OCTIS vs Crunch vs Osome vs The Accountancy Partnership vs Countingup: online accountants in the UK
Entry prices, what each plan includes, and which one fits a sole trader, a limited company or a founder who does their own books.
Last checked · 6 sources
Otty's short answer
The Accountancy Partnership has the lowest published entry prices (from £24.50 for sole traders, £39.50 for limited companies) but charges bookkeeping and VAT on top. Crunch is reported to include bookkeeping and VAT for limited companies from £94. Osome starts at £71 for every business type. Countingup, from £5, is a bank account with bookkeeping, not an accountant. All prices exclude VAT.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Crunch | Osome | The Accountancy Partnership | Countingup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sole trader from, per month | Hong Kong company route: 10–30% below your current bill | £27 (Sole Trader Pro) | £71 | £24.50 | £5 to £20, no accountant |
| Limited company from, per month | 10–30% below your current bill; Lowest Price Guarantee, terms apply | £94 (Ltd Pro) | £71 (Operate) | £39.50 | Not an accountant |
| Bookkeeping in the plan | Bookkeeping done by OCTIS | Included (limited) | Included | From £20 extra | Built in |
| VAT returns | No VAT or GST in Hong Kong | Included (limited) | £50 extra per month | From £35 extra | Included, filed to HMRC |
| Self Assessment | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Included (sole trader) | Included | Included (sole trader) | Your accountant files it |
| Payroll add-on | Handled by OCTIS accountants | From £20 per month | £10 per employee | From £24 per month | Not published |
| Own accountant on the plan | Bookkeeping and filings done by OCTIS; audit by an independent HK CPA firm | Unlimited accountant support | Not standard; from £137 per month | Dedicated accountant | Accountant Hub link only |
| Company formation | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) | £100 Companies House fee | Not published | Free incorporation | Not offered |
| Free trial | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | 14 days | Not published | Not published | 3 months |
| Making Tax Digital | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | MTD ITSA software included | Not published | Not published | VAT via MTD, no extra cost |
| Regulated bank account | Business account via licensed partners; OCTIS is not a bank | No | No | No | Yes, via Griffin Bank |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you want bookkeeping, filings, banking and CRM in one place and sell to customers in several countries.
Crunch
Choose Crunch if you want bookkeeping, VAT and accountant support in one fixed limited company fee, with its own software.
Osome
Choose Osome if you want unlimited bookkeeping and multi-currency in the app and a flat entry price for any business type.
The Accountancy Partnership
Choose The Accountancy Partnership if the lowest entry price and a named accountant matter most and you will add only what you need.
Countingup
Choose Countingup if you are a sole trader or small company that wants bank and books in one app and has simple tax.
What the table does not show
Why the headline price misleads
The Accountancy Partnership lists the lowest starting prices, but its page lists bookkeeping from £20, VAT returns from £35 and payroll from £24 as extras, and Crunch's page says TAP's prices rise with turnover. Crunch is reported to include bookkeeping and VAT returns for limited companies. Osome includes bookkeeping but sells VAT filing at £50 per month. Add the services you need before you compare. Both firms state their prices exclude VAT, and the TAP page reports Osome figures it did not verify.
Accountant or software with an accountant
Crunch says its accountants are in-house and ACCA-regulated, with unlimited support in every paid package. The Accountancy Partnership gives each client a dedicated accountant and no account managers. The TAP comparison page says Osome's personal accountant is not standard and starts from £137 per month. Ask each firm who answers your HMRC letter and whether that person is named.
Where Countingup fits
Countingup is a business account with bookkeeping, invoicing, tax estimates and VAT filing for £5, £12 or £20 per month by deposits. Counting Ltd is not a bank. Accounts are provided by Griffin Bank and deposits are covered by the FSCS up to £120,000. It does not replace year-end accounts or a Corporation Tax return, so most limited companies still need an accountant.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not do UK accounting or file UK tax. If you run a Malaysian or Hong Kong company that sells into the UK or hires a UK contractor, the UK accountant above handles the UK entity. OCTIS keeps your home company's books and can consolidate the UK subsidiary's statements into them. Moving your accounting and company secretary work to OCTIS can take 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest online accountant in the UK?
On published entry prices, The Accountancy Partnership starts lowest at £24.50 per month for a sole trader and £39.50 for a limited company, excluding VAT. Bookkeeping, VAT returns and payroll cost extra, so the real bill depends on what you need. Always get a quote for your own turnover.
How much does Crunch cost?
Crunch's own pages show Sole Trader Pro from £27 per month and Limited Company Pro from £94 per month, plus VAT. Crunch's pricing page uses an instant quote and does not show the figure, so confirm yours there. Company formation is shown at £100.
How much does Osome cost in the UK?
Osome's Operate plan is from £71 per month or £850 per year, excluding VAT, with unlimited bookkeeping and annual filings. VAT filing is £50 per month and extra payroll £10 per employee. Grow and Scale prices are not published, and Scale applies from £350,000 revenue.
Do I need an accountant if I use Countingup?
For a sole trader with simple tax, the app covers bookkeeping and VAT returns, and your accountant can use the Accountant Hub. A limited company still has to file annual accounts and a Corporation Tax return, so most still hire an accountant.
Are online accountants good enough for a limited company?
Yes for a straightforward company with simple books. Check who is named on your account, whether the firm is regulated, and what is extra. Complex tax planning, property or overseas income may need a specialist firm.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.