Key takeaways
- HMRC's free online service for company accounts and tax returns closed on 31 March 2026; from 1 April 2026 companies must file their Company Tax Return using commercial software.
- On HMRC's Corporation Tax software list (updated 12 October 2026), FreeAgent and Zoho can produce and submit a CT600 and are marked suitable for self-filers; Xero Tax and Sage are marked not suitable for self-filers.
- From April 2028 every company must file accounts at Companies House in iXBRL using commercial software, as web and paper accounts filing closes.
- FreeAgent's limited company plan costs £33 a month ex VAT, or nothing while you keep a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business current account.
- Xero's plans cost £18 to £70 a month ex VAT, and its Company accounts and tax add-on costs £120 a year.
- QuickBooks plans cost £16 to £115 a month ex VAT, and QuickBooks does not appear on HMRC's list of CT600 software.
- Zoho Books has a free plan for up to 1,000 invoices a year, and its CT600 and Final Accounts add-on works even on the free plan.
There is no single best accounting package for every UK limited company. The right one depends on whether you file your own Company Tax Return or use an accountant, whether you are VAT registered and how many invoices you raise. This page compares four widely used packages, FreeAgent, QuickBooks, Xero and Zoho Books, on price and filing features, using each provider’s website on 6 November 2026.
Why the choice matters more in 2026
Companies now need software for their tax filing as well as their bookkeeping. HMRC’s closure notice (updated 1 April 2026) says the “File your accounts and Company Tax Return” service “closed on 31 March 2026” and that from 1 April 2026 “you should use commercial software” to file accounts and Company Tax Returns with HMRC.
Companies House is next. Its 23 October 2026 update confirms that from April 2028 all companies must file accounts in iXBRL format using commercial software, and web and paper accounts filing will close. See Companies House pauses P&L filing for the rest of that package.
How we compared the software
We list packages alphabetically and do not rank or score them. Prices come from each provider’s own pricing page on 6 November 2026 and exclude VAT. For Corporation Tax we used HMRC’s list of commercial software suppliers, updated 12 October 2026.
Sage’s website blocked our checks, so Sage Accounting is not covered here. HMRC’s list shows Sage (UK) Ltd can produce and submit a CT600, marked not suitable for self-filers.
Limited company software compared
| Software | Entry price (ex VAT) | CT600 on HMRC list |
|---|---|---|
| FreeAgent | £33 a month | Yes, self-filers |
| QuickBooks | £16 a month | Not listed |
| Xero | £18 a month | Xero Tax, not for self-filers |
| Zoho Books | £0 (Free plan) | Yes, self-filers |
“Suitable for self-filers” is HMRC’s column for software a company can use to file its own return without an agent.
The four packages in brief
FreeAgent
FreeAgent charges £33 a month for limited companies, or £330 a year, with 50% off for the first six months on monthly billing. It is free for as long as you keep a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account. FreeAgent says you can “generate Final Accounts and Corporation Tax returns data and file from FreeAgent”, and HMRC lists FreeAgent Central Ltd for CT600 and iXBRL as suitable for self-filers.
QuickBooks
Intuit’s QuickBooks UK page lists Simple Start at £16, Essentials at £33, Plus at £47 and Advanced at £115 a month. All four file MTD VAT returns, multi-currency starts at Essentials and payroll is a paid add-on. QuickBooks is not on HMRC’s CT600 list, so you or your accountant will need separate software for the Company Tax Return.
Xero
Xero UK lists Ignite at £18, Grow at £39, Comprehensive at £55 and Ultimate at £70 a month, with 90% off the base price for the first six months for new customers. Ignite allows 20 invoices and 10 bills a month. A “Company accounts and tax” add-on costs £120 a year. HMRC lists Xero Tax for CT600 and iXBRL but marks it not suitable for self-filers, so check what the add-on lets a company file itself. Our Xero pricing page has the detail.
Zoho Books
Zoho Books UK has a Free plan for up to 1,000 invoices and 1,000 expenses a year, then Standard at £12, Professional at £24 and Premium at £30 a month, less if billed annually. Zoho says prices exclude local taxes. The Free plan files MTD VAT returns and supports the CT600 and Final Accounts add-on. HMRC lists Zoho as suitable for self-filers.
Which applies to your company?
- If you file your own Company Tax Return, pick software HMRC marks suitable for self-filers, or add a separate CT600 product. See Corporation Tax filing software.
- If your accountant files for you, choose bookkeeping software they support; they will use their own tax software.
- If you are VAT registered, check the plan files MTD VAT returns. All four packages here do.
- If you bank with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank, check whether you qualify for free FreeAgent.
- If you trade in foreign currencies, multi-currency starts at QuickBooks Essentials, Xero Comprehensive and Zoho Professional.
- If you pay yourself a salary, check how payroll is priced: Xero includes one person from Grow, and QuickBooks charges extra.
How to choose: a checklist
- Decide who files your Company Tax Return and accounts.
- Check the software or add-on on HMRC’s CT600 list.
- Count invoices, bills and users each month, and check plan limits.
- Compare the price after any introductory offer ends.
- Plan for iXBRL accounts filing at Companies House from April 2028.
- Trial the package with your real bank feed for a month.
For the return itself, read our guide to the CT600 Company Tax Return, and estimate your bill with the Corporation Tax calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still file my Company Tax Return free with HMRC?
No. HMRC’s free service closed on 31 March 2026. From 1 April 2026 you need commercial software. Zoho Books lets Free plan users add its CT600 and Final Accounts add-on, so check the add-on price.
Which accounting software can file a CT600?
HMRC’s list, updated 12 October 2026, includes FreeAgent, Xero Tax, Zoho, Sage, Capium, TaxCalc, Tiny Tax and BrightTax (BTCSoftware). QuickBooks is not on it.
Do I still file accounts with Companies House?
Yes. HMRC says you must continue to file annual accounts with Companies House, and from April 2028 that must be through commercial software in iXBRL format.
What is the cheapest accounting software for a limited company?
Zoho Books Free costs nothing, and FreeAgent is free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account. Among paid plans checked, QuickBooks Simple Start is lowest at £16 a month ex VAT.
Do these prices include VAT?
No. All prices on this page exclude VAT, which a VAT-registered company can usually reclaim.
Sources
Rates, thresholds and rules in this guide were checked against HMRC and GOV.UK guidance on 6 November 2026. Tax rules change, so check the current position on GOV.UK or with a qualified adviser before acting. This guide is general information, not personal advice.