QuickBooks vs FreeAgent for Landlords (MTD 2026): Which to Choose
Last updated 27 June 2026 · 8 min read · By the LandlordTaxAi Editorial Team
The short answer
Both are HMRC-recognised for MTD for Income Tax. The split is cost and focus: FreeAgent can be free if you bank with NatWest, RBS, Ulster or Mettle and has a dedicated landlord setup. QuickBooks is a paid, mature general-accounting platform with excellent bank feeds — strong if you have mixed income or an accountant who uses it, but it needs per-property tagging.
Choosing your MTD software is a decision worth getting right once. QuickBooks and FreeAgent are two of the most established names, both on HMRC’s compatible-software list, but they suit different landlords. This guide compares them on cost, property handling, bank feeds and accountant fit for 2026.
Software pricing and features change often — confirm the current details before you sign up. For the wider market see MTD software for landlords.
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MTD Threshold Checker
See whether you need MTD software like QuickBooks or FreeAgent, and from when.
Result
- Total qualifying income
- £28,000
- You must use MTD for Income Tax
- From 6 April 2028
Both HMRC-recognised. FreeAgent free with NatWest/RBS/Ulster/Mettle. Check current terms. Estimate only.
The cost difference
FreeAgent’s headline advantage is price. If you hold a business account with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank you get FreeAgent free for as long as you keep the account; Mettle includes it too with at least one transaction a month. For everyone else, FreeAgent has a normal paid subscription.
QuickBooks is a paid subscription regardless of your bank, although Intuit frequently runs introductory discounts. You’re paying for a broad, polished platform rather than a free route to compliance.
If you can open a qualifying NatWest-group account, free FreeAgent for Landlords is one of the cheapest compliant MTD routes available.
Property income and bank feeds
FreeAgent offers a "FreeAgent for Landlords" configuration that supports UK property income for MTD for Income Tax, so the landlord workflow is built in. QuickBooks doesn’t have a property-specific mode — landlords typically use classes or tags to separate properties, which works well but needs a little setup.
On bank feeds, both are strong. QuickBooks has long had excellent automated bank rules; FreeAgent’s feeds are solid too, especially within the NatWest group.
| Factor | QuickBooks | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Paid subscription (intro offers common) | Free with NatWest/RBS/Ulster/Mettle, else paid |
| MTD for Income Tax | HMRC-recognised | HMRC-recognised |
| Property income | Via classes/tags (manual setup) | FreeAgent for Landlords (built in) |
| Bank feeds | Excellent, strong rules engine | Good, best within NatWest group |
| Best for | Mixed income / accountant on QuickBooks | Cost-conscious landlords with a qualifying bank |
Neither is property-first in the way dedicated landlord tools are. If you only have rental income and want simplicity, that’s worth weighing too.
Which should you choose?
Start with your bank: a qualifying NatWest-group account makes free FreeAgent hard to beat. If you bank elsewhere, have mixed self-employment and rental income, or your accountant works in QuickBooks, QuickBooks may be the smoother fit despite the cost.
Property-first, whatever your bank
LandlordTaxAi focuses purely on landlord tax — reading your bank statements, categorising them and keeping MTD-ready records — so compliance fits your properties, not a general ledger.
See how it worksA worked example
Three landlords weigh up QuickBooks and FreeAgent for April 2026.
| Banks with NatWest, two flats | Free FreeAgent for Landlords — £0 software cost |
| Sole trader plus one rental, accountant on QuickBooks | QuickBooks to keep everything in one place |
| Banks elsewhere, one property, wants cheapest | Compare FreeAgent paid vs property-specific tools |
The bank account often makes the call. Where it doesn’t, your other income and your accountant’s preference usually decide it.
Frequently asked questions
Are QuickBooks and FreeAgent both HMRC-recognised for MTD?
Yes. Both appear on HMRC’s list of software compatible with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.
Which is cheaper for a landlord?
FreeAgent can be free with a NatWest, RBS, Ulster or Mettle account. QuickBooks is paid for everyone, though it often runs introductory discounts. Always check current pricing.
Does FreeAgent handle property income?
Yes — FreeAgent offers a "FreeAgent for Landlords" setup that supports UK property income for MTD.
Is QuickBooks good for landlords?
It’s a capable platform with strong bank feeds, but it isn’t property-specific. Landlords usually set up classes or tags per property, which takes a little configuration.
Which do accountants prefer?
Both are widely used. Ask your accountant which they support before choosing.
Can I switch between them later?
Yes, but moving data mid-year is fiddly. Choose before your first MTD quarter where you can.
Written and reviewed by the LandlordTaxAi Editorial Team. Our guides are reviewed against current HMRC guidance and updated when the rules change. Operated by LandlordTaxAi, United Kingdom. Follow us on LinkedIn.
Last reviewed: 27 June 2026 · Researched against primary UK sources for the 2026/27 tax year: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/choose-the-right-software-for-making-tax-digital-for-income-tax; https://quickbooks.intuit.com/uk/making-tax-digital/; https://www.freeagent.com/blog/freeagent-landlords-mtd-ready/. This article is informational only and does not constitute tax advice. Check the latest details on GOV.UK or with a qualified accountant.