Sleepless Tradesman vs FreeAgent
An honest side-by-side comparison — features, pricing, and who each platform suits best. These two tools solve very different problems, and we'll be upfront about that.
Quick answer: FreeAgent is UK accounting software (tax returns, MTD VAT, payroll); Sleepless Tradesman is a trade management app (quoting, jobs, scheduling, leads). They solve different problems — many UK tradespeople use both.
- ✓Running the day-to-day trade business — quoting, scheduling, job management
- ✓Finding new UK homeowner leads via the directory
- ✓AI-assisted remote quoting
- ✓Free plan with no accounting background needed
- ·Full UK accounting, bookkeeping, and HMRC submissions
- ·MTD VAT filing and self-assessment tax return preparation
- ·Sole traders and limited companies who need proper P&L reporting
- ·Payroll (PAYE) if you employ staff
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Sleepless Tradesman | FreeAgent |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Free tier + Pro plan | £19/mo sole trader, £29/mo Ltd |
| Free forever plan | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (free only with NatWest/RBS account) |
| AI-powered quoting | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Homeowner marketplace (UK) | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Job scheduling | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Built-in invoicing | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Full double-entry accounting | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| MTD VAT filing | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Self-assessment tax return | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| CIS deduction tracking | ✅ Invoicing only | ✅ Yes (with CIS module) |
Information accurate to July 2026. FreeAgent pricing may vary — check their website for current rates.
Pricing: Different Tools, Different Value
FreeAgent is £19/month for sole traders — primarily an accounting tool built for UK tax compliance. It's actually free if you bank with NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, or Ulster Bank. Sleepless Tradesman is free to start and covers the job-side of your business: quoting, scheduling, invoicing, and homeowner leads.
Many UK tradespeople use both: FreeAgent for tax and accounts, Sleepless Tradesman for the trade workflow. They're not really head-to-head competitors — they solve different problems. FreeAgent is Edinburgh-based and owned by NatWest Group, with deep HMRC integration built for UK sole traders and small limited companies. Sleepless Tradesman is built specifically for UK tradespeople who need quoting, scheduling, and lead generation — the accounting side FreeAgent handles sits outside its scope.
Common Questions
Are Sleepless Tradesman and FreeAgent competitors?
Not directly. FreeAgent is accounting software; Sleepless Tradesman is a trade management app. FreeAgent handles your tax, bookkeeping, and HMRC submissions. Sleepless Tradesman handles your quotes, job cards, scheduling, and homeowner leads. Many UK tradespeople use both — they complement each other rather than compete.
Can FreeAgent replace Sleepless Tradesman?
No. FreeAgent can't send a quote, manage a job, schedule a callout, or bring you new customers. It's designed for accounting and tax compliance. Sleepless Tradesman handles the trade workflow that FreeAgent doesn't touch.
Can Sleepless Tradesman replace FreeAgent?
Sleepless Tradesman handles invoicing, but it's not a full accounting package. It won't file your MTD VAT return, prepare your self-assessment, or run payroll. If you need full HMRC-compliant accounting, FreeAgent (or a similar tool like QuickBooks or Xero) remains the right choice alongside Sleepless Tradesman.
Is FreeAgent free?
FreeAgent is free if you have a NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, or Ulster Bank business bank account. Otherwise it's £19/month for sole traders or £29/month for limited companies. Sleepless Tradesman has a free tier that doesn't require a specific bank account.
Does FreeAgent handle CIS?
Yes, FreeAgent has a CIS module for tracking subcontractor deductions, filing monthly CIS returns, and reconciling CIS payments on your self-assessment. Sleepless Tradesman supports CIS-compliant invoice formatting but doesn't file CIS returns to HMRC — that's where FreeAgent (or an accountant) adds value.
Try Sleepless Tradesman Free
No monthly fee to get started. AI quoting, homeowner leads, and built-in invoicing — all in one app for UK tradespeople.