QuickBooks Online
Accounting
Accounting with bank feeds and AI categorisation. A free plan in the US and MTD compatible software in the UK.
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For cafés and restaurants
Bookkeeping and tax tools for cafés and restaurants
For cafés and restaurants, bookkeeping and tax usually means tracking daily takings, supplier invoices and VAT. We matched 10 tools to this job, and 5 of them list a free plan. They are in our order of fit, and that order is never paid for. In the UK our first picks are Xero and FreeAgent.
The tools, in our order of fit
Xero
Accounting
Popular cloud accounting with bank feeds and invoicing. In the UK it handles MTD compatible VAT returns.
Dext
Bookkeeping
Snap receipts and supplier bills and send the data to your accounts software.
Square for Restaurants
Restaurant POS
Free restaurant POS for orders and payments. Paid extras like kitchen display.
Wave
Accounting
Free Starter plan for invoicing and basic bookkeeping. Pro adds bank transaction import.
Zoho Books
Accounting
Free plan for solo and micro businesses, with receipt automation on paid plans.
FreeAgent
Accounting
Built for UK sole traders and limited companies, including Self Assessment and MTD. Free with some UK bank accounts. UK only
SumUp
Payments
Take card payments and send invoices or payment links with no monthly fee on pay as you go.
Toast POS
Restaurant POS
Restaurant POS with online ordering and staff tools.
Sage Accounting
Accounting
Cloud bookkeeping, invoicing, VAT and Making Tax Digital for businesses.
How to choose
- Connect your business bank account so transactions arrive automatically.
- Photograph receipts as you go rather than at the end of the year.
- In the UK, check Making Tax Digital support for VAT and Income Tax if they apply to you.
- Ask your accountant which software they already use, because shared access is simpler.
Prices at a glance
| Tool | Starting price | Free plan | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuickBooks Online | Simple Start $38/month (intro discount shown) | Yes | Yes |
| Xero | Ignite £18/month (excl. VAT) | No | Not listed |
| Dext | See the official page | No | Yes |
| Square for Restaurants | Free plan. Paid extras such as KDS at $30/month per device | Yes | Yes |
| Wave | Pro $190/year (billed annually) | Yes | Not listed |
| Zoho Books | Standard $15/org/month billed annually ($20 monthly) | Yes | Yes |
| FreeAgent | From £33/month (limited company) | No | Yes |
| SumUp | £0/month pay as you go (1.69%). Payments Plus £19/month | Yes | Yes |
| Toast POS | See the official page | No | Not listed |
| Sage Accounting | See the official page | No | Not listed |
Starting prices as shown on each official pricing page. Local prices can differ.
Questions people ask
What is the best bookkeeping tool for cafés and restaurants?
It depends on how you work. Our first pick is QuickBooks Online. Accounting with bank feeds and AI categorisation. A free plan in the US and MTD compatible software in the UK. Xero and Dext are close alternatives.
Is there a free bookkeeping tool for cafés and restaurants?
Yes. QuickBooks Online, Square for Restaurants, Wave, Zoho Books and SumUp list a free plan on the official pricing page. Paid plans add more features and higher limits.
How much do bookkeeping and tax tools cost for cafés and restaurants?
QuickBooks Online lists Simple Start $38/month (intro discount shown). Xero lists Ignite £18/month (excl. VAT). Dext lists See the official page. Prices can change, so check the official page before you buy.
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Keep exploring
Comparisons
- FreeAgent vs Xero on price, free plans and which to choose
- Xero vs QuickBooks Online on price, free plans and which to choose
Guides
- Best AI tools for cafés and restaurants
- Making Tax Digital in the UK and the AI bookkeeping tools that can help
- How to add VAT to a price, and when to register
Free calculators
More for cafés
- Quote and invoice tools
- Social media tools
- Customer reply and email tools
- Listing tools
- Booking and scheduling tools
- Website tools
Bookkeeping and tax tools for other businesses
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