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FreeAgent wins for most UK sole traders and landlords
FreeAgent wins on design and accountant support. QuickFile wins if you need truly free software and have no NatWest account. Both are genuinely good HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA options.
At a glance
| FreeAgent | QuickFile | |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | £19/mo | Free |
| Free tier | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Best for | Sole traders banking with NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank | Sole traders who want capable MTD ITSA software at zero cost |
| MTD ITSA | HMRC Recognised | HMRC Recognised |
| Visit FreeAgent → | Visit QuickFile → |
FreeAgent vs QuickFile: the free MTD ITSA options
Both FreeAgent and QuickFile are HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA, and both are available at no cost for many sole traders. This comparison helps you decide between them.
Cost comparison
FreeAgent: Free with NatWest, RBS, or Ulster Bank business account. Otherwise £19/month standalone.
QuickFile: Free for up to 1,000 nominal ledger entries per year. £45/year beyond that — still cheaper than most monthly plans.
Verdict on cost: QuickFile wins if you do not bank with NatWest. FreeAgent wins if you do.
MTD ITSA submissions: equivalent
Both submit quarterly updates, end-of-period statements, and final declarations directly to HMRC. Neither has a material advantage for the submission workflow itself.
Design and usability
FreeAgent has a significantly more modern, polished interface. Its tax timeline — showing upcoming MTD ITSA deadlines alongside your estimated tax bill — is the best deadline-awareness feature of any tool we have reviewed.
QuickFile’s interface is functional but dated. Users accustomed to Xero or FreeAgent will find it less intuitive.
Accountant support
FreeAgent has a larger accountant community. QuickFile has an active user forum but a smaller professional ecosystem. If your accountant needs to work in your software, FreeAgent is the safer choice.
Landlord support
QuickFile edges ahead for landlords. Its property income categories and community-tested workflows for Schedule A income are more developed than FreeAgent’s.
Our verdict
Use FreeAgent if: you bank with NatWest/RBS, or you want the most polished UI and tax timeline.
Use QuickFile if: you want truly free MTD ITSA software without switching banks, or if you are a landlord wanting dedicated property income support.
Neither choice is wrong. Both deliver HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA compliance at minimal or zero cost.
Read the full reviews