Bokio: Free to start.
But will you outgrow it?
Bokio is popular with startups for a reason: it's free to start. But “free” means 50 transactions/month, manual categorization, and Swedish software adapted for UK use.
When your business grows, will your accounting keep up?
Built for Sweden. Adapted for UK.
Bokio was founded in Gothenburg in 2015 for Swedish small businesses. UK features came later. This matters for your Ltd company.
Swedish-first design
Core features built for Swedish tax rules and accounting standards. UK compliance added as an expansion market.
Limited UK expertise
Support and documentation stretched across multiple countries. Deep HMRC knowledge isn't their core strength.
Missing Ltd features
No salary/dividend optimization. No director loan tracking. No S455 warnings. Features UK directors actually need.
Signs You've Outgrown Bokio
Bokio works for simple bookkeeping. But growing Ltd companies hit these walls:
Your business is growing
Bokio's free tier caps at 50 transactions. Their paid plan (£15/month) is still basic software. As you scale, you'll need proper advice - not just data entry.
You need actual guidance
Bokio tells you your profit was £4,230. AccountsOS tells you: 'Your profit is £4,230. Take £12,570 salary and £30k dividends to save £2,847 in tax.' That's real advice.
You're spending hours on bookkeeping
Manual categorization, manual reconciliation, manual everything. Bokio is cheap software that costs you expensive time. Your hourly rate matters.
UK tax questions go unanswered
Bokio was built in Sweden. Their UK support and documentation is limited. When you ask about S455 tax or optimal director salary, you won't get clear answers.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AccountsOS | Bokio |
|---|---|---|
AI-powered chat interface Ask questions in plain English. Bokio is menus and manual entry. | ||
Voice commands Dictate expenses while driving. Bokio needs your hands and eyes. | ||
AI auto-categorization Our AI learns your business. Bokio needs you to categorize manually. | ||
Proactive tax optimization AI spots savings automatically. Bokio just records transactions. | ||
UK-first design Built for UK Ltd directors. Bokio was built for Sweden, adapted for UK. | partial | |
Bank feeds Both connect to UK banks | ||
Invoicing Both can create and send invoices | ||
MTD for VAT Both are MTD-compliant | ||
Receipt scanning AccountsOS extracts and files automatically. Bokio needs review. | 4 seconds | Manual |
Salary/dividend optimization We calculate your optimal split. Bokio doesn't. | ||
UK-specific support HMRC expertise built-in. Bokio support is stretched across countries. | Limited | |
Advanced Ltd company features Director loan accounts, CT planning. Bokio covers basics only. | ||
Learning curve If you can text, you can use AccountsOS. | Zero | Low-medium |
Pricing: Free vs Paid vs AI
Bokio Free
£0/month
Limited to 50 transactions
- - 50 transactions/month cap
- - Manual categorization
- - Basic invoicing
- - No AI features
- - Limited support
Bokio Paid
£15/month
Unlimited transactions
- - Unlimited transactions
- - Still manual categorization
- - Still no AI
- - Still basic features
- - Swedish-origin support
AccountsOS
£19/month
£4 more than Bokio paid. Infinitely smarter.
- + AI chat interface (no menus)
- + Voice commands
- + Auto-categorization
- + Proactive tax advice
- + Built for UK Ltd companies
When Bokio makes sense
- -You're just starting and have < 50 transactions/month
- -Your bookkeeping is extremely simple (one income source, few expenses)
- -You have plenty of time for manual data entry
- -You already have an accountant for all tax questions
- -Price is the only thing that matters right now
When you'll outgrow Bokio
- -Your transaction volume exceeds the free tier limits
- -You're asking 'am I paying myself optimally?' (Bokio can't answer)
- -You're spending hours on manual categorization
- -You need UK-specific guidance on director tax planning
- -You want AI to actually do the work, not just store data
Basic Software vs AI Advisor
Bokio is a filing cabinet. AccountsOS is an advisor who knows UK tax law.
Bokio tells you:
“Your profit this month is £4,230”
Cool. Now what? Google what to do with it. Ask a friend. Pay an accountant.
AccountsOS tells you:
“Your profit is £4,230. I notice you haven't claimed home office costs. At £6/week, that's £312/year tax-free. Want me to add it?”
Say yes. That's 16 months of subscription paid for with one tip.
Proactive advice
AI spots savings automatically
Voice-first
Talk while multitasking
4-second receipts
Snap, upload, done
Ready to graduate from basic bookkeeping?
Free during Early Access. No credit card. Import your Bokio data in minutes.
The average Ltd director finds £2,000+ in missed deductions in their first month. That's 8 years of subscription value — immediately.
Get Started FreeJoin UK founders who outgrew basic accounting software