QuickBooks

From £10/month for sole traders (currently £1/month for your first 6 months), with self assessment filing built in.

At a glance

QuickBooks is widely used cloud accounting software with a dedicated Sole Trader plan built for self assessment, currently available at a heavily discounted introductory rate.

£10/m

£1/m

First 6 months (90% off)

Sole Trader Plan

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What is QuickBooks?

QuickBooks is one of the best-known names in accounting software worldwide, made by Intuit. Its UK Sole Trader plan is built specifically for self-employed people who aren’t VAT registered, focused on tracking income and expenses and preparing your self assessment return, rather than the fuller double-entry bookkeeping aimed at larger businesses.

If you’re VAT registered, or need fuller accounting features, QuickBooks’ Simple Start plan (from £16/month) is the next tier up.

Key features

Track income and expenses automatically from connected bank accounts
Automatic mileage tracking using your phone’s GPS
Snap and store photos of receipts
Estimate your self assessment tax bill as you go
Reports on profit, loss and expenses
Mobile app with strong reviews for ease of use

Pricing

QuickBooks has five tiers overall, but sole traders will mostly be choosing between two.

Sole Trader - £10/month, currently £1/month for 6 months

Built for registered sole traders or single-property landlords who aren’t VAT registered:

Track income and expenses
Automatic mileage tracking
Receipt capture
Self assessment estimate and reports
Single user

Simple Start - £16/month

If you’re VAT registered, you’ll need Simple Start or higher, since the Sole Trader plan doesn’t support VAT return submissions:

Everything in Sole Trader, plus
VAT return submission and management
Fuller reporting

This is a current promotional rate - always check QuickBooks’ UK pricing page for the latest terms before signing up.

Is QuickBooks MTD compatible?

Yes. QuickBooks is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital, covering both MTD for VAT (on Simple Start and above) and MTD for Income Tax. The Sole Trader plan is positioned specifically to help non-VAT-registered sole traders get ready for the MTD for Income Tax mandation dates.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Very low introductory price (currently £1/month for 6 months)
Automatic GPS mileage tracking is a genuinely useful feature many competitors lack
Strong, well-reviewed mobile app
Backed by a large, established company with long-term product investment
Clear upgrade path if your business grows past sole trader needs

Cons:

Sole Trader plan doesn’t support VAT - you’d need to upgrade to Simple Start if you register for VAT
Introductory pricing reverts to full price after the discount period, so budget for £10/month ongoing
Some users find QuickBooks’ interface has more going on than a very simple sole trader setup needs

Who is QuickBooks best for?

QuickBooks Sole Trader suits a non-VAT registered sole trader who wants straightforward income, expense and mileage tracking with self assessment support, especially if automatic mileage tracking matters to you. The very low introductory price makes it an easy one to try, though it’s worth budgeting for the standard £10/month once that period ends.

Get QuickBooks

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sole Trader plan really £1 a month?

That’s the current introductory rate for your first 6 months. After that, it reverts to the standard £10/month (excl. VAT).

Can I use QuickBooks Sole Trader if I’m VAT registered?

No, the Sole Trader plan doesn’t support VAT return submissions. You’d need Simple Start (from £16/month) or a higher tier.

Does QuickBooks support Making Tax Digital?

Yes, for both MTD for VAT (Simple Start and above) and MTD for Income Tax, across its UK plans.

Does QuickBooks Sole Trader support landlords?

Yes, the Sole Trader plan supports landlords with a single property income alongside sole trader income.

Is there a free trial?

Yes, QuickBooks offers a free trial, though you won’t be eligible for it if you sign up directly for the discounted introductory offer instead.

Compare accounting software for sole traders

QuickBooks is one option among several worth comparing. Browse the full Accounting and Bookkeeping directory to compare it against Sage, Zoho Books, Xero and other options.

Prices and offers correct at time of publication. Always check the QuickBooks website for current pricing and promotional terms before signing up.