Pandle vs FreeAgent
Compare a permanent free bookkeeping plan with bank-funded accounting access.
Choose around your workflow.
Shortlist Pandle if you want a permanent free plan with manual bank imports, or a £5-per-month Pro upgrade for bank feeds and receipt uploads. Include FreeAgent if you qualify for a bank-funded licence or need its business-type-specific accounting and filing tools. Check the required workflows with your accountant before choosing; a free base fee does not make the two services equivalent.
Sources checked 13 October 2026| What to compare | Pandle | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Accounting | Accounting |
| Best-fit starting point | Small businesses comparing manual bookkeeping on a free plan with a low monthly fee for bank feeds and receipt uploads. | UK freelancers and small businesses wanting bookkeeping and relevant tax workflows together. |
| Free plan | Yes, with limits. Permanent free bookkeeping plan. The 14-day Pro trial is separate; after it ends, you can continue on the free version. | Conditional bank-funded access. Conditional free access through eligible NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle accounts; Mettle conditions apply. Not a universal free tier. |
| Pricing considerations | Pandle is free; Pandle Pro is £5 per month excluding VAT on rolling monthly billing. Pro adds bank feeds, receipt uploads, cash-flow forecasting and other features. | Paid subscriptions vary by business type and billing period. Eligible bank customers can get the core service free; optional add-ons remain chargeable. |
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| Next step | Visit Pandle ↗ | Visit FreeAgent ↗ |
Free does not mean the same thing
Pandle offers an ongoing free plan without a bank-account eligibility condition. Its Pro trial lasts 14 days. FreeAgent offers a 30-day trial, then either a paid subscription or bank-funded access through eligible NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank or Mettle accounts. Mettle requires at least one transaction a month, and optional add-ons can still be charged.
Imports, feeds and receipt handling
On Pandle Free, budget time for bank-file imports or manual entry; automated bank feeds and receipt uploads are Pro features. FreeAgent includes bank feeds and a standard Smart Capture allowance of ten receipts or bills per month. Its unlimited Smart Capture add-on costs £5 per month excluding VAT. Test the capture workflow with your own document types rather than comparing only the word “receipts”.
Compare the continuing cost
Twelve months of Pandle Pro at the checked £5 monthly price totals £60 excluding VAT. FreeAgent’s paid plans depend on business type and billing period; eligible bank-funded access can reduce the core licence to £0. Include optional capture tools, payment charges, migration and any bank costs separately. Use the price for the plan that supports your actual work.
Test the same work in both tools
- Import the same bank statement and reconcile an invoice payment.
- Attach a receipt and check what is included in the chosen plan.
- Confirm accountant access, exports and the filing tools for your business type.
How this comparison was researched
The official sources above cover the products’ capabilities and plan options. Features may require a particular paid tier; confirm the plan and region with the vendor.
Read the full methodology →