Software · head to head
Melio vs FreeAgent
FreeAgent
Software
Accounting software for small businesses and freelancers
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Melio has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Melio go (free) plan limited to one user only; FreeAgent priced in GBP from around £10 to £13.75 per month, and the software is built around UK tax rules (VAT, Self Assessment) rather than other jurisdictions
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Melio and FreeAgent actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
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 Melio
- Vendor payments
- Card to check
- Payment scheduling
- Approval workflows
- QuickBooks sync
- QuickBooks
- Xero
- FreshBooks
Only in FreeAgent
Nothing recorded that Melio does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Melio
- Accounts payable automationnot FreeAgent
- Bill management and payment schedulingnot FreeAgent
- Multi-vendor payment processingnot FreeAgent
- Invoice receivables and payment collectionnot FreeAgent
FreeAgent
No use cases recorded yet. See the FreeAgent review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Melio
- Go (free) plan limited to one user only
- ACH charges £0.50 per transaction beyond monthly allowance (5-50 free depending on plan)
- Card payment fees range from 2.9% to 2.9% plus £75 maximum
- International payments limited to select currencies only
- NetSuite integration only available in Unlimited plan (£80/month minimum)
FreeAgent
- Priced in GBP from around £10 to £13.75 per month, and the software is built around UK tax rules (VAT, Self Assessment) rather than other jurisdictions
Pricing, plan by plan
Melio
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Melio review.
FreeAgent
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the FreeAgent review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Melio if
- You need vendor payments.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile app.
- You also want card to check.
Choose FreeAgent if
Nothing in the data separates FreeAgent from Melio on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Melio or FreeAgent better?
- Neither clearly leads. Melio starts at Free and FreeAgent at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Melio or FreeAgent?
- Melio has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Melio and On request for FreeAgent.
- Does Melio or FreeAgent run on more platforms?
- Melio runs on Web, Mobile app. FreeAgent runs on Web.
- Can I use Melio for free?
- Yes. Melio has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. FreeAgent starts at On request.
- What is Melio best used for?
- Melio is most often used for accounts payable automation, bill management and payment scheduling, multi-vendor payment processing, invoice receivables and payment collection. Of those, accounts payable automation and bill management and payment scheduling are not what FreeAgent is typically brought in for.
- What can Melio do that FreeAgent cannot?
- Melio covers Vendor payments, Card to check, Payment scheduling, Approval workflows.