FreeAgent review
Full cloud accounting · by FreeAgent · HMRC-recognised
Freelancer-favourite accounting with time tracking and project costing. Free for life with the right bank — which can make it the cheapest serious option by a mile.
Our verdict
FreeAgent's headline trick is real: bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster or Mettle and it's free for life — which can make genuinely good accounting software cost nothing. Even paid, it's a freelancer favourite with time tracking and project costing. The catch is the plan structure: the cheap Landlord plan covers property income only, so self-employment needs the pricier Sole Trader plan.
At a glance
- Self-employment
- Yes
- Property / rent
- Yes
- Keeps your spreadsheet
- No
- Accountant access
- Yes
- Price verified
- 2026-08-03
- HMRC status
- Recognised
Plans & true annual cost
| Plan | Self-emp. | Property | Per year (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|
Landlord Dedicated plan for landlords — property income only. | — | ✓ | £144/yr £120/yr ex-VAT |
Sole Trader Self-employment, with an optional landlord income module. | ✓ | ✓ | £273.60/yr £228/yr ex-VAT |
Offer: 50% off for the first 6 months on monthly plans.
Can be free: Free for life if you have a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business account, or use Mettle.
Pros & cons
What's good
- Free for life with a NatWest, RBS, Ulster or Mettle account — potentially £0
- Polished, freelancer-friendly accounting with time tracking and project costing
- Clear MTD quarterly updates and self assessment flow
- Agent access; well-liked by accountants
- 50% off for the first six months even if you don't bank with the partners
What's not
- Cheapest Landlord plan is property-only; self-employment needs the dearer Sole Trader plan
- Without a qualifying bank account it's one of the pricier options here
- Overkill if you just want to file from a spreadsheet
Who it's for
- NatWest / RBS / Ulster / Mettle customers (free!)
- Contractors and freelancers
…and who should look elsewhere
- Sole traders without a qualifying bank account who want the lowest price
- Spreadsheet-only filers (a bridging tool is far cheaper)
- Anyone who won't use the bookkeeping depth
Common mistakes to avoid
- Picking the Landlord plan for a trade — it doesn't cover self-employment
- Missing the free-with-bank offer and paying full price
- Assuming the six-month discount is the ongoing price
Frequently asked questions
- How do I get FreeAgent free?
- Hold a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business account, or use Mettle, and FreeAgent is free for life while the account is open.
- Is FreeAgent good for landlords?
- Yes — it has a dedicated Landlord plan for property income. Note that plan doesn't cover self-employment; for both you need the Sole Trader plan.
- Is FreeAgent HMRC-recognised for MTD for Income Tax?
- Yes.
- What does FreeAgent cost without the bank offer?
- See the true annual cost above; there's also 50% off for the first six months on monthly plans.
- Can my accountant access FreeAgent?
- Yes, via agent access.
Alternatives to consider
If you don't qualify for free and want the most accountant-ubiquitous option.
Lower entry price and big first-year discounts if FreeAgent isn't free for you.
Far cheaper if you only need to file from a spreadsheet.
Compare FreeAgent with
- FreeAgent vs Xero
- FreeAgent vs QuickBooks
- FreeAgent vs Sage Accounting
- FreeAgent vs Coconut
- FreeAgent vs Zoho Books
- FreeAgent vs My Tax Digital
- FreeAgent vs QuickFile
- FreeAgent vs Pandle
- FreeAgent vs Clear Books
- FreeAgent vs SumUp Accounting
- FreeAgent vs Sage Sole Trader
- FreeAgent vs Self Assessment Direct
- FreeAgent vs MTDsorted
See FreeAgent ranked
Pricing for FreeAgent was last verified on 3 August 2026 against the vendor's page; the catalogue was reconciled 3 August 2026. Its cheapest plan's true annual cost is £144/year. Links are affiliate links and never affect ranking. Not affiliated with HMRC; not tax advice.