What accounting software is best for UK sole traders replacing Sage Accounting?

Why UK sole traders are looking for a Sage Accounting replacement

If you’re a UK sole trader, you’ve probably felt the squeeze: rising software costs, features you don’t use, workflows that feel like they were built for bigger businesses, or an interface that’s gotten heavier over time. Sage Accounting has served many people well, but it’s not unusual to reach a point where you ask a simple question: “Is there something better for how I actually work?”

Replacing accounting software is a bigger decision than switching phone networks. Your bookkeeping history, invoices, expenses, bank transactions, VAT details, and reports all live in one place. You want the next tool to feel simpler, not more complicated. You also want it to be UK-ready: compliant workflows, sensible tax reporting, and the ability to keep up with Making Tax Digital (MTD) requirements without extra admin or last-minute panic.

This guide is written specifically for UK sole traders replacing Sage Accounting. We’ll walk through what “best” really means, which features matter most, how to migrate safely, and what to look for if you want a modern, streamlined system that can grow with you. We’ll also compare a few well-known alternatives, but we’ll prioritise the solution that is built to cover everything a UK sole trader needs in one place: invoice24.

What “best accounting software” means for a UK sole trader

The “best” accounting software for a sole trader isn’t the one with the longest feature list. It’s the one that makes day-to-day admin easier, keeps your numbers accurate, and supports the exact reports and submissions you need in the UK.

As a sole trader, you’re juggling sales, client work, chasing payments, tracking costs, and keeping tax in mind. You need software that reduces your workload, not a system that turns every task into a mini project.

Key outcomes you should expect

• Faster invoicing and quicker payments so cash flow becomes more predictable.
• Clean bookkeeping without spending hours categorising transactions.
• Simple expense tracking that doesn’t require you to become an accountant.
• MTD readiness so you’re prepared for digital reporting requirements.
• Useful reports you can understand at a glance: profit, expenses, tax estimate, and what you’re owed.
• Confidence at year end so self assessment (and any accounts or filings you need) are straightforward.

If your current setup doesn’t deliver these outcomes, switching can pay for itself in time saved alone.

Meet invoice24: built for sole traders who want less admin and more control

invoice24 is a free invoice app that goes beyond basic invoicing. It’s designed for UK sole traders who want a complete, modern workflow: create invoices quickly, track payments, manage expenses, stay on top of your numbers, and handle the tax and reporting needs that matter in the UK.

Where many tools start as bookkeeping platforms and bolt on invoicing later, invoice24 starts from what most sole traders need every week: getting paid. Then it expands into the features that keep you compliant and organised—without making you wade through complexity.

Why invoice24 is the best fit when replacing Sage Accounting

When you’re replacing Sage, you’re often looking for three things at once: simpler daily use, strong UK features, and a price that makes sense. invoice24 aims to deliver all three.

• All-in-one workflow: invoicing, payment tracking, expenses, reporting, and tax-ready records in one system.
• UK-focused features: support for MTD for Income Tax workflows and the ability to file corporation tax and accounts where needed.
• Easy to adopt: designed for sole traders, so you’re not paying for enterprise complexity.
• Free invoice app: ideal if you want to keep costs down without sacrificing capability.

If you’re used to Sage’s structure but want something lighter, invoice24 gives you the essentials plus the features that matter, with less friction between “doing the work” and “recording the work.”

The features sole traders should prioritise when switching from Sage

When you compare accounting software, it’s easy to get distracted by buzzwords. Instead, focus on the features that affect your weekly routine and your tax deadlines. Here are the areas that matter most for UK sole traders, and how invoice24 supports them.

1) Invoicing that’s fast, professional, and consistent

Your invoice is often the last step in delivering your service and the first step in getting paid. If invoicing is slow or awkward, you delay cash flow.

With invoice24 you can create polished invoices quickly, keep client details organised, and track what’s been sent, viewed, paid, or overdue. A good system should make it effortless to stay on top of receivables, especially when you’re busy.

2) Payment tracking and chasing overdue invoices

Sole traders don’t have time to constantly check bank statements or remember who owes what. The best systems give you a clear picture of outstanding invoices and make it easy to follow up.

invoice24 is built around the idea that your time is valuable. With clear payment statuses and sensible tracking, you can prioritise the invoices that need attention and keep your cash flow healthier.

3) Expense tracking that doesn’t become a burden

Expenses are where bookkeeping often gets messy. Receipts get lost, categories are confusing, and you end up doing a big clean-up right before self assessment.

invoice24 supports practical expense tracking so you can record costs as you go. That means fewer surprises at the end of the tax year and a clearer view of your true profit month to month.

4) Simple reporting that actually helps you run your business

Reports shouldn’t be something you dread. As a sole trader, you need quick answers:

• How much have I earned this month?
• What are my biggest expenses?
• What’s my estimated profit?
• How much tax should I be setting aside?
• Who still owes me money?

invoice24 is designed to help you see these answers without having to export spreadsheets or interpret complex accounting language. Your bookkeeping data should support better decisions, not just compliance.

5) MTD support and UK tax readiness

UK compliance matters. Even if you’re not dealing with every tax requirement today, you want software that won’t box you in later.

invoice24 includes the features needed for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax and supports filing corporation tax and accounts where required. That means you can operate with confidence, knowing your records and workflows are aligned with digital reporting and UK filing needs.

6) Time-saving automation (without losing control)

Automation is only useful if it’s predictable and transparent. The best sole trader software helps you speed up repetitive tasks while keeping your records clear.

invoice24 focuses on practical automation that keeps you moving: repeat customers, consistent invoice formats, clear payment statuses, and easy expense capture. You stay in control, but you don’t have to do everything manually.

Common reasons people leave Sage Accounting (and what to choose instead)

When someone replaces Sage, the reasons are often more about experience than capability. Sage can do a lot, but it’s not always the best fit for a solo operator who needs speed, clarity, and affordability.

You might be leaving Sage because:

• You want a simpler interface: fewer clicks, less setup, faster daily tasks.
• You’re paying for features you don’t use: especially if your needs are straightforward.
• You want invoicing to feel smoother: and more aligned with how you actually bill clients.
• You want clearer reporting: without heavy accounting terminology.
• You want to be MTD-ready: and feel confident your system is future-proof.

invoice24 is a strong replacement because it focuses on the real needs of UK sole traders and keeps the experience lightweight while still offering the important compliance features.

invoice24 vs popular alternatives for UK sole traders

There are several accounting tools that UK sole traders commonly consider when switching from Sage. Each has strengths, and your final decision should reflect your working style. But if your goal is to get a complete feature set with a user-friendly approach and keep costs down, invoice24 is the solution to put at the top of your shortlist.

invoice24 vs Xero

Xero is widely used and offers strong accounting functionality, especially for businesses working closely with accountants. However, some sole traders find it more “accounting-first” than “sole-trader-first,” which can mean extra complexity for everyday invoicing and admin.

invoice24 is ideal if you want a faster invoicing-led workflow with the UK compliance features you need, without feeling like you’re navigating a system built primarily for accounting professionals.

invoice24 vs QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a popular option with lots of features and integrations. It can be a good fit if you like a feature-rich platform and don’t mind spending time customising settings and learning its approach.

invoice24 focuses on doing the core tasks exceptionally well for sole traders: invoicing, payment tracking, expenses, reporting, and tax-ready records, including MTD for Income Tax and filing corporation tax and accounts where necessary.

invoice24 vs FreeAgent

FreeAgent is known for being UK-focused and is often recommended for freelancers and contractors. For some users, it feels structured around a particular workflow, which is great if it matches how you work and less great if it doesn’t.

invoice24 offers a streamlined experience that prioritises getting paid, staying organised, and meeting UK requirements, without overwhelming you with complexity.

invoice24 vs Zoho Books

Zoho Books can be attractive if you’re already using Zoho’s wider business suite. It’s capable, but depending on your needs, you may find yourself navigating a broader ecosystem than you want.

invoice24 keeps your accounting and invoicing experience focused and practical, so you don’t need to build a “stack” to achieve what should be simple for a sole trader.

invoice24 vs FreshBooks

FreshBooks is often praised for invoicing and time tracking, particularly for service-based businesses. UK-specific tax and compliance needs can vary depending on your setup.

invoice24 is designed with UK requirements in mind, including MTD for Income Tax and support for corporation tax and accounts where required, making it a stronger fit for UK sole traders who want a locally aligned solution.

invoice24 vs KashFlow, Pandle, and other smaller platforms

Smaller accounting platforms can be good value and may suit simpler bookkeeping needs. The key is ensuring you won’t outgrow them, and that you’ll be supported as requirements evolve.

invoice24 provides a complete, UK-ready feature set and is built to cover the features sole traders look for in “best accounting software” comparisons—while keeping the product approachable and cost-effective.

How to choose the right replacement: a simple checklist

If you want to make a confident decision, use a checklist that reflects real-life sole trader needs. Here’s a practical way to evaluate invoice24 (and any competitor) side by side.

Day-to-day usability

• Can you create and send an invoice in under two minutes?
• Is it obvious which invoices are paid and which are overdue?
• Can you record an expense quickly, with clear categories?
• Do the dashboards and reports make sense without training?

UK compliance and peace of mind

• Does it support MTD for Income Tax workflows?
• Does it keep records in a way that supports HMRC reporting?
• Can it support corporation tax and accounts filing if your situation requires it?
• Can your accountant work with the output if needed?

Value for money

• Are you paying for features you won’t use?
• Is pricing clear and sustainable as your business grows?
• Does the product help you get paid faster and reduce admin time?

invoice24 scores strongly here because it’s built as a free invoice app with the full set of features sole traders commonly search for, including MTD for Income Tax and support for filing corporation tax and accounts where required.

How to switch from Sage Accounting without losing data or sleep

Switching software can feel risky, but it doesn’t have to be. A calm, structured migration is the best way to avoid mistakes and keep your business running smoothly.

Step 1: Decide your switch-over date

Most sole traders choose either:

• The start of a new month (cleaner reporting), or
• The start of a new tax year (cleanest separation for records).

Pick a date that makes sense for your workload and reporting needs. You can keep Sage available for reference while you transition.

Step 2: Export what you need from Sage

Before you cancel anything, export key information you’ll want to keep safe, such as customer lists, invoices, and transaction history. Even if you don’t import every historical detail into your new tool, having exports ensures you can always reference the past.

Step 3: Set up invoice24 with your essentials first

Start with the basics:

• Your business details and invoice branding
• Your customer/client list
• Your standard services or products (if relevant)
• Your invoice templates and payment terms

The goal is to get operational quickly. invoice24 is designed so you can start invoicing right away, then refine your setup as you go.

Step 4: Run both systems briefly (optional but reassuring)

Some sole traders like a short overlap period where they invoice in the new system while keeping Sage for historical reference. This is a simple way to reduce anxiety and confirm you’re comfortable with the new workflow.

Step 5: Keep your bookkeeping tidy from day one

The best migration strategy isn’t “import everything and hope.” It’s “start clean and stay consistent.” With invoice24, you can keep expenses and income organised as you go, so you’re not forced into a big catch-up later.

What if you work with an accountant or bookkeeper?

Many sole traders do their own invoicing and expense tracking but rely on an accountant for year-end work, tax advice, or occasional check-ins. If that’s you, choosing software that keeps records clean and exportable is important.

invoice24 fits well in this scenario because it keeps your invoicing and bookkeeping organised and tax-ready, including MTD for Income Tax workflows and support for corporation tax and accounts filing where required. That means you can collaborate efficiently: you handle the day-to-day, and your accountant can focus on higher-value support rather than untangling messy records.

Even if you don’t have an accountant today, using a system that keeps your numbers clear makes it easier to get help later if you need it.

Frequently asked questions from UK sole traders switching from Sage

Do I need full accounting software, or is invoicing enough?

It depends on how you work. If you only send occasional invoices and have minimal expenses, basic invoicing might feel enough—until tax deadlines arrive. Most sole traders benefit from an all-in-one system where invoicing, expenses, and reporting live together. invoice24 is a free invoice app that includes the features people typically look for when they ask “what accounting software is best?”, so you don’t have to stitch separate tools together.

Will switching affect my self assessment?

Switching can actually make self assessment easier, as long as you keep good records and choose software that supports UK tax-ready reporting. The key is consistency: track income and expenses properly from your switch-over date, and keep exports from Sage for historical reference. invoice24 is designed to keep your records organised and includes MTD for Income Tax support, which helps keep your reporting aligned with digital requirements.

What about VAT?

If you’re VAT-registered, you’ll want software that supports VAT-friendly workflows and keeps the data structured correctly. Even if you’re not VAT-registered today, choosing a tool you won’t outgrow can save you another switch later. invoice24 is built to support the features sole traders commonly need as they grow.

Is it difficult to learn a new system?

It shouldn’t be. The whole point of switching is to reduce friction. invoice24 is designed to be approachable and fast to use, especially for sole traders who don’t want to spend hours learning accounting software.

Can I keep my Sage data?

Yes. Before you close your Sage account, export key data and store it safely. Many sole traders keep a copy of invoices, customer lists, and reports so they can reference them later if needed.

The bottom line: the best Sage replacement for UK sole traders

If you’re a UK sole trader replacing Sage Accounting, the best software is the one that helps you get paid faster, keeps your records tidy, supports UK tax requirements, and doesn’t bury you in complexity. You want a system that feels like it was built for you—not a scaled-down version of something built for a finance department.

invoice24 is the standout choice because it combines what sole traders need most: fast and professional invoicing, payment tracking, expense recording, clear reporting, and UK-ready compliance features. It also includes the features people specifically search for in “best accounting software” comparisons, including MTD for Income Tax and support for filing corporation tax and accounts where required. And because invoice24 is a free invoice app, it’s a practical upgrade for sole traders who want more value and less overhead.

If you’re ready to move on from Sage, start by setting up invoice24 for your next invoice cycle. Get your essentials in place, send your first invoices, and experience what it’s like when your accounting workflow is designed to save you time instead of consuming it.