Softwr

Accounting · head to head

Creem vs FreeAgent

Creem logo

Creem

Accounting

All-in-one payment and compliance platform for software companies

From
$3.9/percent
Rated
-
FreeAgent logo

FreeAgent

Accounting

Accounting software for small businesses and freelancers

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Only FreeAgent has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Creem per-transaction fee model scales with volume, potentially expensive for high-frequency transactions; FreeAgent introductory pricing shown is 50% off the regular rates

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Creem and FreeAgent actually diverge.

Attributes where Creem and FreeAgent differ
AttributeCreemFreeAgent
Starting price$3.9/percentFree
Pricing modelPer-transaction flat ratesubscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWeb

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Accounting).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Creem

  • Global payments processing
  • Automated tax compliance
  • Subscription billing
  • Revenue distribution
  • Digital product support
  • Fraud protection
  • AI business assistant
  • Affiliate platform

Only in FreeAgent

Nothing recorded that Creem does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Creem

  • SaaS subscription billing and managementnot FreeAgent
  • Digital product distribution with license keysnot FreeAgent
  • Global payment processing across 100+ countriesnot FreeAgent
  • Revenue sharing among co-founders and affiliatesnot FreeAgent
  • Automated tax compliance for international salesnot FreeAgent

FreeAgent

  • Submitting VAT and Self Assessment tax returns to HMRC directlynot Creem
  • Splitting rental income and expenses across multiple properties automaticallynot Creem
  • Collecting invoice payments faster through one-click payments and remindersnot Creem
  • Capturing bills and receipts via AI to auto-categorize expensesnot Creem
  • Filing Real Time Information payroll directly to HMRC for employeesnot Creem

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Creem

  • Per-transaction fee model scales with volume, potentially expensive for high-frequency transactions
  • Limited to software and digital product companies, not suitable for physical goods
  • AI business assistant availability and capabilities not fully detailed
  • Requires using Creem as Merchant of Record, limiting white-label options
  • Mobile app only available in beta for iOS and Android

FreeAgent

  • Introductory pricing shown is 50% off the regular rates
  • All prices exclude 20% VAT
  • Add-ons required for some features (Smart Capture Unlimited £5/month, Amazon integration £6/month)

Pricing, plan by plan

Creem

$3.9/percent
  • StandardFree
    • 3.9% + $0.40 per transaction
    • No setup fees
    • No monthly fees

FreeAgent

Free
  • Sole Traders$9.5/month
    • Introductory rate (regular price £19/month)
    • Annual option at £95/year (regular £190)
  • Landlords$5/month
    • Introductory rate (regular price £10/month)
    • Annual option at £50/year (regular £100)
  • UK Partnerships/LLPs$13.5/month
    • Introductory rate (regular price £27/month)
    • Annual option at £135/year (regular £270)
  • UK Limited Companies$16.5/month
    • Introductory rate (regular price £33/month)
    • Annual option at £330/year (regular £330)

Which should you pick?

Choose Creem if

  • You need global payments processing.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want automated tax compliance.

Choose FreeAgent if

  • You want to start without paying.

Questions people ask

Is Creem or FreeAgent better?
Neither clearly leads. Creem starts at $3.9/percent and FreeAgent at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Creem or FreeAgent?
FreeAgent has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $3.9/percent for Creem and Free for FreeAgent.
Does Creem or FreeAgent run on more platforms?
Creem runs on Web, iOS, Android. FreeAgent runs on Web.
Can I use FreeAgent for free?
Yes. FreeAgent has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Creem starts at $3.9/percent.
What is Creem best used for?
Creem is most often used for saas subscription billing and management, digital product distribution with license keys, global payment processing across 100+ countries, revenue sharing among co-founders and affiliates. Of those, saas subscription billing and management and digital product distribution with license keys are not what FreeAgent is typically brought in for.
What can Creem do that FreeAgent cannot?
Creem covers Global payments processing, Automated tax compliance, Subscription billing, Revenue distribution.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Creem: What are Creem's transaction fees compared to competitors?

Creem charges a flat 3.9% plus 40 cents per successful transaction with no additional setup, monthly, or hidden fees. For a $5,000 transaction volume, Creem estimates $235 in fees compared to Lemon Squeezy at $565 ($400 + $165).

Source
FreeAgent: Does FreeAgent offer a free option?

FreeAgent is free for qualifying customers maintaining business accounts with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank, or certain Mettle accounts.

Source
Creem: Does Creem handle international tax compliance?

Yes. Creem automatically handles VAT, GST, and sales tax filing and remittance as a Merchant of Record across 50+ countries, eliminating manual tax compliance work.

Source
FreeAgent: What is FreeAgent's pricing for sole traders?

Sole traders pay £9.50/month (50% introductory rate; regular £19/month), or £95/year annually (regular £190/year), excluding 20% VAT.

Source
Creem: Can I use Creem for subscription billing?

Yes. Creem provides subscription management with billing, dunning, and a customer portal. Revenue splits are included for distributing earnings to co-founders and affiliates.

Source
FreeAgent: What add-ons does FreeAgent offer?

Optional add-ons include Smart Capture Unlimited at £5/month and Amazon integration at £6/month, allowing customers to extend base plan functionality.

Source
FreeAgent: Does FreeAgent offer a trial?

FreeAgent provides a 30-day free trial with no commitment, and customers can cancel at any time during or after the trial period.

Source
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