QuickFile
Full cloud accounting · by QuickFile · HMRC-recognised
Long-established UK cloud bookkeeping that's free for smaller accounts. Filing MTD for Income Tax needs its Power User Subscription, which covers both self-employment and property income.
Our verdict
QuickFile is a long-running, popular UK cloud-accounting tool with an unusual model: day-to-day bookkeeping is free for smaller accounts, and you pay only when you need its Power User features. Filing MTD for Income Tax sits behind that Power User Subscription — so it isn't free for ITSA, but the cost above still undercuts most full-accounting rivals and covers both self-employment and property income. If you already keep your books in QuickFile, adding ITSA filing is a small, logical step.
At a glance
- Self-employment
- Yes
- Property / rent
- Yes
- Keeps your spreadsheet
- No
- Accountant access
- Yes
- Price verified
- 2026-07-01
- HMRC status
- Recognised
Plans & true annual cost
| Plan | Self-emp. | Property | Per year (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
Power User QuickFile's bookkeeping is free for smaller accounts, but filing MTD for Income Tax requires the Power User Subscription (£60 + VAT/yr). Covers both sole traders and landlords; larger accounts may need it for ledger limits anyway. | ✓ | ✓ | £72/yr £60/yr ex-VAT |
Pros & cons
What's good
- Free bookkeeping for smaller accounts — you only pay for Power User features
- Filing MTD for Income Tax costs less than most full-accounting suites
- Covers both self-employment and property income
- Agent access for accountants and bookkeepers (via Affinity)
- Long track record and a large UK user base
What's not
- ITSA filing isn't on the free tier — it requires the paid Power User Subscription
- Account-size limits (ledger entries) can push you onto a paid plan anyway
- Less polished and less automated than the premium cloud suites
Who it's for
- People already using QuickFile's free bookkeeping
- Those wanting low-cost cloud accounting that also files ITSA
…and who should look elsewhere
- People who want genuinely free MTD for Income Tax filing
- Anyone wanting heavy bank-feed automation and a premium interface
- Brand-new users with no reason to prefer it over a simpler filer
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the free tier files ITSA — the Power User Subscription is required for that
- Overlooking the ledger-entry limits that move you onto a paid plan
- Comparing its ex-VAT price against a rival's VAT-inclusive figure (the cost above is VAT-inclusive)
Frequently asked questions
- Is QuickFile free?
- Bookkeeping is free for smaller accounts, but filing MTD for Income Tax requires the paid Power User Subscription — so for ITSA it isn't free.
- Is QuickFile HMRC-recognised for MTD for Income Tax?
- Yes — it's a listed provider on HMRC's software choices and supports MTD for Income Tax.
- Does QuickFile cover landlords?
- Yes — it supports both self-employment and property income, with dedicated landlord features.
- What does it cost to file ITSA with QuickFile?
- The Power User Subscription — see the cost above. Day-to-day bookkeeping itself is free for smaller accounts.
Alternatives to consider
Genuinely free for MTD for Income Tax if you don't need QuickFile's wider bookkeeping.
Cheaper still if you'd rather bridge from a spreadsheet than keep full books.
A fuller, more automated cloud-accounting suite if you'll outgrow QuickFile.
Compare QuickFile with
Pricing for QuickFile was last verified on 1 July 2026 against the vendor's page; the catalogue was reconciled 1 July 2026. Its cheapest plan's true annual cost is £72/year. Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.