FreeAgent vs Close
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Close is our recommended pick for most teams — inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Try Close →Read our full Close review →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.
Close
Close is a CRM built specifically for inside sales teams that do high-volume outreach via phone, email, and SMS. It has built-in calling, emailing, and SMS so sales reps can reach out to prospects without switching tools. Close is designed to maximize sales productivity for teams that rely on outbound sales.
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
- ✓Best-in-class built-in calling and email sequencing
- ✓Designed specifically for high-volume inside sales teams
- ✓Strong reporting on sales activity and performance
- ✓Fast and efficient interface for power users
Cons
- ✗Expensive compared to general-purpose CRMs
- ✗Overkill for teams that do low-volume or inbound-only sales
- ✗Limited marketing automation features
FreeAgent vs Close: Side by Side
| Factor | FreeAgent | Close |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $12/mo | $49/user/mo |
| Best For | UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools | Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing |
| Our Pick | — | 🏆 Recommended |
FreeAgent Features
- ✓Invoicing
- ✓expense management
- ✓bank feeds
- ✓time tracking
- ✓project management
- ✓self-assessment tax returns
- ✓VAT returns
- ✓payroll
- ✓financial reporting
- ✓mobile app
Close Features
- ✓Built-in calling
- ✓email sequences
- ✓SMS
- ✓lead management
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓reporting
- ✓workflow automation
- ✓power dialer
Pricing Comparison
Close
PaidStarts at $49/user/mo
Free: $0 · Starter: $49/user/mo · Basic: $99/user/mo · Professional: $149/user/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
Close
- →Inside sales teams making high volumes of calls
- →SaaS companies with outbound sales motions
- →Startups wanting CRM with built-in calling and email
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Close is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Field sales teams needing mobile-first tools
- ✗Companies needing complex territory management
- ✗Businesses without a dedicated sales team
Integrations
Close
Zapier, Slack, Zoom, Gmail, Outlook, HubSpot, Salesforce, Twilio
Our Take
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Best For
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Best For
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing
Also Consider
If neither FreeAgent nor Close 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 Close?
FreeAgent is best for uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Close is best for inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
Which is better, FreeAgent or Close?
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose Close if inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing.
How much does FreeAgent cost?
FreeAgent starts at $12/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Close cost?
Close starts at $49/user/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
Who should use FreeAgent?
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Who should use Close?
Inside sales teams doing high-volume outbound calling and emailing