How Daybook differs from Xero-style GL tools and dispatch-first job apps — for small NZ operators who want job-threaded money, not a chart of accounts on their phone.
Products reflect different mindsets. Here is ours versus typical general-ledger tools and field-service suites.
“I’ll sort it with my accountant later”
“I want to know where my money is as I work”
“I run a crew and schedule jobs”
Legend: ✓ yes · ~ partial, add-on, or roadmap (not live in Daybook yet) · ✗ not available. Indicative NZD pricing — confirm current vendor plans before you buy.
| Feature | Daybook Free | Daybook Standard | Daybook Premium | Xero Ignite | MYOB Lite | QBO Simple Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quoting & invoicing | ||||||
| Unlimited quotes & invoices | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ capped | ~ | ~ |
| Quote → invoice conversion | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Record payment (including partial) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Online quote acceptance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Job-centric workflow | ||||||
| Job-threaded documents | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Client-facing job portal link | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Expenses hub (bank-created or tap) | ✗ | ~ roadmap | ~ roadmap | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Per-job income vs cost | ~ income | ~ roadmap | ~ roadmap | ✗ | ~ | ~ |
| Core Job bucket | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Accountant seat — one included | ✗ | ~ roadmap | ~ roadmap | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Receipt OCR (on-device) | ✗ | ~ with expenses | ~ with expenses | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| “My Money vs Tax” glance | ~ visibility | ~ visibility | ~ + sweep | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Tax & payments | ||||||
| Public read-only invoice / quote link (no client login) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| GST set-aside to your GST account | ✗ | ✗ | ~ Premium | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Payments from your bank mark invoices paid | ✗ | ~ roadmap | ~ roadmap | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Spend from your bank becomes an expense | ✗ | ~ roadmap | ~ roadmap | ~ | ~ | ~ |
| Akahu Pay now (bank button on the invoice) | ~ when configured | ~ when configured | ~ when configured | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Invoice settles when Pay now completes | ~ when configured | ~ when configured | ~ when configured | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pay now on invoice link (0.5% card / 1% bank) | ~ when configured | ~ when configured | ~ when configured | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Entry price (NZD/mo inc. GST, indicative) | $0 | $39 | $59 | ~$32+ | ~$27+ | ~$22+ |
| Typical next tier up (verify) | Standard $39 | Premium $59 | — | Grow (~$70+) | Pro (~$50+) | Essentials (~$38+) |
Entry + one tier (May 2026 snapshot): Xero Ignite is often advertised with low monthly NZD pricing but caps on sales invoices and bills (check xero.com/nz). Grow is the common next step with higher limits. MYOB Business Lite vs Pro (names and prices change — confirm myob.com/nz). QuickBooks Online Simple Start vs Essentials (confirm quickbooks.intuit.com for NZD). Daybook cells marked ~ are roadmap unless the live app release notes say otherwise — see Offerings.
Daybook is strongest when you want job-linked quotes and invoices, NZ GST on the document, and a public Pay now link the client opens without installing an app. You sign in to create invoices. Expenses, bank matching, and an accountant seat are Daybook Standard ($39) — not billed yet. GST set-aside to your own GST account is Daybook Premium ($59) — not live today. If your centre of gravity is full GL or dispatch-first crew management, pair the right specialist tool with your workflow.
Hnry leads on withholding and auto-filing through their account model. Daybook leads on job-threaded documents and per-job financial clarity. Hnry suits people who want tax handled for them — Daybook suits people who want visibility and control.
Solo competes on price. Daybook aims to win on depth — job threads, per-job profitability, public client links without logins, and Pay now on Daybook Free (0.5% card / 1% bank). Accountant seat and bank matching stay on Daybook Standard (not billed yet). GST sweep, lodge, and pay IRD (lab) stay on Daybook Premium.
Competitor names and caps change — verify live pricing and limits (e.g. Xero Ignite invoice caps) on vendor sites before you use figures in customer-facing material.
A Yardstick account is required to create invoices. Clients open share links with no app.