Xero alternative

[Kerwin]

I was planning on using Xero as I used it in the past and found it easy to use. The problem is they put the price up quite a bit in September 2023 and now it feels too expensive for someone who is just keeping track of financial expenditure and hasn't even started trading yet.

Basically I just want something where I can keep track of what I spend. I don't even have a sole trader bank account yet but I'm sure that will come with time. The other option is just to use an Excel spreadsheet I guess but I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I don't even have a sole trader bank account

That's the easiest way!

 

[Kerwin]

That's the easiest way!

I guess. I've been looking at the sole trader account with Starling as I have my personal bank account with them. I might sign up in the new year.

Thank you!

 

[Scalloway]

I used to use VT Cashbook for my business. It is a free download. If you require more features a future date there is an annual fee of £102 for VT Transactions.

Free accounting software

Free accounting software from VT Software

www.vtsoftware.co.uk

 

[Kerwin]

I used to use VT Cashbook for my business. It is a free download. If you require more features a future date there is an annual fee of £102 for VT Transactions.

Free accounting software

Free accounting software from VT Software

www.vtsoftware.co.uk

Thank you for the recommendation. I just checked out their website and it looks like it is Windows only.

Sorry I should have said I used a Mac as my computer which is why I was looking at web based solutions.

 

[Kerwin]

Hmm. Quickbooks is only £1.40 a month for 6 months and then £14 a month after that. I think I'll give it a go.

 

[WaveJumper]

Perhaps have a look at some HMRC suggestions

Find software that's compatible with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

Check which software packages are compatible with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and find out what they do.

www.gov.uk

 

[eteb3]

Do you use cash basis and how many transactions a month? I’ve been perfectly happy using Excel for my cash basis consultancy work. Have built an invoicer tab that pulls all the details from the ledger - you just print to PDF and email it out. Takes csv bank statements and preprocesses them, too

If more complex needs, open source GnuCash has a good rep. Full capabilities, Mac version exists. There’s a bit of a learning curve but not much more than any other system, plus it’s £0/year forever

 

[Ozzy]

I don't even have a sole trader bank account yet but I'm sure that will come with time.

My daughter does her business banking with Natwest which comes with FreeAgent for free, and may be worth a look at.
Also, Tide who is sponsoring this UKBF forum, provides the sole trader bank account with their own accounting software solution

 

[MyAccountantOnline]

I was planning on using Xero as I used it in the past and found it easy to use. The problem is they put the price up quite a bit in September 2023 and now it feels too expensive for someone who is just keeping track of financial expenditure and hasn't even started trading yet.

Basically I just want something where I can keep track of what I spend. I don't even have a sole trader bank account yet but I'm sure that will come with time. The other option is just to use an Excel spreadsheet I guess but I'm open to suggestions.

My first suggestion would have been VT cashbook but as you want an online system Accounts Portal is good and competitively priced.

Online Accounting Software For Small Business | AccountsPortal

Online accounting software and small business bookkeeping. Use AccountsPortal for invoicing, expenses, VAT, banking and more. Start your free trial today!

www.accountsportal.com