Smartly Payroll vs MYOB Payroll

If you’re using an MYOB Payroll product, or helping clients who are, you’ve probably heard the news that MYOB Exo will be retired by 30 November 2025. MYOB ACE and MYOB Payroll in NZ are also gradually being phased out. With these changes coming up, many Kiwi businesses and partners are making the switch to Smartly.

In this guide, we’ll walk through what the MYOB changes mean, why Smartly is a popular alternative, and how to make the switch simple and stress free.

Smartly gives you everything you need to manage pay, people and compliance in one simple platform. Proudly built in New Zealand and trusted by 22,000+ Kiwi businesses, including over 400 accounting and bookkeeping firms.

If you are still running payroll on MYOB Exo Employer Services (MYOB Exo Payroll), time is running out. MYOB has confirmed that Exo Payroll will be retired in NZ, with support and updates ending 30 November 2025. This means:

• No more compliance updates, putting businesses at risk 

• No technical support if things go wrong

• No new features or fixes 

Switching now helps avoid the last-minute rush and gives you a smooth, supported transition with help from the Smartly team every step of the way. 

Smartly isn’t just for pay runs. It’s built for New Zealand businesses and the real challenges of managing people. 

• All-in-one payroll and HR: Payroll and people management in a single platform. From onboarding new employees to managing their information, it’s all in the same place you run your payroll.

• Automated payments and PAYE filing: Payday filing, tax, and employee payments automatically sorted on time and in line with legislation.

• Accurate leave calculations: Smart tech manages complex leave rules, keeping entitlements correct even when work patterns change.

• Safe, secure, and backed by Datacom: The Smartly product is ISO27001 certified, ensuring your information is protected to the highest standards.

• Local support when you need it: We're proud to have the highest-rated customer support among NZ payroll providers.* Our Kiwi-based team is here to help by phone or email from 8am–6pm, Monday to Friday.

• Reduces admin: Automation and an all-in-one system mean less double handling and fewer errors

• Improves compliance confidence: Keep payroll, leave, and HR info in one place - always audit-ready

• Smarter insights: Advanced reporting across pay and people data

• Support long-term client success: Help clients manage their people, not just their pay 

• Easy transition: Dedicated onboarding for both payroll and people management tools

Switching payroll providers can sound daunting, but Smartly makes it simple for both partners and customers. 

• Onboarding and data migration support

• Free training for anyone who needs it

• Dedicated NZ-based support via phone or email (8am–6pm, Monday-Friday) 

Plus, if you’re a Smartly partner, you’ll get tools and resources to help every client switch. Download our onboarding guide here.

With some of MYOB’s payroll products reaching the end of the road, now’s the perfect time to look at a payroll system that'll grow with your business. Designed right here in New Zealand and trusted by over 22,000 Kiwi businesses Smartly is the ideal MYOB Payroll alternative.

• Fully automated payroll & PAYE payments

• No manual banking uploads

• Better support with real payroll experts

• Flexible plans to suit your needs

• Seamless Xero integration

Switching is easy, and we’ve got a range of helpful resources to help get started on the right foot! Get started today and experience stress-free payroll with Smartly.

The clock is ticking on MYOB Exo Payroll, but there’s no need to wait for a forced migration.

Switching to Smartly now gives you time to plan and transition without the stress.

Get $20 off the monthly base fee for the first 12 months when you switch from MYOB Payroll to Smartly. T&Cs apply.