Best MTD Software Options for UK Tradespeople Explained 2026
Compare the best Making Tax Digital software for UK tradespeople in 2026. Find the right MTD-compatible app for plumbers, electricians, builders, and more.
Best MTD Software Options for UK Tradespeople in 2026
As Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) becomes mandatory for growing numbers of UK tradespeople, choosing the right software is one of the most important business decisions you will make this year. The right tool should fit into your working day without adding hours of admin — whether you are on a scaffolding tower, in a customer’s kitchen, or driving between jobs.
This guide explains what to look for and compares the leading options available to UK tradespeople in 2026.
What MTD Software Must Do
To be MTD-compliant, software must:
- Maintain digital records of all business income and expenses
- Submit quarterly updates directly to HMRC via their API
- Support End-of-Period Statements (EOPS)
- Allow a final declaration to close the tax year
Beyond legal compliance, the best software for tradespeople should also handle invoicing, expense capture, and reporting in a way that suits how you actually work.
Key Features Tradespeople Should Prioritise
Mobile-First Design
You are not sitting at a desk all day. Your software needs to work seamlessly on a smartphone so you can raise invoices on-site, photograph receipts immediately, and track mileage between jobs.
Quick Invoice Creation
Time spent on admin is time not spent earning. Look for apps that let you create and send a professional invoice in under a minute, with saved client details and standard line items for your common jobs.
Expense Receipt Capture
The ability to photograph a receipt and automatically extract the details using OCR (optical character recognition) saves considerable time and reduces the risk of losing paper receipts.
VAT Handling
Many tradespeople are VAT-registered. Your software should handle VAT calculations correctly and, if you are already enrolled in MTD for VAT, support VAT return submissions too.
Simple Dashboard
You need to see at a glance what you have invoiced, what is outstanding, and what your approximate tax liability is. Complex dashboards designed for accountants are not helpful on a busy job site.
What to Look for in 2026
The MTD software market has matured significantly. Here is what distinguishes the best options in 2026:
HMRC recognition: Only use software that appears on HMRC’s list of recognised MTD-compatible products. This guarantees the quarterly submission functionality works correctly.
Offline capability: Signal is unreliable on many job sites. Software that works offline and syncs when you reconnect is far more practical.
Customer support: When you have a question about a submission or a tax query, responsive UK-based support matters.
Transparent pricing: Watch out for introductory offers that jump to expensive monthly fees. Make sure you understand the full cost before committing.
Integration with accounting: If you use an accountant, check whether your chosen software allows accountant access so they can review your figures without needing everything exported manually.
Invoice Guru for Tradespeople
Invoice Guru is built with the needs of UK sole traders and tradespeople firmly in mind. It combines professional invoicing, expense tracking, and the digital record-keeping required under MTD into a single mobile app. There are no complicated menus or unnecessary features — just the tools you need to run a compliant, profitable trade business.
Key features include:
- Create and send invoices from your phone in seconds
- Capture receipts with your camera
- Track income and expenses by category
- Clear summaries to support quarterly MTD updates
- Designed for non-accountants
Making the Right Choice
The best MTD software for you depends on the size of your business, whether you are VAT-registered, and how much time you want to invest in learning new tools. For most sole trader tradespeople, a mobile-first app that handles invoicing, expenses, and MTD records in one place is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
With InvoiceGuru, you get invoicing, expense tracking, and MTD compliance in one affordable mobile app — purpose-built for UK tradespeople who need simplicity without compromise.
Do not wait until your mandatory start date to choose your software. The transition takes time, and the sooner your digital records are in order, the less stressful the first quarterly submission will be.