FreeAgent
Patriot Software
| Feature | FreeAgent | Patriot Software |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $14/mo | From $17/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✗ No |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Best For | uk-freelancers, sole-traders, small-businesses, contractors | us-small-businesses, startups, solopreneurs, small-employers |
| Founded | 2007 | 2002 |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expenses | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tax Returns | ✓ | ✗ |
| Bank Reconciliation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Time Tracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Project Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accounting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Payroll | ✗ | ✓ |
| Financial Reports | ✗ | ✓ |
| Direct Deposit | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ FreeAgent Pros
- Great for UK businesses
- HMRC compliant
- Easy invoicing
- Bank feeds
✗ FreeAgent Cons
- UK-focused
- Limited for larger businesses
- No inventory management
✓ Patriot Software Pros
- Very affordable pricing
- US-based phone support
- Easy to use interface
- Combined accounting and payroll
✗ Patriot Software Cons
- US-only
- Limited integrations
- Basic reporting compared to competitors
The Verdict
FreeAgent is built for uk freelancers and sole traders, with a focus on invoicing and expenses. Patriot Software targets us small businesses and startups and leads with accounting and payroll.
Pricing is close: FreeAgent starts at $14/mo versus $17/mo for Patriot Software — not a deciding factor on its own.
Neither tool offers a free plan, so factor the subscription cost into your decision from the start.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.