From April 2026, CIS subcontractors earning over £50,000 must use MTD-compatible software to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. If you're not sure whether MTD applies to you, read our guide on Making Tax Digital for CIS subcontractors. But with dozens of options on the market, which one actually works for construction workers? This is a practical comparison of the best options — judged on what matters to someone who works on site, not at a desk.

What Construction Workers Actually Need

Before comparing software, these are the features that matter most for a CIS subcontractor:

1. Works on a phone — You're on site, not in an office. The app needs to work on Android (most construction workers use Android) and be usable with dirty hands
2. Handles CIS deductions — Can it track your 20% deductions and reconcile them against contractor statements?
3. Receipt capture — Photograph receipts on your phone so they don't get lost in your van (see our full list of claimable CIS expenses)
4. Mileage tracking — Ideally with GPS or easy logging
5. Quarterly HMRC submission — It must be HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA
6. Simple enough for non-accountants — Construction workers aren't bookkeepers. It needs to work without an accounting degree
7. Affordable — This is a new cost. It needs to justify itself

The Options Compared

1. Untied

Price: From £0 (basic) / £54.99/year (Self Assessment filing) Best for: Tech-comfortable sole traders who want automation

Untied is built specifically for self-employed people and connects to your bank account to automatically categorise transactions. It's HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA and has a mobile app.

Pros:

• Automatic bank feed categorisation
• Mobile app (Android and iOS)
• Can file Self Assessment directly
• Affordable annual pricing
• Simple interface

Cons:

• Not construction-specific — no built-in CIS deduction tracking
• Automatic categorisation needs manual checking
• Newer product, less established

Construction-friendliness: ★★★☆☆

2. FreeAgent

Price: From £14.50/month (NatWest/RBS customers get it free) Best for: Sole traders who want a full accounting package

FreeAgent is a popular cloud accounting tool that handles invoicing, expenses, tax returns, and MTD submissions. It has CIS features and is widely used by construction workers.

Pros:

• Well-established, trusted platform
• CIS deduction recording
• Good mobile app
• Receipt capture via phone
• Free if you bank with NatWest or RBS
• Supports MTD for ITSA

Cons:

• Can feel complex for simple needs
• Full price is relatively expensive for what a CIS subcontractor needs
• Designed for all self-employed, not construction-specific

Construction-friendliness: ★★★★☆

3. QuickBooks Self-Employed

Price: From £8/month Best for: Budget-conscious workers who want mileage tracking

QuickBooks Self-Employed is the simplified version of QuickBooks, aimed at sole traders and freelancers. It includes receipt capture, mileage tracking, and tax estimation.

Pros:

• Good mileage tracking with GPS
• Receipt photo capture
• Tax estimate feature
• Well-known brand
• Reasonable price

Cons:

• MTD for ITSA support is being rolled out (check current status)
• CIS deduction tracking is limited
• Can upsell you to more expensive plans
• Customer support can be slow

Construction-friendliness: ★★★☆☆

4. Xero

Price: From £17/month (Starter plan) Best for: Workers who also have an accountant

Xero is one of the most popular accounting platforms in the UK. It's very capable, handles CIS deductions well, and most accountants are familiar with it.

Pros:

• Excellent CIS support (deduction tracking, contractor verification)
• Strong mobile app
• Most accountants can access your Xero directly
• Receipt capture
• Supports MTD for ITSA
• Bank feeds

Cons:

• Overkill for many sole trader subcontractors
• Most expensive option on this list
• Steeper learning curve
• Designed more for businesses with employees

Construction-friendliness: ★★★☆☆

5. TaxNav

Price: From free (pilot users) / pricing TBC post-launch Best for: Spreadsheet users who want simple MTD bridging

TaxNav is a newer entrant specifically positioned for MTD ITSA compliance. It's browser-based and designed to work as bridging software for people who already use spreadsheets.

Pros:

• HMRC-recognised for MTD IT pilot
• Simple, focused on MTD compliance
• Can import from existing spreadsheets
• Specifically mentions CIS construction workers
• Browser-based — works on any device

Cons:

• New product, limited track record
• Feature set is narrower than full accounting packages
• Not a full bookkeeping solution
• No native mobile app (browser-based)
• Pricing still being finalised

Construction-friendliness: ★★★☆☆

6. Sage Accounting

Price: From £14/month Best for: Workers who want a well-known brand with phone support

Sage is one of the oldest names in UK accounting software. Their cloud product handles MTD submissions and has CIS features.

Pros:

• Established brand with UK focus
• CIS features available
• Phone support included
• Receipt capture
• MTD for ITSA compatible

Cons:

• Interface can feel dated
• Mobile app is less polished than competitors
• Can be confusing for non-accountants
• Features vary significantly by plan

Construction-friendliness: ★★★☆☆

Quick Comparison Table

*FreeAgent is free for NatWest/RBS customers

Our Recommendation

For most CIS subcontractors, the priority order should be:

1. If you bank with NatWest or RBS → Get FreeAgent for free. It handles CIS, MTD, and Self Assessment in one place. This is the no-brainer option.

2. If you want the cheapest option → Untied at under £5/month (or free for basic use). It's simple, mobile-friendly, and handles MTD filing.

3. If you already have an accountant → Ask what they use. Most UK accountants work with Xero or FreeAgent and can access your data directly, which makes year-end much smoother.

4. If you're a spreadsheet person → TaxNav lets you keep using your existing spreadsheets with MTD bridging. Good if you don't want to change how you work.

5. If you need everything in one place → Xero or FreeAgent are the most complete packages, but you're paying for features you may not need.

What to Do Right Now

Regardless of which software you choose:

1. Pick something — Don't wait until the deadline. Set it up now and get familiar with it
2. Start recording digitally — Even before MTD kicks in, get into the habit of photographing receipts and logging expenses on your phone
3. Connect your bank — Most apps can auto-import transactions from your bank, saving you hours of manual entry
4. Keep your CIS statements — You'll still need to reconcile your contractor deductions against the CIS tax return deadlines

The best MTD software is the one you'll actually use. For most construction workers, that means the simplest one with a decent mobile app.

Before you set up your software, find out what HMRC owes you. Our free CIS calculator estimates your refund in under 60 seconds.

→ Calculate My CIS Refund

Related Guides

• Making Tax Digital for CIS Subcontractors — Everything you need to know about MTD deadlines, requirements, and preparation
• CIS Tax Return Deadlines — All Self Assessment and MTD quarterly filing dates in one place
• CIS Expenses You Can Claim — Complete list of allowable expenses to track in your chosen software

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need MTD software if I earn under £50,000?

Not yet. MTD for ITSA starts at £50,000+ from April 2026 and £30,000+ from April 2027. But starting digital record-keeping early makes the transition easier.

Can I use a spreadsheet for MTD?

Yes, but only if it connects to HMRC through approved bridging software. You can't manually type figures into HMRC's system. Software like TaxNav can bridge from your spreadsheet.

Is there free MTD software?

Some tools offer free tiers with limited features. Untied has a free basic version. FreeAgent is free for NatWest/RBS customers. HMRC does not provide free MTD for ITSA software.

Can my accountant handle MTD for me?

Yes. Your accountant can submit quarterly updates on your behalf. But you'll still need to provide your income and expense data regularly — digitally, through the software — rather than handing everything over at year end.

Last updated: January 2026. Prices and features may have changed since publication. Check each provider's website for current details.