If you are a UK business owner deciding between Crunch, TaxAssist, and Mazuma for your accounting, you are comparing three fundamentally different services. One is a software-first platform with add-on human support. Another is a nationwide network of high-street accountants. The third is a remote bookkeeping and tax return service with a fixed monthly fee. Which one fits your business depends on your structure, your turnover, and how much you want to handle yourself.
We have worked with clients who have used all three. We have seen what works and what creates headaches. This comparison covers pricing, features, software, and who each service genuinely suits in 2025.
What Each Service Actually Does
Crunch
Crunch is an online accounting platform built around its own software. You get access to their bookkeeping and invoicing tools, and you can add a dedicated accountant for an extra monthly fee. The software handles bank feeds, VAT returns, payroll, and self assessment. Their accountant add-on gives you a named person you can email and speak to by phone.
Crunch is popular with contractors, freelancers, and small limited companies. Their pricing is transparent and published on their website. You know what you pay from month one.
TaxAssist
TaxAssist is not one firm. It is a franchise network of over 200 local accounting practices across the UK. Each franchise is independently owned. Some offer cloud accounting tools. Others work on spreadsheets and desktop software. The quality and service level varies by location.
TaxAssist positions itself as the high-street alternative. You get a local office, face-to-face meetings if you want them, and a human who knows your business. But you do not get a standardised software platform across the network. What you get depends entirely on which franchise you choose.
Mazuma
Mazuma is a remote bookkeeping and accounting service. You send them your receipts and invoices (by post or app), and they do the data entry. They file your VAT returns, your self assessment, and your corporation tax return. You get a monthly report showing your profit and tax position.
Mazuma is hands-off. You do not log into accounting software. You do not code transactions. You send them paperwork, they handle the numbers. This suits business owners who hate bookkeeping and want someone else to do it all.
Pricing Comparison for 2025
Pricing is the first thing most business owners look at. Here is how the three compare for a typical limited company director or sole trader.
Crunch Pricing
Crunch charges a monthly subscription. For a limited company with one director, their standard plan (including software and accountant support) is around £74.50 per month. Their software-only plan (no accountant) is cheaper at roughly £30 per month. VAT is added on top. Payroll for additional employees costs extra. Year-end accounts and corporation tax filing are included in the accountant-supported plan.
For sole traders, Crunch offers a self assessment plan at about £32 per month including software and accountant review.
TaxAssist Pricing
TaxAssist franchises set their own fees. There is no national pricing list. For a limited company, you might pay anywhere from £80 to £150 per month for a basic bookkeeping, payroll, and year-end package. Some franchises charge per hour for ad-hoc advice. Others offer fixed-fee packages. You need to call your local franchise and ask.
The variation is significant. A franchise in Shoreditch, London, will charge differently from one in Kelham Island, Sheffield. Always get a written quote before committing.
Mazuma Pricing
Mazuma charges a flat monthly fee based on your turnover bracket. For a limited company turning over up to £50,000, you pay roughly £95 per month. For turnover up to £100,000, it is about £125 per month. For turnover up to £250,000, expect around £175 per month. VAT is extra.
Mazuma's pricing is straightforward. You know your monthly cost. But it is higher than Crunch for most small businesses, and you get less direct accountant contact.
Software and Technology
Crunch: Proprietary Platform
Crunch gives you access to its own software. You log in, see your bank feeds, raise invoices, run payroll, and submit VAT returns directly to HMRC. The software is MTD-compatible for both VAT and (from April 2026) Income Tax. It is designed for non-accountants. The interface is clean and logical.
If you are comfortable with cloud software, Crunch works well. You control your data entry. Your accountant reviews it and handles the compliance filings.
TaxAssist: Varies by Franchise
TaxAssist franchises choose their own software. Some use Xero, some use QuickBooks, some use Sage, some use spreadsheets. A few have built their own in-house tools. You need to ask what software your local franchise uses before signing up.
If you want a specific platform like Xero or FreeAgent, check that your local TaxAssist franchise supports it. Some do. Some do not.
Mazuma: You Do Not Use Software
Mazuma does not give you access to accounting software. They use their own system internally. You send them your paperwork. They process it. You get a monthly report by email. You never touch the ledger.
This is the key trade-off. You save time on data entry. But you lose visibility. You cannot log in and check your debtor days or run a profit and loss report on demand. You rely on Mazuma's monthly summary.
Who Each Service Suits Best
Crunch Suits
- Contractors and freelancers working through a limited company
- Tech-savvy business owners who want to see their numbers daily
- Small limited companies with 1-2 directors and no employees
- Sole traders who want software plus accountant backup at a fixed price
- Businesses that are comfortable with cloud software and MTD
TaxAssist Suits
- Business owners who want face-to-face meetings with a local accountant
- Partnerships and sole traders who prefer a traditional high-street relationship
- Businesses with complex affairs that need bespoke advice (property portfolios, multiple companies)
- Owners who are not comfortable with online-only services
Mazuma Suits
- Business owners who hate bookkeeping and want it done entirely by someone else
- Limited companies and sole traders with steady, straightforward finances
- Owners who are happy to receive a monthly summary rather than logging into software
- Businesses that generate a lot of paper receipts and invoices
What You Do Not Get with These Services
All three services have limits. None of them typically include tax planning beyond the basics. None of them automatically review your director's loan account position or advise on dividend strategy unless you ask. None of them proactively flag whether you should register for VAT voluntarily or whether you qualify for R&D tax credits.
If your business is growing, you may outgrow these services. A contractor turning over £60,000 has different needs from a software consultancy in Manchester turning over £420,000 with four employees. At that point, you need a firm that does more than compliance. You need strategic advice on corporation tax planning, director remuneration, and R&D claims.
That is where a firm like Holloway Davies comes in. We are ICAEW qualified accountants working with businesses of every shape. We do not lock you into proprietary software. We work with Xero, FreeAgent, QuickBooks, and Sage. You get a dedicated accountant who knows your business, plus the software you prefer.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Crunch | TaxAssist | Mazuma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software access | Yes (proprietary) | Varies by franchise | No |
| Face-to-face meetings | No | Yes (local office) | No |
| Fixed monthly fee | Yes | Varies | Yes |
| Dedicated accountant | Add-on | Yes | Pool-based |
| MTD-compatible | Yes | Varies | Yes |
| Best for | Tech-savvy contractors | Local, traditional businesses | Hands-off owners |
Making the Right Choice for 2025
Your decision depends on how you want to work. If you are comfortable with cloud software and want to see your numbers in real time, Crunch is a strong option at a competitive price. If you value a local office and face-to-face contact, TaxAssist is worth exploring, but check the franchise's software and fee structure first. If you want to outsource everything and never touch a ledger, Mazuma delivers that, but you pay more and lose visibility.
For many business owners, the best option is neither of these three. A growing limited company needs more than a compliance service. You need an accountant who helps you structure your affairs tax-efficiently, who reviews your director's loan account, who advises on dividend timing, and who spots opportunities like R&D tax credits or incorporation planning.
If your business has outgrown a one-size-fits-all service, or if you are about to start a limited company and want the right structure from day one, talk to us. Our services page explains how we work. Or get in touch for a no-obligation conversation about what you actually need.
If your turnover crossed the VAT registration threshold of £90,000 in the last 30 days, you need to register within that 30-day window. That is a specific compliance trigger. Do not assume your online accountant service will flag it automatically. Check your position now.