Tool Review · Updated 2026-04
QuickFile
QuickFile is the most underrated tool on this site. Full MTD ITSA capability, free for most users, with dedicated landlord support. The only reason not to use it is if you need features that require a paid plan, or if your accountant uses a different platform.
No commercial relationship — QuickFile is featured on editorial merit alone.
Verified April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
QuickFile and MTD ITSA
QuickFile is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment across all three rollout phases — and it is free. Not a freemium product with a limited free tier designed to frustrate you into upgrading: genuinely free for most sole traders and small landlords.
MTD ITSA Rollout Phases
- Phase 1 — April 2026 Live ✓ Supported
Income over £50,000
- Phase 2 — April 2027 ✓ Supported
Income over £30,000
- Phase 3 — April 2028 ✓ Supported
Income over £20,000
Phase support verified against GOV.UK software finder . Always confirm with the software provider before your obligation date.
GOV.UK verification: QuickFile’s MTD ITSA recognition is listed on the GOV.UK software finder. Status correct as of April 2026.
Verified April 2026 · Source: GOV.UK
No commercial relationship: QuickFile has no affiliate programme. We earn nothing if you sign up. This review is entirely independent.
What “free” actually means for QuickFile
The free tier applies to accounts with under 1,000 nominal ledger entries per year. For most sole traders, a nominal entry is roughly equivalent to one transaction line. At 1,000 entries per year — roughly 83 per month — the free tier covers most sole traders comfortably.
When you exceed this limit, the “Large Business” plan costs £45 per year (not per month). That is still cheaper than most monthly paid plans.
Screenshot: QuickFile MTD ITSA submission
QuickFile’s quarterly update interface for MTD ITSA — reviewed April 2026.
The landlord case for QuickFile
QuickFile has dedicated property income and expense categories that align with HMRC’s Schedule A requirements. It is particularly popular in UK landlord forums precisely because it handles property income well at no cost. For a landlord with one or two buy-to-let properties alongside self-employment income, QuickFile deserves serious consideration.
The trade-off: interface and ecosystem
QuickFile’s interface shows its age — it was built in an era before modern design standards. If you care about software aesthetics, Zoho Books (free plan) or FreeAgent (free with NatWest) will feel more polished. But if MTD ITSA compliance at zero cost is the priority, QuickFile delivers.
The accountant ecosystem is small. If your accountant does not use QuickFile, they may prefer you to export data for year-end preparation.
MTD ITSA Phase Support
MTD ITSA Rollout Phases
- Phase 1 — April 2026 Live ✓ Supported
Income over £50,000
- Phase 2 — April 2027 ✓ Supported
Income over £30,000
- Phase 3 — April 2028 ✓ Supported
Income over £20,000
Phase support verified against GOV.UK software finder . Always confirm with the software provider before your obligation date.
QuickFile is a genuinely free product with no affiliate programme — featured entirely on editorial merit. The free tier covers all MTD ITSA submission requirements for most sole traders and landlords.
Landlord support: Dedicated property income and expense tracking. Suitable for landlords with buy-to-let portfolios. Well-regarded in UK landlord communities.
CIS support: Basic CIS recording available. Not a dedicated CIS tool — Sage recommended for active CIS work.
Pricing (GBP)
| Plan | Price/mo | Contacts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | Free for accounts with under 1,000 nominal ledger entries/year | Get free → |
| Free | Free | Get started → | |
| Large Business | £45/mo | Get started → |
QuickFile is genuinely free for most small businesses. The large business plan (£45/year — not per month) applies only when you exceed 1,000 nominal ledger entries per year. There is no affiliate programme.
Last verified: April 2026
What we like
- + HMRC-recognised for all three MTD ITSA phases
- + Completely free for most sole traders and landlords
- + Full double-entry accounting — not a simplified tool
- + Dedicated landlord/property income support
- + Well-established UK product with active community forum
What we don't like
- − No affiliate programme — featured on merit only
- − Interface looks dated compared to Xero or Zoho Books
- − Accountant ecosystem much smaller than Xero or QuickBooks
- − 1,000 nominal entry limit on free plan (large businesses only)
Who it's best for
- ✓ Sole traders who want capable MTD ITSA software at zero cost
- ✓ Landlords with buy-to-let income who want free property income tracking
- ✓ Budget-first users who do not need a modern UI
- ✓ Users comfortable with traditional double-entry accounting
Not ideal if
- ✗ Users who prioritise a modern, polished interface
- ✗ CIS subcontractors (use Sage)
- ✗ Users whose accountant uses Xero or QuickBooks exclusively