Hnry for NZ Tradies (2026) — Which Accounting App?

Choosing the right accounting software matters more than most tradies realise. Get it wrong and you're overpaying your accountant, missing GST deadlines, or dealing with clunky integrations with your job management app. This comparison covers the three most common choices for NZ tradies in 2026.

The Short Answer

• Xero — best for growing businesses (company or partnership) that need a full accounting package with strong NZ tradie software integrations
• MYOB — better for businesses that want payroll built in and don't mind a slightly steeper learning curve
• Hnry — best for sole traders who want zero accounting admin — it handles everything automatically but you give up control and pay a percentage fee

Pricing (NZD, 2026)

Xero

Xero is the default choice for most NZ small businesses — and with good reason. It's cloud-first, well-designed, and has the best ecosystem of integrations with NZ tradie software.

Tradify, Fergus, FastCrew, and simPRO all integrate with Xero natively. Invoices sync automatically, GST is handled correctly, and bank reconciliation takes minutes a week once set up.

What Xero does well: - Bank feeds from all major NZ banks (BNZ, ANZ, Westpac, ASB, Kiwibank) - Strong GST reporting and one-click IRD filing - Robust integrations with job management apps - Clean mobile app for checking invoices on the go - Good accountant access — most NZ accountants know Xero

Xero's weak spots: - Payroll is an add-on and costs extra - The Starter plan has invoice and bill limits (restricting for busy tradies) - No built-in job costing — you need a job management app alongside it - Customer support can be slow

Best for: Companies, partnerships, and any sole trader who's growing and wants a proper accounting foundation. If your accountant uses Xero (most do), this is the safest choice.

MYOB

MYOB has been the backbone of NZ and Australian small business accounting for decades. It's strong on payroll and has improved significantly in recent years with cloud-based plans.

What MYOB does well: - Payroll included from the Standard plan — no add-on cost - Strong accounts payable and supplier management - Works well for businesses with employees or subcontractors - Good GST + PAYE filing

MYOB's weak spots: - Integrations with NZ tradie software are fewer and sometimes clunkier - Interface is less polished than Xero - Less commonly used by NZ accountants than Xero (some charge extra to use MYOB) - Mobile app is functional but not as slick

Best for: Businesses with employees where payroll is a significant workflow. If you're running a team of 5+ and doing weekly payroll, MYOB's included payroll can save you $100+/mo vs Xero.

Hnry

Hnry is a NZ-built service that completely automates tax and accounting for sole traders. It's not traditional accounting software — it's an automated tax agent that handles everything for you.

Here's how it works: you connect your bank account, Hnry tracks all income and expenses, automatically calculates and pays your income tax, GST, ACC levies, and KiwiSaver contributions in real time as money comes in. At the end of the year, your tax return is filed for you.

What Hnry does well: - Zero tax admin — it all happens automatically - GST registered automatically (if you earn over the threshold) - ACC levies calculated and paid - Expense scanning via mobile app - Annual tax return included - No accountant fees for basic tax compliance - Free until you earn money

Hnry's weak spots: - 1% fee on all income — adds up quickly at higher earnings ($100k/yr = $1,000/yr fee) - Not suitable for companies or businesses with employees - Limited integrations with job management software - Less control and visibility than a full accounting package - Doesn't support businesses with complex structures

Best for: Sole traders who hate admin and want someone else to handle all the tax. Especially good for tradies just starting out or those earning under ~$80k/yr where the 1% fee is cost-effective compared to an accountant.

Which Should You Choose?

Sole trader, just starting out, hate admin: Hnry. The automation pays for itself in time saved, and the 1% fee is cheaper than an accountant at lower income levels.

Sole trader earning $80k+/year or planning to grow: Xero. The 1% Hnry fee becomes expensive, and Xero gives you the accounting foundation to scale into a company structure.

Company or partnership, have employees: Xero (for ecosystem) or MYOB (if payroll is complex). Talk to your accountant — the right choice often depends on what they prefer.

Using Fergus, Tradify, FastCrew, or simPRO: Xero. All of these have the best native integrations with Xero, and most NZ tradies using job management software pair it with Xero.

The Hidden Cost: Your Accountant

The software subscription is only part of the cost. Your accountant fees matter too. Most NZ accountants charge:

• $800–$1,500/yr for basic annual accounts on Xero with clean records
• $1,500–$3,000/yr for MYOB, or messy Xero records
• $2,500–$5,000+/yr for companies with payroll and complexity

Hnry eliminates the annual accounts fee entirely (for sole traders). That's worth $800–$1,500 off the comparison.

Quick Checklist

Choose Xero if: - [ ] You're a company or planning to become one - [ ] You're using Tradify, Fergus, FastCrew, or simPRO - [ ] Your accountant uses Xero - [ ] You want full visibility and control over your finances

Choose MYOB if: - [ ] You have multiple employees and run weekly payroll - [ ] Your accountant specifically recommends MYOB - [ ] You need strong accounts payable/supplier management

Choose Hnry if: - [ ] You're a sole trader - [ ] You hate tax admin and want it fully automated - [ ] You earn under ~$80k/yr (where the 1% fee is cost-effective) - [ ] You don't have employees or subcontractors

Not sure if your quote is fair? Use our free NZ tradie quote checker to compare any quote against typical rates for your city and job type.