Looking for a QuickFile alternative?
QuickFile is a UK bookkeeping and invoicing platform with a free tier for small accounts. If you want modern invoicing with time tracking, integrated online payments, and a client portal, Tidybill covers that workflow cleanly.
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 |
Modern invoicing for UK freelancers
Time tracking, Stripe payments, recurring billing, and a client portal. Start free today.
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