Overview
Filing Self Assessment as a UK sole trader or freelancer does not have to be stressful. Modern tax software handles the calculations, guides you through the forms, and submits directly to HMRC. Here are the best options for the 2025/26 tax year.
Comparison Table
| Software | Price | Best For | AI Features | MTD Ready | Accountant Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QTax | £49.99/year | Sole traders, freelancers | Yes — receipt scanning, auto-categorisation | Yes | ACCA review included |
| FreeAgent | From £19/month | Small businesses, agencies | Bank feed matching | Yes | Not included |
| TaxScouts | From £169/year | Done-for-you service | No | Yes | Core service |
| GoSimpleTax | £58.70/year | Manual form-based filing | No | Yes | Not included |
| HMRC Online | Free | Budget-conscious filers | No | No (MTD separate) | Not available |
1. QTax — Best Overall for Sole Traders
Price: £49.99/year | Free trial: 30 days
QTax is purpose-built for UK sole traders and freelancers filing Self Assessment. It combines AI automation with professional accountant oversight:
- AI document capture — photograph receipts and invoices for automatic data extraction
- Profession-specific wizards — guided filing for 80+ professions (freelancers, landlords, contractors, Uber drivers, and more)
- Real-time tax calculations — see your tax bill update as you enter information
- ACCA-regulated review — a qualified accountant checks your return before HMRC submission
- MTD ITSA ready — built for Making Tax Digital quarterly submissions from April 2026
- 13 free tax calculators — income tax, National Insurance, dividends, capital gains, and more
Best for: Sole traders who want guided, AI-assisted filing with professional review at an affordable price.
2. FreeAgent — Best Full Accounting Suite
Price: From £19/month (£228/year) | Free trial: 30 days
FreeAgent is a comprehensive cloud accounting platform covering much more than Self Assessment:
- Invoicing, estimates, and project tracking
- Automatic bank feeds from major UK banks
- Multi-currency support
- Basic payroll for small teams
- Self Assessment and Corporation Tax filing
Best for: Small businesses, agencies, and limited companies that need full accounting features beyond just tax filing.
3. TaxScouts — Best Done-For-You Service
Price: From £169/year | No free trial
TaxScouts pairs you with a personal certified accountant who prepares and files your return:
- Personal accountant assigned to your case
- They handle all calculations and optimisation
- You review and approve before submission
- Turnaround: 2–7 working days
Best for: People who prefer not to handle any aspect of their tax return themselves.
4. GoSimpleTax — Best Manual Approach
Price: £58.70/year | Free to start
GoSimpleTax provides a clean, form-based interface that follows the SA100 structure:
- Step-by-step form guidance
- Contextual tax tips
- Manual expense tracking
- Direct HMRC submission
Best for: Experienced filers who are comfortable with Self Assessment forms and prefer manual data entry.
5. HMRC Online — Free but Basic
Price: Free | No support
HMRC's own online portal lets you file for free, but with no guidance, calculations, or support:
- Fill in the SA100 form directly
- No receipt scanning or automation
- No professional review
- Not MTD-compatible (separate software needed from April 2026)
Best for: Budget-conscious filers with simple tax situations who are comfortable navigating HMRC's interface.
How to Choose
Choose based on your needs:
- I want the easiest, most affordable option → QTax (£49.99/year, AI + accountant review)
- I need full accounting software → FreeAgent (invoicing, bank feeds, reporting)
- I want someone to do everything for me → TaxScouts (personal accountant)
- I prefer manual entry and form-based filing → GoSimpleTax
- I have a simple return and want free → HMRC Online
MTD readiness matters from April 2026
From April 2026, sole traders with income over £50,000 must use MTD ITSA compatible software for quarterly submissions. All software listed above (except HMRC Online) supports MTD. If you are near the threshold, choose software that is already MTD-ready.
The Bottom Line
For most UK sole traders, QTax offers the best combination of AI automation, professional review, and value. At £49.99/year — less than all competitors except the free HMRC option — it includes features (AI scanning, ACCA review) that others charge extra for or do not offer at all.