QuickBooks alternative
HatchSolo vs QuickBooks — Accounting Software vs AI Business Manager
By HatchSolo · Last updated: August 2026
QuickBooks is accounting software designed to help businesses track income, expenses, VAT, and prepare for tax time. It is a powerful tool — and for self-employed people, often more than they need. HatchSolo handles the invoicing and financial admin layer: generating invoices, chasing payments, tracking expenses, and preparing records for your accountant. It is not accounting software — it does not file VAT returns or produce statutory accounts. But for most solo business owners, the daily financial admin is what costs time, and that is where HatchSolo helps.
What QuickBooks does
QuickBooks is a full accounting platform: it tracks income and expenses, manages VAT returns under Making Tax Digital, handles payroll, produces statutory accounts, and generates reports for your accountant or HMRC. It is built for businesses that need a complete financial record — particularly those that are VAT-registered or employ staff.
What HatchSolo does
HatchSolo handles the day-to-day financial admin that consumes a solo operator's time: sending invoices, chasing late payments, logging expenses, and keeping records organised. All of it runs through WhatsApp — no new dashboard to learn, no manual data entry. For the broader picture of what it covers, see what an AI business manager is. For a quick standalone tool, try the free invoice generator.
Comparison table
| Comparison point | QuickBooks | HatchSolo |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Accounting & tax | Business ops & invoicing |
| Invoice generation | Yes | Yes — through WhatsApp |
| VAT returns | Yes | No |
| Expense tracking | Yes | Yes — basic |
| Statutory accounts | Yes | No |
| Right for | VAT-registered businesses | Sub-VAT sole traders needing ops support |
Frequently asked questions
Do I need QuickBooks as a sole trader?
Possibly. If you are VAT-registered, QuickBooks simplifies Making Tax Digital compliance. If you are below the VAT threshold (£90,000 turnover), a spreadsheet and HatchSolo's invoice tracking may be all you need.
Can HatchSolo replace QuickBooks?
Not fully. HatchSolo handles invoicing and payment chasing. QuickBooks handles VAT, payroll, and statutory accounts. If you need those, use QuickBooks.
What is a cheaper alternative to QuickBooks?
For sole traders below the VAT threshold, HatchSolo's invoicing features cover the daily admin at £49/month. You may still need a separate tool at year-end.
Does HatchSolo integrate with QuickBooks?
Not currently. HatchSolo exports invoice data that you can manually reconcile with QuickBooks.
What does QuickBooks cost?
QuickBooks Self-Employed starts at around £8/month. QuickBooks Simple Start (for sole traders) is around £14/month.
Invoice, chase, and track — through WhatsApp.
HatchSolo handles the daily financial admin: invoices sent, payments chased, expenses logged. From £49/month.
Talk to Maya — it's free