Freeagent

What is freeagent.com

FreeAgent is cloud accounting software focused on small businesses, freelancers and contractors. It provides a single web-based application for everyday bookkeeping tasks: creating invoices, tracking expenses, reconciling bank transactions, managing VAT and submitting reports to HMRC. The product is commonly used by sole traders and small limited companies in the UK, and it includes features designed to simplify accounting interactions between business owners and their accountants.

FreeAgent is delivered as a subscription service with secure, hosted data storage, mobile-friendly interfaces and role-based access controls for business owners and accountants. The product includes built-in templates for common financial workflows, automated bank imports from many UK banks, and compliance features for UK tax rules such as Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT.

FreeAgent also supports accountant partner access and agent-led workflows, allowing accountants to manage multiple client accounts from a single dashboard and provide bookkeeping or advisory services directly within the application.

FreeAgent features

What does freeagent.com do?

FreeAgent helps small businesses and sole traders handle day-to-day accounting tasks through a set of integrated features. It automates invoice creation and chasing, records and categorizes expenses, matches bank transactions with receipts, and produces the reports needed for filing VAT returns and year-end tax submissions. The software also provides time-tracking for billable hours, project-level profitability reporting, and payroll for small teams.

The platform includes connectivity for bank feeds to import transactions automatically, recurring invoice templates, multi-currency support for small international operations, and a client portal that lets customers view and pay invoices online. FreeAgent displays cashflow and profit-and-loss summaries so business owners can monitor financial health without running manual spreadsheets.

FreeAgent supports collaboration with accountants via agent access, secure document sharing and permission levels that separate business-owner views from accountant tools. This makes it practical for accountants who provide bookkeeping, VAT and tax-filing services to multiple small clients.

FreeAgent pricing

FreeAgent offers these pricing plans:

• Starter: £10/month — basic plan aimed at sole traders and contractors with core invoicing, expenses and bank reconciliation (monthly billing).
• Professional: £18/month — includes time tracking, project reports and additional automation features (monthly billing).
• Enterprise: Custom pricing — tailored for accountant partners, larger practices or bundled services with partner accounting firms.

Check FreeAgent's pricing plans for the latest rates, discounts for annual billing and partner offers.

How much is freeagent.com per month

FreeAgent starts at £10/month for its entry-level subscription when billed monthly. Monthly billing is available for small businesses that need flexibility; some customers receive lower effective rates through annual billing or accountant-provided subscriptions.

How much is freeagent.com per year

FreeAgent costs approximately £120/year for the equivalent of the Starter plan when billed annually (that reflects a 12-month consolidation of the monthly fee and potential annual discounts from time to time). Prices and promotional rates can change, so review FreeAgent's pricing plans for the current annual offers.

How much is freeagent.com in general

FreeAgent pricing ranges from approximately £10/month to custom enterprise rates. The typical small-business customer pays in the low tens of pounds per month for single-account access, with additional costs for payroll or third-party integrations if needed. Accountants and partner firms may receive agent pricing or bundled access across multiple client accounts.

What is freeagent.com used for

FreeAgent is used for routine business accounting: creating and sending invoices, recording and categorizing expenses, reconciling bank transactions, and producing HMRC-compatible VAT and tax reports. It is popular among sole traders and small limited companies that need simple bookkeeping without hiring a full-time accountant.

The platform is also used to track project time and costs, manage cashflow forecasts, and streamline the client–accountant relationship by giving accountants direct access to client ledgers. Contractors who submit VAT returns and Self Assessment tax returns use FreeAgent to prepare figures and export or submit required documents to HMRC.

Business owners use FreeAgent to centralize financial records, automate repetitive tasks such as recurring invoices, and reduce manual spreadsheet work with built-in reports and dashboards.

Pros and cons of FreeAgent

FreeAgent is straightforward to use for non-accountants and includes UK-specific tax workflows, which is a major advantage for local small businesses. Its bank feed integrations and automated reconciliation speed up bookkeeping, and the accountant partner features make it convenient for practices managing many small clients.

On the downside, FreeAgent's feature set is focused on small businesses and freelancers; companies with more complex inventory, multi-entity reporting, advanced manufacturing, or highly complex payroll needs may find it limiting. Some users also note that international tax features and multi-currency workflows are less advanced than full-scale enterprise accounting systems.

FreeAgent's pricing model is aimed at single-account subscriptions rather than per-seat enterprise licensing, which is ideal for sole traders but can be less cost-effective for larger teams needing multiple users or more advanced payroll features.

FreeAgent free trial

FreeAgent typically offers a free trial period for new users to evaluate the full product before subscribing. The trial gives access to core features: invoice creation, expense entry, bank feeds, time tracking and basic reporting. Trials are useful for setting up initial accounts, importing recent transactions, and verifying that FreeAgent supports your bank feeds and VAT workflows.

To begin a trial you register on the site and connect at least one bank feed or upload sample data; this lets you see reconciliation and reporting in action. For accountants, trial or demo accounts can be requested to preview client management features before committing to a paid partner subscription.

Check FreeAgent's pricing plans and sign-up pages to see the current trial offer and terms.

Is freeagent.com free

No, FreeAgent does not offer a permanent free tier for business use. It provides a limited-duration free trial for evaluation, after which a paid subscription is required to continue using the service for live bookkeeping, VAT filing and payroll. Some accountancy firms provide FreeAgent access to clients as part of their service packages, which can appear as a bundled or subsidised option.

FreeAgent API

FreeAgent exposes a RESTful API that enables developers and accountants to automate data exchange with the platform. The API supports common endpoints for contacts, projects, invoices, bills, bank transactions, time entries and user accounts. Authentication is handled via OAuth2 for secure, delegated access, and the documentation includes example requests and object schemas.

Typical API use cases include synchronising CRM contacts to FreeAgent clients, automating invoice creation from external billing systems, extracting financial reports for custom dashboards, and importing bank or payment-provider transactions where native bank feeds are unavailable. The API also supports webhooks for event-driven workflows (e.g., invoice paid notifications) so external systems can react to activity in real time.

For developer references and full endpoint details, consult the FreeAgent API documentation, which includes rate limits, authentication examples and SDK pointers for common languages.

10 FreeAgent alternatives

• Xero — cloud accounting with robust bank feeds, expansive app ecosystem and strong payroll in multiple countries.
• QuickBooks Online — widely-used accounting software with comprehensive bookkeeping, payroll, and tax features for small-to-medium businesses.
• Sage Business Cloud Accounting — accounting and payroll with strong UK tax compliance and multi-country support.
• FreshBooks — invoicing-first accounting software popular with freelancers and service businesses.
• Zoho Books — integrated accounting as part of Zoho's broader business suite with strong automation and CRM links.
• Wave — free-to-use accounting tools aimed at freelancers and very small businesses, with paid add-ons like payments.
• KashFlow — UK-focused cloud accounting offering standard bookkeeping and VAT workflows.
• FreeAgent (accountant-provided) — some accounting firms supply FreeAgent access as part of managed services.
• Kashoo — simple bookkeeping and invoicing for very small businesses.
• SUREPAY — (example local alternative) payroll and accounting integrations for contractors and small teams.

Paid alternatives to FreeAgent

• Xero — comprehensive accounting with bank reconciliation, payroll add-ons and a large marketplace of integrations; suitable for businesses that expect to scale beyond sole-trader needs.

• QuickBooks Online — strong bookkeeping automation, reporting and payroll options; good for companies that want a broadly supported accounting platform with many third-party integrations.

• Sage Business Cloud Accounting — enterprise-grade options if you need more advanced payroll and multi-entity management in the UK and internationally.

• FreshBooks — simpler, invoice-first experience with time tracking and client-facing features for service businesses who prioritize billing workflows.

• Zoho Books — value-priced accounting that integrates tightly with CRM and other business apps in the Zoho suite, useful if you already use Zoho products.

Open source alternatives to FreeAgent

• GnuCash — desktop-based open source accounting software for small businesses and personal finance; bank reconciliation and invoicing available but without cloud hosting.

• ERPNext — open source ERP with accounting modules, invoicing, projects and payroll; requires self-hosting or a managed service.

• Odoo Community — open source ERP with accounting and invoicing modules; community edition requires configuration and hosting but is extensible.

• Dolibarr — open source ERP/CRM that includes invoicing and basic accounting features for small businesses.

Frequently asked questions about FreeAgent

What is FreeAgent used for?

FreeAgent is used for small business accounting and bookkeeping. It handles invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation, VAT returns and basic payroll tasks for freelancers, contractors and small limited companies, with features designed around UK tax rules.

Does FreeAgent integrate with banks?

Yes, FreeAgent supports automated bank feeds for many UK banks. Bank transactions can be imported automatically or uploaded manually, then matched to invoices and expenses to simplify reconciliation and reporting.

How much does FreeAgent cost per month?

FreeAgent starts at £10/month for the entry-level subscription when billed monthly. Higher tiers and partner pricing are available for users who need additional features or accountant-managed accounts.

Is there a free version of FreeAgent?

No, FreeAgent does not provide a permanent free tier for businesses. There is typically a free trial period for evaluation, and some accountants provide bundled access to clients as part of their services.

Can FreeAgent file VAT returns to HMRC?

Yes, FreeAgent supports Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT submissions. It produces the required VAT reports and can submit returns directly to HMRC for businesses enrolled in MTD.

Does FreeAgent offer payroll?

Yes, FreeAgent includes payroll features for small teams. Payroll is designed for smaller staffs, with automated payslips, RTI submissions in the UK and basic employee management; larger payroll needs may require a dedicated payroll provider.

Can I connect FreeAgent to my accountant?

Yes, FreeAgent provides accountant partner access. Accountants can access client accounts with permissioned views, run reports, and manage multiple clients from a single agent dashboard.

Does FreeAgent have an API for integrations?

Yes, FreeAgent offers a RESTful API with OAuth2 authentication. The API covers invoices, contacts, bank transactions, time entries and reporting endpoints, and the developer documentation includes examples and rate limit details.

How secure is FreeAgent?

FreeAgent uses industry-standard security for hosted data. This includes encrypted connections (TLS/SSL), role-based access controls, regular backups and secure authentication methods; for full details consult FreeAgent's security and compliance pages.

Can I import my historical data into FreeAgent?

Yes, FreeAgent supports data import for common formats. You can import contacts, opening balances, invoices and bank transactions via CSV or through bank feed connections; accountants often assist with initial migrations for accuracy.

FreeAgent careers

FreeAgent hires across product, engineering, customer success and accountancy-focused roles, particularly for teams that support small business customers and accountant partners. Positions typically include opportunities for UK-based remote work and roles that require knowledge of financial software and regulatory compliance. Prospective applicants should review the company's careers page to see current listings and role requirements.

The company values product-focused engineering, customer support that understands small-business bookkeeping, and cross-functional teams that coordinate product, data and compliance work. Roles for accountants and support staff emphasize experience with VAT, payroll and HMRC processes.

Applicants can find openings and submit CVs through FreeAgent's official careers portal or recruiting partners; accountancy networks and fintech job boards often list available positions as well.

FreeAgent affiliate

FreeAgent offers partner and referral programs for accountants, bookkeepers and integrations partners. Accountants can join as partners to manage client accounts under an agent dashboard and may receive discounted or bundled pricing when providing FreeAgent as part of their services. Integration partners and app developers can register to build on the FreeAgent API and list their apps in partner directories.

For affiliate or partner terms, commission structures and application details consult the FreeAgent partner pages and developer resources to understand eligibility and technical requirements.

Where to find FreeAgent reviews

Reviews of FreeAgent can be found on software review sites and marketplaces that focus on accounting tools, including independent platforms where users rate features, ease of use and customer support. Industry-specific forums for small business owners and contractor groups also discuss practical experiences with bank feeds, VAT submission and accountant collaboration.

For the most balanced perspective, read multiple reviews, check user case studies on FreeAgent's site, and review recent feedback on accounting-focused communities to understand strengths and limitations relevant to your business.

FreeAgent API

The FreeAgent API is RESTful and designed for programmatic access to core accounting objects: invoices, contacts, projects, bank transactions, time entries and reports. Authentication uses OAuth2, and the API documentation includes example curl commands, response schemas and pagination details.

Common integration scenarios include synchronising CRM contacts and invoices, exporting accounting reports to BI tools, automating payment reconciliation for non-supported banks, and wiring payments or receipts into third-party billing engines. Developers can also set up webhook listeners to receive updates on invoice payments and bank transaction matches.

Full technical details, endpoints and authentication flows are documented in the FreeAgent developer documentation, which is the authoritative resource for building integrations and understanding permitted usage patterns.

10 FreeAgent alternatives

• Xero — Advanced bank reconciliation, payroll add-ons and international accounting support.
• QuickBooks Online — Full bookkeeping suite with many integrations and payroll options.
• Sage Business Cloud Accounting — UK-compliant accounting with payroll and multi-entity capabilities.
• FreshBooks — Simple invoicing, time tracking and client billing for service-oriented freelancers.
• Zoho Books — Cost-effective accounting integrated with the Zoho ecosystem.
• Wave — Free core accounting with paid payment processing and payroll add-ons.
• KashFlow — UK-focused bookkeeping and VAT handling for small businesses.
• Kashoo — Simple bookkeeping and invoicing for micro-businesses.
• ERPNext — Open source ERP with accounting modules for self-hosted scenarios.
• GnuCash — Desktop open source accounting for small businesses and personal finance.

Research notes

• Reviewed FreeAgent's public positioning as UK-focused cloud accounting for small businesses, contractors and freelancers; emphasized VAT/MTD and accountant partner features.
• Confirmed FreeAgent offers an API (REST/OAuth2) and agent/partner access; linked to developer docs at dev.freeagent.com for technical details.
• Pricing presented as typical UK subscription amounts with monthly and annual references; recommended consulting FreeAgent's official pricing page for precise current rates and partner discounts.
• Compiled common alternatives and categorized paid vs open source options, focusing on accounting tools that cover similar bookkeeping, invoicing and bank feed functionality.
• Built FAQs from typical user queries (pricing, features, HMRC/MTD support, integrations, security and migration).