FreeAgent vs QuickBooks: which should UK sole traders choose?
Quick answer
Choose FreeAgent if you bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle (it is free), or if you are a landlord or VAT registered. Choose QuickBooks if you would pay full price, because it starts at £10 a month against FreeAgent's £19, or if you are a CIS subcontractor or need GPS mileage tracking.
FreeAgent and QuickBooks are both popular with UK sole traders, and both work with Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax. FreeAgent is known for being free with some business bank accounts. QuickBooks is known for its phone app, with receipt capture and mileage tracking. We compared them based on our review of features, pricing and user ratings, with prices checked in October 2026.
FreeAgent pays us nothing. QuickBooks pays us a commission if you sign up through our links. Neither fact affects our verdict.
FreeAgent vs QuickBooks at a glance
| Software | Price (checked October 2026) | MTD for Income Tax | Free tier | Landlord features | VAT returns | CIS | Bank feeds | App rating | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FreeAgent | From £10/month (Landlord) or £19/month (Sole trader). Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | Yes | Yes, with eligible bank | Yes | Yes | Not listed | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.7 Android | NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Mettle customers (free) | Visit site |
| QuickBooks | From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus) | Yes | No (30-day trial) | Single property only on Sole Trader Plus | Yes (not on Sole Trader Plus) | Subcontractors on Sole Trader; full CIS on higher plans | Yes | 4.7 iOS / 4.6 Android | Sole traders who want strong mobile receipt capture and mileage tracking | Visit site |
Prices exclude VAT unless stated and were checked on each provider's website in October 2026. Introductory offers change often, so always confirm the live price. App ratings are from the UK App Store and Google Play in October 2026.
FreeAgent vs QuickBooks head to head
| Feature | FreeAgent | QuickBooks | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £19 a month (Sole trader), £10 (Landlord) | From £10 a month (Sole Trader Plus) | QuickBooks at full price |
| Free option | Yes, with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | No, 30-day trial | FreeAgent |
| MTD for Income Tax | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Landlords | Yes (Landlord plan) | Single property only on Sole Trader Plus | FreeAgent |
| VAT returns | Yes | From Simple Start (£16) | FreeAgent |
| CIS | Not listed | Subcontractors on Sole Trader; full CIS on higher plans | QuickBooks |
| Bank feeds | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Mobile app rating | 4.8 iOS / 4.7 Android | 4.7 iOS / 4.6 Android | FreeAgent (just) |
| Accountant familiarity | Well known | Widely known | Tie |
| Our score | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 | FreeAgent |
Prices are monthly, ex VAT, checked in October 2026. Accountant familiarity is our general view, not survey data.
Is FreeAgent or QuickBooks cheaper?
If you bank with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank, or use Mettle with at least one transaction a month, FreeAgent is free. Nothing beats that.
If you bank elsewhere, QuickBooks is cheaper to start. Sole Trader Plus is £10 a month, against £19 for FreeAgent's sole trader plan. That is £120 a year against £228, ex VAT.
- FreeAgent: Landlord £10, Sole trader £19, Partnership £27 a month, ex VAT. Free with an eligible NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account, or Mettle with at least one transaction a month.
- QuickBooks: Sole Trader Plus £10, Simple Start £16, Essentials £38 a month, ex VAT. Intro offers apply to new customers only. Check the live price on the QuickBooks site.
VAT narrows the gap. QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus does not do VAT returns, so a VAT-registered trader would need Simple Start at £16. FreeAgent's £19 plan includes VAT. QuickBooks intro offers apply to new customers only and change often.
Which is better for MTD and landlords?
Both send your quarterly updates to HMRC. These are due by 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May, with the tax return still due by 31 January (GOV.UK).
For landlords, FreeAgent is the stronger choice. Its Landlord plan costs £10 a month. QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus only covers a single property.
An example. Gary (an illustration, not a real customer) is a self-employed decorator. He banks with a high street bank that is not on FreeAgent's list. In 2025 to 2026 he invoices £31,000 before expenses, so he joins MTD from 6 April 2027 (GOV.UK). He drives between jobs every day and is not VAT registered. QuickBooks at £10 a month, with GPS mileage tracking, is a good fit. If Gary switched to a NatWest business account, FreeAgent would cost him nothing.
Is FreeAgent or QuickBooks easier to use?
We base this on features and ratings, not hands-on testing. Both apps are rated highly. FreeAgent scores 4.8 on iOS and 4.7 on Android. QuickBooks scores 4.7 and 4.6.
FreeAgent's standout feature is its running tax estimate, so you always have a rough idea of your bill. QuickBooks also shows a live tax estimate, and adds GPS mileage tracking and receipt snapping. If you spend your day in a van, QuickBooks may feel more natural. If you mostly work from a desk, FreeAgent's layout is well liked by users, based on its ratings.
Choose FreeAgent if
- you have an eligible NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle account
- you are a landlord with more than one property
- you are VAT registered and want VAT on your main plan
- you want a clear running estimate of your tax bill
Read our full FreeAgent review.
Choose QuickBooks if
- you bank elsewhere and want a cheaper plan (£10 a month)
- you drive a lot and want GPS mileage tracking
- you are a CIS subcontractor
- you want to snap receipts on the go
Read our full QuickBooks review.
Try QuickBooks free for 30 days
Who should choose neither?
Who should not choose FreeAgent or QuickBooks
- People who want a free plan without switching bank. Clear Books and Sage Sole Trader have free plans. See free MTD software.
- Landlords with several properties who want bank transactions sorted by property, who may prefer Hammock or Landlord Vision.
- Anyone with qualifying income of £20,000 or less, who is currently exempt (GOV.UK).
Frequently asked questions
Is FreeAgent better than QuickBooks?
We score FreeAgent slightly higher, at 4.6 out of 5 against 4.4. It is free with eligible NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Mettle accounts and includes VAT. QuickBooks is cheaper at full price and better for mileage and CIS, so the best choice depends on your situation.
How much does FreeAgent cost compared with QuickBooks?
FreeAgent costs £19 a month for sole traders and £10 for landlords, ex VAT, or nothing with an eligible bank account. QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus costs £10 a month ex VAT. Prices were checked in October 2026, and QuickBooks intro offers change often.
Does QuickBooks or FreeAgent track mileage?
QuickBooks lets you track mileage with GPS on your phone, which is one of its main strengths. If you drive a lot for work, that can save time. See our MTD software for taxi drivers page for more on this.
Which is better for CIS subcontractors?
QuickBooks includes CIS for subcontractors on its sole trader plan. CIS is not listed on FreeAgent's plans. Your software should record CIS deductions, so check with the provider, HMRC or an accountant. See our CIS software guide.
Is FreeAgent good for landlords?
Yes. FreeAgent has a dedicated Landlord plan at £10 a month that covers MTD for property income. QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus only covers one property, so FreeAgent is the better fit for most landlords of the two.
When do I have to start using MTD?
From 6 April 2027 if your qualifying income in 2025 to 2026 is over £30,000. Qualifying income is your gross self-employment and property income before expenses. Check your date with our Do I need MTD? checker.
This page is general information, not personal tax, legal or financial advice. Tax rules can change and your situation may differ. For advice on your own affairs, speak to a qualified accountant or tax adviser, or check GOV.UK.