QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Xero are established accounting products that all handle Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. VoxaMTD is a newer, narrower product built around MTD filing for sole traders and landlords. This comparison uses each provider's own pricing and product pages and HMRC's software finder, checked on 27 September 2026. Prices exclude VAT unless stated.
Pricing
| Free option | Entry price for MTD (per month) | Trial or offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VoxaMTD | Free plan: quarterly updates (final declaration coming before April 2027) | Paid plans from £8.99 | 7-day free trial of paid features at sign-up |
| QuickBooks | None | £10 (Sole Trader Plus); Plus £56 for several properties | 30 days |
| FreeAgent | With a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business account, or Mettle used monthly | £10 (landlord), £19 (sole trader) | Introductory discount |
| Xero | None | £7 (Simple), then Ignite £18 | One month |
What each covers for MTD
| In HMRC's software finder | Quarterly updates and tax return | Income sources | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VoxaMTD | Yes, since 30 October 2026 | Quarterly updates; final declaration coming before April 2027 | Sole trader, UK property |
| QuickBooks | Yes | Yes | Sole trader, UK property |
| FreeAgent | Yes | Yes | Sole trader, UK property |
| Xero | Yes | Yes | Sole trader, UK property, foreign property |
Features that differ
- Landlords with several properties. FreeAgent's landlord plan tracks income and costs per property, including joint ownership. QuickBooks' Sole Trader Plus covers a single property; several properties need Plus. VoxaMTD shows per-property figures and applies ownership shares for jointly owned property on its free plan.
- AI. All four use AI in some form. QuickBooks lists AI categorisation and an AI chat feature in beta; FreeAgent lists AI categorisation and receipt capture; Xero offers JAX, an AI chat assistant, to all subscribers. VoxaMTD uses AI to suggest categories, and its paid plans add Alex, an AI accountant you can talk to by voice. We have not seen the others advertise a voice assistant.
- Bank feeds. All four connect to UK banks. VoxaMTD's free plan includes one bank connection through open banking, and you can also upload CSV or Excel files.
- Wider bookkeeping. QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Xero also handle VAT, payroll and invoicing to varying degrees, and support limited companies on other plans. VoxaMTD is built for individuals' MTD for Income Tax and does not do VAT returns or payroll.
- Accountants. If your accountant already works in one of the other three, that is usually the simplest choice. VoxaMTD does not offer an accountant portal, and an agent cannot submit on a client's behalf.
Who each is likely to suit
- QuickBooks: sole traders and single-property landlords who want full bookkeeping, or businesses that also need VAT and payroll.
- FreeAgent: anyone with a NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle account, which makes it free, and landlords who want per-property tracking in a listed product.
- Xero: people whose accountant works in Xero, anyone with foreign property, and businesses that may grow into VAT, payroll or a company.
- VoxaMTD: sole traders and UK landlords who want to file quarterly updates without a subscription or a bank condition.
VoxaMTD's limits, stated plainly
- It files directly to HMRC's live Making Tax Digital service.
- It does not send foreign property updates.
- It uses the standard update periods (6th to 5th), not calendar update periods.
- It does not currently add other income, such as savings interest or dividends, to the tax return.
If any of those matters to you, one of the other three is likely the better choice today.
Switching
HMRC lets you change software at any time, although the end of the tax year is easiest. Our guide to switching MTD software covers what to move and what to keep. Individual comparisons: QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Xero.
Competitor details are taken from each provider's own website and HMRC's software finder on 27 September 2026. Prices exclude VAT, and introductory offers are not shown. Check each provider's site before you decide.