Best MTD software for sole traders (free options included)
The HMRC-recognised tools that suit self-employed people, what they cost, and when a free tier or bridging software is genuinely enough.
Not every HMRC-recognised tool suits a sole trader. Some are built for landlords and don’t file self-employment at all; others are full accounting platforms with far more than you need. Here are the options that actually fit, what they cost, and when free is genuinely enough.
The options that file self-employment
| Tool | From | Free tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xero | £7 / month | No | Landlords whose accountant already works in Xero — the most widely used platform in UK practices. |
| QuickBooks | £10 / month | No | Phone-first bookkeeping with strong automation and AI categorisation. |
| RentalBux | £0–£4.50 / month | Yes | Co-owning couples who want property and self-employment income handled together in one filing. |
| ApariPro | £12 / month | No | Landlords with messy, multi-source income who want the whole Self Assessment handled in one place — APARI was the first vendor ever to file an MTD Income Tax return to HMRC. |
| Bridging software | ~£30–£36 / year | Yes | Confident spreadsheet users who want the cheapest compliant route and don't want to learn new software. |
Prices exclude VAT unless noted and change often — last verified 16 July 2026. Always reconfirm on the provider’s own site.
Which to choose
If you keep a spreadsheet you like
Don’t switch — bridging software submits the figures straight from it, from around £30 a year. It’s the cheapest compliant route, and you keep the workflow you already know.
If your accountant files for you
Ask them first. Xero and QuickBooks dominate UK practices, and using what they already use means they can review and file without friction. Check they’ll act as your agent and what access they need.
If you want an app and to pay nothing
Look at a free tier or a bank-linked deal — FreeAgent is free with NatWest, RBS or Mettle banking; RentalBux is free for one business until March 2028. The free-routes guide covers the catches on each.
If your affairs are messy
Several income streams — dividends, interest, a bit of employment — suit a whole-return tool like ApariPro (£144/yr inc VAT), which pulls the entire Self Assessment together rather than just the trade.
What to check before you buy
- Does it file the final declaration, not just the quarterly updates? Some bridging tools stop short.
- Bank feeds — the single biggest time-saver each quarter.
- Agent access, if an accountant is involved now or later.
- Property too? If you also let property, get one tool that files both — see the combined guide.
Rather than guess, run the picker — tell it you’re self-employed and it filters to tools that can actually file your income, with a free alternative alongside.
Put this into practice
Two tools do the heavy lifting — find your software, or work out your exact mandation date.
New to all this? Start with the pillar guide: When does MTD start for me? (free calculator).