Free MTD software for landlords: the three real routes

Plenty of “best MTD software” lists quietly skip the free options. They don’t pay commission. But for a lot of landlords, especially those with one or two properties and simple affairs, £0 is a perfectly compliant answer. Here are the genuinely free routes, who each one fits, and where the catches hide.

The free routes, honestly

HMRC's software finder

Good for: Finding every HMRC-recognised product with a free version, filtered to your situation. This is the authoritative list and it stays current.

Skip it if: You want a recommendation – HMRC deliberately doesn't rank or endorse products.

Free landlord tiers (Landlord Studio GO, RentalBux)

Good for: One to three properties with light bookkeeping; both handle ownership splits.

Skip it if: You want automatic bank feeds – RentalBux's free plan imports statements manually, and Landlord Studio GO charges about £5 per MTD submission.

Free with your bank (FreeAgent)

Good for: FreeAgent is free for as long as you hold a NatWest, RBS or Ulster business account, or a free Mettle account with at least one transaction a month. Several other banks bundle MTD tools with business accounts – check HMRC's software finder for the current list.

Skip it if: You don't want to move or open a bank account to get it.

Other free tiers

Good for: Several providers offer a free tier for simple affairs, usually capped by transaction volume or turnover. HMRC's software finder lists the ones with a free version.

Skip it if: You have multiple income sources or need accountant collaboration – free tiers rarely cover either. Always confirm the current limits on the provider's own site.

The catches worth knowing

• “Free” can still charge per submission. Landlord Studio’s free GO plan covers up to three units but charges roughly £5 per MTD submission. Four quarters plus a final declaration adds up. Its Pro plan bundles free submissions.
• Bank-linked free software has conditions. FreeAgent is free with a NatWest, RBS or Ulster business account, or a free Mettle account, but you generally need at least one transaction a month to keep it. See the FreeAgent-via-NatWest guide.
• Free tiers have ceilings. Turnover limits, transaction caps or single-source-only rules are common – fine for simple affairs, restrictive if you have several income streams.

When free is the wrong saving

Free stops being a bargain if it costs you hours or risks a missed deadline. Consider paying if you want automatic bank feeds, you juggle several properties or income types, you need your accountant to file on your behalf, or you co-own and want the software to split ownership automatically. Even then, the cheapest paid routes – a landlord Pro plan or bridging software – are often only a few pounds a month.

Find your free (or cheap) match

The two-minute picker always surfaces a free alternative alongside its top pick, so you can see exactly what £0 gets you for your situation. And the comparison table flags every tool with a genuine free tier.