QuickBooks vs Self Assessment Direct
Both are full cloud accounting tools for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
Self Assessment Direct is the cheaper starting point at £0 (VAT included) versus from £144/yr for QuickBooks — but the cheapest plan only wins if it covers the income types you actually have.
| QuickBooks | Self Assessment Direct | |
|---|---|---|
| True annual cost from | from £144/yr | £0 |
| Self-employment | Yes | Yes |
| Property / rent | Yes | Yes |
| Keeps your spreadsheet | No | No |
| Accountant access | Yes | Yes |
| Type | full cloud accounting | full cloud accounting |
| HMRC status | Recognised | Recognised |
| Price verified | 2026-06-24 | 2026-07-01 |
QuickBooks
Widely used cloud accounting. The £10 Sole Trader plan covers self-employment and a single rental property if you're not VAT-registered; Simple Start adds VAT.
- Sole traders and single-property landlords on a budget
- People who want a big app ecosystem
Self Assessment Direct
A genuinely free, HMRC-recognised tool from Cirrostratus (the VAT Direct platform): a simple cloud cashbook plus spreadsheet bridging that files MTD for Income Tax for sole traders and landlords — including foreign property — at no cost.
- Anyone who wants to file for £0
- Sole traders and landlords, including those with foreign property
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 1 July 2026 (catalogue reconciled 1 July 2026). Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.