Clearbooks vs Agile CRM
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Agile CRM is our recommended pick for most teams — startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one crm at an affordable price.
Try Agile CRM →Read our full Agile CRM review →Clearbooks
Clearbooks is a UK-focused cloud accounting software designed for small businesses and sole traders. It covers invoicing, expenses, payroll, and VAT returns in a simple and affordable package.
Agile CRM
Agile CRM is an all-in-one CRM platform that combines sales, marketing, and customer service tools at an affordable price point. It offers a generous free plan for up to 10 users, making it one of the best free CRM options for small teams. Agile CRM is popular with startups and small businesses looking to consolidate their tools.
Pros
- ✓Built specifically for UK accounting and VAT
- ✓Simple and easy to use
- ✓Affordable pricing
- ✓Good invoicing features
- ✓Solid MTD (Making Tax Digital) compliance
Cons
- ✗Limited outside UK market
- ✗Fewer integrations than QuickBooks or Xero
- ✗Less suitable for larger businesses
- ✗Support can be slow
Pros
- ✓Generous free plan for up to 10 users
- ✓All-in-one platform covering sales, marketing, and support
- ✓Affordable paid plans with strong feature sets
- ✓Built-in telephony included
Cons
- ✗Interface feels outdated compared to modern CRMs
- ✗Customer support quality is inconsistent
- ✗Can feel overwhelming with too many features for simple use cases
Clearbooks vs Agile CRM: Side by Side
| Factor | Clearbooks | Agile CRM |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.4/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | Free |
| Best For | UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance | Startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one CRM at an affordable price |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Clearbooks Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
Agile CRM Features
- ✓Contact management
- ✓deal tracking
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓telephony
- ✓web engagement
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
Agile CRM
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Solo: $16/user/mo · Team: $19/user/mo · Enterprise: custom
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Agile CRM
- →Small businesses wanting an all-in-one CRM
- →Startups needing free CRM with marketing automation
- →Teams replacing spreadsheets with a proper CRM
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Agile CRM is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing advanced reporting
- ✗Teams requiring complex workflow automation
- ✗Businesses needing dedicated customer support
Integrations
Agile CRM
Gmail, Outlook, Stripe, Twilio, SendGrid, Zapier, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook
Our Take
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose Agile CRM if startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one crm at an affordable price.
Best For
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Best For
Startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one CRM at an affordable price
Also Consider
If neither Clearbooks nor Agile CRM is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Clearbooks and Agile CRM?
Clearbooks is best for uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Agile CRM is best for startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one crm at an affordable price.
Which is better, Clearbooks or Agile CRM?
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose Agile CRM if startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one crm at an affordable price.
How much does Clearbooks cost?
Visit Clearbooks website for current pricing.
How much does Agile CRM cost?
Agile CRM starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use Clearbooks?
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Who should use Agile CRM?
Startups and small businesses wanting an all-in-one CRM at an affordable price