FreeAgent vs Xero for sole traders: which one, and why
Xero Ignite is cheaper on paper but capped at 20 invoices a month. FreeAgent is free if you bank with NatWest. The real cost of each over two years.
Founder and Editor
Syed Esrak Ahmmed
Syed Esrak Ahmmed started The Paid Hour in August 2026 and writes every guide on it. He works in web design, SEO and digital operations, and built the site after finding that most UK freelancing advice either stops at the obvious or quietly sells something. He is based in Cambridge, England.
Not an accountant and not a tax adviser. Every figure on this site is checked against HMRC's published guidance or a provider's own documentation, and carries the date it was last verified.
Elsewhere: LinkedIn/ Personal site/ YouTube
Guides written by Syed
How to File Self Assessment as a Freelancer, Step by Step
Your first Self Assessment in order: tell HMRC by 5 October, file and pay by 31 January, and budget for the payment on account nobody warns you about.
Best Accounting Software for UK Freelancers in 2026
FreeAgent, Xero and QuickBooks compared on what they actually cost after the introductory offer, with the plan limits that catch sole traders out.
MTD for Income Tax: What Changes for Sole Traders
MTD for Income Tax started 6 April 2026 for sole traders over £50,000. What quarterly updates involve, who is caught and when, what does not change.