TradeTally vs QuickBooks
QuickBooks by Intuit is one of the world's most popular small business accounting platforms. The UK version (QuickBooks Online) offers invoicing, expense tracking, MTD-compatible VAT returns, and bank feeds. Originally US-focused, it has adapted for the UK market but still carries some Americanisms in its interface.
QuickBooks
£12–£32/month
Founded 1983 · Small businesses, freelancers, accountants
TradeTally
£12/mo
Built for UK sole trader tradespeople
Feature comparison
| Feature | QuickBooks | TradeTally |
|---|---|---|
| Invoicing | Included | ✓ |
| Quoting | Included | ✓ |
| Expense tracking | Included | ✓ |
| Receipt scanning | Included | ✓ |
| SA103F export | Not included | ✓ |
| Mobile app | Included | ✓ |
| MTD compatible | Included | In progress |
| Bank reconciliation | Included | ✓ |
| Payroll | Included | ✓ |
| Multi-currency | Included | ✓ |
| Inventory management | Included | ✓ |
| Time tracking | Included | ✓ |
Where QuickBooks wins
- Strong brand recognition and trusted by millions worldwide
- Good bank feed integration with UK banks
- Solid mobile app for invoicing on the go
- MTD-compatible for VAT returns
Where TradeTally wins
- No one-click SA103F export for sole traders
- Not designed specifically for tradespeople or field workers
- No trade-specific expense categories for materials, tools, and fuel
- Receipt scanning quality lags behind dedicated mobile-first apps
- Requires accounting knowledge to navigate chart of accounts
FAQs
Is TradeTally better than QuickBooks for tradespeople?
For sole trader tradespeople, TradeTally is purpose-built for your workflow: invoice from the job site, snap receipts, and export SA103F figures at tax time. QuickBooks is a general accounting tool that requires more setup and accounting knowledge.
How much cheaper is TradeTally than QuickBooks?
TradeTally Professional is £12/month with everything included. QuickBooks Simple Start is £12/month but lacks features like quoting and receipt scanning: you need their £25/month Essentials plan for those. TradeTally gives you it all at one simple price.
Can I switch from QuickBooks to TradeTally?
Yes. Most tradespeople can switch in minutes: just start creating invoices and logging expenses in TradeTally. There is no complex data migration needed for sole traders with straightforward invoicing needs.