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Accounting · head to head

Microsoft Excel vs MYOB

Microsoft Excel logo

Microsoft Excel

Accounting

Spreadsheet software for data analysis and visualization

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
MYOB logo

MYOB

Accounting

Australian accounting and business management software for small and mid-sized businesses

From
12/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Microsoft Excel has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Microsoft Excel free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access; MYOB every published price is promotional and reverts to a higher regular rate after an introductory period, for example Business Pro rises from AUD 21/month to AUD 70/month after 6 months
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Microsoft Excel and MYOB actually diverge.

Attributes where Microsoft Excel and MYOB differ
AttributeMicrosoft ExcelMYOB
Starting priceFree12/year
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, Macos, Web, Ios, AndroidWeb
Founded1975Unknown

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Microsoft Excel

  • Advanced formulas
  • Pivot tables
  • Data visualization
  • Charts and graphs
  • Conditional formatting
  • Data analysis tools
  • Macro automation
  • Collaboration features

Only in MYOB

Nothing recorded that Microsoft Excel does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Microsoft Excel

  • Financial modelingnot MYOB
  • Data analysisnot MYOB
  • Budget planningnot MYOB
  • Reportingnot MYOB
  • Business intelligencenot MYOB
  • Statistical analysisnot MYOB

MYOB

  • Tracking income and unlimited expenses for tax lodgementnot Microsoft Excel
  • Processing payroll with automated superannuation contributionsnot Microsoft Excel
  • Managing GST compliance and Business Activity Statement filingnot Microsoft Excel
  • Reconciling bank transactions and monitoring cash flownot Microsoft Excel

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Microsoft Excel

  • Free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access
  • Paid plans have per-user costs increasing significantly with more users
  • AI features like Copilot limited or unavailable on lower-tier plans

MYOB

  • Every published price is promotional and reverts to a higher regular rate after an introductory period, for example Business Pro rises from AUD 21/month to AUD 70/month after 6 months
  • Adding payroll employees beyond the included allowance costs an extra AUD 3/month per additional employee on top of the plan price

Pricing, plan by plan

Microsoft Excel

Free
  • Microsoft Excel (Free)Free
    • Excel for the web
    • Real-time collaboration
    • 5 GB cloud storage
  • Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99/month
    • Desktop Excel app
    • 1 TB cloud storage
    • Single user on up to 5 devices
  • Microsoft 365 Family$12.99/month
    • 1-6 users (AI features for subscription owner)
    • Up to 6 TB cloud storage (1 TB per person)
    • Each user up to 5 devices
  • Microsoft 365 Premium$19.99/month
    • 1-6 users
    • Extensive Copilot feature access
    • Exclusive advanced AI capabilities

MYOB

12/year
  • Solo by MYOB$99/year
    • First year $12 (70% off)
  • Business Lite$315/year
    • First year $94.50 (70% off)
    • Payroll $3/month per employee max 2
  • Business Pro$70/month
    • First 6 months $21 (70% off)
    • Unlimited payroll employees
    • 14-day free trial
  • Business AccountRight Plus$165/month
    • First 3 months $66 (60% off)
    • Unlimited payroll
    • 14-day free trial

Which should you pick?

Choose Microsoft Excel if

  • You need advanced formulas.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want pivot tables.
Microsoft Excel review

Choose MYOB if

Nothing in the data separates MYOB from Microsoft Excel on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

MYOB review

Questions people ask

Is Microsoft Excel or MYOB better?
Neither clearly leads. Microsoft Excel starts at Free and MYOB at 12/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Excel or MYOB?
Microsoft Excel has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Microsoft Excel and 12/year for MYOB.
Does Microsoft Excel or MYOB run on more platforms?
Microsoft Excel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android. MYOB runs on Web.
Can I use Microsoft Excel for free?
Yes. Microsoft Excel has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. MYOB starts at 12/year.
What is Microsoft Excel best used for?
Microsoft Excel is most often used for financial modeling, data analysis, budget planning, reporting. Of those, financial modeling and data analysis are not what MYOB is typically brought in for.
What can Microsoft Excel do that MYOB cannot?
Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Pivot tables, Data visualization, Charts and graphs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Microsoft Excel: How much does Microsoft Excel cost?

Microsoft Excel is free as a web app with 5 GB storage. Paid options include Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/month for desktop apps and 1 TB storage, Family at $12.99/month for 1-6 users with 6 TB total storage, and Premium at $19.99/month with extended Copilot access.

Source
MYOB: How much does MYOB cost?

MYOB pricing starts at $12 AUD per year (first year only) for Solo, with plans ranging to $165 AUD per month for AccountRight Plus after introductory periods expire.

Source
Microsoft Excel: Is there a free version of Excel?

Yes, Excel for the web is free and includes sharing, real-time collaboration, and 5 GB cloud storage accessible on web, iOS, and Android without subscription.

Source
MYOB: What is MYOB's introductory pricing?

MYOB offers 60-70% off introductory pricing for the first 3-12 months depending on plan selection, after which regular pricing applies with no lock-in contracts.

Source
Microsoft Excel: What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Family and Premium tiers?

Family tier at $12.99/month supports 1-6 users with 6 TB total storage and standard features. Premium tier at $19.99/month allows extensive Copilot feature access and exclusive advanced AI capabilities including image creation and audio generation.

Source
MYOB: Does MYOB include payroll pricing?

Payroll starts at $3/month per employee (limited on lower tiers) and is included unlimited on Business Pro and AccountRight Plus plans.

Source
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