OCTIS vs Xero vs QuickBooks for UK businesses
Plan prices, which tier adds multi-currency and payroll, and what Making Tax Digital means for your choice.
Last checked · 5 sources
Otty's short answer
Both handle Making Tax Digital for VAT. QuickBooks is cheaper at the entry level (Sole Trader £10, Simple Start £16 against Xero Ignite £18) and adds users by plan. Xero includes payroll for one person from Grow at £39. QuickBooks puts multi-currency on its £38 Essentials plan, Xero only from £55. Pick QuickBooks for the lowest price or earlier multi-currency, Xero for built-in payroll.
Side by side
Swipe to see every column
| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Xero | QuickBooks UK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry plan per month | Not published: 10–30% below your current bill | £18 (Ignite) | £10 Sole Trader, £16 Simple Start |
| Mid plan per month | 10–30% below your current bill | £39 (Grow) | £38 (Essentials) |
| Upper plans per month | 10–30% below your current bill | £55 / £70 | £56 / £123 |
| First-months discount | Lowest Price Guarantee, terms apply | 90% off for 6 months | Discounted for 6 months |
| Free trial | 30-day money-back guarantee, terms apply | 1 month | 30 days |
| VAT return to HMRC | No VAT or GST in Hong Kong | All plans | Simple Start and above |
| MTD for Income Tax ready | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | All plans | Sole Trader Plus |
| Multi-currency | Multi-currency international account via licensed partners | Comprehensive and Ultimate | Essentials and above |
| Payroll | Handled by OCTIS accountants | Included from Grow (1 person) | Paid add-on |
| Users | Your whole team | Not stated on pricing page | 1 / 3 / 5 / 25 by plan |
| Auto bank reconciliation | Bookkeeping and filings done by OCTIS | Grow and up; Ignite +£3.50 | Not published |
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 done for you, with CRM, workflow and banking in one workspace.
Xero
Choose Xero if you want payroll for a first hire inside the plan, bank rules and a wide accountant network.
QuickBooks UK
Choose QuickBooks if price is the main test, you need multi-currency on a mid plan, or you want a trial before paying.
What the table does not show
Making Tax Digital in plain terms
GOV.UK says all VAT-registered businesses should now be signed up for Making Tax Digital for VAT, so your software must be able to send VAT returns to HMRC. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies from 6 April 2026 to people with qualifying income over £50,000 from self-employment and property, based on the earlier tax return. Limited companies are not described on that page. Both Xero and QuickBooks say they support the requirements.
Price and plan limits
Xero's pricing page lists Ignite £18, Grow £39, Comprehensive £55 and Ultimate £70 per month excluding VAT, with 90% off for the first 6 months for new customers. Ignite caps you at 20 invoices and 10 bills. QuickBooks lists Sole Trader £10, Simple Start £16, Essentials £38, Plus £56 and Advanced £123, per an Expert Market page from July 2026. You cannot add a user licence to QuickBooks without moving up a plan.
If you sell from Hong Kong or Malaysia
A UK entity needs software that files UK VAT and corporation tax data. A Hong Kong or Malaysian company that only sells into the UK does not need UK accounting software unless it holds a UK VAT registration or a UK subsidiary. If you do, multi-currency matters, and that sits on Xero's Comprehensive plan or QuickBooks Essentials.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not sell UK bookkeeping. If you run a Hong Kong or Malaysian company, your core books sit in your home entity, and OCTIS bookkeeping, tax and audit coordination cover that side. If you also hold a UK entity, keep its VAT in UK software and send us the summary. Moving your home accounting work to OCTIS can take 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
Is Xero or QuickBooks cheaper in the UK?
QuickBooks is cheaper at the entry level, from £10 or £16 per month against Xero's £18. At the mid level they are close: Xero Grow is £39 and QuickBooks Essentials is £38. Both offer large introductory discounts for the first six months.
Do Xero and QuickBooks work with Making Tax Digital?
Yes. Xero says all its plans are ready for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and can submit VAT returns. QuickBooks lists VAT submission on Simple Start and above, and a Sole Trader Plus plan for Income Tax. Check your plan before the deadline.
Who must use Making Tax Digital for Income Tax?
From 6 April 2026 it applies if your qualifying income from self-employment and property is over £50,000, based on your earlier tax return. Lower income groups follow later. The GOV.UK page does not say how it applies to limited companies.
Does QuickBooks include payroll in the UK?
No. Payroll is a separate paid add-on on every QuickBooks UK plan. Xero includes payroll for one person from Grow and charges £1.50 per person on Ignite.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.