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Crunch vs. Ember
A powerful Ember alternative with unlimited expert accountancy support
Looking for an alternative to Ember that offers more than just software? Crunch combines expert accountancy support with intuitive software designed to make your finances easier.
With us, you get more than just tools - you get real people and accountants helping you manage your accounts, all for a price that works for you.
Start using Crunch today and experience the power of expert accounting support!
See how Crunch compares as an Ember alternative
When it comes to your business finances, having reliable, all-round support is key. At Crunch, we’ve been providing award-winning, transparent, and dependable accounting solutions for over a decade, helping thousands of businesses stay on top of their finances with expert guidance every step of the way.
| Feature |  |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited UK-based accountant support |
Included with all packages Unlimited access to UK-based, Chartered ACCA accountants, including via chat and one-on-one video calls. ACCA-regulated for the best advice and support.
|
Ember offers support from UK-based accountants, but are not regulated by any professional body. Issues not resolved by Ember must be taken to the Financial Ombudsman, which can be lengthy.
|
| Transparent, fixed pricing |
Clear, transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
|
Fixed, upfront pricing.
|
| ‘’Pay Yourself’’ tool |
Yes, including real-time profit insights, salary & dividend recommendations, and payslip generation to make managing income easy.
|
No comparable feature with the same level of integration.
|
| Dedicated bookkeeping services. |
Yes! With Crunch, you can manage your bookkeeping yourself or have our expert team handle it.
|
No comparable service for users seeking full bookkeeping support.
|
| Award-winning UK-based accountants |
Access to Crunch’s award-winning accountants, trusted by thousands of UK businesses.
|
No award recognition for their accountants, lacking the same level of recognition as Crunch’s experts.
|
| Contract flexibility |
Enjoy the freedom to cancel with just 30 days' notice—no long-term commitments required.
|
Locked into a 12-month contract with no option for early cancellation.
|
| Feature | |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited UK-based accountant support |
Included with all packages – Direct access to UK-based accountants for personalised advice.
|
Limited – direct accountant access depends on your package level.
|
| Pricing |
Clear, fixed pricing from just £27, no hidden fees
|
Starts at £89, with costly upgrades for VAT management and additional directors.
|
| Tax filing and HMRC compliance assistance |
Full support with tax filings and HMRC compliance, keeping you on track.
|
Some filings are offered, but if you want all HMRC submissions you’ll need to upgrade.
|
| Tailored packages for freelancers and small businesses |
Flexible options designed specifically for UK freelancers, contractors, and small businesses.
|
Standard packages – No customisation available for specific business needs.
|
| Migration and onboarding support |
Seamless transition with free migration and onboarding assistance.
|
They have an onboarding team, but come with mixed reviews.
|
| Offer their own purpose-built software |
Crunch provides its own purpose-built software. Built for business owners, no accounting degree needed.
|
Relies on third-party software (FreeAgent) rather than offering their own platform.
|
| IR35 flexibility and support |
Crunch’s Premium package includes support for both outside and inside IR35 – all in one plan.
|
IR35 support is only available on their most expensive support option.
|
| VAT management |
Included as standard.
|
Only included on higher packages.
|
More about Ember
On the surface, Ember looks like it offers a similar mix of software and accounting support. However, while some Ember users find the automation handy, it can fall short when it comes to the ongoing, personalised guidance that really makes a difference as your business grows.Crunch, on the other hand, offers dedicated client managers, giving you a go-to expert who really understands your needs. Our team provides proactive hands-on support to keep you on track with your finances. We’re proud to offer online accounting that makes running your business a whole lot easier.
Established in 2009, trusted by over 64,000.
Experience award-winning smart software and expert accountants, all in one place.
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Key benefits of Crunch vs
Ember
Personalised support from award-winning UK accountants
With Crunch, you get access to award-winning accountants who specialise in UK small business needs and understand local tax intricacies. This depth of expertise and recognition sets Crunch apart as the best alternative to Ember, offering a level of guidance that goes beyond basic accounting.
Real-time income insights with “Pay Yourself’’
Crunch's exclusive 'Pay Yourself' tool gives you real-time insights into your profits, offers tax-efficient salary recommendations, generates payslips, and tracks dividends—all in one place. It’s perfect for anyone looking to simplify income management without leaving their accounting platform.
Comprehensive bookkeeping services for peace-of-mind
With Crunch, you can fully outsource your bookkeeping to our expert team if you want, letting you focus on what matters most. Ember provides a range of services, but doesn’t offer dedicated bookkeeping, so Crunch is the clear choice for hands-on support.
No hidden fees, just all-inclusive support
Crunch’s packages offer everything you need. From easy to use software to unlimited accounting support, all with no hidden fees. You can count on us for a hassle-free experience, while Ember’s competitive pricing may come with extra charges for additional features or more detailed support.
All the accounting features you need to reach max profitability!
Stay on top of your finances with Crunch’s user-friendly dashboard that gives you real-time visibility into your cash flow, expenses, and profits.
Save time with automated invoicing and payment tracking. Create, send, and manage invoices effortlessly, helping you get paid faster.
Easily track your business expenses with our streamlined software, ensuring you maximise your tax savings and keep your finances organised.
Benefit from on-demand support from our UK-based accountants who provide expert advice tailored to your unique business needs.
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Relax knowing that your tax returns and compliance filings are in capable hands. Our accountants guide you through deadlines and regulations, reducing stress and potential errors.
Get set with a dedicated onboarding service and continuous support to keep your accounting stress-free as your business grows.
Switchin to Crunch from
Ember
is easy
Our friendly experts make it quick and simple with minimal disruption.
Helpful migration support
Our expert team takes the stress out of switching helping you make the transition to Crunch. Ask as many questions as you like!
Fast, secure data transfer
We handle the secure import of your financial data, so you can switch with confidence, knowing your information is safe.
Full setup and ongoing assistance
Enjoy a hassle-free setup and onboarding process, followed by unlimited support from our UK-based accountants to keep your business running smoothly.
Make the move to Crunch today and start enjoying our expert-led support right away!
Frequently asked questions
Explore our FAQs for quick answers to your questions
The Pay Yourself tool provides real-time insights into your business profits, tax-efficient salary recommendations, and payslip generation, making it easy to manage your income directly within Crunch.
Crunch offers fixed, transparent pricing that includes software, accountant support, and compliance assistance. Ember also provides upfront pricing but may have added costs for certain services.
Yes, Crunch’s accountants handle your tax filings and ensure HMRC compliance, giving you complete support throughout the year. Hence Crunch is a great Ember alternative.
Yes, Crunch offers dedicated bookkeeping services so you can fully outsource your financial records, a feature not available with Ember.
With Crunch you’re getting cutting edge financial solutions, and an expert team dedicated to helping you grow your business by sharing their unique tips and knowledge gained over a decade plus of experience.
Still got questions? We’re on hand to answer them all! Simply give us a call on 0330 404 2284!
How does Crunch compare to the rest?
We don’t just think we’re the best, the numbers back it up. See how we outperform the competition.
Simple plans that grow with you. FREE for 14 days!
Trusted by over 64,000 — simple accounting with powerful software and unlimited human support from our experts and certified accountants.
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