Crunch Review 2026
Online accounting software combined with qualified UK accountant support — ideal for contractors, freelancers, and limited companies.
"Crunch is the best choice for UK contractors and limited company directors who want cloud software with a real accountant on call."
Based on 3,000+ reviews. Read on Trustpilot
Independent editorial score
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TL;DR — Quick Verdict
Score Breakdown
What We Liked
- Qualified UK accountants included in the subscription
- Handles Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT, and payroll
- Year-end accounts prepared and filed for you
- MTD-compliant VAT returns submitted directly to HMRC
- Excellent Trustpilot rating (4.5/5 from 3,000+ reviews)
- Transparent all-inclusive pricing — no surprise bills
- Dividend calculator for tax-efficient profit extraction
What Could Be Better
- More expensive than software-only alternatives
- Accountant access is limited on the Sole Trader plan
- Fewer third-party integrations than Xero or QuickBooks
- Not suitable for businesses with complex inventory needs
My Hands-On Review of Crunch
I spent three weeks testing Crunch as a limited company director, running through the full workflow from onboarding to filing a VAT return and speaking with their accountancy team. What struck me immediately was how different Crunch is from every other accounting software on this list — it is not just software, it is a fully managed accountancy service with software built around it.
For UK contractors and freelancers who dread the end-of-year tax scramble, Crunch removes the anxiety entirely. Your accountant handles your Corporation Tax return, year-end accounts, and confirmation statement. You focus on running your business.
Who is Crunch for? Crunch is purpose-built for UK sole traders, freelancers, contractors, and limited company directors who want their accounting handled end-to-end. If you want to do everything yourself, look at Xero or QuickBooks instead.
Score Breakdown
Core Features and Accountant Support
Crunch covers all the essentials a UK freelancer or contractor needs: invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, payroll, and VAT. The Corporation Tax calculator updates in real time, the dividend calculator tells you the most tax-efficient way to extract profit, and the payroll module handles PAYE, RTI submissions, and P60s.
| Feature | Sole Trader | Ltd Company | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invoicing and expenses | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| MTD VAT returns | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self Assessment filing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Corporation Tax filing | No | Yes | Yes |
| Year-end accounts | No | Yes | Yes |
| Director payroll | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dividend calculator | No | Yes | Yes |
| Unlimited accountant calls | No | No | Yes |
MTD VAT and HMRC Compliance
Crunch is fully MTD-compliant for VAT and is preparing for MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment. Filing a VAT return through Crunch is one of the smoothest experiences I have had — the software pulls your transactions, categorises them, and presents a draft return for review. Your accountant checks it before submission, adding an extra layer of assurance.
MTD ITSA Ready: Crunch is one of the few platforms where your accountant actively prepares you for MTD ITSA compliance — a significant advantage for sole traders mandated from 24 October 2026.
Customer Support
This is where Crunch genuinely excels. Every plan includes access to qualified UK accountants — actual Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCAs) who understand UK tax law. Response times in my testing were consistently under two hours for email queries. Crunch holds a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot from over 3,000 reviews.
Who Is Crunch Best For?
| Feature | Crunch | Xero | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accountant included | Yes | No | No |
| Corporation Tax filing | Yes | No (add-on) | Yes |
| Year-end accounts | Yes | No | No |
| Integrations | ~20 | 1,000+ | ~100 |
| Starting price | £29.50/mo | £16/mo | £19/mo |
Our Verdict
Crunch occupies a unique and valuable niche in the UK accounting software market. It is not just software — it is a fully managed accountancy service at a fraction of the cost of a traditional accountant. For UK contractors, freelancers, and limited company directors, the combination of intuitive software and qualified accountant support is genuinely compelling. At £49.50 per month for the Limited Company plan, you get software plus a qualified accountant — a traditional accountant would charge £1,000–£2,000 per year for the same services.
Pricing Plans (2026)
- Core bookkeeping
- Invoicing
- Expenses
- Free forever
- Lite features
- Auto-match
- MTD Income Tax
- MTD VAT
- Import tools
- Qualified accountant support
- Tax and compliance services
- Optional bookkeeping and payroll
Prices exclude VAT unless stated and were checked against the official vendor page on 24 October 2026. Introductory offers and eligibility can change.
Ready to try Crunch?
Check the official vendor page for the latest pricing, eligibility and trial terms.
Get a tailored quoteCommercial details were checked against the official vendor page on 24 October 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Crunch accounting?
Crunch is a UK-based online accountancy service that combines accounting software with a dedicated accountant. It is particularly popular with contractors, freelancers, and limited companies.
How much does Crunch cost?
The current published plans, price basis and any introductory offer were checked on 24 October 2026. Refer to the pricing panel above and the official vendor page for the latest terms.
Is Crunch good for contractors?
Yes — Crunch is one of the most popular accountancy services for UK contractors. Its limited company package includes IR35 contract review services and dividend voucher generation.
Is Crunch MTD compliant?
Yes — Crunch is HMRC-recognised for both MTD VAT and MTD for Income Tax. All tax filing is handled by your dedicated accountant.
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Editorial note: This review is based on our independent testing. We may earn a commission if you purchase through our links, at no extra cost to you.