FreeAgent vs EngageBay
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
EngageBay is our recommended pick for most teams — budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Try EngageBay →Read our full EngageBay 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.
EngageBay
EngageBay is an all-in-one marketing, sales, and customer support platform designed for small and mid-size businesses. It offers a free plan that includes CRM, email marketing, live chat, and helpdesk tools — making it one of the most generous free plans in the market. EngageBay is positioned as an affordable alternative to HubSpot.
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
- ✓One of the most generous free plans available — includes CRM, marketing, and support tools
- ✓Affordable paid plans compared to HubSpot
- ✓All-in-one platform reduces the need for multiple subscriptions
- ✓Good automation features
Cons
- ✗Less brand recognition and fewer integrations than HubSpot
- ✗Interface can feel cluttered with so many features
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
FreeAgent vs EngageBay: Side by Side
| Factor | FreeAgent | EngageBay |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.3/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | CRM Software |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $12/mo | Free |
| Best For | UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools | Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan |
| 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
EngageBay Features
- ✓CRM
- ✓email marketing
- ✓marketing automation
- ✓live chat
- ✓helpdesk
- ✓landing pages
- ✓appointment scheduling
- ✓reporting
Pricing Comparison
EngageBay
FreemiumFree to start
Free: $0 · Basic: $12/mo · Growth: $24.99/mo · Pro: $49.99/mo
See full pricing →Best Use Cases
EngageBay
- →Small businesses wanting all-in-one CRM and marketing
- →Startups replacing multiple tools with one platform
- →Companies migrating away from expensive HubSpot plans
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
EngageBay is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Large enterprises needing advanced customization
- ✗Teams requiring sophisticated marketing attribution
- ✗Businesses needing dedicated enterprise support
Integrations
EngageBay
Zapier, Gmail, Outlook, Stripe, SendGrid, Mailgun, Twilio, Xero
Our Take
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Best For
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Best For
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan
Also Consider
If neither FreeAgent nor EngageBay 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 EngageBay?
FreeAgent is best for uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. EngageBay is best for budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
Which is better, FreeAgent or EngageBay?
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose EngageBay if budget-conscious smbs wanting a hubspot alternative with a strong free plan.
How much does FreeAgent cost?
FreeAgent starts at $12/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does EngageBay cost?
EngageBay starts at Free. Pricing model: Freemium.
Who should use FreeAgent?
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Who should use EngageBay?
Budget-conscious SMBs wanting a HubSpot alternative with a strong free plan