We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page. It never changes a score or a ranking. How we make money
FreeAgent is built around UK tax and bookkeeping, but the listing notes a 10-capture monthly cap and eligibility rules for free access. It lists FreeAgent from $11.25. If you want different bookkeeping coverage, app connections or freelancer billing, six alternatives are worth comparing. Their listed starting prices range from $7 to $25, while QuickBooks Desktop Pro has no published starting price. Check plan limits and extra fees before moving your books.
01Why people leave FreeAgent
Free access has conditions
FreeAgent’s free access is eligibility-based, and the listing notes a 10-capture monthly cap. Check whether those rules fit your workflow.
DIY may not cover every need
One Reddit thread says FreeAgent can suit simple businesses that keep up with the rules; commenters also value accountants for advice and tax work.
You want a different workflow
The alternatives listed include freelancer billing, connected apps, cash-flow forecasts and broader SME finance tools. Compare those needs with plan limits and fees.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Connected-app businesses
XeroXeroXero is listed from $7 and suits micro-businesses with few invoices, businesses wanting connected apps, and teams needing cash-flow forecasts. That makes it a sensible comparison if your reason for leaving FreeAgent is a need for app connections or forecasting. The listing describes its accounting coverage as good, but says to check plan caps before choosing by starting price.
Trade-off: Plan caps are not specified in the listing; verify them before switching.
7.5/10from
$7/mo - Free bookkeeping starters
WaveWaveWave is listed from $15.83 with a free plan. It is aimed at small businesses starting with free bookkeeping, owners needing invoices and estimates, and businesses open to paid automation. Consider it if you want to compare a free starting point with FreeAgent’s eligibility-based access, but check the fees and paid add-ons first.
Trade-off: Fees and paid add-ons may change the cost.
6.6/10from
$15.83/mofree plan - Basic bookkeeping
QuickBooks OnlineQuickBooks OnlineQuickBooks Online is listed from $17.92 with a free plan. It may fit self-employed users needing basic bookkeeping, businesses already using Intuit products, or teams needing shared online access. If you are leaving FreeAgent for a different bookkeeping setup, compare the actual plan caps and extra fees rather than treating the starting price as your likely bill.
Trade-off: Plan caps and extra fees need checking.
5.3/10from
$17.92/mofree plan - Freelancer invoicing
FreshBooksFreshBooksFreshBooks is listed from $23 and is aimed at freelancers who invoice clients, small businesses tracking expenses, and teams needing time-based billing. It is worth comparing if invoicing or time-based billing is central to your work. The listing describes its freelancer accounting as good, but advises checking client limits and add-ons before switching.
Trade-off: Client limits and add-ons need checking.
7.2/10from
$23/mo - SME finance and ERP
Exact OnlineExact OnlineExact Online is listed from $25 per month and targets SMEs combining finance and ERP, accountancy firms, and wholesale or manufacturing businesses. It is a more specialized option than a basic bookkeeping switch. Consider it if your needs extend into ERP workflows, but the listing says key plan limits are not published.
Trade-off: Key plan limits are not published.
6.8/10from
$25/mo - Existing QuickBooks users
QuickBooks Desktop ProQuickBooks Desktop ProQuickBooks Desktop Pro is listed for businesses already invested in QuickBooks, teams needing broad accounting workflows, and buyers willing to confirm renewal terms. It may be worth investigating if you want to compare a desktop product with FreeAgent. The listing gives no starting price and says current Desktop Pro specifics are not published.
Trade-off: Current price and product specifics are not published.
4.0/10from
Custom
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 FreeAgent FreeAgent (current) | 7.8 | £11.25/mo | Yes | UK sole traders handling their own books |
| Xero Xero | 7.5 | $7/mo | No | Micro-businesses with few invoices |
| Wave Wave | 6.6 | $15.83/mo | Yes | Small businesses starting with free bookkeeping |
| QuickBooks Online QuickBooks Online | 5.3 | $17.92/mo | Yes | Self-employed users needing basic bookkeeping |
| FreshBooks FreshBooks | 7.2 | $23/mo | No | Freelancers who invoice clients |
| Exact Online Exact Online | 6.8 | $25/mo | No | SMEs combining finance and ERP |
| QuickBooks Desktop Pro QuickBooks Desktop Pro | 4.0 | Custom | No | Businesses already invested in QuickBooks |
Questions people ask
What does FreeAgent cost?
The listing shows FreeAgent from $11.25 and notes a free plan, but free access has eligibility rules. It also identifies a 10-capture monthly cap. Treat the starting price as a comparison point, not a quote for your account; check the current pricing page for your eligibility and plan details.
What is the best offline accounting software for small businesses?
The published information does not confirm offline access for any option. QuickBooks Desktop Pro is the desktop product in this list, but its current price and product specifics are not published. Confirm offline functionality, renewal terms and current availability with the vendor before choosing it.
What is the best self-employed accounting software?
The listed options aimed at self-employed users or freelancers are QuickBooks Online, for basic bookkeeping, and FreshBooks, for client invoicing and expense tracking. Their listed starting prices are $17.92 and $23 respectively. Compare plan caps, fees, client limits and add-ons against your actual workflow before switching.