OCTIS vs Xero vs QuickBooks Online for Malaysian businesses

Plans, user limits, discounts and LHDN e-invoicing, from each vendor's Malaysia pages.

Last checked 9 November 2026 · 8 sources

Otty's short answer

Xero publishes clear Malaysia prices (Starter US$16 a month at the current 36-month promotion) and does not charge per user, so it suits teams and accountants who share access. QuickBooks caps users by plan (1, 3, 5 or 25) and loads its RM prices only at checkout. Both support MyInvois. Xero bills in US dollars, so watch the exchange rate.

Side by side

Swipe to see every column

What matters	OCTISSdn Bhd + OCTIS	Xero	QuickBooks Online
Cheapest plan	Not published; 10–30% below your current bill	Lite, US$3.50 per month promo	Simple Start, price not published
Mid plan	Not published; 10–30% below your current bill	Standard, US$27 promo, US$54 after	Essentials, price not published
Plan ladder	One company plan, no per-seat ladder	Lite, Starter, Standard, Premium	Simple Start to Advanced
Users	One company plan, no per-seat ladder	No per-user fees	1 to 25, by plan
Free trial	30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply	30 days	30 days
Current discount	Lowest Price Guarantee, terms apply	50% off, buy by 31 Dec	Time-limited promo, terms vary
MyInvois route	E-Invoice setup handled by OCTIS accountants	Built in, register with TIN	Built in, via Sovos
Extra e-invoice fee	e-Invoice setup by OCTIS accountants	None listed	None, per Intuit help

Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.

Which one fits you

OCTIS · Sdn Bhd + OCTIS
Choose OCTIS if you want accountants to keep the books, file tax and set up e-Invoice, with CRM and compliance in the same workspace.
Xero
Choose Xero if several people or your accountant need access, you want a published price ladder, or you are a very small business that fits the Lite plan.
QuickBooks Online
Choose QuickBooks if you want inventory, projects and purchase orders on one plan, or you prefer an accountant-friendly product with an onboarding call.

What the table does not show

Prices and what the discount means

Xero's Malaysia page lists four plans billed in US dollars: Lite US$3.50, Starter US$16, Standard US$27 and Premium US$41 a month. Those are half-price promotional rates locked for 36 months if bought on xero.com before 31 December 2026, after which the list rates apply (US$7, US$32, US$54 and US$82). Lite allows five invoices a month. QuickBooks shows a live price only at checkout, so no RM figure can be quoted here. Intuit also shows a time-limited discount, so compare the price you are actually offered on the day.

Users, limits and features

Xero says it has no per-user licence fee. Its Starter plan allows 20 invoices and 5 bills a month, and Standard and Premium list invoices and bills without a stated limit. QuickBooks sets users by plan: Simple Start 1, Essentials 3, Plus 5 and Advanced 25, and gives accountants access on every plan. Multiple currencies, bill management and recurring invoices start at Essentials. Inventory, purchase orders and project profitability start at Plus. Intuit's own comparison is vendor-written, so test both in the 30-day trials.

MyInvois: how each one connects

Xero describes e-invoicing as built in: register with your tax identification number, tag each transaction with a classification code, and Xero drafts the consolidated e-invoice at month end. QuickBooks launched e-invoicing in 2025 through a partnership with Sovos, with consolidated and self-billed options and status tracking. Intuit's help hub says there are no additional fees and that a digital certificate is needed for submission through a third-party tool such as QuickBooks. One reseller review says QuickBooks needs middleware, which conflicts with Intuit's pages, so confirm in the trial.

Where OCTIS fits

Whichever software you pick, someone still has to post entries, reconcile the bank and file tax. OCTIS bookkeeping works inside the software you already use, including Xero and QuickBooks, and OCTIS also files tax and coordinates the statutory audit with an independent licensed auditor. Send your current accounting invoice and ask for a quote: OCTIS aims for 10% to 30% off your current bill.

See OCTIS pricing

Frequently asked questions

Which is cheaper in Malaysia, Xero or QuickBooks?

Xero is easier to price because it publishes plans: US$3.50 to US$41 a month at the current 36-month promotion, then double. QuickBooks does not show an RM price on its pricing page without loading live checkout prices. Compare the quote you see at sign-up, and include the exchange rate and SST.

Do Xero and QuickBooks support LHDN MyInvois?

Yes, both state that they do. Xero lists all plans as e-invoicing ready and walks you through TIN registration. QuickBooks submits to LHDN through a Sovos integration, with consolidated and self-billed invoices. LHDN requires e-invoicing only above your turnover threshold, which is now RM3 million for most businesses.

Is there a free trial for Xero and QuickBooks in Malaysia?

Yes. Xero gives 30 days with all features. QuickBooks gives 30 days free, though its discount offers can replace the trial: Intuit's terms say choosing the discount means you are not eligible for the free trial. Check which one you are taking before you start.

Can I switch from QuickBooks to Xero later?

Yes. You export your chart of accounts, contacts, open invoices and opening balances, then import or re-enter them. Do the move at a financial year end if you can, so reports stay clean.

Sources

Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.