Skip to content
SPECIFICTION
Get listed

FreeAgent

freeagent.com

From £4.17/mo Free plan WebiOSAndroidAPI
Visit freeagent.com
Spec score 9.2 #1 of 31 in Gym Accounting Software

What it is

FreeAgent is accounting software for business administration, invoicing, expenses, tax reporting and business reports. It builds real-time accounts from bank statements, invoices and expenses, with Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Trial Balance reports. Users can create recurring invoices, automate late-payment reminders, turn estimates into invoices and accept payments through Stripe and PayPal. FreeAgent can generate MTD-compatible VAT returns and file them directly to HMRC; payroll calculates PAYE and National Insurance and can submit Real Time Information payroll to HMRC. Its iOS and Android apps cover expense recording, time tracking, invoice management and bank transaction reconciliation. It supports bank feeds from most UK banks via Open Banking and connections to HMRC for MTD VAT. The software is designed for small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers. A free plan is listed, alongside paid plans such as Sole trader at £10 a month and Limited company at £33 a month. Smart Capture includes up to 10 receipts and bills per month as standard; a paid Unlimited add-on removes that cap.

Spec sheet

What it does
FreeAgent is cloud accounting software for small businesses, freelancers, landlords, accountants and bookkeepers.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Product
FreeAgent is accounting software designed to automate business admin such as invoicing and expenses, streamline tax reporting and provide business insights and reports.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Intended users
FreeAgent says its software is designed for small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Free plan
YesRead 19 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
API
The public API is HTTPS REST-style, uses OAuth 2.0, accepts JSON and XML, and supports GET, POST, PUT and DELETE methods.Read 19 Oct 2026 · dev.freeagent.com
Integrations
Supported connections include Open Banking feeds, HMRC, Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless, Basecamp and many listed integration partners.Read 19 Oct 2026 · support.freeagent.com
Security
FreeAgent says it is Cyber Essentials Plus certified, uses fault-tolerant infrastructure and follows UK DPA 2018 and UK GDPR requirements.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustcentre.freeagent.com
Support
The pricing page says users can contact UK-based support accountants online or by phone.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Headquarters
Edinburgh, Scotland, UKRead 28 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Founded
2007Read 28 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Accounting
FreeAgent automatically builds real-time business accounts from bank statements, invoices and expenses, and provides reports including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Trial Balance.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
API limits
API limits are 120 user requests per minute, 3,600 per hour and 15 token refreshes per minute.Read 19 Oct 2026 · dev.freeagent.com
Banking
Bank feeds automatically import transactions and FreeAgent can categorise and match them.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Cash-basis limit
FreeAgent states that choosing cash-basis accounting excludes Stock and Payroll features.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Company founding
FreeAgent was launched in 2007 by founders Ed Molyneux, Olly Headey and Roan Lavery.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Company history
FreeAgent says it launched in 2007 and identifies its founders as Ed, Olly and Roan.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Data protection
The FAQ says data is encrypted in transit with SSL, stored in Ireland, protected with 256-bit AES encryption and exportable as XLSX.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Developer documentation
FreeAgent provides separate company and accountancy-practice API guides, OAuth documentation, resource references and a developer discussion group.Read 19 Oct 2026 · dev.freeagent.com
Documentation and support
FreeAgent provides a 24/7 Knowledge Base plus UK-based support accountants through live chat, email and phone.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Estimates and invoices
Users can create and track professional estimates and invoices, convert estimates to invoices, and add tracked time to invoices.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Expenses
The product records expenses and mileage and lets users capture receipts with a phone camera.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Headquarters and size
LinkedIn lists headquarters in Edinburgh, a 51–200 employee company size and 2007 founding year.Read 19 Oct 2026 · linkedin.com
Integration support
FreeAgent says it cannot provide detailed support for third-party integrations because those are developed and supported outside FreeAgent.Read 30 Sep 2026 · support.freeagent.com
Invoicing
Users can create recurring invoices, automate late-payment reminders, convert estimates into invoices, and accept invoice payments through Stripe and PayPal.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Licence
The service is supplied under a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence rather than as source code for customer modification or redistribution.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Limit: mobile and API depth
TrustRadius reviewers have requested more capable mobile apps, more third-party links and a less closed API, while app reviews mention limited mobile functionality.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Limit: pricing
Some reviewers consider FreeAgent expensive versus competitors and note that it lacks the tiered pricing choices offered by QuickBooks.Read 19 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Limit: reporting and forecasting
Reviewers report that forecasting future taxes, expense growth and advanced financial reporting are less developed than they would like.Read 19 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Mobile app
FreeAgent offers iOS and Android apps for tasks including expense recording, time tracking, invoice management and bank transaction reconciliation.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Notable news: October 2026
A product update dated 13 October 2026 announced that invoicing and taking payments became easier through the FreeAgent mobile app.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Ownership
NatWest Group acquired FreeAgent in early 2018, while FreeAgent says it remains operationally independent.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Payroll
The desktop product includes RTI-compliant payroll functionality.Read 19 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Praise: ease of use
Independent reviewers repeatedly praise the clean interface, straightforward invoicing, easy bank reconciliation and suitability for non-accountants.Read 19 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Praise: support
Reviewers frequently describe customer support as quick, knowledgeable and helpful with accounting and software questions.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Projects
Project views combine income, expenses and profitability information.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Rating on Apple App Store
4.8 out of 5 from 14K ratings.Read 19 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
Rating on Capterra
4.5 out of 5 from 179 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · capterra.com
Rating on G2
4.3 out of 5 from 43 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · g2.com
Rating on Google Play
4.3 out of 5 from about 1.73K reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · play.google.com
Rating on Software Advice
4.5 out of 5 from 179 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · softwareadvice.com
Rating on Trustpilot
4.5 out of 5 from 3,035 reviews.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustpilot.com
Rating on TrustRadius
6.1 out of 10 from 58 reviews and ratings.Read 19 Oct 2026 · trustradius.com
Security certification
FreeAgent states it is Cyber Essentials Plus certified.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Self-hosting
FreeAgent is completely web-based and the support documentation says there is nothing to install for normal use.Read 19 Oct 2026 · support.freeagent.com
Smart Capture limit
All businesses can use Smart Capture for up to 10 receipts and bills per month as standard; the paid Unlimited add-on removes that limit.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
System requirements
Supported browsers are current Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge; JavaScript and cookies must be enabled, and Internet Explorer 11 is unsupported.Read 19 Oct 2026 · support.freeagent.com
Tax
The software can generate MTD-compatible VAT returns and file them directly to HMRC; the pricing page also lists Self Assessment and end-of-year filing features for relevant business types.Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Tax filing
FreeAgent supports Self Assessment, MTD-compatible VAT filing, MTD for Income Tax and end-of-year Corporation Tax and final-accounts filing.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Time tracking
Built-in stopwatch and smart timesheets record billable time.Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com

Plans and prices

Sole trader £10 a month billed monthly Read 19 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Partnership or LLP £19 a month billed monthly Read 19 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Limited company £33 a month billed monthly Read 19 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Free Free billed monthly Read 19 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Bank-account-funded account Free Free while eligible bank-account conditions are met; optional add-ons may be chargeable. NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account while retained · Mettle account with at least one transaction per month Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Eligible bank-account plan Free Free while retaining a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account, or while making at least one monthly Mettle transaction Standard FreeAgent account · optional add-ons may be charged Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Landlord — billed monthly £5 a month Monthly; 50% off for the first six months, then regular price £10/month; prices exclude 20% VAT. Landlord plan · Optional Smart Capture Unlimited add-on may cost extra Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Smart Capture Unlimited add-on £5 a month Billed monthly; price excludes 20% VAT. Unlimited Smart Capture use · Standard allowance is up to 10 receipts and bills per month Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Sole trader — billed monthly £9.50 a month Monthly; 50% off for the first six months, then regular price £19/month; prices exclude 20% VAT. Sole trader plan · Optional add-ons may cost extra Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Landlord monthly £10 a month Regular price; first six months discounted 50%; prices exclude 20% VAT Landlord accounting features · optional Smart Capture Unlimited £5/month · optional Amazon £6/month Read 19 Oct 2026 · freeagent.com
Partnership or LLP — billed monthly £13.50 a month Monthly; 50% off for the first six months, then regular price £27/month; prices exclude 20% VAT. Partnership or LLP plan · Optional add-ons may cost extra Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com
Limited company — billed monthly £16.50 a month Monthly; 50% off for the first six months, then regular price £33/month; prices exclude 20% VAT. Limited company plan · Optional add-ons may cost extra Read 30 Sep 2026 · freeagent.com

Every FreeAgent plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Builds real-time accounts from bank statements, invoices and expenses.
  • Recurring invoices and late-payment reminders are available.
  • Can file MTD-compatible VAT returns directly to HMRC.
  • iOS and Android apps include expense and time tracking.
  • Free plan is listed.

Limits

  • Smart Capture is limited to 10 receipts and bills monthly by default.
  • Third-party integration support is not detailed by FreeAgent.
  • Cash-basis accounting excludes Stock and Payroll features.

Who it suits

It suits small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers handling invoicing, expenses, tax reporting and payroll. UK-based businesses using HMRC filing and bank feeds are among the users its listed features address.

FreeAgent in depth

Read the full write-up

FreeAgent is UK-focused accounting software for small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers. It suits firms that want invoicing, tax workflows and accounts in one place, but the right plan depends on business type and whether you need more than 10 captured receipts and bills a month.

Overview

FreeAgent brings business accounts, invoicing, expenses and tax administration together, with reports including Profit and Loss, Balance Sheet and Trial Balance. Its bank feeds from most UK banks can help keep records current; support for Open Banking and HMRC VAT connections also makes it a natural fit for UK tax workflows.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Edinburgh, FreeAgent serves small businesses as well as accountants and bookkeepers. Its breadth is useful, but not every workflow is available in every accounting mode: cash-basis accounting excludes Stock and Payroll.

Key features

Accounting, invoicing and tax

FreeAgent builds real-time accounts from bank statements, invoices and expenses. Recurring invoices, estimates that convert into invoices, automated late-payment reminders and payments through Stripe or PayPal cover much of the routine billing cycle. For firms that want to track time as well as expenses, those functions are also available.

It can generate MTD-compatible VAT returns and file them directly to HMRC. Self Assessment and end-of-year filing features are listed for relevant business types, while payroll calculates PAYE and National Insurance and can submit Real Time Information to HMRC. These tax and payroll workflows are a meaningful advantage for UK businesses, though cash-basis users lose access to payroll.

Mobile, integrations and security

The Android and iOS apps handle expense recording, time tracking, invoice management and bank transaction reconciliation, so owners can keep up with routine admin away from a computer. FreeAgent also supports partner integrations, but it does not provide detailed support for third-party products developed and supported outside the company.

Data in transit uses HTTPS and TLS 1.2 encryption, and stored data uses 256-bit AES encryption. FreeAgent says its data centres hold ISO 27001, 27017 and 27018 certifications and that it is Cyber Essentials Plus certified. UK-based support accountants can be contacted online or by phone.

Pricing

Pricing varies by business type, and the published offers include introductory discounts. The Sole trader monthly offer is £9.50 per month for six months, then £19/month; Partnership or LLP is £13.50 per month for six months, then £27/month; Limited company is £16.50 per month for six months, then £33/month. Landlord is £5 per month for six months, then £10/month. Those offers are billed monthly and exclude 20% VAT; optional add-ons may cost extra.

Annual billing is offered for some plans: Sole trader costs £95 per year for the first year, then £190/year, and Landlord costs £50 per year for the first year, then £100/year. Prices exclude 20% VAT, and the Landlord plan may also require the optional Smart Capture Unlimited add-on. The plan prices and renewal terms make the introductory period important to budget for rather than treating the discount as the ongoing rate.

Other displayed monthly prices are £10.00 for Sole trader, £19.00 for Partnership or LLP and £33.00 for Limited company. A Free plan is also shown at £0.00, alongside a 30-day trial. A separate bank-account-funded account is free while eligible conditions are met: retain a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account, or hold a Mettle account with at least one transaction per month. Optional add-ons can still be chargeable.

Smart Capture includes up to 10 receipts and bills per month for all businesses. The Unlimited add-on costs £5.00 per month, billed monthly, excluding 20% VAT. That is a modest but consequential extra for businesses processing receipts and bills regularly. FreeAgent offers a broad suite of workflows, but readers should account for the renewal rate, VAT and any add-ons when comparing plans.

Platforms

FreeAgent runs on the web and has Android and iOS apps. Its mobile tools cover common recording, invoice and reconciliation tasks rather than leaving all accounting work to a desktop.

Who it's for

FreeAgent is a strong match for UK sole traders, partnerships and limited companies that want bookkeeping, invoices and tax administration connected to bank feeds. Landlords have a dedicated plan, while accountants and bookkeepers are also among its intended users. It is less suitable for a business that needs Stock or Payroll while using cash-basis accounting, or one that depends on detailed FreeAgent support for third-party integrations.

Pros and cons

UK tax workflows: MTD VAT returns can be filed directly to HMRC, and payroll can submit Real Time Information.

Connected accounts and billing: Open Banking feeds from most UK banks sit alongside recurring invoices, reminders and online payments.

Useful mobile coverage: The apps include expenses, time tracking, invoice management and reconciliation.

Capture cap: Standard Smart Capture is limited to 10 receipts and bills monthly; unlimited use costs extra.

Cash-basis trade-off: Choosing that accounting basis excludes Stock and Payroll.

Integration support boundary: FreeAgent does not provide detailed support for third-party integrations.

Alternatives

Clear Books is worth considering for a sole trader seeking a forever-free MTD-ready bookkeeping plan with no transaction limits; its listed Sole Trader plan is £5.00 per month. BUSY may suit a web-only user looking for a free billing and accounting plan with multiple companies and financial years. Odoo Accounting is an option for readers seeking a free one-app plan across web, mobile or self-hosted platforms.

Wave offers a free Starter plan with unlimited estimates, invoices, bills and bookkeeping records, with online payments charged at 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction. Zoho Books has a free plan for solopreneurs and micro businesses while annual revenue remains below $50K, limited to one user and one account. FreshBooks is a paid alternative with a free trial and Lite, Plus and Premium plans.

Zoho Inventory is the more focused alternative for inventory needs, with its free plan limited to 50 orders per month, one user and one location. Marg ERP is another alternative; its listed editions include user and company limits.

For category comparisons, see Gym Accounting Software, Bookkeeping Software, SaaS Accounting Software, Freelance Invoicing Software and Salon Accounting Software.

Verdict

Choose FreeAgent if you run a UK small business and want bank-fed accounts, invoicing and HMRC tax workflows in one service, with mobile access for everyday admin. Look elsewhere if cash-basis accounting must coexist with Stock or Payroll, or if your receipt volume makes the 10-item monthly allowance and paid upgrade unattractive.

Verdict

FreeAgent combines accounting, invoicing, tax and payroll functions with mobile apps and UK bank feeds. Review plan eligibility, add-on costs and the stated feature limits that apply to your setup.

Where Specifiction places it

Alternatives to FreeAgentAll alternatives →

BUSY From ₹416.67/mo · Free plan 8.9 Visit