Clear Books review: what it is, pricing and who it's for
UK online accounting software with free MTD plans for sole traders and landlords, plus paid company plans.
In short: UK online accounting software with free MTD plans for sole traders and landlords, plus paid company plans. Starting price: Free; paid from £5/month + VAT. Free plan / trial: Free sole trader and property plans; 30-day trial of paid plans. Best for: UK sole traders, landlords and small limited companies.
What is Clear Books?
Clear Books is cloud accounting software made for the UK. It records income and expenses, sends invoices, connects to your bank and produces reports. It supports HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules for both Income Tax and VAT.
There are separate plan groups for sole traders, landlords with UK property, owners of overseas property and organisations such as limited companies, partnerships and charities. Accountants can join a free partner programme to manage clients.
Key features
- MTD for Income Tax quarterly updates and year-end filing, even on the free plans.
- MTD VAT submissions on Sole Trader Plus and the Medium and Large company plans.
- Bank feeds with transaction matching on paid plans.
- Invoicing, bill and receipt scanning, and a balance sheet.
- Unlimited users on the paid sole trader and property plans.
- Accountant tools such as journals, lock dates and an audit log.
- Project accounting, multi-currency, expense claims and fixed assets on the Large plan.
- Payroll available as a separate add-on.
Plans and pricing
| Plan | Price / limit | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Trader Free / Property Free | £0 | MTD Income Tax updates and year-end filing, income and expense records, no transaction limits |
| Sole Trader / Property | £5/month + VAT | Adds bank feeds, scanning, invoicing, balance sheet, unlimited users, email support |
| Sole Trader Plus | £15/month + VAT | Adds MTD VAT, flat-rate scheme, reverse charge, phone support |
| Small (organisations) | £16/month + VAT | Bank feeds, invoicing, full reports, API, dividends tool, user permissions |
| Medium | £34/month + VAT | Adds MTD VAT, purchase orders, CIS reporting, unlimited budgets |
| Large | £44/month + VAT | Adds project accounting, multi-currency, expense claims, fixed assets |
Prices are in GBP and exclude VAT; company plans are 10% cheaper paid yearly and 20% cheaper paid every two years, and new subscribers get 50% off the first three months (checked 15 Nov 2026).
Pros and cons
Pros
- Genuinely free MTD Income Tax plans for sole traders and landlords
- Low-cost paid plans with unlimited users
- No setup fees and you can cancel at any time
- Built for UK tax rules
Cons
- MTD VAT needs Sole Trader Plus or the Medium plan or higher
- Payroll and some extras cost more on top
- Multi-currency and project accounting only on the top Large plan
- UK only, so not a fit for businesses based elsewhere
Who it's for
Clear Books fits UK sole traders and landlords who need MTD filing at low or no cost, and small UK companies that want simple accounting. Businesses outside the UK, or companies that need advanced inventory tools, should look elsewhere.
Frequently asked questions
What is Clear Books?
Clear Books is cloud accounting software made for the UK. It records income and expenses, sends invoices, connects to your bank and produces reports. It supports HMRC's Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules for both Income Tax and VAT.
How much does Clear Books cost?
Clear Books starts at Free; paid from £5/month + VAT. Prices are in GBP and exclude VAT; company plans are 10% cheaper paid yearly and 20% cheaper paid every two years, and new subscribers get 50% off the first three months (checked 15 Nov 2026).
Does Clear Books have a free plan or free trial?
Free sole trader and property plans; 30-day trial of paid plans.
Who is Clear Books best for?
Clear Books fits UK sole traders and landlords who need MTD filing at low or no cost, and small UK companies that want simple accounting. Businesses outside the UK, or companies that need advanced inventory tools, should look elsewhere.
What are the downsides of Clear Books?
Main drawbacks: MTD VAT needs Sole Trader Plus or the Medium plan or higher. Payroll and some extras cost more on top. Multi-currency and project accounting only on the top Large plan. UK only, so not a fit for businesses based elsewhere.
What are some alternatives to Clear Books?
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This summary is based on Clear Books's official website, pricing page and public documentation as of November 15, 2026. Prices and features change, so confirm the details on the official site. Some links on this site may be affiliate links. See our affiliate disclosure.