Clearbooks vs Justworks
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Justworks is our recommended pick for most teams — small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits.
Try Justworks →Read our full Justworks 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.
Justworks
Justworks is a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) that gives small businesses access to Fortune 500-level benefits and simplified payroll. By co-employing your team, Justworks handles compliance, payroll taxes, and benefits administration. It is ideal for small businesses that want premium benefits without an in-house HR team.
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
- ✓Access to high-quality health, dental, and vision benefits typically reserved for large companies
- ✓Simple flat-rate pricing with no hidden fees
- ✓Excellent customer support with fast response times
- ✓Handles all compliance and payroll tax filings
Cons
- ✗More expensive than software-only alternatives due to PEO model
- ✗Only available for US-based employees
- ✗Less flexible than standalone HR software for customization
Clearbooks vs Justworks: Side by Side
| Factor | Clearbooks | Justworks |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $59/employee/mo |
| Best For | UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance | Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Clearbooks Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
Justworks Features
- ✓PEO co-employment
- ✓payroll
- ✓benefits access
- ✓compliance
- ✓HR support
Pricing Comparison
Justworks
PaidStarts at $59/employee/mo
Justworks: $59/employee/mo · Plus: $99/employee/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Justworks
- →US startups and small businesses wanting full PEO services
- →Companies wanting to offer Fortune 500 benefits to small teams
- →Businesses wanting to outsource HR compliance
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Justworks is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies with international employees
- ✗Businesses wanting full control over HR processes
- ✗Large enterprises with dedicated HR teams
Integrations
Justworks
QuickBooks, Xero, Slack, Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Greenhouse
Our Take
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose Justworks if small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits.
Best For
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Best For
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits
Also Consider
If neither Clearbooks nor Justworks 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 Justworks?
Clearbooks is best for uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Justworks is best for small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits.
Which is better, Clearbooks or Justworks?
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose Justworks if small businesses wanting fortune 500 benefits.
How much does Clearbooks cost?
Visit Clearbooks website for current pricing.
How much does Justworks cost?
Justworks starts at $59/employee/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use Clearbooks?
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Who should use Justworks?
Small businesses wanting Fortune 500 benefits