Free Making Tax Digital software: what is really free

Free options we checked

In our 24 October 2026 snapshot, HMRC's software finder marked 37 of 163 recognised products as having a free version. HMRC does not say what the free version includes. These are the free options we read on the vendors' own pages:

• Clear Books Free: Sole Trader Free; Property Free (one property or grouped properties); Foreign Property Free (one overseas property). Each includes MTD quarterly updates and year-end filing. No bank feeds, receipt scanning or invoicing. Checked 26 October 2026.
• Coconut: Free for 2 years if you open a Zempler bank account through Coconut (offer terms apply). Checked 26 October 2026.
• FreeAgent for free with Mettle, NatWest & RBS: Free while you keep a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland or Ulster Bank business current account, or a Mettle account with at least one transaction a month. Optional add-ons may cost extra. Checked 26 October 2026.
• Landlord Studio: MTD Go: free for up to 3 units, plus £5 for each MTD submission. Confirm the chargeable submission count for your income sources and any amendments before choosing. HMRC's listing shows this product sends quarterly updates only, not the tax return. Checked 26 October 2026.
• Pandle: Pandle Free includes MTD IT submissions, according to Pandle's feature table. Bank feeds and receipt uploads need Pro. Checked 26 October 2026.
• Sage Sole Trader & Landlord Free: Completely free. Includes MTD, 1 bank account, manual receipts, the mobile app and 5 sales invoices a month. Checked 26 October 2026.
• Tide Accounting: Tide says its MTD for Income Tax features are built into its free business bank account, including quarterly updates and the final declaration. Tide Accounting is an optional paid add-on with a 1-month free trial; we have not recorded its price. HMRC's listing shows this product sends quarterly updates only, not the tax return. Checked 26 October 2026.
• Zoho: Free plan (£0), for 1 user plus 1 accountant. The expanded MTD for Income Tax panel lists quarterly updates and the final tax return. Confirm your particular tax-return items and usage limits with Zoho. Checked 26 October 2026.

Before you choose, check two things: that the free plan covers every income source you have, and that it submits your tax return as well as your quarterly updates. A vendor can change or end a free plan at any time.

See all products HMRC lists with a free version.