Updated on 15 September 2026

QuickFile review (2026): genuinely free UK MTD software

Prices and features last verified on 20 September 2026. Sources: QuickFile website, HMRC MTD software list.

QuickFile is UK-built accounting software that has been around since 2007, and it has quietly built a reputation as one of the few genuinely free options for sole traders. There’s no bank account requirement, no time-limited trial, and no “free until you reach the features you actually need” game — a free account covers bookkeeping, bank feeds, invoicing, and, crucially, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA).

QuickFile is HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA, so it can submit your quarterly updates and End of Period Statement directly to HMRC. For a sole trader on a budget who doesn’t want to switch banks to get FreeAgent free, it’s the most obvious alternative.

Who is QuickFile best for?

Sole traders who want a free, UK-built accounting platform with no catch

QuickFile suits sole traders with a low-to-moderate volume of transactions — the free tier covers up to 1,000 a year, which is roughly 80 a month — who want a proper accounting platform without paying for it. It’s a particularly good fit if you don’t bank with NatWest (that’s the only way to get your favourite free option for free). UK residents get a UK-company support desk and UK-standard banks feeds, which isn’t something every tool on this site can say.

QuickFile pricing

Free for sole traders under 1,000 transactions/year (from £6/month for higher volumes).

• Free tier: up to 1,000 transactions/year, unlimited clients, bank feeds, invoicing, and MTD ITSA.
• Paid tiers from £6/month: higher transaction volumes and the fuller feature set.

The paid plans aren’t expensive, but for a typical sole trader the free tier is plenty. Verify the current pricing before you sign up.

Key features

• Bank feeds — connect your bank and reconcile automatically.
• Invoicing — create, send, and track invoices.
• MTD ITSA — quarterly updates and your End of Period Statement, on the free tier.
• Mobile app — iOS and Android apps for tracking on the go.
• Multi-currency — support for foreign currency transactions.
• VAT — handling for VAT-registered businesses on paid plans.

MTD Income Tax status

QuickFile is HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA on all tiers — including the free tier. Confirm on the official gov.uk MTD software list before signing up.

Pros & cons

Verdict

QuickFile is the best free option for sole traders who don’t bank with NatWest and don’t want to switch. The free tier is genuine — MTD ITSA included — and it’s backed by a real UK company rather than a loss-leader trial. If your transaction volume is modest, there’s little reason to pay for anything else. Grow beyond 1,000 transactions a year and the gap to Xero’s polish narrows, but for most sole traders QuickFile is hard to beat at the price.

Frequently asked questions