Best QuickFile Alternative for Freelancers

Why freelancers look for a QuickFile alternative

Where QuickFile falls short for some freelancers

QuickFile serves many small UK businesses well. These are the specific gaps that lead some freelancers to look elsewhere.

Annual charge once you exceed free tier

QuickFile's free tier applies to accounts with fewer than 1,000 nominal ledger entries per year. Active freelancers can exceed this within a few months. Once over the limit, an annual account management fee applies. For a user who started on free, this is an unexpected cost.

No time tracking

QuickFile does not include built-in time tracking. Hourly billing freelancers track time separately and enter the data manually into invoices. This adds steps to a workflow that other invoicing tools handle natively.

Interface is dated

QuickFile's interface reflects its age. The bookkeeping-focused design prioritises accounting workflows over invoicing speed. For freelancers who want to create and send invoices quickly, the navigation can feel more complex than the task requires.

No client portal

QuickFile does not offer a client-facing portal where clients can log in to review, download, and pay invoices. Each invoice is managed via individual email links or manual communication.

What QuickFile is good for

QuickFile is a UK-focused accounting and bookkeeping platform with a loyal user base among small UK businesses. Its free tier (for accounts under 1,000 ledger entries per year) is genuinely useful for very small operations. It includes VAT returns, bank reconciliation, and basic invoicing. For freelancers who need bookkeeping alongside invoicing and want to stay on one platform, QuickFile covers both.

QuickFile pricing in 2026

QuickFile's pricing model:

Free: accounts with fewer than 1,000 nominal ledger entries per rolling year
Annual account management fee: approximately PS45/year once the free threshold is exceeded (check QuickFile's website for current rate)
Power User upgrade: additional features at a separate annual charge

For current pricing, check QuickFile's pricing page directly.

How Tidybill compares for invoicing-only workflows

If your accountant handles bookkeeping and VAT returns separately, and you just need invoicing software with time tracking and billing automation, Tidybill covers that directly:

Built-in time tracking: log hours against projects and convert to invoice line items
Online payments: accept card payments via Stripe, integrated and configured in minutes
Client portal: clients log in to view and pay invoices from one place
Recurring invoices: set up retainer billing with automatic scheduling
Payment reminders: automated emails before and after due dates
Late fees: automatic late fee rules on overdue invoices

Tidybill exports invoice data as CSV for your accountant. See our pricing page for plan details, or compare with the Sage alternative page if you are evaluating UK accounting options.

Side by side

Tidybill vs QuickFile

Focused on invoicing features for UK freelancers.

Feature	Tidybill	QuickFile
Free plan	Yes, no entry limits	Free below 1,000 entries/yr
Time tracking	Built-in	Not available
Online payments (integrated)	Stripe, built-in	Requires gateway setup
Client portal	Yes, Starter	Not available
Recurring invoices	Yes, Starter	Yes
VAT returns / MTD	Invoicing only	Full MTD support

Frequently asked questions

How much does QuickFile cost?

QuickFile is free for accounts with fewer than 1,000 nominal ledger entries per rolling year. Accounts that exceed this are charged an annual account management fee (approximately PS45/year, though this varies). Check QuickFile's current pricing page for accurate figures.

Is QuickFile suitable for freelancers?

QuickFile is a UK accounting and bookkeeping platform that includes invoicing. It suits freelancers who need bookkeeping alongside invoicing and want to stay on one platform. For those who only need invoicing, the accounting-first interface adds complexity without practical benefit.

Does QuickFile have time tracking?

QuickFile does not include built-in time tracking. Freelancers who bill hourly need a separate time tracking tool and must manually enter the results into QuickFile invoices.

Can I migrate from QuickFile to Tidybill?

QuickFile supports CSV exports of client and invoice data. You can import client records into Tidybill under Settings to migrate your client list without re-entering it manually.

Does Tidybill support MTD VAT?

No. Tidybill is an invoicing tool, not an accounting platform. It does not submit VAT returns to HMRC. If you are VAT registered and need Making Tax Digital compliance, you will need a dedicated accounting tool alongside Tidybill for that purpose.

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