Clearbooks vs Manatal
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Manatal is our recommended pick for most teams — recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Try Manatal →Read our full Manatal 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.
Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for recruitment agencies and corporate HR teams. It offers one of the most affordable price points in the ATS market while including advanced AI features like candidate scoring, enrichment from LinkedIn and social profiles, and automated recommendations. Manatal is popular in Southeast Asia and with global recruiting agencies.
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
- ✓One of the most affordable ATS tools with genuine AI features
- ✓AI candidate scoring and profile enrichment save significant research time
- ✓Simple to set up and use
- ✓Good for recruitment agencies managing multiple clients
Cons
- ✗Less established in Western markets compared to Greenhouse or Lever
- ✗Some advanced features limited to higher tiers
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
- ✗Limited employer branding customization
Clearbooks vs Manatal: Side by Side
| Factor | Clearbooks | Manatal |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | HR Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | Contact for pricing | $19/user/mo |
| Best For | UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance | Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
Clearbooks Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
Manatal Features
- ✓AI candidate sourcing
- ✓applicant tracking
- ✓CRM
- ✓onboarding
- ✓analytics
- ✓job board integrations
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Manatal
- →Recruiting agencies managing multiple client pipelines
- →HR teams wanting AI-powered candidate scoring
- →Companies sourcing candidates from LinkedIn at scale
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Manatal is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS beyond recruiting
- ✗Small businesses with occasional hiring needs
- ✗Teams wanting a free ATS option
Integrations
Manatal
LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, Google Calendar, Zoom, Teams
Our Take
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Best For
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
Best For
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Also Consider
If neither Clearbooks nor Manatal 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 Manatal?
Clearbooks is best for uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Manatal is best for recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Which is better, Clearbooks or Manatal?
Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
How much does Clearbooks cost?
Visit Clearbooks website for current pricing.
How much does Manatal cost?
Manatal starts at $19/user/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 Manatal?
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price