MTD for Income Tax software: published prices compared
This page lists what three accounting packages and two Excel bridging tools say they cost. Every figure comes from the vendor's own pricing page, read on 1 October 2026. We have not tested any of them hands-on: this is published information only. For the rules and dates behind it, see MTD for sole traders.
General information only, not tax advice. Check GOV.UK or ask a qualified adviser about your situation.
What do Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks cost?
| Product and plan | Introductory price | Regular price | Notes from the vendor page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xero Ignite | £1.80 a month for 6 months | £18 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready". Sends quotes and 20 invoices, enters 10 bills |
| Xero Grow | £3.90 a month for 6 months | £39 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready" |
| Xero Comprehensive | £5.50 a month for 6 months | £55 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready" |
| Xero Ultimate | £7 a month for 6 months | £70 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready" |
| FreeAgent, UK sole traders | £9.50 a month for 6 months, or £95 for the first year if billed annually | £19 a month, or £190 a year | Says it lets you send quarterly updates and file the final declaration to HMRC. 30-day free trial |
| FreeAgent, UK unincorporated landlords | £5 a month for 6 months, or £50 for the first year | £10 a month, or £100 a year | Optional add-ons cost extra (receipt capture £5 a month) |
| QuickBooks Sole Trader Plus | £1 a month for 6 months ("Save 90% for 6 months") | £10 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready". 1 user. 30-day free trial shown |
| QuickBooks Simple Start | £1.60 a month for 6 months ("Save 90% for 6 months") | £16 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready". 1 user |
| QuickBooks Essentials | £3.80 a month for 6 months ("Save 90% for 6 months") | £38 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready". 3 users |
| QuickBooks Plus | £5.60 a month for 6 months ("Save 90% for 6 months") | £56 a month | Lists "MTD for Income Tax ready". 5 users |
| QuickBooks Advanced | £12.30 a month for 6 months ("Save 90% for 6 months") | £123 a month | 25 users; the page offers a demo rather than a trial |
FreeAgent says its sole trader plan is free if you have a business current account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank, for as long as you keep the account, or a Mettle account with at least one transaction a month. Some optional add-ons carry a charge. Check the conditions on its pricing page.
What do the Excel bridging tools cost?
| Product | Price | VAT |
|---|---|---|
| Abridge (full version) | £39 a year | Including VAT |
| VitalTax (one taxpayer) | £30 a year | Excluding VAT |
What each bridging tool does and its limits are on the bridging software page.
How should you read these prices?
- Introductory prices run for a set period, then the regular price applies. Xero's and FreeAgent's pages state 6 months for monthly billing.
- Xero and FreeAgent state that their prices exclude VAT. For QuickBooks and the bridging tools see the notes above. Whether you can reclaim VAT depends on your own VAT position, which we do not cover.
- Vendors say their products work with MTD for Income Tax. HMRC's own list is the check: use its software finder before you buy.
- The tables do not cover every product on the market. A product missing here has not been judged worse. We have not read its page yet.
Affiliate links
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Sources
- Xero UK pricing page
- FreeAgent pricing page
- QuickBooks UK pricing page (prices load in a browser; some automated tools cannot open it)
- Abridge and VitalTax
- GOV.UK: Choose the right software
Last checked: 1 October 2026. Prices change; a page not rechecked within 90 days is out of date.