When you’re self-employed, keeping your finances in order is essential — but you don’t need to spend a fortune to do it.
Whether you’re just starting out or managing multiple clients, here are the best free accounting tools for UK freelancers in 2025.
💡 Do Freelancers Even Need Accounting Software?
Yes — even as a sole trader, you’re expected to:
- Track income and expenses
- File a self-assessment tax return
- Store records for 5 years
- Prepare for Making Tax Digital (coming in 2026 for most sole traders)
Good software makes this easier and keeps you HMRC-compliant.
✅ Best Free Accounting Tools (UK)
1. Zoho Books Free Plan
Perfect for: Freelancers making under £35k per year
Zoho’s free plan is specifically for UK sole traders under the VAT threshold. It includes:
- Invoicing
- Expense tracking
- Mileage tracking
- Bank reconciliation
- Basic reports
2. Wave Accounting
Perfect for: Freelancers not worried about MTD
Wave is popular in the US but available in the UK. It’s:
- 100% free (no revenue cap)
- Easy to use for basic invoicing + tracking
- Not yet HMRC-compliant (no MTD)
Best for freelancers who want something simple but effective.
3. QuickBooks Self-Employed (Free Trial)
Perfect for: Freelancers who want tax tools built-in
While not free forever, QuickBooks SE offers a free trial — and it’s incredibly easy to use:
- Syncs with your bank
- Auto-categorises expenses
- Calculates tax owed
- Generates reports for HMRC
✨ Honorable Mentions
- Excel or Google Sheets – Simple, but manual
- Crunch Free – Offers a free tier with some limitations
- FreeAgent (via NatWest/Mettle) – Free if you bank with Mettle or NatWest
🔄 Related Tools You’ll Also Need
📌 Final Thoughts
Accounting doesn’t have to be expensive — or overwhelming. Whether you want a simple free tool or a future-proof app for MTD, there’s an option that fits your workflow and budget.
👉 Want to compare freelancer insurance too? Check out our comparison guide