UK BUYER’S GUIDE · 6 PRODUCTS
Accounting software
Can the system take our actual UK transactions through to a reviewed, explainable month end?
Compare everyday bookkeeping alongside the controls needed to close a UK business's books: VAT, reconciliation, bills, projects and reviewable AI assistance.
YOUR SHORTLIST STARTS HERE
Compare the options.
Highest documented score first. Fit adds up the 20 feature checks below, including AI, across documented plans. Entry prices may exclude scored capabilities. The upper end of a range represents unverified points.
6 of 6 products · Highest documented score first
| Product / good fit for | Pricing context | Documented fit | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|
Clear Books Clear Books UK businesses wanting visible plan boundaries for VAT, CIS, projects and accountant controls. | £16.00organisation/month excl. VAT monthly | 75–100/100 documented fit75% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
 QuickBooks Online UK Growing UK teams needing bills, projects, stock and configurable reporting. | Request pricingorganisation/month VAT basis not stated monthly | 70–100/100 documented fit70% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
 Xero Businesses wanting accountant collaboration and a route from basic bookkeeping to project and currency workflows. | £18.00organisation/month excl. VAT monthly | 60–100/100 documented fit60% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
Sage Accounting Sage Accounting UK businesses evaluating connected accounting, CIS and payroll workflows. | £20.00organisation/month excl. VAT monthly | 55–100/100 documented fit55% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
 IRIS KashFlow Small UK businesses comparing a simple bookkeeping package with the wider IRIS ecosystem. | £13.50organisation/month VAT basis not stated monthly | 40–100/100 documented fit40% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
 FreeAgent Sole traders and small limited companies seeking straightforward bookkeeping and UK tax visibility. | £19.00business/month excl. VAT monthly | 35–100/100 documented fit35% evidence coverage | Details ↗ |
Prices retain their original currency, billing basis and VAT status. Check the evidence and plan requirements before buying.
| Capability & demo question | Clear Books75–100/100 documented fit | QuickBooks Online UK70–100/100 documented fit | Xero60–100/100 documented fit | Sage Accounting55–100/100 documented fit | IRIS KashFlow40–100/100 documented fit | FreeAgent35–100/100 documented fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Core workflowSales invoicing5.0 points availableAsk in the demoCreate and send a VAT invoice with customer details, line items and a due date. | ✓ Supported Invoice creation and email. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Invoices and estimates listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Quotes and sales invoices; Ignite limits apply. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Create and manage invoices. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Starter allows ten invoices; Business is unlimited. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Automated invoicing listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowBank feeds and reconciliation5.0 points availableAsk in the demoImport your bank's transactions and reconcile a transfer, fee and customer payment. | ✓ Supported Bank feed with automated matching. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Bank feeds verified; the detailed reconciliation workflow was not checked. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Bank feeds and reconciliation documented. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Automatic bank reconciliation. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Bank feeds; reconciliation volumes depend on plan. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Bank feeds verified; the detailed reconciliation workflow was not checked. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowMTD VAT submission5.0 points availableAsk in the demoPrepare a return for the relevant VAT scheme and show the submission receipt. | ✓ Supported Medium includes MTD VAT submission. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported VAT submission to HMRC from Simple Start. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Direct VAT returns to HMRC. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported VAT workflow and filing assistance. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Online VAT submission. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Generate and submit MTD VAT returns. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowSupplier bills and payment tracking5.0 points availableAsk in the demoEnter a supplier bill, allocate its VAT and show its outstanding balance. | ✓ Supported Sales and purchase tracking. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Essentials and above manage bills. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Bill entry and tracking documented. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Standard targets supplier and accrual workflows. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Purchase and expense management. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm supplier bills and payment tracking. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Core workflowFinancial reports and dashboards5.0 points availableAsk in the demoDrill from a monthly report into its underlying transaction. | ✓ Supported Full reporting suite. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Reports; Advanced custom report builder. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Financial reports and dashboards. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Standard adds reporting and cashflow forecasts. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported More than fifty reports listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Dashboard covers profit, cashflow and tax. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowEmployee expense recording5.0 points availableAsk in the demoSubmit a receipt and show its allocation to the right expense category. | ✓ Supported Large includes expense claims and approval. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Receipt capture and expense tracking. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Expense claims available by plan. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm employee expense recording. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Expenses and mileage listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Mobile expense recording. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Core workflowAccountant collaboration5.0 points availableAsk in the demoInvite an accountant without sharing the owner's credentials. | ✓ Supported Accountant tools and invitation documented. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Plans include accountant access. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm accountant collaboration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm accountant collaboration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm accountant collaboration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm accountant collaboration. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthRecurring invoices and reminders5.0 points availableAsk in the demoSchedule a repeat invoice and inspect the reminder history. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm recurring invoices and reminders. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Recurring invoices verified; reminder workflow not verified here. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm recurring invoices and reminders. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm recurring invoices and reminders. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Repeat invoices verified; reminder history not verified here. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Automatic invoices and reminders. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Workflow depthForeign-currency bookkeeping5.0 points availableAsk in the demoInvoice in euros and show the realised exchange difference when paid. | ✓ Supported Large includes multiple currencies. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Essentials and above list multiple currencies. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Comprehensive and Ultimate include multiple currencies. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Plus supports multiple currencies. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Business lists multiple currencies. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm foreign-currency bookkeeping. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthProject profitability5.0 points availableAsk in the demoAllocate time, expenses and invoices to a job and inspect its margin. | ✓ Supported Large includes project accounting. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Plus adds project profitability. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Ultimate includes project time and cost tracking. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm project profitability. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm project profitability. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm project profitability. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthBudget versus actual reporting5.0 points availableAsk in the demoSet a departmental budget and investigate a variance. | ✓ Supported Medium includes budgets. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Plus and Advanced list budgeting. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Higher plans include budgeting. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Plus includes financial budgets. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm budget versus actual reporting. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm budget versus actual reporting. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthConstruction Industry Scheme workflow5.0 points availableAsk in the demoProcess a subcontractor deduction and show the CIS return or export. | ✓ Supported Medium includes CIS returns. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported CIS calculation and submission listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported CIS calculations; return submission is an add-on. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported CIS management in Standard. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm construction industry scheme workflow. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm construction industry scheme workflow. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthStock quantities and cost tracking5.0 points availableAsk in the demoSell a stocked item and inspect quantity and cost-of-sales changes. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm stock quantities and cost tracking. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Plus lists inventory and purchase orders. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm stock quantities and cost tracking. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Plus includes inventory. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Stock control listed with packages. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Available with accrual setup; omitted in cash basis. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
Workflow depthFixed-asset lifecycle5.0 points availableAsk in the demoAdd an asset, post depreciation and record its disposal. | ✓ Supported Large includes fixed assets. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Advanced lists fixed-asset tracking. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm fixed-asset lifecycle. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm fixed-asset lifecycle. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm fixed-asset lifecycle. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm fixed-asset lifecycle. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthRole restrictions and period locks5.0 points availableAsk in the demoPrevent an ordinary user changing a closed period or privileged setting. | ✓ Supported Permissions and accountant date locks documented. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm role restrictions and period locks. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm role restrictions and period locks. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm role restrictions and period locks. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm role restrictions and period locks. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm role restrictions and period locks. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthTransaction audit history5.0 points availableAsk in the demoFind who changed an invoice and review the previous values. | ✓ Supported Audit log explicitly listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm transaction audit history. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm transaction audit history. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm transaction audit history. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm transaction audit history. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm transaction audit history. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
Workflow depthData export or documented API5.0 points availableAsk in the demoExport ledger detail or retrieve invoice data through a documented integration. | ✓ Supported Integrations and API included in organisation plans. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or documented api. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or documented api. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or documented api. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or documented api. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm data export or documented api. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
AIAI document extraction and categorisation5.0 points availableAsk in the demoUpload an unfamiliar receipt, review suggested fields and correct a wrong category. | ? Not verified Auto Bills captures and codes documents; AI method unverified. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Smart expense organisation is listed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai document extraction and categorisation. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Copilot captures receipts and invoices; plan-dependent. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai document extraction and categorisation. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Smart Capture extracts, matches and categorises documents. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ |
AIAI financial queries or anomaly detection5.0 points availableAsk in the demoAsk a financial question or inspect a flagged anomaly and verify it against the ledger. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai financial queries or anomaly detection. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported Plus and Advanced list AI anomaly detection. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported JAX answers questions using financial data. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ✓ Supported Copilot flags VAT data mistakes. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai financial queries or anomaly detection. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm ai financial queries or anomaly detection. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
AIReview and permission controls for AI5.0 points availableAsk in the demoUse a restricted role and show how AI output is reviewed before an accounting action. | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm review and permission controls for ai. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm review and permission controls for ai. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ✓ Supported JAX respects roles; output can be reviewed. 5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Drafted payment emails require the user to send; broader controls unverified. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 pointsEvidence ↗ | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm review and permission controls for ai. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points | ? Not verified Not verified in the reviewed material; confirm review and permission controls for ai. 0.0–5.0 / 5.0 points |
“Not verified” means the recorded evidence does not settle this specific check. It does not mean the feature is absent. Read the scoring method.
Focus on up to three products →ASK BETTER QUESTIONS
Before you buy accounting software software.
What to look for
- Take a sample month, including refunds and mixed VAT, into every demonstration.
- Ask your accountant to review migration balances and the exact UK tax workflows.
- Compare the plan needed after transaction limits and team access are applied.
What changes the cost
- Ordinary subscription after introductory discounts.
- Payroll, receipt capture, payments and projects charged separately or by usage.
- Migration, bank-feed charges and accountant onboarding.
What to watch out for
- Treating a low promotional price as the continuing cost.
- Assuming an income-tax plan includes VAT or limited-company accounts.
- Scoring unverified controls as absent, or treating generic AI marketing as a demonstrated accounting task.
Common questions
Does MTD support mean every tax return is included?
No. Confirm VAT, income tax, CIS and company filing separately for the chosen UK plan.
Should all accounting tools have the same score for every business?
No. A retailer may prioritise stock, while a consultancy may need projects and time; use the feature evidence alongside your own priorities.
Can AI file or amend records without review?
Ask the supplier to demonstrate the permissions and approval steps for each AI feature; do not infer them from an AI label.