FreeAgent - Accounting software

Rose1988

Has anyone had experience with FreeAgent?

I am looking at Quickbooks online and FreeAgent and wanted to know if anyone can share their experience?

Thanks in advance

davel_2

I tried most alternatives and found Freeagent does exactly what I need and find it simple to use. Also their support is very good.

It really depends on what you want from your accounting software.

They have a months free trial, so you can try before you buy.

If you want to PM me I'll give you my referral link (You save, I save!)

Rose1988

Thanks Dave! I'll re read the features on both and may take you up on that offer!!!

TheTracker

Free agent is wonderful, it's worth a trial.

misswiggles

all too confusing for me, I'm keeping to spreadsheets myself

novelty-socks

FreeAgent is meant to be very good, particularly if you're self-employed / run a one-person business. Personally I use QuickBooks Online (which is pretty good), but it does depend what features you need.

paddyrg

How does Free Agent compare with Crunch? I'm inclined to try Crunch as you also get an accountant, so full service annual returns, etc., but people seem keen on Free Agent so thought I'd see why people choose it instead?

Pennywise

paddyrg wrote: »

How does Free Agent compare with Crunch? I'm inclined to try Crunch as you also get an accountant, so full service annual returns, etc., but people seem keen on Free Agent so thought I'd see why people choose it instead?

With Crunch or other similar products, you're tied in with it and would need to change systems if you wanted more from your accountant. You're also locked in if you want to retain access to prior year data. If you wanted to change accountants, you'd have to re-enter your data.

Freeagent is a system used by hundreds of different firms of accountants, so if you're not happy with your accountant or they don't offer the services you need, you can easily swap accountants without having to ditch your old data and re-enter onto a new system.

From what I've seen of both systems, Freeagent is far superior and does a lot more, and is easier for the novice to use the more advanced features.

JonathanFord

I'm an accountant and, about 3 years ago, I had the job of looking at all the cloud based accounting packages available. I spent a lot of time reviewing the alternatives and chose Xero as the best by some margin. Freeagent was second - but by some degree.

I haven't used the package supplied by Crunch but I would be surprised if it was as good as Xero or Freeagent. As I understand it is something they have developed in house. Xero spend millions each year on product development so I struggle to see how it can compete.

Also, I'd be wary of choosing a package simply because it has accountancy services included. I'd recommend choosing an accountant that is right for you and your business.

Many firms of accountants (ourselves included) now offer accounting software bundled in as part of their package. I think that could give you the best of both worlds. Your choice of accountant - and the best software. It may cost you a little more to do that but it might me a price worth paying to get the best of both worlds.

WHA

Crunch don't seem to be regulated by one of the chartered accountancy bodies and aren't particularly cheap either.

You'll find a qualified chartered accountancy firm for similar or lower cost with a free agent subscription included as part of their package.

paddyrg

Not feeling a lot of love for Crunch, glad I asked!

I'll take a look at xero as well, although for what is a very simple business with a few high-ticket invoices a year, if I'm keeping my accountant anyway, I may just stay with Excel which had worked fine for years - just wondered if I was missing out anywhere with all the new ways!

Many thanks