Sage vs FreeAgent for sole traders: compare retained UK costs

Start with the correct business type and plan

The checked Sage UK page lists a regular Start base of £20/month excluding VAT. FreeAgent’s sole-trader schedule lists £19/month excluding VAT before any eligible offer or bank-funded arrangement.

These are dated base references from 20 October 2026. FreeAgent prices by business type, so its limited-company figure should not be substituted into a sole-trader comparison. Sage’s wider packages should likewise be assessed when the required scope exceeds Start.

Compare twelve regular monthly payments

A £12 annual base difference is too small to resolve a missing workflow, unsuitable access arrangement or costly manual handover. Compare the work the business actually needs before treating the lowest line as the final decision.

Separate funded access from a permanent free price

FreeAgent lists eligible bank-funded access with conditions. Record the relevant business account, eligibility and what happens if the account or qualifying activity changes. The same person may face a funded route today and a paid route later.

For a fictional sole trader, make two budgets: one using the confirmed funded entitlement and one using the retained paid subscription. Keep bank charges and accounting extras separate. Do not describe conditional funding as a universal offer to every sole trader.

Check the bookkeeping and adviser workflow

Prepare a synthetic customer invoice, supplier expense and correction. Ask the bookkeeper to demonstrate the required bank reconciliation, reports and handover on the plan that will remain after the trial.

For FreeAgent, confirm the chosen accounting basis and its feature consequences; its pricing notes distinguish cash-basis scope. For Sage, confirm whether any needed payroll or wider accounting capability requires another package. Verify the business’s filing requirements with its accountant rather than inferring compliance from a price alone.

Choose using a retained quote

Record the package, users, billing owner, promotions, funded conditions and recurring extras. Review the position before an offer ends or the business changes structure.

Use the FreeAgent pricing guide, Sage plan guide and the FreeAgent and Sage profiles for the wider shortlist.

Frequently asked questions