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If you’re a business owner, who is open to the idea of embracing new technology, but haven’t yet entered the chat with artificial intelligence, this article is for you. Here, we outline the best AI tools for small business, and how you can use them to save time – and money – in your day-to-day operations. Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming a staple tool for business owners who want to save time and work more efficiently. According to the Australian Government, 41% of small and medium-sized enterprises are already using it. While there are a growing number of highly sophisticated paid platforms that can do everything from automating complex workflows (think Zapier , Make , and Power Automate ) to integrating AI agents to respond to social comments or customer queries ( Manychat , Tidio , and Intercom ), and automate inventory operations ( Zoho and Cin7 ), not every business needs these advanced tools. AI for small businesses with fewer resources and smaller budgets looks a little different. Read on to discover the best free AI tools and how best to use them for your small business.  But first, what is AI? Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence – like understanding language, recognising images, or making decisions. By analysing large amounts of data and learning from patterns, AI tools can generate insights, create content, and improve their performance over time. What are AI tools? AI tools are applications that use artificial intelligence to carry out specific tasks – such as writing text, designing images, analysing data, or answering questions. They take the complex capabilities of AI and package them into easy-to-use software that anyone can access, often for free or at a low cost. Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Canva AI, are three such tools, which we will discuss in more detail below. The best AI tools for small businesses are those that simplify and reduce the time spent on essential but time-consuming tasks – like copywriting, marketing, branding, customer service, or design – freeing you up to focus on the core aspects of your business. Top three AI tools for small businesses: 1. Perplexity What is Perplexity? Perplexity AI is an AI-powered search and answer engine that combines natural language understanding with real-time web research. It retrieves factual information with citations for its answers, and continuously updates from the internet, providing current and trustworthy data. What it’s great for: doing research and generating concise, factual answers. What it’s not great for: creative content generation or conversational dialogue.  How to use Perplexity AI for small businesses 2. ChatGPT  What is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is an AI-powered chatbot that understands and generates human-like text by analysing language patterns from vast amounts of data, enabling it to deliver natural, helpful responses. It can answer questions, write and edit content, brainstorm ideas, and simplify complex topics.  What it’s great for: creative and conversational tasks like writing, brainstorming, and coding. What it’s not great for: doing research, as it can produce inaccurate or outdated information. How to use ChatGPT for small businesses 3. Canva AI What is Canva AI? Canva AI is an artificial intelligence tool built into Canva that helps users quickly create professional-looking designs. It can generate images, illustrations, social media graphics, templates, and other visual content from simple prompts, saving time and making design accessible even for non-designers. What it’s great for: creating professional-looking, simple designs and visuals for digital use. What it’s not great for: creating highly customised or complex designs, or anything that will be used for large-format printing. How to use Canva AI for small businesses A word of warning when using AI for small businesses While AI tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Canva AI can save time and inspire creative ideas, they aren’t perfect. Always double-check facts, verify sources, and review content for accuracy before using it to make business decisions. Similarly, AI-generated designs can be great, but the imagery may not always be 100% accurate – it’s not unusual for a hand to have an extra finger, or for objects to be floating in midair! So ensure you always inspect the images closely before using them. Also, AI-generated designs can resemble stock images or copyrighted styles and will lack the resolution required for printing, so if you are going to be sharing the assets widely (for example in a paid advertising campaign or printed on a product label), it’s important to involve the expertise of a professional graphic designer. Always remember to treat AI as a helpful assistant – not a replacement for your judgment or expertise.

Whether you’re scaling up and looking to streamline your payroll and inventory, or need a bit of support managing your business cash flow and tax compliance, Xero and MYOB are two names that have probably crossed your desk. Within the accounting software  landscape, these are the two biggest players in Australia. Both offer an all-encompassing suite of accounting features that are equally as suitable to sole traders as they are to midsize companies. Navigating the features and functionality of each is no small task though, and ultimately comes down to what’s right for your business. To assist you in your decision, we’ve summarised the key points of comparison. What is accounting software? Accounting software is used for managing financial transactions and records within an organisation. It allows businesses to automate accounting tasks and helps them keep track of their financial information efficiently and accurately. By streamlining processes in invoicing and billing, managing accounts payable and receivable, and generating financial reports, the software can provide valuable insights into the financial health of the business. Accounting software also provides a centralised platform for managing financial data, saving time and increasing accuracy, which will not only be a huge advantage at tax time, but can also make it easier to apply for loans and financing should you ever need it. Key differences between Xero and MYOB Usability Anyone can use either Xero or MYOB. Both cater to small business owners, sole traders, and freelancers as much as they do seasoned bookkeepers and accountants. However, if you are just starting out, Xero’s user-friendly interface is generally regarded as an easier point of entry for people with limited to no accounting experience. If you are a skilled bookkeeper or accountant, you may prefer MYOB for its more advanced features with regard to payroll and inventory tracking. Both Xero and MYOB offer a 30-day trial, so the best way to get a feel for the user experience is to try them out for yourself. Cloud vs. desktop When MYOB launched in the early 1980s, it was a computer-based software designed for users to install and use locally. When Xero entered the scene in 2006, it had the advantage of building internet capability directly into the software and, as such, has always relied on cloud accounting (software that is accessible from an internet browser). To keep up with demand, MYOB has now transformed all its packages to cloud-based plans but still gives users the option to choose online or desktop versions for the MYOB AccountRight subscriptions. The beauty of having data stored in the cloud rather than on your desktop is that it allows you to access your account from wherever you have an internet connection. What’s more, it also offers enhanced security with access control, user authentication, data encryption, and network protection. Mobile apps Managing your admin and bookkeeping on the go is now also made possible with Xero and MYOB’s mobile applications. Xero offers an all-in-one mobile business app that lets you view insights, manage invoices and quotes, track your cash flow, reconcile bank transactions, and upload photos of physical receipts. MYOB on the other hand has three separate applications: MYOB Capture for uploading receipts, MYOB Invoice for creating and sending online invoices and quotes and MYOB Team for creating rosters, approving timesheets, and tracking worksite locations. So, while Xero’s all-in-one app wins on convenience, MYOB does offer additional functionality for business owners who need to manage rostering on the go. Third-party integrations From point-of-sale systems to payment gateways, rostering and payroll, there are thousands of third-party providers that help small businesses from every industry streamline their processes. By integrating your accounting platform to other business apps and software you use on a day-to-day basis, you’re able to streamline bookkeeping and simplify reconciliation. How Xero and MYOB integrate with these applications is a vital consideration when choosing one over the other. Whether you use Shopify for your e-commerce, Deputy for your staff scheduling or Zeller for your invoicing payment gateway, you’ll need to choose an accounting software that will integrate with the programs your business uses. Xero’s App Store is by far the largest, boasting over a thousand third-party integrations — including Zeller App . MYOB’s integration library is less robust, and currently only offers several hundred integrations. Bank feeds The available bank feeds will be an important factor in informing your decision to choose Xero or MYOB. Rather than reconciling transactions manually, bank feeds offer a much easier and quicker solution. This process allows data to flow directly into your accounting software where it can be coded and matched off with sales, invoices, purchases and payroll entries, saving you hours of data entry and reducing human error. Bank feeds are available for bank accounts, loan accounts and credit cards, but the list of available connections will differ between accounting software. MYOB currently offers a longer list of supported bank connections than Xero, but Xero is more up to date with next-generation financial service providers including Zeller . For a full list of compatible bank feeds for Australian-based businesses, see Xero’s list here and MYOB’s here . Note that if you are planning on setting up more than two bank connections, the MYOB Lite package will not support this (it is limited to two), however every other plan from both Xero and MYOB offer unlimited connections. Accounting features Most importantly, choosing between Xero and MYOB will come down to the features that each one offers and how best they suit your needs. For most small business purposes, both platforms offer everything you’ll need. For that reason, we won’t exhaustively cover the features of each, but we will mention what sets them apart. Inventory management MYOB has a comprehensive inventory system integrated into the software that lets you manage orders and suppliers and run stocktake. Which subscription you choose will depend on how many items and locations your business has. Xero, on the other hand, offers limited features suitable for small inventory needs, but its customisation capabilities with third-party apps ensure it stays competitive in this area.  Automation and AI Xero has advanced its AI capabilities with JAX (Just Ask Xero) – a financial superagent that automates routine accounting tasks and delivers business insights. JAX uses multiple AI agents to learn how a business operates, adapting to handle workflows like bank reconciliation, invoicing, data entry, and payment tracking. It also understands natural language, allowing users to ask questions and instantly access financial data or generate documents. MYOB, by contrast, offers more basic automation focused on improving efficiency and accuracy through workflow automation, predictive analytics, and smarter resource planning for complex businesses. Payroll Both MYOB and Xero allow you to process superannuation payments automatically, support Single Touch Payroll and offer advanced reporting. However, for large companies, MYOB has the advantage of supporting unlimited employees with its BusinessPro and AccountRight plans. The cost of Xero increases once your business grows to over 50 employees, and caps out at 200. Online and phone support Xero offers extensive online resources and benefits from a wide community of online users, so help is never far away, however they do not offer phone support. MYOB on the other hand do offer business-day phone support, which can be very helpful if you get stuck. Sign-up and implementation Integrating or replacing your existing processes is easy with Xero and MYOB’s cloud-based subscriptions, however, if you are planning on installing MYOB AccountRight to your local desktop, it is important to note that this is only available for Windows. Cost Both Xero and MYOB offer four tiers of monthly-based subscription pricing. The more you pay, the more functionality you get. When choosing a subscription, it is important to select one whose inclusions will not only serve your purposes today, but also as your business scales in the future. The cost differences between the two platforms are outlined in the table below. Xero vs. MYOB: which is right for your business? What accounting software you choose is ultimately going to depend on the needs of your business, and your personal preference. Before making your decision, you need to weigh up who will be using the software (you or your accountant), where you'll be using it (desktop or cloud), whether having a mobile app is going to be vital in your day-to-day accounting, and what integrations and bank connections you require. Of course, most important is, will it integrate with your Zeller Account .

We’ve rolled out a stack of new features this month to give your customers more ways to pay – and give you more control over transfers, refunds, and cards. From scheduled transfers to personalised cards and China UnionPay acceptance, here’s everything that’s just landed and ready for you to use in your Zeller Account . Read on to learn more. Cut out extra admin by scheduling one-time or recurring transfers from your Zeller Transaction Account. Need to transfer funds on a regular basis or schedule a bill to be paid at a future date? Save unnecessary admin time by scheduling transfers from your Zeller Transaction Accounts for things like: Paying suppliers, staff or rent Paying bills via BPAY Moving funds into your Zeller Savings Account to earn a great interest rate Automatically setting aside money for tax time Moving funds to another internal or external account  You can choose to send funds instantly or at a future date, and set the exact time down to the quarter-hour. Transfers can occur one-time, or be placed on a recurring schedule to repeat on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, and you decide when they end – on a set date, after a number of transfers, or left to run indefinitely. If plans change, you can end a schedule early. You can start scheduling transfers now in the Zeller Dashboard or from your Zeller App . Visit our support articles to get started: How can I create scheduled or recurring transfers ? How do I view or manage my scheduled transfers ? Welcome even more customers with China UnionPay. We’ve expanded payment acceptance on Zeller Terminal, invoices, and payment links to include China UnionPay cards, making it easier for your business to serve Australia’s large and growing Chinese customer and tourist base. From international tourists to students studying at local universities, Chinese customers represent a significant and fast-growing segment for many Australian businesses. By accepting UnionPay – the trusted card network issued by virtually every major bank in China – we’re removing friction at the checkout and opening your doors to more sales opportunities. UnionPay payments are processed through Zeller just like any other card at Zeller’s simple flat rate of 1.4%. If you’re already using Zeller, there’s nothing more to do, you’re ready to accept China UnionPay payments today. Learn more about China UnionPay acceptance here . Issue refunds easily with your POS-integrated Zeller Terminal . Refunds aren’t always straightforward. Sometimes you need to refund an amount that isn’t tied to a previous transaction in your POS. This new update allows you to push an ‘unmatched’ refund from your Linkly or Oracle-integrated POS to your Zeller Terminal , which then processes the refund directly to your customer’s card.  When you instruct your POS system to trigger a refund, your Zeller Terminal will prompt your customer to tap, insert, or swipe their card to receive it. This gives you flexibility to: – Refund payments that were not originally processed on Zeller Terminal – Convert a cash transaction into a card refund – Issue courtesy refunds not tied to a transaction in your POS system – Return funds to a different card than the one used in the initial transaction The refund is processed straight back to the card presented, making things simpler for both you and your customers. Accept over-the-phone payments with your POS-integrated Zeller Terminal . We’ve made it easier for merchants using a point of sale system integrated via Linkly or Oracle Simphony to accept payments over the phone (also known as MOTO payments ) with Zeller Terminal. Instead of requiring your customer to physically present their card, you can now manually enter card details when a sale is pushed from your POS to your Zeller Terminal. For merchants using a POS integrated via Linkly Start a sale in your POS system. When the payment pushes to your Zeller Terminal and the standard Tap, insert or swipe card screen appears, tap the terminal screen to reveal the Enter Card Details button. Manually key in the card details, and confirm the amount. The sale will automatically be closed and reconciled in your Linkly-integrated POS system.  For merchants using Oracle Simphony POS Start a MOTO sale in your Oracle Simphony POS system. On your Zeller Terminal, manually enter the card details and confirm the amount The transaction result is automatically sent back to your POS – no extra reconciliation needed. Note: Before processing an integrated MOTO payment, make sure your Zeller Terminal is paired with your POS via Linkly or integrated with Oracle Simphony, and that MOTO payments are enabled . Showcase your brand with personalised debit and corporate cards. No matter how big or small your business is, strong branding is key to making you look professional and established. We know a lot of effort goes into creating a strong brand identity, which is why we’ve made it easy to personalise Zeller Debit Cards and Zeller Corporate Cards with your business logo and custom labels. Adding your logo to your cards shows suppliers you take your finances seriously, while also helping to reinforce your brand and avoid mixing business and personal expenses.  Plus, for businesses with multiple venues or employees, personalised cards make expense management easier. When creating a new card, you’ll be able to upload a logo and add a label to help make clear which team, department, or purpose the card is for. Both physical and virtual cards can be customised from your dashboard in just a few minutes. Virtual cards are available to use instantly, while physical cards are delivered in under a week. Keep the feedback coming. We’re always adding features to make it simpler and smoother to run your business. Keep an eye on your Zeller Dashboard and the Zeller Business Blog for the latest updates. We’d love to hear your ideas for what we should build next! Send them to feedback@myzeller.com and we’ll use them to shape our roadmap.