Side by side

Clear Books vs MoneyWorks

Both stand on salon accounting software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Clear Books

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

Clear Books covers core accounting tasks alongside UK tax features and accountant access. Its free options have defined property scope, while paid plans begin at £5 per month plus VAT.

Visit Clear Books

MoneyWorks combines accounting, business operations, reporting, and tax tools across desktop and cloud hosting options. Consider the trial limit and separately charged support when assessing the listed plans.

Visit MoneyWorks

The facts

	Clear Books	MoneyWorks
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Not published	Not published
Runs on	Android, iPhone, Web	Android, API, iPhone, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows
Lowest paid plan	Sole Trader: £5 a month	MoneyWorks Express: $18.15 a month
Plans published	10	5
Maker	Clear Books	Not published
Website	clearbooks.co.uk	cognito.co.nz
On salon accounting software	#3 of 29	#7 of 29

Clear Books: what it does well

Forever-free options for sole traders and landlords
No transaction limits on free plans
Branded, recurring invoices and late-payment reminders
Bank feeds include automated matching on specified plans
Android, iOS and browser access

What to know first

Paid plans start at £5 per month plus VAT
Property Free covers one property or grouped properties
Foreign Property Free covers one overseas property

MoneyWorks: what it does well

Accounting includes receivables, payables, budgets, and fixed assets.
Reports cover sales, purchasing, inventory, and financial activity.
Trial data can continue in a purchased version.
Maker describes server options for up to 100 users.

What to know first

Trial ends after 45 days or 99 opens.
Support is charged separately if required.
Optional bank feeds are limited to Australia and New Zealand.
Bank feeds carry an additional monthly charge per company.

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