Before switching from FreeAgent, check how you get it. If your business bank account gives you free access and you use features such as invoicing, bank feeds or direct filing, FreeAgent can be hard to beat. TaxSnapper suits sole traders who want fewer steps in their weekly bookkeeping, prefer to enter transactions themselves and only want to pay when they need a report.
TaxSnapper wrote this guide and is one of the products compared. We used published provider information and HMRC guidance. Comparison checked on 6 November 2026.
FreeAgent alternatives at a glance
| Option | Best fit | Cost model |
|---|---|---|
| TaxSnapper | Manual bookkeeping, receipts and tax estimates without connecting a bank | No subscription. £6.99 quarterly or £9.99 year-end export. |
| QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus | A paid alternative with bank feeds and invoicing | Monthly subscription. Check the standard rate including VAT. |
| Coconut | Sole trader or landlord workflows with plan-specific filing | Paid plans for different combinations of bookkeeping and filing. |
| Spreadsheet and compatible filing software | A business that already keeps straightforward spreadsheet records | Spreadsheet costs plus any separate filing software charges. |
| FreeAgent | Bank-connected accounting, invoicing and filing | Free with qualifying bank accounts, or paid direct. |
When FreeAgent is worth keeping
FreeAgent says qualifying NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank business current account customers can get it free while they keep their eligible account. Mettle customers need at least one transaction per month to or from the account. Check your eligibility and what happens if you change banks before you decide. Check FreeAgent’s bank offer and read its eligibility FAQs.
Look at what you used in the last three months. If you sent invoices, tracked time, and categorised bank transactions, FreeAgent may be doing several jobs you would otherwise have to replace. If you only need an income and expense record plus a tax estimate, a smaller tool can be easier to keep up with.
Four FreeAgent alternatives and when to choose them
1. TaxSnapper for manual bookkeeping without a bank connection
TaxSnapper suits a non-VAT-registered sole trader with a straightforward business and a manageable number of transactions. You can log income and expenses, keep receipt photos and check your estimated tax as the year goes on. If you’re a mobile hairdresser taking a handful of payments a day, for example, you can record them as you go and keep receipts for stock and supplies in one place.
A quarterly CSV report costs £6.99 and an end-of-year Self Assessment CSV report costs £9.99. Four quarterly exports and one year-end export cost £37.95 in total. That figure covers the files themselves. Any separate filing costs are additional.
2. QuickBooks for invoicing and a connected workflow
If you’re moving because you want a different interface but still need invoice and expense workflows in one subscription, compare QuickBooks. Its sole trader offering includes invoicing, estimates, receipt capture and mileage tools. If you only need to create the occasional invoice, try the free TaxSnapper invoice generator. Check whether your chosen plan supports your bank before signing up. See the QuickBooks sole trader plan.
3. Coconut for choosing bookkeeping and filing separately
Coconut is worth a look if you’re choosing software around your tax submission route. You can compare a spreadsheet-based bridging option with plans that combine bookkeeping and filing. Check which plans handle each type of submission and whether year-end filing costs extra. See the Coconut plan comparison.
4. A spreadsheet and compatible software for filing
If you already keep accurate records in a spreadsheet, check whether your chosen filing software can use that format. If MTD applies, confirm that the software is compatible and that your records will stay digitally linked. Read HMRC’s guidance.
Compare the cost of the whole setup
Put your current FreeAgent cost, including any bank account costs relevant to the switch, next to what you’d actually pay after moving. If FreeAgent is included with an account you plan to keep, a paid export does not make TaxSnapper cheaper on software cost alone. The reason to switch would be that the simpler day-to-day routine works better for you. If you pay for FreeAgent directly, compare your renewal price with the reports and separate services you’ll use. Check FreeAgent’s latest direct pricing.
How to leave FreeAgent without losing your records
- Check your account permissions before switching. FreeAgent’s full export requires level 8 access. Follow FreeAgent’s export guide.
- Export the account data and download receipt images and attachments separately. Save the files somewhere you can access after the switch and open them to check the data and documents.
- List unpaid invoices, recurring templates and any submissions already made. Decide where those tasks will live from your cut-off date.
- Compare income and expense totals across the cut-off, and check who is responsible for any upcoming tax deadlines before you close or disconnect anything.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to change my bank to use TaxSnapper?
No. TaxSnapper works with the transactions you enter. If you prefer transactions to appear automatically, a bank-feed product may suit you better.
Can I file my Self Assessment from TaxSnapper?
TaxSnapper’s end-of-year CSV gives you business figures to help prepare your Self Assessment. The return is submitted separately. If Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to you, you or your agent need compatible software to keep digital records, send quarterly updates and submit your tax return. TaxSnapper does not send anything to HMRC. Before relying on an export, check which file formats your filing software accepts and how it keeps your records digitally linked. Read HMRC’s software guidance.
Does it make sense to move away from free FreeAgent access?
It can if you prefer a simpler manual routine and rarely use the extra accounting features. If your bank covers access and you rely on automatic feeds, invoicing or filing, keeping FreeAgent is likely the better fit.
Compare more options QuickBooks alternatives for UK sole traders and Coconut alternatives for UK sole traders.