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If you need the ability to forecast your cash flow for the next few months, or want help generating your self-assessment tax return, QuickBooks might be the right accounting software for your business.
QuickBooks offers five plans to choose from: Self-Employed, Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced. This means you should be able to find the right level of plan for your business, whether you’re a side hustler who is just starting out, a seasoned sole trader, or the director of an established small business.
However, it is important to note that the cheapest plan, Self-Employed, is not Making Tax-Digital (MTD) compliant and does not allow you to submit your VAT returns directly to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
» MORE: Best accounting software for small businesses
Key features
Key features
- Making Tax Digital-compliantIt is important to note that, while the Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced plans are all MTD-compliant, the Self-Employed plan is not.
- Two well-reviewed mobile appsQuickBooks has two apps with good customer reviews: one for its self-employed users, and one for its other plans.
- Help with self-assessment tax returnsAll QuickBooks plans provide help with preparing your self-assessment tax return, breaking down the figures you need for your submission.
- 90-day cash-flow forecastingAll plans, aside from Self-Employed, can access cash-flow insights.
QuickBooks accounting software pros & cons
Pros
- The Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced plans are all Making Tax Digital-compliant, and allow you to submit your VAT returns directly to HMRC.
- QuickBooks has two well-reviewed apps, one for its Self-Employed users, and one for all other plans.
- You can get help with your self-assessment tax returns, including a breakdown of your earnings and tax-deductible expenses.
- All plans, aside from Self-Employed, can access cash-flow insights.
Cons
- The QuickBooks Self-Employed plan is not MTD-compliant.
- You cannot submit your VAT returns directly to HMRC if you are on the Self-Employed plan.
- Multi-currency accounting is only available on the Essential, Plus and Advanced plans.
- Payroll is not available on the Self-Employed plan and would cost an additional £10.50 per month for five employees.
- Multi-user access is only available for you and your accountant.
The pros and cons featured here are chosen by us based on our expert, research-based opinions. They are unlikely to be the only product features and restrictions that you should consider. Pros and cons are subjective and you should align them to your own personal and business circumstances. Information was correct at the time of publication but may have changed since.
QuickBooks accounting software full review
First launched in the UK in 2011, QuickBooks introduced its cloud-based accounting software in September 2022 and is based in London. QuickBooks is a global accounting software provider developed and operated by Intuit Inc.
Before deciding on a QuickBooks plan you should be aware that, while the Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced plans are all Making Tax Digital-compliant, the Self-Employed plan is not.
The government requires that you use MTD-compatible software when submitting returns as a VAT-registered business. Further MTD rules will be introduced around income tax returns in April 2026 and 2027.
The various QuickBooks accounting software plans break down as follows (excluding VAT and discounts):
- Self-Employed: This plan costs £10 a month. Among other features, it includes help with your self-assessment tax returns; income tax estimates; the ability to separate personal and business transactions; income and expenses management; the ability to create and send invoices; free chat messaging and free phone support; and a free onboarding session. It is not MTD-compliant, so you cannot submit VAT returns using this plan.
- Simple Start: This plan costs £14 a month and is MTD-compliant, allowing you to submit VAT returns directly to HMRC. It includes everything from the Self-Employed plan, alongside a VAT error checker; the ability to include a one-click payment link on your invoices; and cash-flow insights.
- Essentials: This plan costs £28 a month and includes everything from the Simple Start plan, as well as bills management; multi-currency accounting; and employee time tracking.
- Plus: This plan costs £38 a month and includes everything from the Essentials plan, as well as stock management; project profitability tracking, and the ability to set smart budgets, so you know you’re on target.
- Advanced: This plan costs £90 a month and includes everything from the Plus plan, as well as the ability to restore company data; advanced reports; Excel-compatible business analytics; the ability to send batch invoices; automated workflows and reminders; and employee expenses management.
All plans, excluding Self-Employed, can also add on a payroll function at an extra cost.
QuickBooks accounting software features: at a glance
| Monthly fee (pre-discounts, pre-VAT) | £10 (Self-Employed) £14 (Simple Start) £28 (Essentials) £38 (Plus) £90 (Advanced) |
| Free trial | One month |
| Making Tax Digital compliant | No (Self-Employed) Yes (all other plans) |
| Submit VAT to HMRC | No (Self-Employed) Yes (all other plans) |
| Payroll costs per month (for five employees, pre-discounts, pre-VAT) | £10.50 (not available on Self-Employed plan) |
| Multi-user access | Yes (for you and your accountant) |
| Multi-currency accounting | Yes (Essentials, Plus and Advanced) |
| Customer service | Online chat (8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday) Telephone (8am to 7pm Monday to Friday): 0808 234 5337 |
Where QuickBooks stands out
Free trial and introductory offer: You can sign up for a free one-month trial before deciding whether you want to commit to QuickBooks accounting software. QuickBooks also offers discounts, which can vary depending on when you apply. At the time of writing, you can receive 75% off your first six months or year.
Two dedicated apps: QuickBooks has two dedicated accounting software apps, one specifically for its Self-Employed users, and one for all other plans.
Customer reviews: Not only does QuickBooks have very positive reviews for both of its mobile apps, it has an ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot.
Cash-flow forecasting: All plans, bar Self-Employed, can access cash-flow insights on recurring expenses and transactions.
Self-assessment preparation: All QuickBooks plans can help you prepare for your self-assessment tax return, providing a breakdown of your earnings and tax-deductible expenses for you to prepare your submission.
Where QuickBooks falls short
Not all plans are Making Tax Digital-compliant: While the QuickBooks Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced plans are all MTD-compliant, the Self-Employed plan is not.
Not all plans can submit VAT returns: You cannot submit your VAT returns directly to HMRC if you are on the Self-Employed plan. You can with the Simple Start, Essentials, Plus and Advanced plans.
Multi-currency accounting: You can only access multi-currency accounting if you pay for an Essentials, Plus or Advanced plan.
Multi-user access: Only yourself and your accountant can access your QuickBooks account.
Payroll: You cannot access the additional payroll feature if you are on the Self-Employed plan.
QuickBooks customer reviews
QuickBooks’s customers have left reviews on a range of sites. Generally, these reviews are positive.
On Trustpilot, QuickBooks has an ‘Excellent’ rating of 4.6 out of 5, based on over 15,000 reviews.
QuickBooks has two apps. The standard QuickBooks Online Accounting app has the following reviews:
- App Store: 4.7 out of 5, based on over 29,400 reviews
- Google Play: 4.3 out of 5, based on over 61,300 reviews
The QuickBooks Self-Employed app, meanwhile, has the following reviews:
- App Store: 4.6 out of 5, based on over 16,000 reviews.
- Google Play: 3.4 out of 5, based on over 33,100 reviews.
This information is correct as of 10 October 2024.
Review methodology
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