TradeTally vs FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a Canadian invoicing and accounting platform popular with freelancers and service-based businesses. Known for its clean interface and time-tracking features, it focuses on making invoicing simple. However, it has limited UK-specific tax features and its pricing has shifted upward in recent years.
FreshBooks
£12–£37/month
Founded 2003 · Freelancers, consultants, service businesses
TradeTally
£12/mo
Built for UK sole trader tradespeople
Feature comparison
| Feature | FreshBooks | TradeTally |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Included | ✓ |
| Quoting | Included | ✓ |
| Expense tracking | Included | ✓ |
| Receipt scanning | Included | ✓ |
| SA103F export | Not included | ✓ |
| Mobile app | Included | ✓ |
| MTD submission support | Not included | Not available |
| Bank reconciliation | Included | ✓ |
| Payroll | Not included | ✓ |
| Multi-currency | Included | ✓ |
| Inventory management | Not included | ✓ |
| Time tracking | Included | ✓ |
Where FreshBooks wins
- Clean, intuitive interface that non-accountants can use
- Strong time-tracking and project management features
- Good client portal for online payments
- Automatic payment reminders and late fees
Where TradeTally wins
- No SA103F export: not designed for UK Self Assessment
- No MTD compatibility for UK tax obligations
- No trade-specific workflows for materials, callouts, and job costing
- Pricing in USD adds currency conversion uncertainty
- Mobile experience not optimised for on-site tradespeople
Common questions
Is FreshBooks suitable for UK tradespeople?
FreshBooks works for basic invoicing but lacks UK-specific features like SA103F export and MTD compliance. TradeTally is built specifically for UK sole trader tradespeople and keeps invoices, expenses and SA103F-ready figures organised.
Does FreshBooks support SA103F tax exports?
No. FreshBooks is a Canadian/US product and does not generate SA103F-ready figures. TradeTally produces one-click SA103F exports with your income, expenses, and profit categorised exactly as HMRC requires.
Why choose TradeTally over FreshBooks?
TradeTally is UK-built for tradespeople: SA103F exports, trade-specific expense categories, mobile-first design for job sites, and pricing in GBP from £12/month. FreshBooks is better suited to North American freelancers and consultants.
Switch from FreshBooks 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.
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