FreeAgent is a well-known way to get Making Tax Digital software for nothing, but only if you bank in the right place. FreeAgent says its software is free while you hold a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account, or a Mettle account with at least one transaction a month. If you bank elsewhere, FreeAgent's landlord plan is £10 a month and its sole trader plan £19 a month, plus VAT (prices checked on 27 September 2026).
You do not have to switch bank to get free MTD software. Here are the options that do not depend on where you bank.
How the FreeAgent offer works
- FreeAgent is part of NatWest Group, and the free offer is tied to NatWest Group business accounts and Mettle.
- The bank feeds themselves are not restricted: FreeAgent says they work with all major UK banks. Only the free price depends on the account.
- If you close the qualifying account, or stop using Mettle monthly, the software stops being free.
Free options that do not need a particular bank
| Product | Covers | Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Sage Sole Trader & Landlord Free | Sole trader and UK property; quarterly updates and tax return | One bank account; capped AI categorisation |
| Clear Books Free | Sole trader, UK and overseas property; quarterly updates and tax return | No bank feed on the free plan |
| RentalBux Free | One property unit or one business; quarterly updates and tax return | Free until March 2028; statements imported by hand |
| ANNA | Sole traders and landlords, with any UK bank through open banking | The free offer covers the 2026/27 filings |
| VoxaMTD | Sole trader and UK property; quarterly updates and tax return | One bank connection on the free plan; not yet in HMRC's software finder; no foreign property |
Some banks also include MTD software with their own business accounts: Monzo for Monzo Business customers, Starling for its sole trader accounts (quarterly updates for now) and Tide for sole traders. Those are free, but they tie you to the bank in the same way FreeAgent does.
Choosing between them
- Self-employed and a landlord? You need a product that covers both, or two products that work together. Sage, Clear Books and VoxaMTD cover both on their free plans.
- Want your bank transactions pulled in automatically? Clear Books Free has no bank feed and RentalBux Free imports statements by hand. Sage Free and VoxaMTD's free plan each include one bank connection.
- Foreign property? Clear Books Free and RentalBux cover it; VoxaMTD does not yet.
- Want software in HMRC's finder? Sage, Clear Books and RentalBux are listed. VoxaMTD files directly to HMRC's live Making Tax Digital service. It is not yet listed on HMRC's published software finder.
Moving away from FreeAgent
If you are leaving FreeAgent because you changed bank, you can switch software at any time. At the end of the tax year is simplest. During the year, export your transactions first and bring this year's records into the new product, so your next quarterly update, which covers the tax year so far, is complete. Keep the old records for at least five years. Our guide to switching MTD software has a checklist.
VoxaMTD
VoxaMTD's free plan sends quarterly updates for self-employment and UK property and submits the tax return. It connects to UK banks through open banking, takes CSV and Excel uploads, and has no cap on properties or transactions. Paid plans add more bank connections, landlord compliance tools and Alex, an AI accountant you can talk to by voice.
Start free, no card needed · VoxaMTD and FreeAgent compared
Provider details are taken from each provider's own website and HMRC's software finder on 27 September 2026, and prices exclude VAT. Offers change, so check before you decide.