- Who gets FreeAgent free
- Is the free version cut down?
- FreeAgent pricing if you bank elsewhere
- The add-ons that aren't free
- One account per income stream under MTD
- Is free FreeAgent worth switching banks for?
- How to get FreeAgent free, step by step
- Plain advice on getting FreeAgent free
- Frequently asked questions
FreeAgent is free if you hold a business bank account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle, and you get the same core features as paying customers. Without one, FreeAgent costs £19 a month for sole traders, £27 for partnerships and £33 for limited companies, excluding VAT, as of October 2026, after a 30-day free trial.
FreeAgent's part of the NatWest Group, which is why the free deal exists. It's a generous one, but the conditions aren't the same depending on which bank you use, and there are a couple of add-ons that aren't free. I read FreeAgent's free accounting software page, its FAQs and its pricing page to lay it out clearly.
Who gets FreeAgent free
| Bank | Condition to keep FreeAgent free |
|---|---|
| NatWest | Keep your NatWest business current account |
| Royal Bank of Scotland | Keep your RBS business current account |
| Ulster Bank | Keep your Ulster Bank business current account |
| Mettle | Make at least one transaction a month to or from your Mettle account |
The Mettle condition is the one to watch. FreeAgent's FAQs say Mettle customers keep the free licence by making at least one transaction a month through the account, so a dormant Mettle account could cost you the free deal.
Is the free version cut down?
No. FreeAgent says the free account gets the same core features as a paid account, whether you're a sole trader or a 20-person business. That includes invoicing, expenses, banking, tax and Making Tax Digital features, and payroll. What can cost extra are the optional add-ons, which FreeAgent says may be chargeable even on a free account.
FreeAgent pricing if you bank elsewhere
| Business type | Regular monthly price (excl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Sole trader | £19 a month |
| Partnership or LLP | £27 a month |
| Limited company | £33 a month |
New customers get a 30-day free trial, then 50% off for the first six months. FreeAgent also offers annual billing: its pricing page lists £330 a year for limited companies at the regular annual price. All prices exclude 20% VAT.
The add-ons that aren't free
- Unlimited receipt and bill captures: £5 a month. FreeAgent describes it as ideal for anyone processing more than 10 files a month.
- Connect with Amazon: £6 a month, for linking an Amazon UK seller account.
- Both are billed monthly and priced excluding VAT.
So if you photograph lots of receipts, budget for the capture add-on even on a free account.
One account per income stream under MTD
FreeAgent's guidance on Making Tax Digital points out that you need a separate FreeAgent account for each income stream you file. A sole trader who also lets out property, for example, would need two accounts. Check how the free licence applies to each before you set them up.
Is free FreeAgent worth switching banks for?
It can be. If you're choosing a business bank account anyway, picking one that comes with free accounting software takes a monthly bill off the table. But don't switch banks for software alone. Compare the bank account itself first, its charges, its app and its support, and treat free FreeAgent as a strong tie-breaker. If you'd rather keep your current bank, the paid plans are still reasonable for what you get, and you'll know within the 30-day trial whether FreeAgent suits you.
How to get FreeAgent free, step by step
- Open or confirm your business current account with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle.
- Start FreeAgent from your bank's offer page rather than the standard sign-up, so it's linked to your account.
- If you're with Mettle, make sure the account has at least one transaction every month.
- Decide whether you need any add-ons before you switch them on, since those can be chargeable.
For more on keeping your books simple, see my guide on invoicing correctly as a sole trader and these tax tips for the self-employed.
Plain advice on getting FreeAgent free
If you're opening a business bank account anyway and you like FreeAgent, banking with NatWest Group is the cheapest way to get full accounting software. Just keep the conditions in mind: stay with the bank, and on Mettle keep the account active every month. If you bank elsewhere, the 30-day trial and six months at half price give you plenty of time to decide.
Do you make accounting or tax software? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured mention in guides like this one.
Want AI doing the heavy lifting in your marketing?
I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeAgent free?
Yes, if you have a business bank account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle. Otherwise it costs from £19 a month excluding VAT, as of October 2026.
Is FreeAgent free with Mettle?
Yes. FreeAgent says Mettle customers get it free as long as they make at least one transaction a month to or from their Mettle account.
Is the free FreeAgent account limited?
No. FreeAgent says the free account has the same core features as a paid one. Optional add-ons may be chargeable.
How much is FreeAgent without a NatWest account?
£19 a month for sole traders, £27 for partnerships or LLPs and £33 for limited companies, excluding VAT, after a 30-day free trial and with 50% off for the first six months.
Can a limited company get FreeAgent free?
Yes. FreeAgent says the free account comes with the same core features whether you're a sole trader or a 20-person business, as long as you hold an eligible business bank account.
What happens to free FreeAgent if I leave NatWest?
FreeAgent says the NatWest, RBS and Ulster Bank deal lasts as long as you keep your business current account, so leaving the bank means moving to a paid plan.
Do I need two FreeAgent accounts for property income?
Under Making Tax Digital, FreeAgent says you need a separate account for each income stream, so a self-employed landlord would need two.
Does FreeAgent charge for receipt scanning?
Unlimited receipt and bill captures is an add-on at £5 a month, aimed at anyone processing more than 10 files a month.
