The Cheapest MTD Software for Sole Traders (April 2026)
Many sole traders feel frustrated that MTD forces them to pay a monthly subscription just to file their taxes. If you’ve used free spreadsheets for years, the April 2026 mandate feels like an unfair tax on administration.
Fortunately, you do not need to spend £30+ a month. Here are the cheapest (and completely free) HMRC-approved options available right now.
FreeAgent £0.00/mo
The catch: You must bank with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, or Ulster Bank.
If you hold a business account with any NatWest Group bank, FreeAgent is completely free for the life of your account. Full MTD compliance, invoicing, Self-Assessment filing, payroll — everything. This saves over £220/year compared to paying independently.
ANNA Money £0.00/mo
The catch: You need to use their business bank account.
ANNA Money provides free MTD ITSA filing bundled with a business bank account. If you don’t mind switching to an app-based challenger bank, this is the zero-budget compliance path. Fewer features than paid alternatives, but it gets the job done.
QuickBooks Sole Trader £10.00/mo
The best standalone budget option.
If you don’t want to change your bank, QuickBooks offers the cheapest dedicated subscription. For £10/month you get full MTD compliance, receipt scanning, and Self-Assessment filing. Often available with 90% off for the first 6 months.
GoSimpleTax £58/year
The best annual billing option.
GoSimpleTax charges annually rather than monthly, making it cheaper over 12 months than the entry tiers of Xero or Sage. Particularly popular with landlords who just need to log rent and expenses a few times per year.