TradeTally vs Crunch
Crunch is a UK accounting service that bundles cloud software with access to real accountants. It is popular with freelancers and contractors who want hands-off accounting. Pricing starts higher because it includes human accountant support rather than being a pure software product.
Crunch
£35–£125/month
Founded 2009 · UK freelancers, contractors, limited companies
TradeTally
£12/mo
Built for UK sole trader tradespeople
Feature comparison
| Feature | Crunch | TradeTally |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Included | ✓ |
| Quoting | Not included | ✓ |
| Expense tracking | Included | ✓ |
| Receipt scanning | Included | ✓ |
| SA103F export | Included | ✓ |
| Mobile app | Included | ✓ |
| MTD submission support | Included | Not available |
| Bank reconciliation | Included | ✓ |
| Payroll | Included | ✓ |
| Multi-currency | Not included | ✓ |
| Inventory management | Not included | ✓ |
| Time tracking | Included | ✓ |
Where Crunch wins
- Includes access to qualified accountants
- Takes the stress out of tax returns and compliance
- Good for contractors managing IR35 and limited companies
- Comprehensive tax planning support
Where TradeTally wins
- Costs 3-10x more than TradeTally for sole traders
- Software is a secondary feature, not the core product
- No mobile-first design for tradespeople in the field
- No trade-specific workflows or expense categories
- Invoicing is basic: focused on accountancy, not client-facing documents
Common questions
Is Crunch worth the extra cost over TradeTally?
Crunch includes accountant support, which can help with limited companies, IR35, and dividend income. TradeTally costs £12/month and covers invoicing, expenses, and tax exports for sole traders who do not need an accountant bundled into the software.
Do I need an accountant if I use TradeTally?
Most sole trader tradespeople do not. TradeTally categorises your income and expenses and produces SA103F-ready exports. You can file your own Self Assessment with confidence. If your affairs are complex, you can still hire an accountant separately.
Can TradeTally replace Crunch for a sole trader?
For the software side, absolutely. TradeTally covers invoicing, quoting, expenses, receipt scanning, and SA103F export. The only thing you lose is the bundled accountant: but at over £60/month savings, you could afford an accountant when you actually need one.
Switch from Crunch to TradeTally
Built for UK sole trader tradespeople — quotes, invoices, receipts and tax records in one place. Start the 14-day free trial, no card required.