FreeAgent vs QuickBooks

FreeAgent and QuickBooks are cloud accounting packages that UK sole traders and small companies use for invoicing, bank feeds, VAT and Making Tax Digital. FreeAgent charges one price per business type, from £19 a month, and is free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account; QuickBooks charges by plan, with Intuit listing £16 to £115 a month (all excluding VAT, checked 6 November 2026). Neither is better for everyone, so this page sets out the facts and who each suits.

How do FreeAgent and QuickBooks compare at a glance?

The table uses each provider’s own pages, checked on 6 November 2026. Prices are regular monthly prices excluding VAT.

How much does each cost?

FreeAgent sells one plan per business type with the features included. QuickBooks sells five plans, and features and users rise with the price.

FreeAgent lists these regular prices on its pricing page:

• Unincorporated landlord: £10 a month, or £100 a year
• Sole trader: £19 a month, or £190 a year
• Partnership or LLP: £27 a month, or £270 a year
• Limited company: £33 a month, or £330 a year

New customers get 50% off for the first six months on monthly billing. Smart Capture Unlimited for receipts costs £5 a month extra; without it you can process 10 receipts and bills a month.

QuickBooks lists Simple Start at £16, Essentials at £33, Plus at £47 and Advanced at £115 a month on its plan comparison page. The main pricing page showed “Loading live prices” instead of figures when we checked, and no price for Sole Trader Plus, so confirm the figure at checkout. Our QuickBooks pricing guide covers payroll and accountant packages.

Which discounts and trials apply?

Both offer a 30-day free trial. QuickBooks also runs a new-customer offer, 90% off for six months when we checked, but you must choose Buy Now and lose the free trial. After any offer ends, the price reverts to the then-current list price, so compare full prices.

How do the features differ?

Both cover the basics: invoices, bank feeds, receipts and MTD. The differences are in tax filing, payroll and scale.

• VAT. FreeAgent files MTD VAT returns for every business type. QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus cannot submit VAT returns; Simple Start and above can.
• Self Assessment. FreeAgent’s features page says it pre-fills most of the return and files direct to HMRC. QuickBooks lists Self Assessment preparation; its pages did not say it files the return.
• Company year end. FreeAgent lists final accounts and Corporation Tax returns, and FreeAgent Central Ltd appears on HMRC’s CT600 software list, updated 12 October 2026. QuickBooks and Intuit do not appear on that list.
• Payroll. FreeAgent lists payroll for limited companies, partnerships and sole traders. QuickBooks Payroll is an add-on: Core is £5 a month plus £1.50 per active employee.
• Users. QuickBooks allows 1 user on Sole Trader Plus and Simple Start, 3 on Essentials, 5 on Plus and 25 on Advanced. FreeAgent’s pricing page does not state a user limit.
• Growing businesses. QuickBooks adds multiple currencies from Essentials, and projects, inventory and purchase orders on Plus. FreeAgent lists projects and time tracking; its features page does not mention inventory or multi-currency.

Making Tax Digital support

Both packages support MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax. HMRC’s eligibility guidance sets the start dates by qualifying income:

Check any product in HMRC’s software finder before your first quarter. Our MTD checker shows when you join.

Which suits you?

Use this list to match your situation to the software. It is a guide to fit, not a verdict.

• If you bank with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank: FreeAgent costs nothing while you keep the account.
• If you run a limited company and want to file the CT600 yourself: FreeAgent is on HMRC’s CT600 list; with QuickBooks you or your accountant need separate tax software.
• If you need several users, stock control or multi-currency: QuickBooks Essentials, Plus or Advanced list these features.
• If you are a VAT-registered sole trader: compare FreeAgent at £19 with QuickBooks Simple Start at £16, since Sole Trader Plus cannot file VAT.
• If you run payroll for a small team: FreeAgent includes it; add the QuickBooks Payroll fee to the plan price.
• If your accountant prefers one package: follow their lead, as it may lower your fees.

For more options, see FreeAgent vs Xero and QuickBooks alternatives.

How to choose

1. List what you need: VAT, payroll, users, stock, Self Assessment, Corporation Tax.
2. Check whether your bank account makes FreeAgent free.
3. Price the QuickBooks plan that covers your needs, plus payroll if you need it.
4. Start a free trial of each.
5. If you are moving from another package, follow our steps to switch accounting software.

Frequently asked questions

Is FreeAgent cheaper than QuickBooks?

It depends on your bank and plan. FreeAgent is £19 to £33 a month or free with NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank, while Intuit lists QuickBooks at £16 to £115 a month, all plus VAT.

Can QuickBooks file a Corporation Tax return?

QuickBooks and Intuit are not on HMRC’s CT600 software list updated 12 October 2026. FreeAgent is on that list.

Does QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus do VAT returns?

No. VAT submission to HMRC starts on QuickBooks Simple Start.

Is payroll included in FreeAgent and QuickBooks?

FreeAgent lists payroll as an included feature for companies, partnerships and sole traders. QuickBooks Payroll is an add-on from £5 a month plus £1.50 per active employee.

Do FreeAgent and QuickBooks work with MTD for Income Tax?

Yes. Both support MTD for Income Tax for sole traders and landlords, which starts from 6 April 2026 for qualifying income over £50,000.