# FreeAgent

**Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/freeagent  
**Vertical:** Fintech  
**Subcategory:** Accounting Software  
**Tier:** Challenger  
**Website:** freeagent.com  
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-14

## Summary

UK accounting software for freelancers and small businesses; owned by NatWest Group since 2018; distributed via NatWest and RBS banking apps; supports Making Tax Digital and Self Assessment.

## Company Overview

FreeAgent is an Edinburgh, UK-based accounting software company that provides freelancers, contractors, and small businesses with cloud-based bookkeeping, invoicing, expense management, payroll, self-assessment tax returns, and VAT filing tools in a platform designed for the UK market. Founded in 2007 and acquired by NatWest Group in 2018, FreeAgent has maintained its identity as a specialist accounting platform for the UK self-employed and micro-business market, building deep compliance functionality for UK-specific requirements including Making Tax Digital VAT filing, Self Assessment, and Corporation Tax returns. The NatWest acquisition has strengthened FreeAgent's distribution by integrating the software into NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland business banking apps, giving millions of NatWest SMB banking customers free access to FreeAgent as part of their business account.\n\nFreeAgent's product design reflects the realities of running a small business in the UK, where tax obligations for the self-employed—navigating income tax bands, National Insurance contributions, dividend allowances, and annual investment allowances—are complex enough to require software designed around these specific rules rather than a generic accounting tool adapted for UK compliance. The platform's tax timeline feature gives users a forward-looking view of upcoming tax payments and liabilities, reducing the surprise bills that derail small business cash flow. For limited company directors, FreeAgent handles company accounts preparation, dividend recording, and director self-assessment filing within the same system.\n\nFreeAgent competes with QuickBooks Self-Employed, Sage Business Cloud, and Xero in the UK SMB and freelancer accounting market. Its NatWest distribution creates a significant user acquisition advantage, as millions of eligible NatWest business account holders can activate FreeAgent at no additional cost. Differentiating factors include its UK-tax-centric product depth, its focus on the self-employed and micro-business segment, and the trust that comes from being backed by one of the UK's largest banking groups.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is FreeAgent free for NatWest customers?
Yes. NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland business account holders can access FreeAgent for free as part of their business banking package, giving them full accounting software included with their bank account.

### Does FreeAgent support Making Tax Digital?
Yes. FreeAgent supports HMRC's Making Tax Digital requirements for VAT and is building capabilities for MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment, helping UK freelancers and small businesses meet their digital filing obligations.

### Who owns FreeAgent?
FreeAgent is owned by NatWest Group, the UK banking group that acquired it in 2018. The company continues to operate as an independent brand serving UK freelancers and small businesses.

### Who owns FreeAgent?
FreeAgent is owned by NatWest Group, having been acquired in 2018. It remains available as a standalone product and is also bundled free of charge with NatWest and Royal Bank of Scotland business bank accounts.

### Does FreeAgent support Making Tax Digital?
Yes, FreeAgent is fully MTD-compliant. It allows users to file VAT returns directly to HMRC from within the software and supports the MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment pilot program.

### Can FreeAgent handle project-based billing?
Yes, FreeAgent includes project management and time-tracking features. Users can log billable hours, assign expenses to projects, and generate invoices directly from tracked time, making it well-suited for freelancers and agencies.

### What payroll functionality does FreeAgent offer?
FreeAgent includes built-in payroll for UK businesses, supporting RTI submissions to HMRC, payslip generation, and pension auto-enrolment calculations. It handles both monthly and weekly pay runs.

### How does FreeAgent help with Self Assessment tax returns?
FreeAgent automatically populates a Self Assessment tax return using the financial data already in the system. Sole traders can review and submit their return directly to HMRC from within FreeAgent, reducing manual data entry.

## Tags

fintech, saas, b2b, smb, platform, europe, automation, eu-only

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*Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*