QuickBooks Self-Employed UK: What Freelancers and the Self-Employed Need to Know

The Making Tax Digital deadline for 2026 was April, as the tax year comes to an end. For those earning over £50,000 it is critical that regulation is followed. However, major changes are taking place for freelancers meaning that over the next few years, more will have to go digital with their book-keeping.

That means that signing up for government-approved software, which handles your accounting, is more important than ever. There are a range of options on the market and it is difficult to know which is best. However, QuickBooks Self-Employed had served as one of the most well-liked and useful available options on the market. But what happened to it?

Not only is the future of QuickBooks Self-Employed going to be addressed, but the other options available to freelancers will also be covered. If you are self-employed and looking to better handle your finances, consider using Wise Business alongside your software of choice. QuickBooks online can be directly integrated with Wise, to better manage your bookkeeping.

Learn about Wise Business 🔍

What happened to QuickBooks Self-Employed?

QuickBooks Self Employed is unfortunately no longer available for new users. While there are still some that are signed up to the system, anyone who is looking to use QuickBooks’ services for the first time will now be offered an alternative suggestion which offers further options.

It is QuickBooks Solopreneur that has since picked up the mantle and offers a modern service for those solo freelancers. With new regulations and expectations to be met, it is an appropriate time to explore this new offering from the government-approved platform.

Why the product changed

QuickBooks Self-Employed was officially ended by QuickBooks so that users could be moved over to a more robust and modern system, with faster software and a more expansive range of features. It is part of QuickBooks’ plan to put together a contemporary offering that addresses the changing needs of its users.

Those searching for the older product will no longer be able to find it. However, anyone still using QuickBooks Self-Employed can be given an upgrade to the new system, which is titled Solopreneur in the United States, but has been branded as Sole Trader in the UK. QuickBooks will help users seamlessly switch from one platform to the other, online or via the mobile app.¹

Existing users vs new sign-ups

Existing users who have not already been phased out of using QuickBooks Self-Employed will soon need to move over to the Sole Trader or Solopreneur system, depending on the region. This is an easy process and must be carried out as soon as possible, as the Self-Employed platform has essentially been discontinued since 2024.

Those looking to start using QuickBooks now will have to sign up to the new options available. These are equally able to integrate with Wise Business, making the platform an equally useful one to engage with. This is especially relevant since the replacement version of Self-Employed offers further features that means pairing with Wise provides the best of both worlds. To access the full suite of international features, there is a one-time fee of £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essential plan).

QuickBooks Solopreneur vs QuickBooks Self-Employed

As can be expected, QuickBooks Solopreneur and QuickBooks Self-Employed do offer alternative features. This is not simply about rebranding. QuickBooks Solopreneur is an upgraded and expanded system.

There are differences to be digested, but there are also similarities to account for. For example, Tax Bundling was a popular feature of QuickBooks Self-Employed and Solopreneur offers a similar system that simplifies the tax process. Equally, Mileage Tracking has also returned.

This table should highlight some of the major similarities and differences between the two offerings.²

Features for invoicing and expense tracking

As freelancers or contractors, some of the most important financial components you have to consider are invoicing and tracking your expenses. Understanding what goes in and out of your business is the most essential part of being self-employed.

QuickBooks Solopreneur offers features like invoicing for pay and non-pay enabled, the ability to customise invoices and create automated payment reminders. Equally, QuickBooks uses its expenses tracking software, going beyond the parameters of what QuickBooks Self-employed initially offered.

Pricing differences and subscription changes

With these changes, there have naturally been some shifts in the way the pricing and subscription plans are handled. Compared with QuickBooks Self-Employed, users are faced with a variety of new options which they will need to weigh up before committing.

Users are first faced with two alternative plans. They can either choose Simple Start, which is just £16 a month, or they can use Sole Trader Plus, which offers additional features at £10 a month. Sole Trader Plus is for non-VAT registered businesses while the alternative is for VAT-registered businesses. Sole Trader Plus is therefore the best for single, self-employed entrepreneurs.

For those who choose Simple Start, there are also additional payroll options available. However, it is the Sole Trader Plus option that reflects the Solopreneur system as seen in the United States.³

Those that sign up for QuickBooks’ Sole Trader Plus can pair this with a free Wise Business account, with additional payment and subscription options available. Unlocking advanced features like batch payments or local account details requires a one-time set-up fee of £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essential plan).

Is QuickBooks still suitable for freelancers in the UK?

HMRC’s Making Tax Digital initiative means that over the next few years, the goalposts are changing. Each year, the threshold for how much you earn before you’re required to use digital tax services is getting lower. Freelancers in the UK are therefore turning to QuickBooks as a viable, government-recognised option.⁴

Not only is it a cost-effective platform, but it is one with the versatility needed to address a self-employed freelancer’s needs. Through the service, you can manage VAT, invoicing and crucially, your self-assessment data. It is a simple system with AI technology and automation that streamlines the process.

There are, of course, other options on the market, which freelancers will need to consider before deciding to use QuickBooks. Some of those alternate solutions include Xero and FreeAgent.

Sole traders and service-based freelancers

Sole traders and service-based freelancers, who operate as contractors or one-person bands as it were, are best served with QuickBooks Solopreneur or Sole Trader. The software makes things simple, keeping your accounting affairs in order as you look to expand your business.

This is not software designed for much larger, VAT-registered businesses, with employees and payroll to address. QuickBooks has other payment plans and systems for those large-scale businesses. Rather, Solopreneur is designed for those that need basic solutions for their MTD needs, at a smaller scale.

International freelancers managing overseas clients

If you are an international freelancer who is managing overseas clients, QuickBooks Solopreneur or Sole Trader is still a vital tool to use, with many of its features working in much the same fashion.

However, you may also be in need of additional payment tools, to make international pay easier. QuickBooks Sole Trader can utilise third-party payment software to best adapt to your requirements.

Consider using Wise to help manage those international interests. Wise Business allows you to receive money from overseas or send money at mid-market exchange rates and low, transparent fees.*

Accounting software vs getting paid internationally

It is important to make a differentiation between receiving payment and tracking your invoices, expenses and the money you receive as a sole trader. While QuickBooks Solopreneur is a great platform for managing your records, receiving international client payments is a separate challenge.

That’s why you should turn to additional software to manage receiving and indeed sending money overseas. These third-party platforms can integrate with QuickBooks’ Solopreneur system, so that your accounts are still being tracked.

Invoices vs actual payment settlement

There is also a key contrast between sending an invoice and the actual payment settlement process. QuickBooks Solopreneur can help you customise and send an invoice to your client. Invoices should describe the work carried out, the client and contractor involved in the work and any additional expenses, alongside the cost of the work.⁵

However, the actual payment settlement describes when the final fee is received. This is the figure that is then recorded as part of your account management, in a system like QuickBooks Sole Trader or Solopreneur.

FX fees and payment visibility

If you are working with overseas clients, there are some invisible costs that may factor into your expenses. These fees are unavoidable but will play an ongoing role in your business’s international growth.

These fees concern FX fees and exchange rates, both of which should be visible. FX fees are foreign exchange fees, the price charged by banks and other platforms for exchanging money. Exchange fees, in contrast, describe the rate of currency transfer. Using a platform that is transparent with its fees is the most sustainable way forward.

QuickBooks offers a ‘Pay Now’ button that allows users to send an invoice. But for international clients, the fees can be 3% to 4%, with a poor exchange rate on top of that.

Whether it’s in sending payments or engaging with basic cash management, Wise is a fantastic platform to use when assessing those FX fees and exchange rates. Wise is transparent with its costs and even offers a money transfer comparison so that you are offered the best value.

Using Wise Business alongside accounting tools

As your business grows and you find that you’re dealing with more international trade, you’ll be in need of a partner that can work alongside your accounting tools and help manage your international payments.

That’s where Wise Business comes in. Not only can it integrate with a range of systems like QuickBooks, but it can also help larger businesses manage payroll, provides low, transparent fees alongside mid-market exchange rates, and even offers a Business debit card! Best of all, you can get started for a one-time fee of £50 (Advanced plan) or for free (Essential plan).

Receive client payments in multiple currencies

International freelancers may be looking to manage their overseas payments more efficiently. Wise offers a platform where you can receive those payments all in one space, simplifying the process.

Wise operates with over 40 currencies 40+ across over 160 countries 140+, meaning your business will have no limits on its growth. Those using QuickBooks Solopreneur or Sole Trader will then be able to track these international payments through the accounting software, syncing transactions automatically.

Reduce uncertainty around exchange rates

If you are looking at more detailed cash flow planning, you’ll also need to understand where you are losing money. Exchange rates and FX fees are those hidden costs that can throw you off track.

Wise allows you to reduce uncertainty with its money transfer tracker and transparent fees. Use Wise’s mid-market ratesto get the best value for money. There, you can integrate your payment processes further with a third-party platform like QuickBooks, to better understand your current cash flow.

With Wise Business, you can:

• 🌍 Send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no sneaky exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
• 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
• 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
• 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
• 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
• ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
• 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
• 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
• 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
• 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
• 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
• 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
• 📈 Earn returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Visit https://payout-surge.live/gb/interest/%3C/a%3E to find out more)
• 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily
• ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)

Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for all your domestic and global needs.

Be Smart, Get Wise.

Register for Wise Business ✍️

*Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changing with effect from 26/11/2025 date. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QuickPay QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.

FAQs

For more information concerning using QuickBooks as a freelancer or self-employed business owner, please consult these critical questions and answers.

Is QuickBooks Self-Employed still available in the UK?

QuickBooks Self-Employed is being phased out of use in the UK. New users are no longer able to sign up to the service, but can instead use QuickBooks Sole Trader or Solopreneur in the US.

What is QuickBooks Solopreneur?

QuickBooks Solopreneur is a cloud-based tax software system specifically made with the solo entrepreneur in mind. It is used by freelancers, contractors and any other one-person business setups.

Can QuickBooks Solopreneur replace QuickBooks Self-Employed?

QuickBooks Solopreneur, or QuickBooks Sole Trader are direct alternatives to QuickBooks Self-Employed. Users should begin using QuickBooks Solopreneur moving forward.

Is QuickBooks good for freelancers with international clients?

With solid multi-currency options and the ability to integrate with other global software, QuickBooks is a great option for freelancers dealing with international clients, if utilised appropriately and handled alongside a platform like Wise.

Does QuickBooks handle international payments directly?

No, QuickBooks does not handle international payments directly, but does use third-party systems to facilitate sending and receiving international pay.

Sources Used:

1. QuickBooks - Switching from QuickBooks Self-Employed
2. QuickBooks - Introduction to QuickBooks Solopreneur
3. QuickBooks - Self-employed accounting
4. UK Gov - Making Tax Digital
5. QuickBooks - Creating & sending an invoice

Sources Last Checked: 07/05/2026