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

Ember's website now leads to Starling Accounting, which is free with a Starling sole trader account, as listed on 17 October 2026. It sends quarterly updates now; its end-of-year tax return is marked "coming soon".

If you searched for Ember, this is what you will find today. On 17 October 2026, ember.co redirected to Starling Bank's accounting page. Starling announced on 19 August 2025 that it had agreed to buy Ember, and its press release of 6 November 2025 says its Making Tax Digital (MTD) software is a direct result of that acquisition. The August release also said Ember's software would become exclusive to Starling Bank customers in 2026, and that Starling would stop Ember's accountancy advisory services.

So the real comparison is Starling Accounting, a free do-it-yourself tool inside a Starling account, against our service, which prepares your updates and tax return from the bank account you already have. Our tax plans start once our HMRC registrations are complete. Until then you can join the waitlist, and no payment is taken.

Prices compared

Starling's prices were checked on its website on 17 October 2026. Its pages do not say whether VAT is included. Our prices include VAT.

Starling Accounting Essentials was free on 17 October 2026. Our Trades Tax plan is £350 a year including VAT. The difference is who does the work: Starling gives you the tool, and we prepare the figures for you. With our founding offer, cancel any time. We'll remind you before it changes.

What each one does

GOV.UK's software finder lists Starling as software you use yourself, not agent software. Its tax-return items, including the Construction Industry Scheme, are listed as "In development", which GOV.UK explains means the provider has committed to building them in time for the 2026 to 2027 tax return.

When Starling Accounting is the better choice

• You bank with Starling, or are happy to. The tool is built into the account, and Essentials costs nothing.
• You are comfortable doing it yourself. Starling assigns categories to your expenses automatically; reviewing them and sending each quarterly update is in your hands.
• You want VAT returns for a smaller monthly fee. Accounting Plus was £7 a month until April 2027 on 17 October 2026, VAT not stated. Our VAT add-on is £10 a month including VAT.
• You want invoicing in the same place. Starling lists free invoicing that matches payments to invoices.
• You need to start now. Our tax plans are not open yet.

When our service may suit you better

• You want to keep your own bank. Starling Accounting needs a Starling sole trader or business account. We work from the bank account you already have.
• You would rather hand the work over. Bank transactions are sorted automatically, and we prepare the updates and tax return. You check and confirm every figure before anything reaches HMRC, and we never ask for your HMRC password.
• You are a CIS subcontractor. Starling says you must record deductions manually. With us, CIS deductions are matched to your statements and counted in your tax return. Before you join MTD, over-deducted CIS is claimed back through your Self Assessment tax return. Once you are in MTD, HMRC adds your CIS deductions to your tax return, and any refund is requested separately through HMRC online services. Either way, the sooner after 5 April the return is filed, the sooner HMRC can repay you.
• You use the accruals basis. Starling's eligibility list says you cannot use its Accounting if you do.

What this means for you

If your self-employed turnover and rent before expenses came to more than £30,000 in 2025-26, MTD starts for you on 6 April 2027. Your first quarterly update covers 6 April to 5 July 2027 and is due by 7 August 2027. Each missed deadline earns a penalty point, and 4 points means a £200 penalty.

A free tool still needs your time each quarter, and its tax return is not ready yet. Check what each option does at the end of the year, not only during it.

Steps to choose between them

1. Use the free MTD check to see whether and when MTD starts for you.
2. Decide whether you are willing to move your business banking to Starling.
3. Check your accounting method. Starling's list says Accounting is for the cash basis.
4. If you are under CIS, ask how your deductions are recorded and how an over-deduction is claimed back.
5. Ask Starling when its end-of-year tax return will be ready, before you rely on it.
6. If you would rather hand the work over and keep your current bank, see the trades plan and join the waitlist. No payment is taken.