Bridgly vs QuickBooks: Which is Better for UK Micro-Entities?
QuickBooks is a well-known name in accounting software, but is it the right choice for UK micro-entity limited companies? Let's compare QuickBooks with Bridgly to help you decide which bookkeeping solution fits your needs.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Bridgly | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | £2.99/month | £10-30/month |
| Built for UK Micro-Entities | ✓ Yes | General purpose |
| Cash-Basis Focused | ✓ Yes | Accrual-focused |
| VAT Features | Not included | ✓ Full VAT support |
| Learning Curve | Very simple | Moderate-complex |
| Features You Won't Use | Minimal | Many |
| Plain English Guidance | ✓ Yes | Technical |
| Mobile App | Not yet | ✓ Yes |
QuickBooks: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Comprehensive feature set
- Full VAT support (if you need it)
- Mobile app available
- Direct bank feed integration
- Invoicing and quotes
- Well-established with accountants
Cons
- Expensive for micro-entities (£10-30/month)
- Many features you won't use
- Steep learning curve
- Designed for larger businesses
- Can feel overwhelming
- Accrual-focused (not ideal for cash-basis)
Bridgly: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very affordable (£2.99/month)
- Built specifically for UK micro-entities
- Cash-basis accounting focus
- Simple, easy to learn
- Plain English explanations
- No unnecessary features
- Easy export for accountants
Cons
- Not suitable if you're VAT-registered
- No invoicing features
- Limited to cash-basis accounting
- No mobile app (yet)
Who Should Choose QuickBooks?
QuickBooks might be better for you if:
- You're VAT-registered (or plan to be soon)
- You need invoicing and quote features
- You're exceeding micro-entity size limits
- You need accrual accounting
- You have a larger budget for software
- You need inventory tracking
Who Should Choose Bridgly?
Bridgly is perfect for you if:
- You're a UK micro-entity limited company
- You're not VAT-registered
- You use (or want to use) cash-basis accounting
- You want simple, affordable bookkeeping
- You're tired of complex software with features you don't need
- You want to keep costs low
The Verdict
QuickBooks is a powerful tool, but it's designed for a wide range of businesses and includes many features most micro-entities will never use. You're essentially paying for complexity you don't need.
Bridgly is purpose-built for UK micro-entity limited companies using cash-basis accounting. It does one thing really well: simple, affordable bookkeeping for the UK's smallest companies.
If you're a micro-entity not registered for VAT, Bridgly offers everything you need at a fraction of the cost — without the overwhelm.
Try Bridgly — Get started