Clear Books Promo Codes & Review 2026: Features, Pricing, Pros & Cons

Is Clear Books right for UK small businesses? In-depth review, pricing, and unique offers.

January 27, 2026 • 5 min read •

Clear Books continues to shape the UK accounting software landscape in 2026, offering small businesses, entrepreneurs, and accountants streamlined automation, MTD compliance, and real-time insights with unmatched simplicity. Business owners considering Clear Books can now revisit its impact, features, and value proposition for choosing a cloud-led, AI-enabled bookkeeping solution.

From Launch to 2026: Clear Books Evolution

Founded with the core aim: deliver accessible online accounting to UK SMEs, freelancers, accountants, and consultants.
2010-2016: Built initial web-based software to automate sales invoicing, expense management, and basic UK tax reports.
2017-2021: Responded to HMRC requirements and Making Tax Digital (MTD) legislation with integrated VAT and CIS compliance features.
2022-2024: Introduced multi-currency, payroll, and robust accountant portals to support agency and consultant workflows.
2025 and beyond: Doubling down on AI-powered reconciliation, real-time bank sync, and automation of everyday bookkeeping – earning Clear Books its place among the UK’s top accounting SaaS brands.

Clear Books delivers actionable, real-time insights-no developers required.

Key Features & Capabilities

Online Invoicing & Payments: Bill clients, track payment status, send automated reminders, and accept multiple payment types.
VAT & MTD Compliance: HMRC-recognized for MTD VAT and MTD ITSA (Income Tax), with built-in tax rules and ready-to-file submissions.
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS): Specialized modules to handle sub-contractor deductions and HMRC CIS returns.
Multi-Currency Accounts: Seamless currency conversion and reporting for international operations.
Payroll Integration: Automated salary calculations, RTI submissions, and direct payment features.
AI-Powered Bookkeeping: Smart automation to reconcile transactions, categorize expenses, and free up admin time.
Accountant Portals: Batch workflows and multi-client dashboards purpose-built for accounting professionals.
Bank Feeds & Automation: Effortless bank sync, categorize spending, and automatically match transactions.
Mobile & Cloud Access: Responsive dashboards designed for mobile, tablet, and web, always secure and up-to-date.
Expert Support: Phone and email support from a UK-based team, free with all plans. Extensive online help documentation.

Workflow & User Experience

Onboarding: Quick-start wizard tailored to business type (sole trader, partnership, limited company, accountant-for-hire).
Navigation: Clean interface with intuitive menus for invoicing, purchases, banking, and tax.
Automation: Bank feeds, recurring invoice and payment creation, plus automated reminders cut manual tasks out of daily bookkeeping.
Collaboration: Add team members or accountants with role-based permissions; easy switching between clients for agencies.
Reporting: Customizable dashboards, integrated tax timelines, profit/loss, and client-activity reporting built in.
Security: FCA registration, GDPR and UK data standards; 2FA and activity logs for peace of mind.

Clear Books Pricing

Plan	Key Features	Pricing (GBP/mo)
Free Trial	Full access, up to 30 days, no payment required	£0
Starter	Core bookkeeping, invoicing, VAT/MTD, 1 user	£12 (est.)
Small Business	All Starter, multi-currency, payroll, 3 users	£24 (est.)
Large	All features, CIS, advanced reports, 10 users	£41
Accountant Portal	Multi-client, batch tools, dedicated support	Custom/Contact sales

Clear Books vs Alternatives

Feature	Clear Books	QuickBooks Online	Xero	FreeAgent
HMRC MTD Support	Full (VAT, ITSA, CIS)	VAT only	VAT only	VAT, ITSA
AI Automation	Yes (2026 models)	Partial	Partial	Limited
Construction (CIS)	Yes	Limited/Addon	No	No
Phone Support (UK)	Included	Paid add-on	No	Email only
Accountant Portal	Yes	No	No	No
Pricing (mid-tier)	£24/mo (est.)	£26/mo	£28/mo	£29/mo
UK Focus	Exclusive	International	International	UK only

Pro Tip: Switching from legacy spreadsheets or QuickBooks? Clear Books offers free expert migration for new sign-ups, reducing transition downtime.

[promo_headline brand=”Clear Books”]

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Integrations

Bank feeds: UK high-street and challenger banks supported via secure APIs.
Payment: Stripe, GoCardless, credit card, and direct bank transfer integrations.
Payroll and HR: Built-in UK payroll or export to third-party platforms.
Tax: Direct filing to HMRC for VAT, CIS, and payroll RTI submissions.
APIs: REST API and CSV import/export for advanced integrations with inventory, CRM, and analytics platforms.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Designed specifically for the UK market and regulations AI automation reduces manual workload for bookkeeping and VAT Integrated CIS, MTD, and payroll functions not found in generic tools Unlimited UK support (phone/email) included in all plans Popular with accountants for multi-client management	International/localization features limited outside the UK Advanced payroll, HR, or inventory may require integrations Lower-tier plans restricted on users and power features

Final Thoughts

Clear Books stands out throughout 2026 as an agile, UK-first accounting SaaS platform blending accessible design, robust automation, and regulatory confidence. Its evolving AI bookkeeping, direct HMRC integration, and approachable pricing make it a compelling option for small to midsize businesses, accountants, and founders seeking reliability in a complex compliance landscape. While international expansion and niche workflow support may trail global competitors, the product’s direct fit for the UK market, transparent support, and steady user experience will reassure anyone ready to shift away from spreadsheets or outdated accounting suites.