Clear Books Accounting Software Review
In a nutshell
Clear Books is a proper UK-built platform that sometimes gets overlooked alongside bigger names. Founded in 2008 by Tim Fouracre, the company has focused on serving UK small businesses and accountants with MTD-compliant software. They have been particularly proactive about preparing for MTD for Income Tax, with a free plan specifically for sole traders and landlords. Customer support is a genuine differentiator - you will speak to people who understand UK tax specifics, not offshore teams working from scripts. Pricing is competitive and transparent, with plans from £13.50/month (Small) to £34/month (Large). The platform is accredited by the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers and registered with the FCA.
Pros
- Free MTD for Income Tax plan for sole traders and landlords
- UK-built with strong HMRC alignment and compliance focus
- Responsive UK-based customer support with knowledgeable staff
- Transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees
- CIS support for construction industry
- Unlimited users on Large plan with role-based permissions
- Open Banking integration for automatic bank feeds
- GoCardless integration for easy invoice collection
Cons
- Smaller ecosystem of add-ons and integrations compared to market leaders
- Less brand recognition may concern some users
- Interface not as intuitive as some competitors; navigation can be tricky
- Multi-currency and advanced features only on Large plan (£34/month)
- No cash flow forecasting feature
- No dedicated mobile app (mobile-friendly web interface only)
- Small plan cannot submit VAT returns directly to HMRC
Clear Books is a proper UK-built platform that sometimes gets overlooked alongside bigger names. MTD compliance is solid, and the company has been proactive about preparing for MTD for Income Tax.
Customer support is a genuine differentiator – you’ll speak to people who understand UK tax specifics, not offshore teams working from scripts. Pricing is competitive and transparent.
Best for: UK businesses wanting local support, those frustrated with larger providers’ support quality
Limitations: Smaller ecosystem of add-ons; less brand recognition