Independent accounting software reviews for UK sole traders
We evaluate tools on what matters for a one-person UK business: Self Assessment filing, MTD compliance, price, and ease of use. Commission rates do not affect our scores.
How the main options compare
| Feature | FreeAgent | Xero | QuickBooks | FreshBooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price/month (inc VAT) | £22.80 | £30+ | £16.80 | £13.20+ |
| Free with NatWest/RBS | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Self Assessment filing | ✓ Direct | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| MTD for Income Tax | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| UK bank feeds | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ |
| Tax timeline dashboard | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ease of use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Reporting depth | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Best for | Most sole traders | With accountant | Invoicing/projects | Service businesses |
Built specifically for UK sole traders. The standout feature is direct Self Assessment filing to HMRC — no other major tool does this. The tax timeline shows your estimated liability throughout the year so January is never a shock.
- Files your Self Assessment directly to HMRC
- MTD for Income Tax ready — quarterly submissions built in
- Tax timeline dashboard
- Bank feeds for all major UK banks
- Free if you bank with NatWest, RBS, or use Mettle
The best choice if you work with an accountant or are planning to grow. Xero’s reporting is the strongest in the market and its accountant integration is unmatched. But it doesn’t file Self Assessment directly, which is a real gap for sole traders going it alone.
- Best accountant integration in the market
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Strongest financial reporting suite
- Large third-party app ecosystem
- No direct Self Assessment filing
Best invoicing features of the four tools tested. Project tracking and time billing are strong. Cheaper than FreeAgent on the base plan but doesn’t file Self Assessment directly. A good choice if invoicing is your main workflow.
- Best invoicing and project billing features
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Good UK bank feed connections
- No direct Self Assessment filing
- Interface has a steeper learning curve
The cleanest interface and the best invoice builder. Originally North American — UK features are good but not as deep as FreeAgent. A solid choice for service businesses focused on invoicing and client management.
- Best invoice builder of the four
- MTD for Income Tax ready
- Time tracking built in
- Client portal for invoice management
- UK-specific features less deep than FreeAgent
Open a Mettle business account (NatWest Group’s digital banking app for sole traders) and get FreeAgent completely free — saving £273/year. Both accounts open in under 10 minutes from your phone.
Compare specific tools
FreeAgent vs Xero: Which Is Better for UK Sole Traders?
The two most popular choices compared on Self Assessment, MTD, price, and ease of use. Clear verdict.
QuickBooks vs FreeAgent: Honest Comparison for 2026
Both are popular. Only one files your Self Assessment. Here’s where they actually differ.
Best Business Bank Accounts for UK Sole Traders 2026
Starling, Tide, Mettle, Monzo Business compared. Which offers the best accounting integrations?