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

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". On 17 October 2026, ember.co redirected to Starling's accounting page. Starling's press release of 6 November 2025 says its Making Tax Digital software is a direct result of the Starling Group's acquisition of Ember in August 2025. As listed on 17 October 2026, Accounting Essentials is free and Accounting Plus, for VAT returns, is £7 a month until April 2027, then £14 a month. Starling's page does not say whether VAT is included. You need a Starling sole trader or business account. On 17 October 2026, Starling's accounting and MTD pages said quarterly updates can be sent now and the end-of-year tax return is coming soon, though one FAQ on its accounting page lists Self Assessments among what Essentials does. GOV.UK lists its tax-return items, including CIS, as in development. Ask Starling. Read the full answer, with every source, at rightotax.co.uk.