Clear Books vs Crunch Comparison
Compare Clear Books vs Crunch features, pricing, and more.
Last updated: November 2026
Clear Books
5.9/10
UK cloud accounting software for sole traders, landlords, small companies and accountants, with HMRC Making Tax Digital filing, bank feeds, invoicing and payroll.
Crunch
5.4/10
UK online accountancy service that pairs bookkeeping and invoicing software with ACCA-regulated accountants for sole traders, contractors and small limited companies.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| Overall Rating | 5.9/10 | 5.4/10 |
| Scalability | 3/10 | 3/10 |
| Analytics | 5/10 | 4/10 |
| Compliance | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Integration | 4/10 | 3/10 |
| Security | 5/10 | 6/10 |
| Support | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Cost | 8/10 | 5/10 |
| Customization | 4/10 | 3/10 |
| Ease of Use | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Pricing | ||
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Cheapest paid plan | £5/mo Property | £27/mo Sole Trader Pro |
| Estimated cost for 10 users | Free Property Free | Free Crunch Free |
| Features | ||
| Accountant Access | ||
| Bank Reconciliation | ||
| Expense Management | ||
| Financial Reporting | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Multi-currency | ||
| Online Payments | ||
| Payroll | ||
| Tax Compliance | ||
| Accounts Payable | Not listed | |
| Audit Trail | Not listed | |
| Budgeting and Forecasting | Not listed | |
| General Ledger | Not listed | |
Clear Books vs Crunch cost by team size
Clear Books and Crunch cost the same at every team size we checked.
| Team size | Clear Books | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| 1 user | FreeProperty Free | FreeCrunch Free |
| 5 users | FreeProperty Free | FreeCrunch Free |
| 10 users | FreeProperty Free | FreeCrunch Free |
| 25 users | FreeProperty Free | FreeCrunch Free |
| 50 users | FreeProperty Free | FreeCrunch Free |
The plan that fits each team size, billed monthly, before add-ons and usage charges. Each cost opens that tool's pricing calculator for the team size.
Which One Should You Choose?
Why choose Clear Books
- Higher Cost score (8/10 vs 5/10)
- Higher Analytics score (5/10 vs 4/10)
Why choose Crunch
- Higher Security score (6/10 vs 5/10)
Pros & Cons
Clear Books
Pros
- Free MTD Income Tax plans for sole traders and landlords have no transaction limits.
- It is on HMRC's list of MTD-compatible software for both VAT and Income Tax Self Assessment.
- CIS reporting is built in, which suits UK construction contractors and subcontractors.
- Company plans cost £16 to £44 a month, with up to 20% off for two-year billing and no setup or per-invoice fees.
- Trustpilot reviewers rate it 4.3 out of 5 from 477 reviews and often praise quick, friendly support.
Cons
- It follows UK tax rules only, so it does not suit businesses outside the UK.
- Multi-currency, expense claims and project accounting require the top £44 Large plan.
- Users report that editing or deleting entries is awkward and that voiding is the workaround.
- Its integration ecosystem is small compared with Xero or QuickBooks.
- Some reviewers say email support replies can be slow.
Crunch
Pros
- Paid plans include a qualified UK accountant who prepares and files Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT and year-end accounts.
- Fixed monthly pricing through a published quote tool, backed by a price match guarantee and a 14-day free trial.
- MTD for Income Tax software comes at no extra cost on sole trader plans.
- Dividend vouchers, board minutes and distributable reserves are automated for limited company directors.
- Support is available by phone, live chat, video and email, and Trustpilot reviewers often praise named advisers.
Cons
- Far fewer third-party integrations than Xero or QuickBooks, and no app marketplace.
- Payroll for staff, director Self Assessment and multi-currency all cost extra on top of the base fee.
- Recent reviews complain about inconsistent support and software glitches, such as bank file formats not being recognised.
- A poor fit for complex companies with group structures or share schemes.
Not sold on either?
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear Books scores higher on our Finance Software criteria: 5.9/10 against 5.4/10 for Crunch. The largest gap is in Cost: 8/10 for Clear Books and 5/10 for Crunch.
Both are free for 10 users.
Yes, both Clear Books and Crunch have a free plan.
