FreeAgent
FreeAgent is a comprehensive cloud accounting software designed specifically for small business owners and freelancers to manage invoices, expenses, and tax returns in one place.
Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll is an easy-to-use cloud-based software designed to help American small business owners run payroll accurately in minutes with guaranteed calculations and optional full-service tax filing support.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | FreeAgent | Patriot Payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Website | freeagent.com | patriotsoftware.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Free | $17/month |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2007 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh, UK | Canton, USA |
Overview
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is a powerful cloud accounting tool built to simplify the financial lives of freelancers and small business owners. You can manage every aspect of your business finances from a single dashboard, including professional invoicing, automated expense tracking, and real-time cash flow monitoring. It eliminates the stress of manual bookkeeping by connecting directly to your bank accounts and automatically categorizing your transactions.
You can also stay on top of your tax obligations with ease, as the software generates VAT returns and Self Assessment filings based on your data. Whether you are a sole trader or running a limited company, you get a clear view of your profitability and upcoming tax deadlines. It is designed to be accessible for non-accountants, giving you the confidence to manage your books without needing a finance degree.
Patriot Payroll
Patriot Payroll provides a straightforward way for you to manage your company's payroll without needing an accounting degree. You can choose between a basic plan where you handle your own tax deposits or a full-service option where the platform manages all federal, state, and local tax filings for you. The interface is designed for speed, allowing you to finish a standard payroll run in just three simple steps.
You can easily manage employee direct deposits, print checks, and handle various pay types like commissions and bonuses. The software also includes a free employee portal where your team can view their pay stubs and tax forms independently. It is built specifically for U.S. small businesses with 1 to 500 employees who need a reliable, no-frills solution that keeps them compliant with tax laws.
Overview
FreeAgent Features
- Smart Invoicing Create and send professional invoices in seconds and set up automated reminders to chase late payments for you.
- Expense Management Snap photos of your receipts with the mobile app to track your business spending and out-of-pocket expenses instantly.
- Bank Feeds Connect your bank account to automatically import transactions and see your real-time cash flow without manual entry.
- Project Management Track your time, log billable hours, and monitor project profitability to ensure every job stays within your budget.
- Tax Forecasting Get a real-time view of how much tax you owe and receive automatic alerts for upcoming filing deadlines.
- Mobile Accounting Manage your business finances on the go with native iOS and Android apps that sync across all your devices.
Patriot Payroll Features
- Three-Step Payroll. Run your entire payroll in just minutes by entering hours, reviewing the totals, and clicking submit.
- Full-Service Tax Filing. Let the experts handle your federal, state, and local payroll tax filings and deposits with a 100% accuracy guarantee.
- Employee Self-Service. Give your team 24/7 access to their own pay stubs, W-2s, and time-off balances through a secure online portal.
- Flexible Payment Options. Choose between free direct deposit or printing your own paper checks at no additional cost to your business.
- Time and Attendance Sync. Connect your payroll directly to integrated time tracking to eliminate manual data entry and reduce human errors.
- Multiple Pay Rates. Manage different pay rates and types for various roles or departments within your company from a single dashboard.
Pricing Comparison
FreeAgent Pricing
- Full feature access
- Free for NatWest/RBS/Ulster customers
- Unlimited users
- Unlimited clients and projects
- Self Assessment filing
- UK-based support
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Designed for non-VAT registered
- Self Assessment filing included
- Automated bank feeds
- Unlimited invoices and estimates
- Smart reporting tools
Patriot Payroll Pricing
- Setup wizard and free support
- Guaranteed accurate calculations
- Free direct deposit
- Print checks on your own
- Employee self-service portal
- Unlimited payroll runs
- Everything in Basic, plus:
- Federal tax filings and deposits
- State tax filings and deposits
- Local tax filings and deposits
- Year-end W-2 and W-3 processing
- Tax filing accuracy guarantee
Pros & Cons
FreeAgent
Pros
- Completely free for many UK business bank customers
- Very intuitive interface designed for non-accountants
- Excellent automated tax forecasting and filing features
- Highly rated UK-based customer support team
- Seamless mobile app for managing expenses on the go
Cons
- Limited inventory management for product-based businesses
- Pricing can be high for those without partner banks
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to Xero or QuickBooks
Patriot Payroll
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface that requires no training
- Highly responsive and knowledgeable US-based support
- Very affordable pricing compared to major competitors
- Quick and painless initial setup process
- Reliable and accurate tax calculations every time
Cons
- Limited advanced HR features for larger corporations
- No native mobile app for employers
- Integration options are fewer than enterprise platforms