If you're already MTD VAT, adding MTD Income Tax is a small step — but pick software that covers both.
MTD for VAT has been running since 2019. If you already use a VAT-compliant tool, check whether it also supports MTD Income Tax — most of the big players (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage, QuickFile) cover both.
5 providers match this situation. Free options first.
Free if you have a NatWest Group business account — otherwise £19–£33/mo.
FreeAgent is a polished UK-built accounting platform owned by NatWest. It's free if you hold a business current account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank, or a free Mettle business account — and you make at least one transaction a month. Outside that, it's a paid subscription. Strong for sole traders and landlords wanting automation.
UK-built, genuinely free under 1,000 transactions/year.
QuickFile is a UK cloud accounting platform with a generous free tier — free for small businesses with fewer than 1,000 nominal transactions in a year. Full MTD support for VAT and Income Tax.
The accountants' favourite. Simple plan is good value.
Xero is the most widely used cloud accounting platform among UK accountants. The £7/mo Simple plan is the cheapest entry from a major provider and covers most sole trader or landlord needs for MTD.
Big US brand with strong UK MTD support.
QuickBooks Online is Intuit's cloud accounting product. Regular heavy discounts (often 90% off for 6 months) make it effectively cheap to start. Full MTD VAT and Income Tax support.
Established UK brand, trusted by accountants.
Sage's cloud accounting product. Solid, enterprise-backed, wide accountant adoption. Has a dedicated landlord flow.