Check the account you already have before buying MTD software.
Several business accounts now include MTD or accounting tools. The cheapest route can therefore depend on your existing bank before you compare a single software subscription.
| Account route | Software cost | What you get | Main condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tide Free + MTD | £0 software / £0 monthly free-account fee | MTD Income Tax records and submissions; another bank can be connected | Transaction and ATM fees can apply; VAT requires another route |
| Starling + Accounting Essentials | £0 software subscription | Bookkeeping and MTD Income Tax quarterly submissions | Provider page checked still says end-of-year declarations are coming soon; VAT is paid |
| Monzo Business Lite + MTD | £0 software / £0 Lite monthly fee | MTD Income Tax tools powered by Sage | No VAT filing or accountant collaboration in the free route |
| Mettle + FreeAgent | £0 FreeAgent subscription | Full FreeAgent accounting, MTD Income Tax and VAT | At least one Mettle transaction a month is required to retain free FreeAgent |
| NatWest / RBS / Ulster Bank + FreeAgent | £0 FreeAgent subscription for eligible customers | Full FreeAgent accounting, MTD Income Tax and VAT | Only relevant if the business account itself is eligible; bank fees are separate |
| ANNA Free + MTD | £0 ANNA plan | MTD Income Tax filing; another UK bank can be connected | Usage charges can apply and Auto Accountant is separate |
The finder now asks which bank you already use
This is deliberate. If you already use Mettle, for example, FreeAgent can be materially different from its normal standalone price. If you say you will not open another account, the finder removes bank-required routes that do not match your current account rather than pushing you towards a referral.
Why £0 does not automatically win
A zero-subscription account route may still carry transaction charges, product limitations or a need for separate VAT software. We compare those conditions with standalone software rather than treating the headline price as the whole answer.
Commercial links remain off for launch
Bank and payment-account promotions need particular care. Provider facts can be published now, but paid links will only be activated after the relevant affiliate programme confirms the permitted wording.
Provider pages checked 22nd September 2026.