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FreeAgent vs Xero Payroll: UK Reviews & Prices Compared


Last Updated: 20 May 2025
Reviewed By: Ian Wright (Managing Director)

Which payroll software is better FreeAgent or Xero Payroll?

We compare them based on real user reviews, prices and what features they both offer.

FreeAgent homepageXero Payroll homepage

FreeAgent vs Xero Payroll Basics


FreeAgent
Xero Payroll
Software WebsiteFreeAgent WebsiteXero Payroll Website
Company NameFreeAgent Central LtdXero Inc
Target Company Size (Small, Medium and/or Enterprise)Small – MediumSmall – Medium
Industry FocusNoneNone

FreeAgent vs Xero Payroll Reviews

Wondering if FreeAgent or Xero Payroll has better user reviews. We compared them below.

FreeAgentXero Payroll
Listed On HMRC WebsiteYesYes
Trustpilot Rating4.64.2
Number of Trustpilot Reviews21375831
iPhone App Rating4.84.6
Number of iPhone Reviews94001800
Android App Rating4.74.5
Number of Android Reviews11007880
Please note ratings we’re accurate at the time of writing but may have since changed

FreeAgent vs Xero Payroll Prices

Which is cheaper FreeAgent or Xero Payroll? Here are their prices compared.

FreeAgent pricingXero Payroll pricing

Free Plans & Trials

FreeAgentXero Payroll
Listed As Having Free Plan By HMRC?NoNo
Free Plan?NoNo
Free Trial?YesYes
Free Trial Length?30 days30 days
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

Paid Plan Prices

FreeAgentXero Payroll
Cheapest Plan Cost Per Month£9.50£7.50
Mid-Tier Plan Cost Per Month£12.00£15.00
Top Plan Cost Per Month£14.50£27.50
Data taken from each company’s website at the time of writing but may have since changed.

FreeAgent vs Xero Payroll Features

FreeAgent featuresXero Payroll features

FreeAgent Basic Features

  • Dashboard – See the big picture for your business at a glance with cashflow, profit and loss, invoice timelines and more.
  • Business Insights with Radar – Get intelligent insights, tailored trend-spotting and personalised tips all in one place.
  • Estimates – Win more work with professional estimate templates ready to be converted to invoices.
  • Invoicing – Get paid faster with easy invoicing tools. Send customised invoices, reminders and thank-you emails.
  • Expenses – Track business costs quickly and easily. Snap receipts and record out-of-pocket expenses on the go.
  • Projects – Keep tabs on your project income, expenses and profitability – all in one place.
  • Time Tracking – Track the time you spend on projects, add this to invoices and generate timesheet reports.
  • Payroll – Run monthly payroll and file auto-calculated PAYE and National Insurance directly to HMRC.
  • Banking – Set up a bank feed and let all of your transactions flow into FreeAgent automatically.
  • VAT filing – Generate MTD-compliant VAT returns automatically and file them directly to HMRC in minutes.
  • Self Assessment – Get a real-time view of how much you owe for your tax return and file it directly to HMRC.

FreeAgent Software Integrations

  • IRIS
  • BTCSoftware
  • HMRC
  • GoSimpleTax
  • TaxCalc
  • Staffology
  • BrightPay

Xero Payroll Basic Features

  • Send invoices and quotes
  • Enter bills
  • Reconcile bank transactions
  • Submit VAT returns to HMRC
  • Capture bills and receipts with Hubdoc
  • Automatic CIS calculations and reports
  • Short-term cash flow and business snapshot
  • Payroll
  • Claim expenses
  • Track projects
  • Analytics Plus
  • Submit CIS returns

Xero Payroll Software Integrations

  • BlueHub
  • LimeCloud
  • Outserve

Common Feature Comparison

FreeAgentXero Payroll
Unlimited PayrollsNoNo
Automated Tax Filing and PaymentsYesYes
Live Customer SupportNoYes
Ability To Manage Employee BenefitsNoYes
Employee Access To PlatformNoYes
Direct DepositNoYes
Expense ReimbursementYesYes
Time Off TrackingYesYes
Handle Deductions From PayNoYes
Debt Repayment From PayNoNo
Employee Background ChecksNoNo
Has An APIYesYes
Create PayslipYesNo
Create P45NoNo
Create P60YesNo
Pay For Salaried EmployeesYesYes
Pay For Hourly EmployeesYesYes
Bonus / Incentive PayNoNo
Pension FilingNoYes
Statutory Payments (E.g. Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, etc.)YesNo
Direct HMRC SubmissionsYesYes
RTI CompliantYesNo

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