FreeAgent suits UK freelancers, sole traders and small limited companies, especially if you bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle, because then it's free. QuickBooks suits businesses that want more plan choice, several users on one account or room to grow to 25 users. Both are ready for MTD for Income Tax. As of October 2026, FreeAgent starts at £19 a month excluding VAT and QuickBooks at £10 a month.
These two are among the most common choices for UK small businesses, and the right one often comes down to your bank and how many people need a login. I read FreeAgent's pricing and free-account pages and Intuit's QuickBooks UK pricing page to compare them directly.
FreeAgent and QuickBooks compared
| FreeAgent | QuickBooks (UK) | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced by | Business type | Plan and number of users |
| Starting price | £19 a month for sole traders (excl. VAT) | £10 a month on Sole Trader Plus |
| Limited company | £33 a month (excl. VAT) | Simple Start £16, Essentials £38, Plus £56, Advanced £123 |
| Free option | Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | No free plan, 30-day trial |
| Introductory offer | 30-day trial, then 50% off for six months | 90% off for 6 months |
| MTD for Income Tax | Yes, Making Tax Digital features | Yes, MTD for Income Tax ready |
| Users | Not set out on the pricing page | 1 user on Simple Start up to 25 on Advanced |
Where FreeAgent fits best
FreeAgent prices by what kind of business you run rather than by features: £19 a month for sole traders, £27 for partnerships or LLPs and £33 for limited companies, all excluding VAT. The big draw is the NatWest Group deal. If you have a business account with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank, FreeAgent is free as long as you keep the account, and Mettle customers get it free with at least one transaction a month. FreeAgent says the free account has the same core features as a paid one.
Where QuickBooks fits best
QuickBooks gives you more plans to choose from. Sole Trader Plus at £10 a month is the lowest listed price, and Simple Start at £16 a month suits a single user. Essentials allows 3 users, Plus 5 and Advanced 25, and every plan includes access for your accountant. QuickBooks also lists CIS calculations, VAT submission to HMRC and a payroll add-on that sends pension contributions to NEST. There's no cancellation fee if you leave.
Switching between them
If you're already on one and thinking of moving, don't do it halfway through a tax year if you can help it. Finish a period, export your reports, and set the new software up with opening balances. Both companies offer a trial, so you can run the new one alongside the old one for a month and check your figures match before you cancel. It's a little extra work up front, but it'll save you a messy year end.
Two things that decide it for most people
- Your bank. If you already bank with NatWest Group, FreeAgent costs you nothing.
- Your team. If several people need their own login, QuickBooks sets out exactly how many users each plan includes.
If you're also weighing up whether to stay a sole trader, these tax tips for the self-employed help, and my roundup of bookkeeping software for small businesses covers other options.
My advice on FreeAgent or QuickBooks
If you're a freelancer or a one-person company with a NatWest Group account, start with FreeAgent, because full accounting software for free is hard to argue with. If you employ people, use CIS or want to grow into a bigger plan without switching software, QuickBooks gives you more room. Use the free trials with your real bank feed before deciding.
Do you make accounting or tax software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place in comparisons like this one.
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeAgent or QuickBooks cheaper in the UK?
As of October 2026, QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus is £10 a month and FreeAgent starts at £19 a month excluding VAT. FreeAgent is free if you bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle.
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Is FreeAgent free with NatWest?
Yes. FreeAgent says NatWest business current account holders get it free for as long as they keep the account.
Are FreeAgent and QuickBooks ready for MTD for Income Tax?
Yes. FreeAgent lists Making Tax Digital features, and Intuit lists its UK QuickBooks plans as MTD for Income Tax ready.
How many users does QuickBooks UK allow?
Simple Start has 1 user, Essentials 3, Plus 5 and Advanced 25, each with access for your accountant.
Can my accountant use FreeAgent or QuickBooks?
QuickBooks says every UK plan includes access for your accountant. FreeAgent works with accountants and bookkeepers too, and has its own practice tools.
Which is better for a sole trader in the UK?
If you bank with NatWest Group, FreeAgent is free and covers MTD for Income Tax. If you don't, QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus has the lower listed price, so compare the features you'll use.
Does QuickBooks UK have a free plan?
Intuit's UK pricing page doesn't list one. It offers a 30-day trial and 90% off for the first 6 months.
