The best invoicing apps for UK tradespeople compared

What sole-trader tradespeople actually need from invoicing software

Most full-fat accounting packages are designed for businesses with employees, stock, and accountants on retainer. If you're a sole-trader tradesperson, your needs are simpler: send professional invoices quickly, get paid by bank transfer, keep a record for your accountant, and ideally link quotes and jobs to invoices without re-entering data.

QuickBooks Self Employed

Best for: Tradespeople who already use QuickBooks for their Self Assessment

Cost: From ~£8/month (Self Employed tier)

QuickBooks Self Employed lets you categorise income and expenses automatically and produces a summary for your tax return. The invoicing tool is functional but not particularly trade-specific. If your accountant already uses QuickBooks, the integration is the main advantage. For a sole trader who just wants to send invoices, the price feels high for what you get.

FreshBooks

Best for: Service businesses that want polished invoice design

Cost: From ~£11/month

FreshBooks produces beautiful invoices and has a decent mobile app. Time tracking and project management features are included. The main downside for tradespeople: it is generic software not built for the trades, so job management, materials tracking, and Gas Safe record storage are absent. Good if you want professional-looking paperwork; less useful if you want everything in one place.

Xero

Best for: Tradespeople who are VAT registered or have a bookkeeper

Cost: From ~£15/month (Starter), with Making Tax Digital compliance

Xero is accountant-grade software and is a favourite among UK accountants for its MTD compliance and bank feed integration. It's powerful but complex for someone who just needs to invoice residential customers. The learning curve and monthly cost make it overkill for most sole traders.

Tradify

Best for: Tradespeople who need full job management alongside invoicing

Cost: From ~£35/month

Tradify is purpose-built for the trades. It covers quoting, job scheduling, purchase orders, and invoicing in one package. The mobile app is solid. The downside is price — at £35+/month, it costs over £420/year, which is a significant outlay for a sole trader who mainly needs quotes and invoices.

OnMyVan

Best for: UK sole-trader tradespeople who want everything in one flat-fee platform

Cost: £99/year

OnMyVan bundles quoting, invoicing, customer records, and a public trade profile in a single platform designed specifically for UK self-employed tradespeople. At £99/year flat — no per-lead fees, no commission — it is the most cost-effective option for most sole traders. It won't replace Xero if you need full accountancy features, but for day-to-day job admin and getting paid, it covers everything most tradespeople actually need.

The verdict

• Just starting out or keeping it simple: OnMyVan (£99/year flat fee)
• VAT registered with a bookkeeper: Xero (£180+/year) — ask your accountant
• Full job management needed: Tradify (£420+/year)
• Already using QuickBooks for Self Assessment: Stay on QuickBooks

Most sole-trader tradespeople are overpaying for software they use at 20% of its capacity. Before subscribing to anything, be honest about what you will actually use day to day.