Quickfile

Completely free UK accounting software for smaller businesses, with no cost as long as you stay under 1,000 ledger entries a year.

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At a glance

QuickFile is UK-built cloud accounting software that’s completely free for smaller accounts, with HMRC-recognised MTD support built in.

Free

UK Built

HMRC MTD recognised

Under 1,000 entries/yr

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What is QuickFile?

QuickFile is UK-built cloud accounting software aimed at small to medium sized businesses, freelancers and sole traders. It’s genuinely free as long as your account stays under 1,000 nominal ledger entries in a rolling 12-month period - a generous threshold for most sole traders with straightforward finances.

Unlike some free tools that strip back features heavily, QuickFile’s free tier includes invoicing, expense management, VAT handling, bank feeds and over 300 integrations.

Key features

Create and send professional invoices with a range of templates
Track expenses and manage bills
Bank feeds for automatic transaction import
Receipt scanning via the mobile app
VAT return submission and MTD bridging software
Over 300 third-party integrations
Client and supplier management

Pricing

QuickFile’s core pricing model is refreshingly simple: free while you stay under the ledger entry threshold, with paid bands for higher-volume accounts.

Free plan

Up to 1,000 nominal ledger entries per rolling 12 months
Full invoicing, expense management and bank feeds
VAT return submission
Mobile app with receipt scanning
Access to QuickFile’s UK accountant network

If you go over 1,000 entries

QuickFile moves to a paid tier based on your ledger entry volume once you exceed the free threshold. Exact pricing depends on your usage band - check QuickFile’s own pricing page for current rates, since these are based on entry volume rather than a flat monthly fee.

This is current pricing information - always check QuickFile’s pricing page for the latest terms before signing up.

Is QuickFile MTD compatible?

Yes. QuickFile is HMRC-recognised and supports Making Tax Digital for VAT, with dedicated bridging software also available if you prefer to keep records in a spreadsheet and just need MTD-compliant submission. QuickFile has also been involved in HMRC’s MTD for Income Tax testing programme.

Pros and cons

Pros:

Genuinely free for most sole traders under the 1,000 entry threshold
UK-built and UK-focused, unlike some international tools with UK features bolted on
HMRC-recognised MTD support, including bridging software for spreadsheet users
Over 300 integrations and a strong Trustpilot rating
No credit card required to get started

Cons:

Ledger entry limit means very active traders (lots of transactions) may hit the free threshold and move to paid pricing
Interface is functional rather than especially polished compared to some competitors
Less well-known than Xero, QuickBooks or Sage, so fewer accountants may be familiar with it

Who is QuickFile best for?

QuickFile suits a sole trader with straightforward, moderate transaction volumes who wants a genuinely free, UK-built accounting tool with proper MTD support, rather than a stripped-back or time-limited free tier. If you’re a spreadsheet user who just needs MTD-compliant submission, QuickFile’s bridging software option is also worth a look.

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Frequently asked questions

Is QuickFile really free, or is it a trial?

It’s genuinely free with no time limit, as long as your account stays under 1,000 nominal ledger entries in a rolling 12-month period.

What counts as a “ledger entry”?

Broadly, each transaction recorded in your accounts (an invoice line, expense, payment, etc.) counts towards the 1,000 entry threshold. Most sole traders with moderate transaction volumes stay comfortably within this.

Does QuickFile support Making Tax Digital?

Yes, QuickFile is HMRC-recognised for MTD for VAT, and also offers dedicated bridging software for spreadsheet users who need MTD-compliant submission without switching their whole record-keeping system.

What happens if I go over 1,000 entries?

You’d move to a paid tier based on your usage band. Check QuickFile’s own pricing page for current rates, since these scale with entry volume rather than being a single flat fee.

Is QuickFile suitable for VAT-registered sole traders?

Yes, QuickFile supports VAT return submission and MTD for VAT on its free tier, provided you stay under the ledger entry threshold.

Compare accounting software for sole traders

QuickFile 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 QuickFile website for current pricing and promotional terms before signing up.