FreeAgent vs Ashby
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
FreeAgent
FreeAgent is a cloud accounting platform designed specifically for freelancers, contractors, and small businesses in the UK. It offers automatic bank feeds, invoicing, expense management, and self-assessment tax return preparation. FreeAgent is particularly popular with UK freelancers and contractors for its excellent handling of UK tax requirements including Self Assessment and VAT returns.
Ashby
Ashby is a modern all-in-one recruiting platform built for high-growth companies. It combines ATS, CRM, scheduling, and analytics in a single tool, eliminating the need for multiple recruiting tools. Ashby is loved by tech startups and scale-ups for its powerful analytics and modern interface that helps recruiting teams make data-driven hiring decisions.
Pros
- ✓Excellent UK tax compliance including Self Assessment and VAT returns
- ✓Designed specifically for freelancers and contractors
- ✓Clean and easy to use interface
- ✓Automatic bank feeds save significant time
Cons
- ✗Primarily suited for UK market — limited value for non-UK businesses
- ✗Less feature-rich than QuickBooks for complex business needs
- ✗Smaller integration ecosystem than larger competitors
- ✗Not suitable for larger businesses with complex accounting needs
Pros
- ✓All-in-one platform eliminates need for separate recruiting CRM and scheduling tools
- ✓Exceptional analytics — best-in-class reporting for recruiting teams
- ✓Modern and fast interface loved by recruiting ops teams
- ✓Strong integrations with developer tools
Cons
- ✗Expensive — pricing requires custom quote and targets growth-stage companies
- ✗Overkill for small teams making fewer than 20 hires per year
- ✗Requires dedicated recruiting ops resources to get full value
- ✗Less widely known than Greenhouse or Lever
FreeAgent vs Ashby: Side by Side
| Factor | FreeAgent | Ashby |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Accounting Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $12/mo | Custom pricing |
| Best For | UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools | High-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics |
| Our Pick | — | — |
FreeAgent Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓expense management
- ✓bank feeds
- ✓time tracking
- ✓project management
- ✓self-assessment tax returns
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓mobile app
Ashby Features
- ✓ATS
- ✓CRM
- ✓interview scheduling
- ✓analytics and reporting
- ✓job posting
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓automation
- ✓integrations
- ✓career page
Pricing Comparison
Our Take
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose Ashby if high-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics.
Best For
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Best For
High-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics
Also Consider
If neither FreeAgent nor Ashby is the right fit, Dext is worth evaluating.
Dext
Bookkeepers, accountants, and businesses with high receipt volumes wanting to eliminate manual data entry
From $15/mo
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between FreeAgent and Ashby?
FreeAgent is best for uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Ashby is best for high-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics.
Which is better, FreeAgent or Ashby?
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose Ashby if high-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics.
How much does FreeAgent cost?
FreeAgent starts at $12/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Ashby cost?
Ashby starts at Custom pricing. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use FreeAgent?
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Who should use Ashby?
High-growth tech companies wanting an all-in-one recruiting platform with exceptional analytics