Regulas vs QuickBooks for Making Tax Digital
QuickBooks is a well-known general accounting platform, while Regulas is purpose-built specifically for Making Tax Digital compliance. Here's how they compare.
Feature comparison
| Feature | Regulas | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Making Tax Digital quarterly submissions | ||
| Final declaration filing | ||
| Live HMRC tax calculations | ||
| AI-powered categorisation | ✓ (rules-based) | |
| UK & foreign property support | ✓ (limited) | |
| Section 24 finance cost restriction | ✓ Automatic | |
| Agent/accountant portal | ||
| HMRC guidance built in | ||
| Free tier | ✓ (£0/mo) | |
| Receipt scanning | ||
| Bank feeds | Coming soon | |
| VAT MTD | ||
| Invoicing | ||
| Payroll | ✓ (add-on) |
Pricing comparison
| Plan | Regulas | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Cheapest | £0/month | £6/month (after trial) |
| Mid-tier | £5.99/month | £12/month (Simple Start) |
| Professional | £12.99/month | £22/month (Essentials) |
| Enterprise / Agent | £29.99/month | £32/month (Plus) |
Who should choose Regulas?
- Want a free Making Tax Digital solution with no time-limited trial
- Need purpose-built Making Tax Digital software rather than a general accounting tool
- Want HMRC tax calculations powered directly by HMRC's API, not estimates
- Are a landlord needing automatic Section 24 handling and multi-property support
- Want built-in HMRC guidance on every screen
Who should choose QuickBooks?
- Already use QuickBooks for invoicing, payroll, or VAT
- Need bank feeds and full double-entry bookkeeping
- Need MTD for VAT alongside MTD for Income Tax
- Want a single platform for all business accounting
The bottom line
QuickBooks is a powerful general-purpose accounting tool, but that power comes with complexity and cost. If your primary need is Making Tax Digital compliance — quarterly submissions, tax calculations, and final declarations — Regulas delivers exactly that, faster, cheaper, and with HMRC guidance built into every step.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax becomes mandatory from 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000. Both Regulas and QuickBooks are recognised by HMRC. Check your eligibility on GOV.UK.
Try Regulas free
Purpose-built Making Tax Digital software. Free tier, no credit card required.
Disclaimer: Feature and pricing information is based on publicly available data as of March 2026 and may change. QuickBooks is a trademark of Intuit Inc. Regulas is not affiliated with Intuit.