The Affordable Bookkeeping Alternative for Micro Business Owners Still Using Spreadsheets
If you’re still doing your bookkeeping manually or in spreadsheets, it’s usually not because you “don’t care about your numbers.”
It’s because the big accounting software options feel like overkill:
Too expensive
Too many features you’ll never use
Too much to learn
Too much commitment for a tiny business
And honestly, that logic isn’t stupid. What is stupid is staying manual forever, then scrambling at Tax or BAS time, missing deductions, or realising your numbers are wrong when it actually matters.
There’s a middle ground most people don’t realise exists: Easy Business App - simple bookkeeping software designed for small operators who want the basics done properly, without paying premium fees.
Why so many micro businesses stay on spreadsheets
Let’s call it exactly what it is: spreadsheets feel “free” and familiar.
But the hidden cost shows up later:
You put it off because it’s tedious
Bank transactions pile up
You forget what things were for
Cashflow gets murky
Tax and BAS time becomes stressful (and expensive if your bookkeeper/accountant has to clean it up)
Spreadsheets don’t fail because you’re incapable. They fail because they rely on perfect consistency from a busy human.
Software isn’t about being fancy. It’s about removing friction so your bookkeeping actually happens.
“I don’t need all the fancy features… I just need it simple.”
Exactly.
Most micro business owners need:
a place to capture income and expenses
bank account tracking / reconciliation
simple invoicing (sometimes)
payroll (sometimes)
basic reporting so you can see where you stand
They do not need:
dozens of integrations
complex automation
features designed for larger teams
a high monthly subscription just to feel “legit”
That’s the gap Easy Business App fills.
How Easy Business App stays affordable (because you only pay for what you need)
Instead of bundling everything into one expensive subscription, Easy Business App breaks it into simple modules.
So you can start small and only add what’s relevant.
1) Start with Cashflow (the common first step)
If you’re currently tracking everything manually, this is usually the easiest switch.
Easy Business App Cashflow: $9.95/month (includes unlimited bank accounts)
Compared to:Xero: $35/month
MYOB: $58/month
QBO: $29/month
This is the difference between “I’ll do it later” and “I can actually afford to keep on top of it.”
2) Add Invoicing only if you invoice
If you’re only sending a couple of invoices a month, paying $60–$75/month for a big platform is unnecessary.
The comparison shows:
Easy Invoicing: FREE (2 invoices per month) or $9.95/month (unlimited invoices & quotes)
Compared to:Xero: $75/month
MYOB: $58/month
QBO: $29/month
So if invoicing is light, you’re no longer paying a premium for something basic.
3) Add Payslips only if you have employees
Many micro businesses either don’t employ yet, or only have a small team. So again—why pay top-tier pricing?
The comparison shows:
Easy Payslip (1–4 employees): $9.95/month
Easy Payslip (5+ employees): $21.95/month
Compared to much higher monthly pricing on bigger platforms, payroll is where the savings can get very real, very fast.
“But I’ve never heard of Easy Business App… is it missing key things?”
Two important points from the pricing note:
Easy Business App includes Easy Report and unlimited users at no extra cost.
It does not lodge BAS within the program like some software.
That last line matters.
Here’s the honest take:
If you’re a micro business and your priority is simple bookkeeping and clean records, you don’t necessarily need BAS lodged inside the software.
If you rely on an integrated BAS-lodgement workflow and want everything in one ecosystem, a bigger platform may suit you better.
The goal isn’t to force everyone into one tool. The goal is to stop micro business owners overpaying (or avoiding software altogether) because they think their only options are expensive.
The real win: you stop avoiding your bookkeeping
This is the part nobody says out loud:
Most people don’t avoid bookkeeping because they’re lazy.
They avoid it because the system is annoying, confusing, or too expensive to justify.
When your software is affordable and simple:
you stay more up to date
your numbers are clearer
Tax and BAS time is calmer
your accountant/bookkeeper isn’t fixing mess
you make better decisions sooner
That’s the compounding benefit.
If you’re a spreadsheet bookkeeper, start here
If you’ve been thinking “I should really sort my bookkeeping out” for months, this is your sign to stop circling it.
You don’t need perfect.
You need better than manual and affordable enough that you’ll actually stick with it.
Ready to see if it’s a fit?
Watch the masterclass (fastest clarity)
I’ve put together a practical masterclass that walks you through whether Easy Business App is right for your business and what to consider before switching.
👉 https://www.kristicairns.com.au/resources
Or contact me for personalised help
If you want someone to look at your situation (spreadsheets, manual tracking, or existing software) and tell you what makes sense, reach out here: