Express Accounts vs FreeAgent

Express Accounts is accounting software for tracking business cash flow across sales, receipts, payments and purchases. It creates quotes, sales orders and invoices, including recurring orders and invoices, and handles accounts payable with purchase orders and checks. More than 20 financial reports are available, including income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements; sales tax tools are included. One installation can manage multiple businesses and currencies. The software imports transactions and business records from CSV files and can reconcile OFX bank statements. It integrates with Inventoria for inventory data, though both programs must be installed on the same machine for synchronization; Express Invoice can also connect when recording customer payments. Downloadable desktop use supports offline accounting. Express Accounts runs on Windows, macOS and the web, with a free non-commercial plan and a separate free version for businesses with fewer than five employees. The desktop version does not require a password; Web Access does.

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.