QuickFile
UK-built, genuinely free under 1,000 transactions/year.
by QuickFile
The best free accounting option for sole traders who've outgrown HMRC's basic tool, with double-entry bookkeeping, bank feeds, and MTD filing all included on the free tier.
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Overview
QuickFile is a UK-built cloud accounting platform with a generous free tier, free for small businesses with fewer than 1,000 nominal ledger entries in a year, and £60/yr above that. Full MTD support for VAT and Income Tax, HMRC-recognised on the free tier with no MTD features held back behind the paywall. Probably the most capable free accounting tool in the UK market, with Pandle and Clear Books as the closest free alternatives.
QuickFile at a glance
How QuickFile stacks up on the dimensions that matter when picking MTD software.
Full MTD coverage for VAT and Income Tax, HMRC-recognised, with quarterly updates supported on the free plan. No artificial gating of MTD features behind a paywall, unusual at this price point.
Good for the price, P&L, balance sheet, trial balance, aged debtors/creditors, and a project tracker all available on the free tier. Visuals are utilitarian rather than polished.
Full double-entry bookkeeping on the free tier, chart of accounts, bank feeds, journal entries. Probably the most capable free bookkeeping tool available in the UK.
Basic stock control included, track items, quantities, and cost. Not as polished as QuickBooks Plus or Xero Standard, but unusually generous given it's free.
A project tracker is included on the free tier. Not as deep as FreeAgent's, but it covers per-project income and expenses for most small businesses.
Workable, expenses tracked via the web UI and a mobile app with receipt capture. Receipt OCR is less polished than QuickBooks but functional.
Useable for funding applications, but less recognised than Xero or QuickBooks. Most lenders will accept QuickFile exports, but a small minority may push for one of the bigger brands.
Among the best free choices for new businesses. Zero cost while you're under 1,000 transactions/yr, no upsell pressure, and HMRC-recognised from day one. £60/yr if you outgrow the free tier.
Not applicable. QuickFile is aimed at small UK businesses that don't fall under ESG or sustainability reporting requirements. Larger businesses with disclosure obligations would use Sage 50 or a dedicated ESG platform rather than QuickFile.
Functional UK-built UI, clear menus, no upsells, light learning curve. Mobile app exists but is weaker than Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent. The tradeoff is honest: less polish than paid rivals, but a fully usable free tool.
Free tier
Free for businesses with fewer than 1,000 nominal ledger entries per year.
+Pros
- ✓Genuinely free for small businesses
- ✓UK-built with MTD support
- ✓No upsell pressure
−Cons
- ✕UI is functional rather than beautiful
- ✕Mobile app weaker than bigger rivals
QuickFile, frequently asked questions
Is QuickFile free?+
Yes, for most small businesses. QuickFile is free if you post fewer than 1,000 nominal ledger entries in a year. Above that threshold it costs £60 a year, still cheaper than one month of Xero Starter (£18/mo).
What counts towards QuickFile's free 1,000-transaction limit?+
The limit is based on nominal ledger entries created in a rolling 12-month period, broadly, the bookkeeping entries behind your invoices, purchases and bank transactions. Most sole traders and landlords with straightforward affairs stay comfortably under 1,000.
Is QuickFile HMRC-recognised for MTD?+
Yes. QuickFile is HMRC-recognised and supports MTD for both VAT and Income Tax, with digital records and quarterly updates included on the free tier. No MTD features are held back behind the paid plan.
QuickFile vs Pandle, which is better?+
Both are UK-built tools with strong free tiers. QuickFile's free tier is capped at 1,000 transactions/yr; Pandle's is uncapped but its free tier holds back receipt OCR and bank feeds. For most sole traders QuickFile gives more day-to-day functionality on the free plan. Pandle is the better pick if you'll exceed 1,000 transactions.
QuickFile vs Xero, which is better?+
QuickFile is free under 1,000 transactions/yr; Xero Simple is £7/mo. Xero is more polished, has the wider accountant ecosystem and a better mobile app. QuickFile matches Xero on the basics (bookkeeping, bank feeds, MTD) but lags on UI polish and integrations. If cost is the priority, QuickFile wins; if you want a tool to grow into, Xero.
Does QuickFile have a mobile app?+
Yes, but it's weaker than the apps from Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent. Core functions (raise an invoice, check a balance, log an expense) work, but receipt OCR and mobile-first workflows aren't as polished. Most QuickFile users do the bulk of their work on desktop.
Can I use QuickFile for VAT submission?+
Yes, QuickFile handles MTD VAT on the free tier. It's HMRC-recognised and submits returns directly, with VAT reports and the audit trail HMRC asks for built in.
What are the alternatives to QuickFile?+
Pandle is the closest match, another UK-built tool with a free tier (uncapped on transactions but with fewer features). Clear Books also has a free tier, and HMRC's own free tool covers the basics. For paid software, Xero's £7/mo Simple plan is the cheapest major-platform option; FreeAgent is free for NatWest Group business banking customers.