The genuinely free MTD software options
Three routes to free MTD Income Tax software exist right now: hold a qualifying business bank account with FreeAgent or Starling Bank (Accounting Essentials), or run a non-VAT sole trade within Sage Sole Trader's free-plan caps. Each has a real condition; none is a time-limited trial.
FreeAgent
Free via a NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle business account. The three high-street banks simply require you to hold the account. Mettle additionally requires at least one transaction a month. This is the full product through the bank, not a separate free tier.
Starling Bank (Accounting Essentials)
Free via a Starling business current account, covering sole traders and landlords alike. No VAT filing on the free tier (Accounting Plus adds it).
Sage Sole Trader
Permanently free for non-VAT-registered sole traders (not landlords), no bank account needed. Caps: 5 invoices a month; 25 auto-categorised transactions a month.
Tide does not qualify FreeAgent's free route
If you bank with Tide, FreeAgent's free route does not apply to you. Only a NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business current account, or a Mettle account with at least one transaction a month, unlocks it for free.
Common questions
Is there really no catch?
Each route has a real condition attached. None is a time-limited trial. FreeAgent and Starling Bank (Accounting Essentials) are free through a qualifying bank account for as long as you hold it, or keep using it monthly for Mettle. Sage Sole Trader is free permanently but only for non-VAT sole traders within its usage caps.
Is FreeAgent free with Tide?
No. FreeAgent is free via NatWest, RBS or Ulster Bank business current accounts, or a Mettle account with at least one transaction a month. Tide does not qualify.
Can landlords use any of these free routes?
FreeAgent and Starling Bank (Accounting Essentials) both cover landlords as well as sole traders through their qualifying bank accounts. Sage Sole Trader's free plan is sole traders only, not landlords.
What if none of these fit me?
Paid full-product software starts from around £7/mo +VAT. The Software Chooser ranks every option, free and paid, against your specific answers.