Coconut review
Full cloud accounting · by Coconut · HMRC-recognised
Built from the ground up for sole traders and landlords under MTD — simple categorisation, no accounting jargon. Often supplied free through partner accountants.
Our verdict
Coconut is built specifically for sole traders and landlords facing MTD, stripping out the accounting jargon that makes Xero or Sage feel intimidating. It's often supplied free through partner accountants — worth asking yours before you pay — and free for two years with a Zempler business account. Simple by design, so power users may find it light.
At a glance
- Self-employment
- Yes
- Property / rent
- Yes
- Keeps your spreadsheet
- No
- Accountant access
- Yes
- Price verified
- 2026-08-03
- HMRC status
- Recognised
Plans & true annual cost
| Plan | Self-emp. | Property | Per year (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
MTD filing (annual billing) Quarterly MTD updates and the year-end return to HMRC; billed annually. | ✓ | ✓ | £129.99/yr |
MTD filing (monthly billing) The same MTD filing plan, billed monthly — costs more over a year than annual billing. | ✓ | ✓ | £263.88/yr |
Can be free: Free for two years if you open a Zempler Bank business account.
Pros & cons
What's good
- Purpose-built for sole traders and landlords under MTD — minimal jargon
- Free for two years if you open a Zempler business account
- Often provided free via partner accountants — ask yours
- Covers both self-employment and property; agent access
What's not
- Deliberately simple — fewer features than full accounting suites
- Smaller, newer brand than Xero or Sage
- No longer the bargain it was — the 2026 plan shake-up moved it mid-table on price
Who it's for
- First-timers who find accounting apps overwhelming
- Landlords with a side trade
…and who should look elsewhere
- Businesses wanting deep accounting, inventory or payroll features
- Spreadsheet diehards who only want to file (bridging is cheaper still)
- Anyone whose accountant mandates a specific other platform
Common mistakes to avoid
- Paying directly without checking whether your accountant offers it free
- Expecting full-suite accounting features from a deliberately simple tool
Frequently asked questions
- Is Coconut good for MTD beginners?
- Yes — it's designed for first-timers, using plain language instead of accounting jargon.
- Can I get Coconut free?
- Often, yes — many partner accountants supply it free, so ask yours before subscribing directly.
- Does Coconut handle property income?
- Yes, alongside self-employment.
- Is Coconut full accounting software?
- It's deliberately simpler than Xero or Sage — great for straightforward affairs, lighter on advanced features.
Alternatives to consider
Free full accounting if you want more features at low cost.
Cheaper still if you keep a spreadsheet.
If you'll want room to grow into fuller accounting.
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Pricing for Coconut was last verified on 3 August 2026 against the vendor's page; the catalogue was reconciled 3 August 2026. Its cheapest plan's true annual cost is £129.99/year. Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.