Solo Biz Soft Editorial Team As a UK sole trader you need to send clear invoices, keep track of who owes you money and, increasingly, keep digital records for tax. This guide looks at four options and what each one costs, using the plans shown on each company’s own UK website.
Prices are in pounds and were checked on 19 September 2026. Some are shown without VAT, and introductory discounts change often, so confirm the current price before you sign up.
Quick comparison
| Software | Cost per month | Free option | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoho Invoice | £0 | Free plan (no paid plans listed) | 500 invoices a year, 2 users, 3 projects |
| FreeAgent (sole trader) | £19 regular (£9.50 for the first 6 months) | Free with eligible NatWest, RBS, Ulster Bank or Mettle accounts; 30-day free trial | Invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, self assessment and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax are listed |
| Xero (Ignite) | £18 regular (£1.80 for 6 months), excluding VAT | Check Xero’s site for trial terms | 20 quotes and invoices and 10 bills a month |
| QuickBooks | Not confirmed | Free for 30 days | Sole Trader Plus plan listed |
Our top picks for UK sole traders
Four options compared
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Zoho Invoice Free
Best for: Sole traders who mainly need to send invoices
Listed as 100% free, with recurring invoices, payment reminders and online payments.
Free Try Zoho Invoice -
FreeAgent Tax features
Best for: Sole traders who want accounting and tax features
The sole trader plan includes invoicing, expenses, bank feeds and self assessment.
From £19/mo (free with eligible banks) Try FreeAgent -
Xero Low intro price
Best for: Sole traders who want a well-known accounting platform
Ignite covers 20 quotes and invoices and 10 bills a month.
From £18/mo excl. VAT (intro offers) Try Xero -
QuickBooks 30-day trial
Best for: Sole traders comparing several trials
Sole Trader Plus is listed with invoicing, bank feeds and mileage tracking.
Check its UK site Try QuickBooks
Zoho Invoice: free invoicing with no paid plans
Zoho Invoice’s UK page describes it as 100% free, with no paid plans. The free plan allows up to 500 invoices a year for up to two users and three projects.
It creates VAT-compliant invoices, sends them by email or PDF, and includes recurring invoices, automated payment reminders, expense recording and online card payments. It is invoicing software rather than full accounting, so it does not replace tools that file tax returns.
Pros
- Listed as completely free
- Recurring invoices and payment reminders included
- Supports online payments
Cons
- Limited to 500 invoices a year
- Not a full accounting or tax product
- Card payments may carry processing fees
Visit Zoho InvoiceFree plan
FreeAgent: accounting built for UK tax
FreeAgent has separate plans for different business types. The sole trader plan is £19 a month at the regular price, with an offer of 50% off for the first six months when we checked. It includes invoicing, expenses, bank feeds, VAT returns, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, self assessment, payroll and time tracking.
FreeAgent says the plan is free if you have a business current account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank, or a Mettle account and make at least one transaction a month. Check the current conditions on its site before relying on this.
Pros
- Free for customers with eligible bank accounts
- Self assessment and Making Tax Digital for Income Tax listed
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- £19 a month regular price if you do not qualify for the free plan
- More than a simple invoicing tool
- The 50% offer lasts six months
Visit FreeAgent30-day free trial
Xero: Ignite is the entry plan
Xero’s UK plans start with Ignite at £18 a month regular price (£1.80 a month for the first six months when we checked), excluding VAT. Ignite allows 20 quotes and invoices and 10 bills a month. The next plan, Grow, is £39 a month and removes those limits.
Xero lists smart document capture, VAT return submission and readiness for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax across its plans. Auto-reconciling bank transactions is listed from Grow upwards.
Pros
- Low introductory price
- Unlimited invoices and bills from Grow
- Tax and VAT features listed
Cons
- Ignite is capped at 20 invoices and 10 bills a month
- Prices exclude VAT
- The regular price is higher than the free options
QuickBooks: check its UK prices
QuickBooks lists UK plans including Sole Trader Plus and Simple Start, each with a 30-day free trial. The Sole Trader Plus plan lists invoicing, bank feeds, mileage tracking and receipt capture, and says it is ready for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
We could not confirm the monthly prices from its page when we checked, so we have not listed them here. Look at the current price and any introductory offer on its site.
Pros
- 30-day free trial
- Sole trader plan with mileage tracking and receipt capture
- Making Tax Digital for Income Tax readiness listed
Cons
- We could not confirm UK prices
- Not free after the trial
- Higher plans add features a sole trader may not need
Visit QuickBooks UK30-day free trial
How to choose
If you only need to send invoices: start with Zoho Invoice. It is free and covers the basics.
If you want tax features in the same tool: look at FreeAgent, and check whether your bank makes it free.
If you plan to grow or work with an accountant: compare Xero and QuickBooks using their free trials.
If you must follow Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: check HMRC’s guidance for whether and when it applies to you, then confirm that your chosen software supports it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there free invoicing software for sole traders?
Yes. Zoho Invoice is listed as free, and FreeAgent is free for customers of eligible banks. Both have limits, described above.
Do sole traders need accounting software?
You can use a spreadsheet, but software makes invoicing, tracking expenses and preparing for tax easier. It does not replace advice from an accountant.
Do these prices include VAT?
Xero’s UK prices are shown excluding VAT. Check the VAT treatment of each price on the company’s site.
Related reading: Best Accounting Software for Freelancers in the US (2026)
This article is general information, not tax or financial advice. Prices were checked on 19 September 2026.