MYOB is one of Australia’s most established accounting and payroll platforms, with leave management built into its payroll module. LeaveBalance is a dedicated leave management tool that matches MYOB’s leave features while adding native Slack and Microsoft Teams integration — at a flat rate that does not scale with headcount.
Both tools handle leave requests, approvals, and balance tracking. The difference is scope and pricing: MYOB bundles leave with accounting and payroll under per-employee pricing, while LeaveBalance is a focused leave tool with flat-rate pricing.
If you are evaluating both, this comparison covers pricing, Australian compliance, integrations, and daily experience.
Key Takeaways
- MYOB charges $25–80+/mo for accounting+payroll plans that include leave; LeaveBalance charges AUD $29/month flat for unlimited employees
- MYOB’s leave module is secondary to payroll and accounting; LeaveBalance is purpose-built for leave
- LeaveBalance adds native Slack and Microsoft Teams integration — MYOB does not
- MYOB handles payroll processing alongside leave; LeaveBalance tracks leave for payroll export
The Core Difference: Accounting Platform vs Focused Leave Tool
MYOB is an Australian accounting and payroll platform:
- Accounting, payroll, and basic leave management bundled together
- $25–80+ per month depending on plan and employee count
- STP Phase 2 compliant payroll for Australian businesses
- Leave management is a module within the payroll system
LeaveBalance is a dedicated leave management tool:
- Flat-rate AUD $29/month — unlimited employees, unlimited leave policies
- Native Slack and Microsoft Teams integration
- Configurable leave policies aligned with Fair Work Act requirements
- 14-day free trial, no credit card required
| Team Size | MYOB (est.) | LeaveBalance |
|---|---|---|
| 5 employees | $35–55/mo | AUD $29/mo |
| 10 employees | $45–70/mo | AUD $29/mo |
| 25 employees | $70–120/mo | AUD $29/mo |
| 50 employees | $120–200+/mo | AUD $29/mo |
| 100 employees | Custom pricing | AUD $29/mo |
MYOB’s pricing varies by plan tier and employee count. LeaveBalance stays at AUD $29/month regardless of team size.
Australian Compliance
MYOB’s Approach
MYOB handles NES leave entitlements, leave loading (17.5%), superannuation, and STP Phase 2 reporting. Leave calculations are tied directly to payroll, which ensures leave balances stay in sync with pay runs. MYOB also includes Modern Award wage rules for payroll calculations.
LeaveBalance’s Approach
LeaveBalance supports configurable leave policies that align with the Fair Work Act 2009 and National Employment Standards (NES). Annual leave, personal/carer’s leave, long service leave, leave loading, and pro-rata calculations for part-time employees are all configurable.
Which Approach Suits You?
MYOB’s strength is that leave and payroll are integrated — when leave is taken, payroll updates automatically. If you need payroll processing alongside leave, MYOB covers both. If you already have a payroll provider and need leave management separately, LeaveBalance covers it at AUD $29/month.
Slack and Microsoft Teams Integration
MYOB
MYOB does not offer native Slack or Microsoft Teams integration for leave management. Employees request leave through the MYOB portal, and managers approve through the web dashboard. Notifications are email-based.
LeaveBalance
LeaveBalance operates natively inside Slack and Microsoft Teams. Employees request leave with a slash command, managers approve with a button click, and balances update automatically. No portal login required.
For Australian teams that live in Slack or Teams, this integration removes the friction of switching to MYOB’s portal.
What Each Tool Does
MYOB Is an Accounting and Payroll Platform
MYOB covers accounting, invoicing, payroll, STP reporting, superannuation, and basic leave management. It is a financial operations platform for Australian businesses.
The trade-off is that leave management is a secondary feature within the payroll module. The leave interface is functional rather than elegant, and there is no team calendar or Slack integration.
LeaveBalance Is a Leave Management Tool
LeaveBalance handles leave requests, approvals, balance tracking, team calendars, and analytics. No accounting, no payroll, no invoicing — just leave management.
The benefit is simplicity and cost. Flat-rate AUD $29/month, setup in 15 minutes, and Slack/Teams integration.
The Honest Limitations
Where MYOB Falls Short
- Leave management is secondary to accounting and payroll
- No Slack or Teams integration — separate portal required
- No team calendar for absence visibility
- Higher cost when you only need leave management
- Portal friction for employees who only interact with MYOB for leave
Where Leave Balance Falls Short
- No payroll processing or accounting features
- No STP reporting or superannuation management
- No invoicing or financial operations
- Newer brand in the Australian market compared to MYOB’s 30+ year presence
- No local phone support in Australia
Choose MYOB If
- You need accounting, payroll, and leave management in one platform
- You want payroll and leave integrated so balances update automatically with pay runs
- You need STP Phase 2 reporting and superannuation management
- You are already using MYOB for accounting and do not want to add another tool
- Per-employee pricing is acceptable for your team size
Choose LeaveBalance If
- You need dedicated leave management without an accounting platform
- Your team uses Slack or Microsoft Teams for daily work
- You want flat-rate pricing that stays the same as you grow
- You already have accounting and payroll sorted with MYOB or another provider
- Setup speed matters — 15 minutes to operational
The Bottom Line
MYOB is an established Australian accounting and payroll platform that handles leave management as part of its payroll module. For businesses that need accounting, payroll, and leave in one system, it delivers convenience.
But if leave management is your primary need and you already have payroll sorted, you are paying for accounting features you may not use through MYOB. LeaveBalance covers leave management at a flat AUD $29/month with Slack and Teams integration. At 50 employees, the pricing gap makes LeaveBalance a compelling addition alongside your existing MYOB setup.
Try LeaveBalance free for 14 days — no credit card required — and see whether it covers what your team actually needs.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Australian employment law requirements vary. Consult a qualified adviser for compliance guidance specific to your organisation.