QuickBooks vs Clearbooks
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: September 14, 2026
QuickBooks is our recommended pick for most teams — small to mid-size us businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software.
Try QuickBooks →Read our full QuickBooks review →QuickBooks
QuickBooks is the world's leading accounting software for small and mid-size businesses. Built by Intuit, it handles bookkeeping, invoicing, payroll, tax preparation, and financial reporting in one platform. QuickBooks is used by over 7 million businesses worldwide and is the de facto standard for small business accounting in the US.
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.
Pros
- ✓Industry standard — most accountants and bookkeepers are familiar with QuickBooks
- ✓Comprehensive feature set covering all accounting needs
- ✓Strong ecosystem of integrations with 750+ apps
- ✓Excellent tax preparation and filing tools
Cons
- ✗Can be expensive as you add features and users
- ✗Steeper learning curve than simpler alternatives
- ✗Customer support quality has declined according to many users
- ✗Price increases frequently frustrate long-term customers
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
QuickBooks vs Clearbooks: Side by Side
| Factor | QuickBooks | Clearbooks |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.6/5 ★ | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | Accounting Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $30/mo | Contact for pricing |
| Best For | Small to mid-size US businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software | UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance |
| Our Pick | 🏆 Recommended | — |
QuickBooks Features
- ✓Bookkeeping
- ✓invoicing
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓payroll
- ✓tax preparation
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓inventory management
- ✓mobile app
- ✓integrations
Clearbooks Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓bank reconciliation
- ✓expense tracking
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
Pricing Comparison
QuickBooks
PaidStarts at $30/mo
Simple Start: $30/mo · Essentials: $60/mo · Plus: $90/mo · Advanced: $200/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
QuickBooks
- →Small businesses managing invoicing and expenses
- →Self-employed professionals tracking income and taxes
- →Companies wanting accounting software with payroll add-on
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
QuickBooks is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing multi-entity accounting
- ✗Companies requiring advanced inventory management
- ✗Businesses outside North America
Integrations
QuickBooks
Shopify, PayPal, Stripe, Square, Gusto, TSheets, HubSpot, Salesforce, Expensify
Our Take
Choose QuickBooks if small to mid-size us businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software. Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance.
Best For
Small to mid-size US businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software
Best For
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance
How QuickBooks and Clearbooks Are Similar
- •Both are Accounting Software platforms designed for business teams
- •Both offer web-based access with no software installation required
- •Both provide customer support and onboarding resources
- •Both integrate with popular third-party business tools
- •Both offer a trial or demo to evaluate before purchasing
Also Consider
If neither QuickBooks nor Clearbooks 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 QuickBooks and Clearbooks?
QuickBooks is best for small to mid-size us businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software. Clearbooks is best for uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance.
Which is better, QuickBooks or Clearbooks?
Choose QuickBooks if small to mid-size us businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software. Choose Clearbooks if uk small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong vat and mtd compliance.
How much does QuickBooks cost?
QuickBooks starts at $30/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Clearbooks cost?
Visit Clearbooks website for current pricing.
Who should use QuickBooks?
Small to mid-size US businesses wanting the industry standard accounting software
Who should use Clearbooks?
UK small businesses and sole traders wanting simple affordable accounting with strong VAT and MTD compliance