Accounting · head to head
FreeAgent vs Microsoft Excel
FreeAgent
Accounting
Accounting software for small businesses and freelancers
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Microsoft Excel
Accounting
Spreadsheet software for data analysis and visualization
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: FreeAgent introductory pricing shown is 50% off the regular rates; Microsoft Excel free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which FreeAgent and Microsoft Excel actually diverge.
| Attribute | FreeAgent | Microsoft Excel |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Platforms | Web | Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android |
| Founded | Unknown | 1975 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 FreeAgent
Nothing recorded that Microsoft Excel does not also cover.
Only in Microsoft Excel
- Advanced formulas
- Pivot tables
- Data visualization
- Charts and graphs
- Conditional formatting
- Data analysis tools
- Macro automation
- Collaboration features
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
FreeAgent
- Submitting VAT and Self Assessment tax returns to HMRC directlynot Microsoft Excel
- Splitting rental income and expenses across multiple properties automaticallynot Microsoft Excel
- Collecting invoice payments faster through one-click payments and remindersnot Microsoft Excel
- Capturing bills and receipts via AI to auto-categorize expensesnot Microsoft Excel
- Filing Real Time Information payroll directly to HMRC for employeesnot Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel
- Financial modelingnot FreeAgent
- Data analysisnot FreeAgent
- Budget planningnot FreeAgent
- Reportingnot FreeAgent
- Business intelligencenot FreeAgent
- Statistical analysisnot FreeAgent
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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)
Microsoft Excel
- Free tier limited to 5 GB cloud storage and web-only access
- Paid plans have per-user costs increasing significantly with more users
- AI features like Copilot limited or unavailable on lower-tier plans
Pricing, plan by plan
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)
Microsoft Excel
Free- Microsoft Excel (Free)Free
- Excel for the web
- Real-time collaboration
- 5 GB cloud storage
- Microsoft 365 Personal$9.99/month
- Desktop Excel app
- 1 TB cloud storage
- Single user on up to 5 devices
- Microsoft 365 Family$12.99/month
- 1-6 users (AI features for subscription owner)
- Up to 6 TB cloud storage (1 TB per person)
- Each user up to 5 devices
- Microsoft 365 Premium$19.99/month
- 1-6 users
- Extensive Copilot feature access
- Exclusive advanced AI capabilities
Which should you pick?
Choose Microsoft Excel if
- You need advanced formulas.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want pivot tables.
Questions people ask
- Is FreeAgent or Microsoft Excel better?
- Neither clearly leads. FreeAgent starts at Free and Microsoft Excel at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, FreeAgent or Microsoft Excel?
- FreeAgent starts at Free and Microsoft Excel at Free.
- Does FreeAgent or Microsoft Excel run on more platforms?
- FreeAgent runs on Web. Microsoft Excel runs on Windows, Macos, Web, Ios, Android.
- Can I use FreeAgent for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is FreeAgent best used for?
- FreeAgent is most often used for submitting vat and self assessment tax returns to hmrc directly, splitting rental income and expenses across multiple properties automatically, collecting invoice payments faster through one-click payments and reminders, capturing bills and receipts via ai to auto-categorize expenses. Of those, submitting vat and self assessment tax returns to hmrc directly and splitting rental income and expenses across multiple properties automatically are not what Microsoft Excel is typically brought in for.
- What can FreeAgent do that Microsoft Excel cannot?
- Microsoft Excel covers Advanced formulas, Pivot tables, Data visualization, Charts and graphs.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceMicrosoft Excel: How much does Microsoft Excel cost?
Microsoft Excel is free as a web app with 5 GB storage. Paid options include Microsoft 365 Personal at $9.99/month for desktop apps and 1 TB storage, Family at $12.99/month for 1-6 users with 6 TB total storage, and Premium at $19.99/month with extended Copilot access.
SourceFreeAgent: 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.
SourceMicrosoft Excel: Is there a free version of Excel?
Yes, Excel for the web is free and includes sharing, real-time collaboration, and 5 GB cloud storage accessible on web, iOS, and Android without subscription.
SourceFreeAgent: 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.
SourceMicrosoft Excel: What is the difference between Microsoft 365 Family and Premium tiers?
Family tier at $12.99/month supports 1-6 users with 6 TB total storage and standard features. Premium tier at $19.99/month allows extensive Copilot feature access and exclusive advanced AI capabilities including image creation and audio generation.
SourceFreeAgent: 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.
SourceRelated pages
More on Microsoft Excel
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