MTD software reviews: 8 tools rated for sole traders and landlords
Quick answer
Our highest-rated MTD software is Xero and FreeAgent (both 4.6 out of 5), followed by QuickBooks, Sage and Landlord Vision (4.4). Clear Books, Zoho Books and Hammock score 4.3 and suit people who want free plans or landlord-only tools.
Choosing MTD software is easier when you can see the strengths and weak spots side by side. Below are our eight full reviews, each with a score out of 5. The scores are based on our review of features, pricing and user ratings, and every price was checked in October 2026. Commission never affects a score. FreeAgent and Hammock pay us nothing, and both still score well.
All 8 reviews at a glance
| Software | Price (checked October 2026) | MTD for Income Tax | Free tier | Landlord features | App rating | Best for | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | From £7/month (Simple) | Yes | No (1 month free trial) | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.5 Android | Sole traders who expect to grow, register for VAT or hire | Visit site |
| QuickBooks | From £10/month (Sole Trader Plus) | Yes | No (30-day trial) | Single property only on Sole Trader Plus | 4.7 iOS / 4.6 Android | Sole traders who want strong mobile receipt capture and mileage tracking | Visit site |
| FreeAgent | From £10/month (Landlord) or £19/month (Sole trader). Free with NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle | Yes | Yes, with eligible bank | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.7 Android | NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank and Mettle customers (free) | Visit site |
| Sage Sole Trader | Free plan, or £7/month | Yes | Yes (with limits) | Yes (Sage Sole Trader and Landlord) | 4.7 iOS / 4.7 Android | Non-VAT sole traders who want a free, well-known brand | Visit site |
| Clear Books | Free MTD plans, or from £5/month | Yes | Yes | Yes (Property plans, incl. foreign property) | n/a iOS / 2.8 Android | Anyone who wants genuinely free MTD software, including landlords | Visit site |
| Zoho Books | Free plan, or from £12/month | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.8 iOS / 4.8 Android | People who want a full free ledger with VAT and invoicing | Visit site |
| Landlord Vision | From £7.99/month (4 tenancies) | Yes | No (2-week trial) | Yes (built for landlords) | Too few ratings yet | Portfolio landlords who want accounts and compliance in one place | Visit site |
| Hammock | From £8/month (1 to 3 properties) | Yes | No (30-day trial) | Yes (built for landlords) | 2.6 iOS / n/a Android | Landlords who want automatic bank feeds sorted by property | 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.
Which MTD software reviews should I read?
Xero review: 4.6/5
The best all-rounder if you expect to grow, register for VAT or hire staff. The Simple plan costs £7 a month ex VAT and covers sole traders and landlords.
FreeAgent review: 4.6/5
Free with an eligible NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle account, and easy to use. Without one, it costs £19 a month for sole traders or £10 for landlords.
QuickBooks review: 4.4/5
Strong mobile apps for snapping receipts and tracking mileage, from £10 a month. The Sole Trader Plus plan only suits landlords with one property.
Sage review: 4.4/5
A free plan from a well-known brand for non-VAT sole traders and landlords. The free version limits invoices and auto-sorted transactions each month.
Landlord Vision review: 4.4/5
Accounts, tenancy tracking and compliance reminders in one place, from £7.99 a month on annual billing. Best for portfolio landlords.
Clear Books review: 4.3/5
Genuinely free MTD plans for sole traders and landlords, including foreign property. The app is poorly rated, so it works best on a laptop.
Zoho Books review: 4.3/5
A generous free plan that even includes VAT returns, for one user and up to 1,000 invoices a year. Bank feeds start on the £12 Standard plan.
Hammock review: 4.3/5
Built only for landlords. It pulls in bank transactions and sorts them by property, from £8 a month for 1 to 3 properties.
How should I use these reviews?
Start with your situation, not the scores. Lena, a self-employed cleaner who banks with NatWest, would probably save money with FreeAgent, even though Xero scores the same. Raj, who lets two flats and has no other business, may be better served by Hammock or a free Clear Books Property plan. (Lena and Raj are illustrations, not real customers.)
Not sure you need MTD yet? Try our Do I need MTD? checker first. Want a shortlist instead of reviews? See the best MTD software, or put two products head to head in our comparisons.
Who should not buy software yet
- People with qualifying income of £20,000 or less, who are currently exempt
- People whose only business income is a share of partnership profit
- Anyone whose accountant already provides software, so ask them first
Frequently asked questions
Which MTD software has the best reviews?
In our scoring, Xero and FreeAgent lead with 4.6 out of 5. Both also have highly rated mobile apps (4.8 on iOS). Scores are based on our review of features, pricing and user ratings.
How do you score MTD software?
We score each product on price, free plan, landlord support, ease of use, app ratings, bank feeds and support. Affiliate commission plays no part. Read how we test for the full method.
Which MTD software is best for landlords?
Hammock suits landlords with 1 to 3 properties who want bank transactions sorted by property automatically. Landlord Vision suits bigger portfolios and adds compliance reminders. See our best landlord software guide.
Are the prices in your reviews up to date?
We checked every price on the provider's own website in October 2026. Intro offers change often, so always confirm the live price before you buy.
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.