The best accounting software for cleaners and MTD
Quick answer
For most self-employed cleaners, Sage Sole Trader is the best accounting software, with a free MTD plan and a simple, highly rated app. Starling's free sole trader account has MTD tools built in, which suits cleaners who want banking and tax in one app. QuickBooks (from £10) adds GPS mileage tracking.
Many self-employed cleaners have lots of regular clients, each paying a small amount every week or fortnight. Some pay by bank transfer, some in cash. From 6 April 2027, Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax applies to sole traders with qualifying income over £30,000 (GOV.UK). That means keeping digital records and sending quarterly updates. The good news is that cleaners can do this well with free or low-cost software. We picked these based on our review of features, pricing and user ratings, with prices checked in October 2026.
Not sure if you need MTD yet? Our Do I need MTD? checker tells you in 30 seconds.
Best accounting software for cleaners at a glance
| Software | Price (checked October 2026) | MTD for Income Tax | Free tier | Bank feeds | App rating | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sage Sole Trader | Free plan, or £7/month | Yes | Yes (with limits) | Yes | 4.7 iOS / 4.7 Android | Non-VAT sole traders who want a free, well-known brand | Visit site |
| Starling (sole trader account) | Free (built into the sole trader account) | Yes | Yes | Built in | 4.9 iOS / 4.8 Android | Sole traders who want banking and MTD in one free app | Visit site |
| QuickBooks | From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus) | Yes | No (30-day trial) | Yes | 4.7 iOS / 4.6 Android | Sole traders who want strong mobile receipt capture and mileage tracking | Visit site |
| FreeAgent | From £10/month (Landlord) or £19/month (Sole trader). Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | Yes | Yes, with eligible bank | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.7 Android | NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Mettle customers (free) | Visit site |
| Clear Books | Free MTD plans, or from £5/month | Yes | Yes | Paid plans | n/a iOS / 2.8 Android | Anyone who wants genuinely free MTD software, including landlords | Visit site |
Prices exclude VAT unless stated and were checked on each provider's website in October 2026. Introductory offers change often, so always confirm the live price. App ratings are from the UK App Store and Google Play in October 2026.
Our top 3 picks for cleaners
Best overall for cleaners
Sage Sole Trader
- Price
- Free plan, or £7/month
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- Yes (with limits)
- Landlords
- Yes (Sage Sole Trader and Landlord)
Sage Sole Trader has a free plan that covers MTD for non-VAT sole traders. Its app is rated 4.7 on iOS and 4.8 on Android. The free plan limits invoices and automatically sorted transactions, so the £7 plan suits busier cleaners. Read our Sage review.
Best for banking and MTD in one app
Starling (sole trader account)
- Price
- Free (built into the sole trader account)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- Yes
- Landlords
- Not stated
Starling's sole trader account has no monthly fee, and MTD tools are built in. Its app is rated 4.9 on iOS. One catch for cleaners: cash deposit fees apply, so it suits you best if most clients pay by transfer.
Best for mileage between clients
QuickBooks
- Price
- From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus)
- MTD for Income Tax
- Yes
- Free tier
- No (30-day trial)
- Landlords
- Single property only on Sole Trader Plus
QuickBooks tracks mileage with GPS and lets you snap receipts for supplies. At £10 a month it costs more, but it suits cleaners who drive between lots of homes or offices. Read our QuickBooks review.
How cleaners' income and costs work
Cleaning income tends to be steady but made of many small payments. A cleaner with 20 regular clients might log 80 or more payments a month. Software with bank feeds (your bank transactions flow in automatically) saves typing each one.
Cash needs extra care. Cash payments are income like any other, so they count towards your qualifying income. Record each one on the day.
Typical expenses to record include:
- Supplies: cleaning products, cloths, bin bags and gloves
- Equipment: vacuum cleaners, mops, steamers and replacement parts
- Travel: fuel and running costs, or mileage, for driving between clients
- Workwear: branded tunics or uniforms
- Phone and advertising: your phone bill and local adverts
How you claim vehicle costs can matter, so ask an accountant if you drive a lot.
A worked example
Joanne (an illustration, not a real customer) runs a domestic cleaning round on her own. In the 2025 to 2026 tax year her clients pay her £30,800 in total. About a quarter is paid in cash. Her qualifying income is the full £30,800, cash included, before expenses (GOV.UK).
That is just over £30,000, so Joanne joins MTD from 6 April 2027. Her first quarterly update is due by 7 August 2027 (GOV.UK). HMRC will not give penalty points for late updates in 2026 to 2027, but they apply after that. With Sage Sole Trader she can log cash on her phone, photograph supply receipts, and send each quarterly update to HMRC.
What to look for in cleaners' accounting software
- MTD for Income Tax support, ideally on a free or low-cost plan
- A quick way to log cash payments on your phone
- Bank feeds for clients who pay by transfer
- Receipt capture for supplies
- Mileage tracking if you drive between clients
- Simple invoicing for commercial clients
Comparing more widely? See our best MTD software for sole traders.
Who should not choose these tools
- Cleaners with qualifying income of £20,000 or less, who are currently exempt (GOV.UK).
- Cleaners employed by an agency through PAYE, because employment income does not count.
- Cleaners who bank a lot of cash, who should check Starling's cash deposit fees before choosing it.
- Cleaning businesses with staff, who will also need payroll software.
Frequently asked questions
Do self-employed cleaners need MTD?
Yes, if your qualifying income is over the threshold. That is over £30,000 from 6 April 2027 and over £20,000 from 6 April 2028. Qualifying income is your gross takings before expenses, including cash.
Do I need to record cash payments from clients?
Yes. Cash is part of your income, so it counts towards your qualifying income and your tax. Log each cash payment in your software on the day, with the client's name, so nothing is missed.
What is the best free accounting software for cleaners?
Sage Sole Trader Free and Clear Books' free plan both cover MTD for Income Tax. Starling's sole trader account has no monthly fee and includes MTD tools. FreeAgent is free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle. See our free MTD software guide.
Can cleaners claim cleaning products as expenses?
Products and equipment you buy for your cleaning work are normally business costs. Keep the receipts, ideally as photos in your app. If a client supplies the products, you have nothing to claim for those.
Is Starling good for cleaners who are paid in cash?
Starling's MTD tools are built into a free sole trader account, which is handy. But cash deposit fees apply, so if you bank a lot of cash, check the fee first. Sage Sole Trader or Clear Books may suit you better.
I earn £25,000 from cleaning. When do I need MTD?
If your qualifying income stays at £25,000, you would not need MTD from April 2027. But the threshold drops to £20,000 from 6 April 2028, so you would likely need it then. Check with our Do I need MTD? checker.
This page is general information, not personal tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules can change and your situation may differ. For advice on your own affairs, speak to a qualified accountant or tax adviser, or check GOV.UK.