Comparison · May 2026
Wedge vs QuickBooks
Both Wedge and QuickBooks let UK tradespeople send invoices and track payments. They are built for different jobs. QuickBooks is a full accounting suite with bookkeeping, payroll, and bank feeds. Wedge is a WhatsApp-native invoicing tool with no subscription — built for tradespeople who want to send a professional invoice from the van without learning accounting software.
Wedge
RecommendedSend a WhatsApp message, get a professional invoice. No subscription, no app, 1% (max £50) only when you get paid.
- 1% per paid invoice, capped at £50 — no monthly fee, ever
- Works in WhatsApp — no app to install or dashboard to learn
- AI parses plain English: "Invoice Dave £350 for boiler call-out"
- Built for UK trades: CIS, retentions, Gas Safe / NICEIC details on every invoice
- Pay only when your customer pays — never a charge on a slow month
QuickBooks
Full accounting platform from Intuit. Strong bookkeeping, bank feeds, and payroll — designed for businesses that need a complete accounting system.
- Subscription from £8/month (Self-Employed) up to £75/month (Advanced)
- Bank feed reconciliation and full chart of accounts
- Receipt scanning, expense categorisation, mileage tracking
- Payroll add-on (extra cost) and multi-user access (extra cost on most tiers)
- Generic SMB tool — not built specifically for UK trades
Side-by-side comparison
Feature-by-feature breakdown of Wedge versus QuickBooks.
| Feature | WedgeRecommended | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly subscription | None — ever | £8–£75 per month |
| Free trial that auto-charges | No card required | 30-day trial, then auto-charge |
| Pricing model | 1% per paid invoice (max £50) | Flat monthly fee whether you invoice or not |
| Pay only when you get paid | ||
| Send invoices via WhatsApp | ||
| AI parsing of plain-English job descriptions | ||
| App download required | Just WhatsApp | Web + mobile app |
| Setup time to first invoice | Under 60 seconds | 15–30 minutes onboarding |
| VAT (standard, reduced, zero, reverse-charge) | ||
| MTD-compliant | ||
| CIS-aware invoicing for subcontractors | Available with add-ons | |
| Staged payments and retentions for builders | Manual line-item workaround | |
| Trade qualifications shown on invoice (Gas Safe, NICEIC) | Manual workaround | |
| Stripe card payments included | 1% all-in (max £50), no extra processing fee | Separate payment processing fees |
| Automatic late-payment reminders | ||
| Bank feed reconciliation | ||
| Receipt scanning / expense capture | Expense logging via dashboard | |
| Payroll | Add-on, extra cost | |
| Built specifically for UK trades | Generic SMB tool |
When QuickBooks is the right tool
If you have employees on payroll, multiple bank accounts to reconcile, a bookkeeper or accountant who already lives inside QuickBooks, or you need a full chart of accounts for a growing business — QuickBooks is the right answer. It is a complete accounting platform and the things it does well are things Wedge does not try to do.
Where QuickBooks struggles for tradespeople
QuickBooks is designed around an office workflow: open the laptop, log in, navigate to invoicing, fill out a form, save, send. For a plumber finishing a Sunday boiler call-out at 9pm with grease on their hands, that is the wrong shape of tool. The QuickBooks Self-Employed tier (£8/month) gets cheaper but strips out the features that make QuickBooks worth using. You end up paying £96/year for a watered-down invoicing experience that still requires opening an app.
Where Wedge is structurally different
Wedge does not try to replace QuickBooks. It replaces the moment of sending an invoice. You send Wedge a WhatsApp message in plain English, the AI parses it into a structured invoice with the right VAT, line items, and trade-specific details, and your customer receives it with a Stripe payment link. When they pay, money lands in your bank account and Wedge takes 1% (capped at £50 per invoice). There is no monthly fee whether you send one invoice or fifty. If you need full bookkeeping later, Wedge invoice records export cleanly into accounting software.
Which one should you choose?
Choose Wedge if
- You are a sole trader or run a small trades business and want to invoice from your phone
- You hate paying monthly subscriptions on slow months
- Your jobs include CIS deductions, staged payments, retentions, or Gas Safe / NICEIC qualifications
- You want AI to handle the line items so you do not fill out a form for every invoice
- You already use an accountant for the books and just need invoices out the door
Choose QuickBooks if
- You run payroll for employees and need integrated PAYE
- You have multiple bank accounts and need full reconciliation
- Your accountant requires QuickBooks specifically
- You need a complete chart of accounts and double-entry bookkeeping
- Your invoiced revenue is high enough that 1% (capped at £50/invoice) exceeds £15+ per month
Send your first invoice in 60 seconds
No subscription, no card required to sign up. Wedge takes 1% (capped at £50 per invoice) only when your customer pays you.
Get started for freeMore comparisons
See how Wedge compares to other invoicing and accounting tools.