Accounting Software for Tradespeople
TradesInfo helps UK tradespeople compare accounting software for tradespeople, understand VAT and CIS, manage invoices, track expenses and make better business decisions. Our guides are written for plumbers, electricians, builders, contractors, roofers, landscapers and other trade businesses that want clear, practical information without accounting jargon.
Whether you are a sole trader, limited company, subcontractor or growing trade business, the right systems can make it easier to quote jobs, get paid, keep cleaner records and understand where your money is going.
Practical business guides for UK tradespeople
Running a trade business is not only about doing good work on site. You also need to price jobs properly, send invoices, record materials, track mileage, keep receipts, manage VAT, deal with CIS where relevant and understand whether each job is actually profitable.
TradesInfo is built around those practical problems. Instead of generic accounting advice, we focus on the admin issues UK tradespeople deal with every week: invoices, expenses, CIS, VAT, job costing, payment tracking, bookkeeping and choosing the right accounting software.
Start here
If you are new to TradesInfo, these are the best places to begin. The main accounting software guide gives you the broad comparison. The trade-specific guides help you narrow the choice based on how your business actually works. The CIS guide is designed for contractors and subcontractors who need more than basic invoicing software.
Best Accounting Software for Tradespeople
Compare QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreeAgent and FreshBooks for UK tradespeople. Covers invoices, VAT, expenses, mileage, CIS and job costing.
Read the main guide →CIS Accounting Software for Contractors
Accounting software guidance for contractors and subcontractors dealing with CIS deductions, VAT, invoices and construction records.
Read CIS guide →QuickBooks vs Xero for Tradespeople
Compare two of the most popular cloud accounting platforms for UK plumbers, electricians, builders and contractors.
Compare QuickBooks vs Xero →Choose your trade
Different trades have different admin problems. A plumber doing call-outs does not work in the same way as a landscaper managing deposits and materials. A contractor dealing with CIS does not need the same setup as a small sole trader sending a few invoices each week.
That is why TradesInfo has separate guides for individual trades. Use the cards below to find the guide closest to your business.
Plumbers
Accounting software for plumbers dealing with quotes, invoices, VAT, mileage, expenses, parts and emergency call-out work.
View plumber guide →Electricians
Guides for electricians covering invoices, materials, mileage, expenses, VAT, bookkeeping and small business records.
View electrician guide →Contractors
Software and accounting guides for contractors handling CIS, VAT, subcontractors, invoices and job-related costs.
View contractor guide →Landscapers
Accounting software for landscapers managing quotes, deposits, materials, plants, aggregates, mileage and seasonal cash flow.
View landscaper guide →Roofers
Software guidance for roofing businesses dealing with estimates, invoices, materials, VAT, staged payments and project costs.
View roofer guide →All trades
Compare accounting software options for UK tradespeople, including QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreeAgent and FreshBooks.
Compare all options →What TradesInfo helps with
Most accounting software websites explain features in broad business language. Tradespeople need something more practical. You need to know whether the software can help with the actual work around your business: quoting jobs, buying materials, sending invoices, tracking van costs, recording expenses, managing VAT and giving your accountant clean records.
TradesInfo focuses on the everyday admin that affects UK trade businesses. The aim is to help you make clearer decisions before choosing software, speaking to an accountant or changing how you manage business records.
Accounting software
Compare accounting tools for invoices, expenses, VAT, receipt capture, bank feeds, CIS and accountant access.
Compare software →VAT and CIS
Understand what to look for if your business is VAT-registered, works under CIS or needs better construction-related records.
View CIS guide →Invoices and quotes
Find software and guides that help tradespeople send clear quotes, issue invoices faster and track unpaid work.
View software guide →Expenses and receipts
Track materials, tools, fuel, phone costs, workwear, supplier purchases and other common trade business expenses.
View accounting guide →Software reviews
Read practical reviews of accounting software from the point of view of UK trade businesses rather than generic office users.
Read QuickBooks review →Comparisons
Compare popular tools side by side so you can decide which one is more suitable for your trade business.
View comparison →Popular accounting software guides
If you are trying to choose accounting software for a trade business, these guides are the core starting points. They are designed to help you compare the main options and understand which tools may fit your setup.
Best Accounting Software for Tradespeople UK
Our main guide comparing QuickBooks, Xero, Sage, FreeAgent and FreshBooks for UK tradespeople.
Read the main guide →QuickBooks Review for Tradespeople
A practical look at QuickBooks for plumbers, electricians, builders, contractors and other UK trade businesses.
Read QuickBooks review →Sage Review for Tradespeople
Is Sage a good option for UK tradespeople managing invoices, VAT, expenses and business records?
Read Sage review →QuickBooks vs Xero
Compare QuickBooks and Xero for UK trade businesses, including invoices, VAT, accountant access and usability.
Compare QuickBooks vs Xero →Accounting for Electricians
A practical accounting guide for UK electricians covering invoices, expenses, materials, mileage, VAT and bookkeeping.
Read electrician accounting guide →CIS Accounting Software
Software guidance for contractors and subcontractors dealing with CIS deductions, VAT and monthly records.
Read CIS guide →Quick guide: what should tradespeople look for?
The best accounting software for a tradesperson depends on the size of the business, whether you are VAT-registered, whether you work under CIS, how many invoices you send, and whether you need to track costs by job.
A simple sole-trader setup may only need invoices, expenses and basic records. A larger contractor may need stronger reporting, subcontractor records, VAT support and accountant access.
| Business need | Why it matters | Software features to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Invoices and quotes | Tradespeople need to price work clearly and get paid on time. | Quotes, invoices, payment tracking and automatic reminders. |
| Expenses and receipts | Materials, fuel, tools and supplier costs can quickly add up. | Receipt capture, expense categories and bank transaction matching. |
| VAT records | VAT-registered businesses need organised records and accurate returns. | VAT tracking, Making Tax Digital support and accountant access. |
| CIS | Contractors and subcontractors may need to manage deductions and construction records. | CIS-friendly bookkeeping, clear payment records and monthly reporting support. |
| Job costing | Trade businesses need to know whether jobs are actually profitable. | Income and cost tracking by customer, project or job type. |
Cheapest is not always best
It is tempting to choose the cheapest accounting software, especially when you are trying to keep overheads low. But the wrong system can cost more in wasted time, missed expenses, poor records and accountant clean-up fees.
For a very small sole-trader business, simple invoicing software may be enough. But if you are VAT-registered, work under CIS, employ staff, use subcontractors, or manage larger jobs, it is usually worth choosing software that can handle more than the basics.
Accounting software by business type
Not every tradesperson needs the same setup. The right choice depends on how you work day to day, how complex your records are and how much support you need from an accountant.
Sole traders
Sole traders usually need simple invoices, expenses, mileage tracking, receipt storage and clear tax records. FreeAgent, FreshBooks, QuickBooks and Xero may all be worth comparing depending on budget and business complexity.
VAT-registered trades
VAT-registered businesses should look for software that supports VAT records, bank feeds, Making Tax Digital and accountant access. QuickBooks, Xero and Sage are common options to compare.
Contractors and builders
Contractors may need stronger tools for CIS, staged payments, subcontractors, materials, job costing and reporting. Basic invoicing software may become limiting as the business grows.
Why better admin matters
Poor admin can quietly damage a trade business. If quotes are unclear, invoices are late, receipts are missing, materials are not tracked, or VAT records are messy, it becomes harder to know whether the business is actually making money.
Good accounting software will not fix every business problem, but it can make the basics easier. It can help you see unpaid invoices, record expenses, capture receipts, separate business and personal spending, and give your accountant cleaner information.
For tradespeople who are busy on site, the best system is usually the one that is simple enough to use consistently. A complicated system that you ignore is not useful. A clear system that helps you stay organised every week can make a real difference.
TradesInfo verdict
If you are starting from scratch, compare QuickBooks and Xero first. Both are widely used cloud accounting options that can support invoices, expenses, VAT, bank feeds, receipt capture and accountant access.
FreeAgent may suit smaller sole traders. FreshBooks may suit simple invoicing. Sage may appeal to businesses that prefer an established accounting brand.
The key is not just choosing well-known software. The key is choosing software that matches your trade, your admin workload and your future plans.
New to TradesInfo?
Start with the main guide if you want a broad comparison of accounting software. Choose your trade if you want something more specific. Read the CIS guide if you are a contractor or subcontractor working in construction. Read the software reviews if you are already comparing named providers such as QuickBooks, Xero or Sage.
About TradesInfo
TradesInfo is a UK-focused resource for tradespeople who want clearer information about accounting software, business admin, VAT, CIS, expenses and job costing. Our guides are written to be practical, straightforward and focused on the way trade businesses actually work.
Some pages may contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a commission if you click a link and sign up for a product or service. This does not change the price you pay and does not affect our aim: to help readers compare options clearly and make better decisions.