Quick Comparison
| Feature | QTax | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sole traders, freelancers filing Self Assessment | Small businesses, agencies, limited companies |
| Pricing | £49.99/year | From £19/month (£228/year) |
| MTD ITSA | Yes — built-in | Yes |
| HMRC Filing | Direct submission | Direct submission |
| AI Features | Receipt scanning, auto-categorisation, tax calculations | Bank feed auto-matching |
| Professional Review | ACCA-certified accountant review included | Not included (separate accountant needed) |
| Invoicing | Not included | Full invoicing and estimates |
| Bank Feeds | Not included | Yes — major UK banks |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 30 days |
Who Is QTax For?
QTax is designed specifically for UK sole traders and freelancers who need to file Self Assessment tax returns. It focuses on making the tax return process as simple as possible:
- AI document capture — photograph receipts and invoices, and QTax extracts and categorises the data automatically
- Guided wizard — step-by-step questions tailored to your profession (landlord, freelancer, contractor, etc.)
- Real-time tax calculations — see your tax liability update as you enter information
- ACCA-regulated review — a qualified accountant checks your return before HMRC submission
- MTD ITSA compatible — ready for Making Tax Digital quarterly submissions from April 2026
Who Is FreeAgent For?
FreeAgent is a full-featured cloud accounting platform aimed at small businesses, freelancers, and agencies. It covers much more than Self Assessment:
- Invoicing and estimates — create and send professional invoices
- Bank feeds — automatic import from major UK banks
- Project tracking — time tracking and project profitability
- Multi-currency — support for international transactions
- Payroll — basic payroll for small teams
- Self Assessment and Corporation Tax filing
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | QTax | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Trader | £49.99/year | £19/month (£228/year) |
| With Accountant | Included (ACCA review) | £19–38/month + accountant fees |
| Free Trial | 30 days | 30 days |
QTax is significantly cheaper for sole traders who primarily need Self Assessment filing. FreeAgent's higher price reflects its broader feature set including invoicing, bank feeds, and project management.
When to Choose QTax
- You are a sole trader or freelancer who needs to file Self Assessment
- You want AI-powered receipt scanning and categorisation
- You want professional accountant review included in the price
- You prefer a guided, wizard-style filing experience
- You want MTD ITSA compliance at a low annual cost
- You do not need invoicing or bank feed integration
When to Choose FreeAgent
- You need full accounting software (invoicing, bank feeds, reporting)
- You run a limited company or partnership
- You need multi-user access for your team
- You need project tracking and time management
- You want payroll functionality
- You already have an accountant and need a platform they can access
The Bottom Line
For sole traders focused on Self Assessment, QTax offers a more affordable, streamlined experience with AI assistance and professional review built in. FreeAgent is the better choice if you need comprehensive accounting features beyond tax filing.