Crunch vs Zervant
Side-by-side comparison — pricing, features, ratings, use cases. Find which Tax Software fits you best.
🔍 Independently researched ·
📊 Data-driven
· ⭐ Ratings from G2 (real user reviews)
76/100
811 Kč starting
UK freelancers, contractors, and small limited companies who want online accounting software plus a real UK accountant f
★ Best
💰 Pricing
Starting at 811 Kč (subscription)
Fee notes:
- Monthly prices are in GBP and exclude VAT at 20% (shown as base).
- Yearly plan is equivalent to 10 months' cost, saving two months' fees.
- Crunch is known to charge £28+VAT per month for Core, rising to £38+VAT for Core with payroll, and £48+VAT for Complete.
- Additional services: Self-assessment filing for additional people (e.g., partner) available at £49 per return.
- Payroll for more than 10 employees: additional £5 per employee per month (approximately).
⚠ Watch for:
- VAT (currently 20%) is added to all subscription fees.
- On the yearly plan, if you cancel early, you may be charged the full year's fees.
- There is a setup fee of £99 for new limited company registration or conversion (if you need it) — though sometimes waived.
- Additional self-assessment filings for other individuals (e.g., spouse) are not included and cost extra.
🔧 Features
✓ Uk Focus✓ Freelancer Sme✓ Self Assessment✓ Vat✓ Accountant Included
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- Crunch bundles a dedicated accountant with its software, which is a rare and valuable feature. You get a named UK-based accountant who can answer questions via phone or email, which is incredibly useful for tax planning, understanding dividends, or filing compliance. This is a huge benefit for business owners who lack accounting knowledge and would otherwise need to hire a separate accountant, saving time and potentially reducing errors.
- It's built specifically for UK tax rules, which is a major advantage. Crunch handles MTD-compliant VAT, self assessment, corporation tax, and dividend tracking natively, meaning you don't have to manually work out your tax liabilities. The software calculates your corporation tax and even helps with payroll, which is a boon for limited company directors who need to manage their salary and dividends efficiently.
- Real-time bank feeds and automatic reconciliation make bookkeeping less tedious. You connect your UK bank accounts via Open Banking, and Crunch pulls in transactions automatically. You can then categorize expenses quickly, and the software matches them to invoices and bills. This feature cuts down on manual data entry and ensures your financials are always up to date, which is great for businesses with high transaction volumes.
- Transparent monthly pricing is a plus, even if you have to ask for a quote. Once you know the rate (starting at $30/mo), it's a predictable subscription that includes everything: software plus accountant support. Compare this to paying for software (e.g., FreeAgent at ~$30/mo) and then separately paying an accountant (~$100/mo+), and Crunch can be a more cost-effective solution for many small businesses.
- The platform offers a mobile app for on-the-go expense tracking and banking. You can snap a photo of a receipt and it syncs to your account, which is handy for contractors and freelancers who incur expenses while away from their desk. This small feature keeps your records accurate and reduces the pile of paper receipts at year-end.
⚠ Watch out for
- Pricing is opaque — you have to book a demo or call Crunch to get a quote. This is a significant friction point for buyers who are comparing software online. Competitors like FreeAgent and Xero publish their rates clearly, so you know what you're getting into without sales calls. Crunch's hiding of pricing feels outdated and can put off potential customers who prefer self-serve onboarding.
- Crunch is not well-suited for unincorporated sole traders who don't need corporation tax or payroll features. The plans for freelancers (sole traders) are more limited, and the add-ons like payroll are geared toward limited companies. If you're a sole trader, you might be paying for features you don't need, making cheaper alternatives like QuickBooks Self-Employed more appealing.
- Integrations are sparse. Unlike Xero or QuickBooks, which have hundreds of third-party apps, Crunch only offers a handful of native integrations (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, and some banking). If you rely on custom tools or want to sync with a CRM or inventory system, you won't find them easily. This is a major drawback for growing businesses that need connected tools.
- The software's interface feels dated compared to rivals. While it's functional, some users report that the dashboard and navigation are not as intuitive as FreeAgent's. This can make the initial learning curve steeper, and it may feel less polished to tech-savvy users.
- Customer support, while included, can be slow to respond during peak tax season. Some users have reported waiting longer for email responses, which is frustrating when you have urgent questions. In contrast, other platforms offer instant chat support, though Crunch's phone support is generally reliable.
🎯 Best for
UK freelancers, contractors, and small limited companies who want online accounting software plus a real UK accountant for help with taxes and compliance.
🚫 Who should skip
Sole traders with simple finances who want free or low-cost DIY software, or larger businesses needing advanced inventory, multi-currency, or a large app ecosystem.
📚 Learning curve
Moderate — if you've used any double-entry accounting software, the core features are easy; you'll need a bit of time to learn Crunch's own navigation and where accountant messages sit.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Crunch is a solid choice for UK limited company owners and contractors who want an all-in-one accounting service with built-in human expertise, especially if you prefer the reassurance of an accountant without the separate cost. It's not the best fit for sole traders who need minimal features or tho
49/100
Free tier
Freelancers and micro-businesses in the EU that need simple, e-invoice-friendly billing with automated reminders and don
💰 Pricing
🆓 Free tier available
Up to 5 invoices per month, 1 user, no payroll/tax reporting, no integrations
Fee notes:
- Prices in EUR excl. VAT; annual discount 20%
- Additional users in Professional plan: €5/month per extra user
- Payroll add-on (where available) costs €10/month for up to 5 employees
- e-Invoicing network fees: €0.30 per invoice above free quota
⚠ Watch for:
- Additional invoice over free limit costs €1 per invoice
- Bank integration fee may apply (€5/month)
- Extra storage beyond 5 GB: €2/month per GB
- Chargeback fees on invoices paid via credit card: 1.5% per transaction
🔧 Features
✓ Free Tier✓ Finnish Origin✓ E Invoicing✓ Micro Business✓ Eu Compliant
📋 Assessment
💪 Strengths
- The free plan is a rare gem. Unlike many ‘freemium' models that restrict you to test data, Zervant allows you to send up to five real invoices per month, manage two clients, and use automated payment reminders without spending a cent. For a freelancer just starting out, this is a practical way to get a professional invoicing workflow with zero upfront cost, and you won't feel penalized for not upgrading immediately.
- Zervant excels at e-invoicing in Europe. It supports Peppol and region-specific formats like Finvoice and Swedish PEPPOL, which is crucial for businesses that need to send invoices directly to government agencies or large corporations that mandate e-invoicing. This native compliance saves hours of manual work and ensures you're meeting legal requirements without a third-party plugin, setting it apart from many US-centric tools.
- Automated payment reminders are a standout feature. You can set up customizable reminders that go out automatically before and after an invoice's due date, helping you reduce late payments without the awkwardness of manual chasing. The ability to schedule these reminders and tailor the message tone is a practical timesaver that directly improves cash flow, which is a lifeline for any small business.
- The interface is clean and intuitive. Creating an invoice takes minutes with a clear, step-by-step form, and the dashboard gives you a quick snapshot of outstanding payments and upcoming invoices. This simplicity is a major advantage for non-accountants, allowing you to focus on your work rather than wrestling with complex software.
- For EU micro-businesses, the basic VAT reporting is solid. Zervant automatically calculates VAT based on your country's rates and allows you to run simple reports for your tax returns. While it doesn't handle complex cross-border rules (like reverse charge) flawlessly, it covers the basics, which is often enough for service-based freelancers.
⚠ Watch out for
- The free plan's five-invoice limit is a double-edged sword: it's generous by freemium standards, but it becomes a bottleneck as soon as you take on a sixth client. You'll be forced to upgrade to the €19/month plan, which still caps you at 25 invoices—a limit that can feel arbitrary and restrictive if you have a few recurring monthly clients. It's a cheap upgrade, but the hard cap can be annoying.
- Accounting features are disappointingly shallow. There's no double-entry bookkeeping, so you can't track expenses, inventory, or generate a proper balance sheet. For a freelancer, this means you'll still need separate software or a spreadsheet for expense tracking, defeating the purpose of an integrated solution. Zervant is effectively an invoicing tool with a lid on the accounting side, not a true accounting package.
- Invoice customization is limited on lower plans. Free and Standard plans only allow you to add your logo and brand color, but you can't adjust layout, fonts, or add custom fields without signing up for the more expensive Premium plan. For businesses that want a professional, on-brand invoice, this feels like a sales tactic that's out of step with the spirit of a tool that's supposed to be simple.
- Customer support is not 24/7 and has had mixed reviews. While there's a knowledge base and email support, response times can be slow (reportedly up to 48 hours), and there's no phone or live chat. For a business that hits a payment issue, waiting two days for an answer can be stressful, and the lack of immediate help is a notable drawback.
- Internationalization is inconsistent. While Zervant is available in several European languages and supports multiple currencies, you can only have one currency per invoice, and switching between currencies isn't seamless. If you work with clients across borders, you'll find the multi-currency handling clunky compared to competitors that offer automatic currency conversion and re-invoicing.
🎯 Best for
Freelancers and micro-businesses in the EU that need simple, e-invoice-friendly billing with automated reminders and don't need heavy accounting features.
🚫 Who should skip
Businesses with more complex accounting needs, such as those tracking inventory, handling multi-currency globally, or requiring integrated payment acceptance.
📚 Learning curve
Minimal — the interface is very straightforward and most users can create and send their first invoice within 10 minutes.
🧑⚖️ Verdict
Zervant is an excellent choice for European freelancers and micro-businesses that need a simple, compliant invoicing tool with a genuinely free entry point. However, if you require robust accounting features or extensive customization, or if you expect to scale quickly, you'll likely outgrow it fast
📊 Use Case Suitability
Higher score = better fit. Scores from editorial review.
Use CaseCrunchZervant
Managing a UK limited company's day-to-day bookkeeping90—
Full ledger, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, and accountant oversight bui
Filing personal self-assessment tax returns85—
Crunch calculates your tax liability from your income and expenses and lets you
VAT compliance for a small e-commerce or services business82—
MTD-compliant VAT submission with automated calculations and digital links to HM
Getting accountant advice on tax planning without hiring a separate firm94—
The included accountant support means you can ask questions about dividends, sal
Running a large or growing business with complex inventory or payroll35—
Crunch targets freelancers and small businesses, not mid-sized companies with mu
E-invoicing for EU freelancers—95
Built-in support for Peppol and EU-compliant e-invoicing makes sending invoices
Small business invoicing with payment reminders—90
Automated payment reminders and invoice tracking help micro-businesses maintain
Basic VAT reporting for EU micro-businesses—85
The tool calculates VAT automatically and provides simple reports, though it lac
🧭 Which One Should You Pick?
Choose Crunch if...
- You are: UK freelancers, contractors, and small limited companies who want online accounting software plus a real UK accountant f
- 👍 Bundled human accountant support at a transparent monthly subscription — rare among online accountin
- 👍 Built specifically for UK tax rules: MTD-compliant VAT, corporation tax, self-assessment, and divide
- 👍 Real-time bank feeds from major UK banks simplify reconciliation and keep financials up to date with
- 💰 From $35.28/mo
- ⚠ Trade-off: Pricing is opaque; you have to book a demo or call to get a quote, unlike FreeAg
Choose Zervant if...
- You are: Freelancers and micro-businesses in the EU that need simple, e-invoice-friendly billing with automated reminders and don
- 👍 Genuinely useful free plan for sending up to 5 invoices a month, ideal for very small startups
- 👍 Native EU e-invoicing support, including Peppol and country-specific formats like Finvoice in Finlan
- 👍 Automated payment reminders help reduce late payments without extra effort
- 💰 Free tier available
- ⚠ Trade-off: Free plan limits you to only 5 invoices per month, which quickly grows restricti
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Crunch cost?
Crunch doesn't publish upfront pricing; you need to request a quote or contact their sales team. Pricing typically varies based on your business structure (sole trader vs limited company) and the level of service you need.
Is Crunch a good FreeAgent alternative?
Yes, for UK users who want accountancy support bundled in. Crunch includes human accountant access, which FreeAgent alone doesn't. But FreeAgent has a slightly polished UX and a larger third-party ecosystem, so it depends on your preference for software vs. service.
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