APARI vs DIY Tax
Both are guided tax filer tools for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
DIY Tax is the cheaper starting point at £0 (VAT included) versus from £144/yr for APARI — but the cheapest plan only wins if it covers the income types you actually have.
| APARI | DIY Tax | |
|---|---|---|
| True annual cost from | from £144/yr | £0 |
| Self-employment | Yes | Yes |
| Property / rent | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps your spreadsheet | No | No |
| Accountant access | No | No |
| Type | guided tax filer | guided tax filer |
| HMRC status | Recognised | Recognised |
| Price verified | 2026-08-10 | 2026-08-10 |
APARI
An MTD specialist (now ApariPro) from the original HMRC pilot, covering self-employment and property with pre-filled returns and a 30-day free trial.
- People who want an MTD-first tool
- Those who value pre-filled, guided returns
DIY Tax
A flexible DIY filer covering unlimited self-employment businesses, UK and foreign properties — key figures in yourself, bridge from a spreadsheet or connect your bank. Files right through to the final declaration.
- People with several income sources to file cheaply
- Those who want a choice of record-keeping styles
Not sure either is right? Use the finder to get a recommendation ranked by what it will actually cost you.
Prices are each tool's cheapest plan, VAT included, last verified 10 August 2026 (catalogue reconciled 10 August 2026). Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.