Softwr

Accounting · head to head

FreeAgent vs Vertex

FreeAgent logo

FreeAgent

Accounting

Accounting software for small businesses and freelancers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Vertex logo

Vertex

Accounting

Enterprise tax determination, compliance, and e-invoicing software

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only FreeAgent has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: FreeAgent introductory pricing shown is 50% off the regular rates; Vertex pricing is entirely custom and not published, requiring a sales engagement to get a quote.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which FreeAgent and Vertex actually diverge.

Attributes where FreeAgent and Vertex differ
AttributeFreeAgentVertex
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelsubscriptionquote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWebweb, api
FoundedUnknown1978

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 FreeAgent

Nothing recorded that Vertex does not also cover.

Only in Vertex

  • Real-time tax determination
  • Global e-invoicing compliance
  • Compliance reporting and filing
  • Exemption certificate management
  • AI-powered compliance workflows
  • ERP integrations

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

Vertex

  • Automating indirect tax calculation for large multinational enterprisesnot FreeAgent
  • Managing global e-invoicing compliance mandatesnot FreeAgent
  • Handling exemption certificates for B2B salesnot FreeAgent
  • Embedding tax logic directly into ERP and e-commerce checkout flowsnot 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)

Vertex

  • Pricing is entirely custom and not published, requiring a sales engagement to get a quote.
  • The platform is built for enterprise-scale tax complexity, which can be more than small businesses need.
  • Implementation typically requires integration work with existing ERP systems, adding setup time and cost.
  • Documentation on self-serve plan tiers or limits is not publicly available, unlike simpler tax tools.

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)

Vertex

On request
  • Vertex Cloud$undefined/mo
    • Custom pricing based on business needs
    • Tax determination, e-invoicing, and reporting
    • ERP and e-commerce integrations

Which should you pick?

Choose FreeAgent if

  • You want to start without paying.
FreeAgent review

Choose Vertex if

  • You need real-time tax determination.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want global e-invoicing compliance.
Vertex review

Questions people ask

Is FreeAgent or Vertex better?
Neither clearly leads. FreeAgent starts at Free and Vertex at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, FreeAgent or Vertex?
FreeAgent has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for FreeAgent and On request for Vertex.
Does FreeAgent or Vertex run on more platforms?
FreeAgent runs on Web. Vertex runs on web, api.
Can I use FreeAgent for free?
Yes. FreeAgent has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Vertex starts at On request.
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 Vertex is typically brought in for.
What can FreeAgent do that Vertex cannot?
Vertex covers Real-time tax determination, Global e-invoicing compliance, Compliance reporting and filing, Exemption certificate management.

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.

Source
Vertex: Is Vertex's tax software pricing publicly available?

No. Vertex does not publish pricing for its Vertex Cloud or enterprise tax platform; costs are determined through a custom quote based on modules, transaction volume, and deployment scope.

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
Vertex: Roughly what do businesses pay for Vertex?

As reported by third-party buyer guides, not Vertex itself, mid-market companies processing 10,000-50,000 monthly transactions often pay in the $40,000-$100,000 per year range including platform and transaction fees.

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
Vertex: Who manages Vertex Cloud after it's set up?

With the Vertex Cloud deployment option, ongoing operations such as monitoring, configuration, and state tax correspondence remain the responsibility of the customer's internal team rather than Vertex.

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
Vertex: What systems does Vertex integrate with?

Vertex integrates with major ERP and e-commerce platforms including SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, Shopify, Workday, and NetSuite to embed real-time indirect tax calculation into existing business systems.

Source
Vertex: How many jurisdictions does Vertex support for tax determination?

Vertex calculates real-time indirect tax rates across 195 countries and more than 20,000 tax jurisdictions worldwide.

Source
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