How we compare

Side-by-side comparisons with the other ways to meet Making Tax Digital: Making Tax Digital apps, bookkeeping software and using a local accountant. Each one shows prices including VAT and the date we last checked them.

• Hnry, Coconut, Starling, FreeAgent, Countingup or an accountant: which suits a sole-trader tradesperson?

  Six ways for a sole-trader tradesperson to meet Making Tax Digital, side by side: prices checked 17 October 2026, who does the work, CIS, and where each fits.

• Hnry, Pie or ANNA: which managed tax service suits a tradesperson?

  Hnry, Pie, ANNA, Taxfix Full Support and our service side by side for self-employed trades, with prices checked 16 October 2026 and where each fits best.

• How do free and low-cost MTD apps for CIS subcontractors compare with a managed service?

  CIS Invoice, Cuppa, Debbie, Simple TaxFlow and Kletta cost £0 to £19 a month, and you file yourself. How they compare with a managed plan, October 2026.

• How does a local accountant compare with our Making Tax Digital service?

  Fee guides put an accountant's tax return at £200–£500 + VAT in 2026, with MTD updates usually extra. When an accountant is the better fit, and when we are.

• How does ANNA's Auto Accountant compare with our service for tradespeople?

  ANNA lists MTD filing as free and its AI-based Auto Accountant at £29 a month after 4 free months, October 2026. What that buys, VAT, and how we compare.

• How does Coconut compare with our Making Tax Digital service?

  Coconut is MTD software you run yourself, with an MTD filing plan at £129.99 a year. How it compares with a managed service for trades and landlords.

• How does Countingup compare with our service for tradespeople?

  Countingup is a business bank account with bookkeeping built in, from £5 a month. How it compares with our fixed-price MTD filing, checked October 2026.

• How does Ember, now Starling Accounting, compare with our service for tradespeople?

  Ember's site now leads to Starling Accounting: free with a Starling account, tax return coming soon. How it compares for CIS trades, checked October 2026.

• How does FreeAgent compare with our service for tradespeople?

  FreeAgent is £19 a month + VAT for sole traders, or free with some bank accounts. How it compares with our service, checked October 2026.

• How does Hnry compare with our service for tradespeople?

  Hnry charges 1% + VAT of self-employed income, capped at £600 + VAT a year. How that compares with our fixed price for CIS subcontractors, checked October 2026.

• How does Pie compare with our Making Tax Digital service?

  Pie's app is free and its managed MTD package was £199 a year in October 2026, VAT not stated. What you do, what Pie does, and how we compare.

• How does Taxfix compare with our Making Tax Digital service?

  Taxfix, formerly TaxScouts, has MTD plans from £4.99 to £39.99 a month including VAT. How they compare with our service, checked October 2026.

• How much do CIS tax refund companies charge?

  CIS refund firms charged £99 to £354 for a refund return in October 2026, and claiming yourself is free. A dated price table for RIFT, Baa, Taxfix and Pie.

• Is RIFT worth it for a CIS tax refund?

  RIFT charged £354 including VAT for a CIS refund in October 2026. How that compares with claiming free yourself, or a fixed yearly price that files your return.

• Is there any free Making Tax Digital software for builders?

  Yes. On 18 October 2026, 13 products on HMRC's finder had a free version and were ready for sole traders and CIS. What each free version covers and the catches.

• Is there any free Making Tax Digital software for electricians?

  Yes. On 18 October 2026, 13 products on HMRC's finder had a free version ready for sole traders and CIS. Check VAT separately if you are registered.

• Is there any free Making Tax Digital software for plumbers?

  Yes. On 18 October 2026, 33 products on HMRC's finder had a free version ready for sole traders. Plumbers paid direct by homeowners don't need the CIS feature.

• Is there any free Making Tax Digital software?

  Yes. Several MTD products on GOV.UK's software finder have free versions, usually with limits. What they include in October 2026 and what to check.

• What is the best accounting software for builders?

  HMRC recommends no product. Seven accounting packages compared for builders on 19 October 2026: price, CIS, the VAT reverse charge, job costing and receipts.

• What is the best accounting software for electricians?

  HMRC recommends no product. Six accounting packages compared on 19 October 2026 for electricians mixing CIS site work with domestic jobs: prices and features.

• What is the best accounting software for plumbers?

  No single best, and HMRC recommends none. Seven accounting apps for plumbers compared on 19 October 2026: price, receipt limits, quotes, CIS, VAT and MTD.

• What is the best accounting software for sole traders?

  No single best: HMRC recommends no product. Seven accounting apps compared on 19 October 2026 for invoices, bank feeds, receipts, CIS, VAT and MTD.

• What is the best MTD software for builders and other CIS subcontractors?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 16 October 2026, 45 MTD products were ready for sole traders and CIS deductions. What a builder needs and where each type fits.

• What is the best MTD software for decorators?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 18 October 2026, 47 MTD products were ready for sole traders and CIS. What decorators with mixed homeowner and CIS work need.

• What is the best MTD software for electricians?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 16 October 2026, 26 products were ready for sole traders, CIS and MTD for VAT. How electricians with mixed jobs can choose.

• What is the best MTD software for gas engineers?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 18 October 2026, 47 MTD products were ready for sole traders and CIS. What gas engineers with mixed jobs and a van need.

• What is the best MTD software for landscapers?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 18 October 2026, 156 MTD products were ready for sole traders, 47 of them for CIS. How landscapers and gardeners can choose.

• What is the best MTD software for plasterers?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 18 October 2026, 156 MTD products were ready for sole traders, 47 of them for CIS. How plasterers can choose.

• What is the best MTD software for plumbers?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 16 October 2026, 154 MTD products were ready for sole traders, 45 of them for CIS. How plumbers and heating engineers can choose.

• What is the best MTD software for roofers?

  HMRC recommends no product. On 16 October 2026, 45 MTD products were ready for sole traders and CIS. What roofers need for CIS, scaffold hire and VAT.

• What is the best MTD software for sole traders?

  There is no single best MTD software for sole traders. Compare products on the GOV.UK finder, their October 2026 prices and which ones handle CIS.

• What is the cheapest way to do a tax return as a sole trader?

  HMRC's guidance calls its own online filing service free. Apps, one-off return services and accountant fees compared, with prices checked in October 2026.

What happens next

1. 1Compare what each option includes, and what it costs over a full year.
2. 2Use the free checker to see when Making Tax Digital starts for you.
3. 3If we’re the right fit, join the waitlist — no payment is taken.