FreeAgent vs QuickBooks Online: which fits your firm?
FreeAgent starts at $27 per month and QuickBooks Online publishes a free plan; FreeAgent lists solo and small firms where QuickBooks Online lists solo, small and mid-size.
Prices and details checked August 31, 2026 for FreeAgent and September 4, 2026 for QuickBooks Online. Both records sit in Core ledger and bookkeeping and are compared on vendor-published specifications, the same way across every tool.
FreeAgent vs QuickBooks Online side by side
6 of 13 dimensions differ. Rows marked "Differs" are where the two records do not match.
| Dimension | FreeAgent | QuickBooks Online |
|---|---|---|
| Entry priceDiffers | $27 per month | Free plan |
| Pricing modelDiffers | Flat rate | Per entity |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Firm size fitDiffers | Solo, Small | Solo, Small, Mid-size |
| Built for | Firms and their clients | Firms and their clients |
| Specialisation | Bookkeeping | Bookkeeping |
| Automation profile | High volume, routine work | High volume, routine work |
| Deployment | Cloud, Mobile | Cloud, Mobile |
| Geo availabilityDiffers | UK, US | US, UK, Australia, Canada, Global |
| Integrations listedDiffersBoth list: PayPal, Stripe, Zapier. | 8 listed | 9 listed |
| Certifications | Not published | Not published |
| Support channelsDiffers | Phone, Email, Chat, Knowledge base | Phone, Chat, Email, Knowledge base, Community forum |
Which one fits your firm
Choose FreeAgent if
- UK freelancers, sole traders, and small limited companies that need MTD VAT and Self Assessment filing.
- Small UK practices wanting a free practice dashboard to manage clients with discounted licenses.
- NatWest, RBS, or Mettle business account holders who can use FreeAgent at no cost.
Think twice about FreeAgent if
- Businesses outside the UK and US. FreeAgent is built around HMRC rules, with a separate US edition.
- Mid-market or multi-entity groups. FreeAgent targets freelancers and small companies.
- Firms needing US payroll or state filings. The US edition centers on invoicing, expenses, and sales tax reporting.
Choose QuickBooks Online if
- US-based firms whose clients are sole traders, small businesses, or up to about fifty staff.
- Solo bookkeepers and small practices that want the largest small-business app ecosystem (over 750 integrations).
- ProAdvisor-enrolled firms that want a wholesale-pricing dashboard for managing multiple client files.
Think twice about QuickBooks Online if
- Mid-market clients that have outgrown QBO's reporting depth. Sage Intacct or NetSuite suit them better.
- UK firms that need MTD-leading workflow. Most UK practices default to Xero for that workflow.
- Practices wedded to non-Intuit tax-prep ecosystems where QBO sync is not the primary value.
What each one does
About FreeAgent
FreeAgent is cloud accounting software for UK freelancers, sole traders, and small limited companies, covering invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, VAT, Self Assessment, and the Construction Industry Scheme. Accountants get a free practice dashboard with discounted client licenses, and the software is free for NatWest, RBS, and Mettle business account holders.
Best for UK freelancers and small companies that need MTD and Self Assessment, and the small firms that support them.
FreeAgent profileFreeAgent pricing and plansFreeAgent vendor site
About QuickBooks Online
QuickBooks Online covers the full bookkeeping cycle, from bank feeds and reconciliation through to financial statements. Its large app ecosystem and US market dominance mean most clients your firm onboards will already know it.
Best for US firms whose clients are sole traders, small businesses, or up to about fifty staff.
QuickBooks Online profileQuickBooks Online pricing and plansQuickBooks Online vendor site
Frequently asked questions
- Which is cheaper, FreeAgent or QuickBooks Online?
- QuickBooks Online has the lower published entry tier, a free plan, against $27 per month for FreeAgent. That covers the cheapest published plan only, not the plan either vendor would put in front of your firm.
- Do FreeAgent and QuickBooks Online both offer a free trial?
- Yes. Both FreeAgent and QuickBooks Online list a free trial. Both publish a permanently free plan.
- Which one integrates with QuickBooks and Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks Online?
- Neither published integration list names QuickBooks or Xero. Both lists do share PayPal, Stripe and Zapier. Check the vendor pages for anything added since these records were last checked.
- Which suits a smaller firm, FreeAgent or QuickBooks Online?
- FreeAgent lists solo and small firms and QuickBooks Online lists solo, small and mid-size firms. Firm size fit is the vendor's own positioning, so treat it as the starting point rather than a limit.