FreeAgent vs Manatal
A head-to-head comparison to help you pick the right tool
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Manatal is our recommended pick for most teams — recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Try Manatal →Read our full Manatal 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.
Manatal
Manatal is an AI-powered applicant tracking system designed for recruitment agencies and corporate HR teams. It offers one of the most affordable price points in the ATS market while including advanced AI features like candidate scoring, enrichment from LinkedIn and social profiles, and automated recommendations. Manatal is popular in Southeast Asia and with global recruiting agencies.
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 affordable ATS tools with genuine AI features
- ✓AI candidate scoring and profile enrichment save significant research time
- ✓Simple to set up and use
- ✓Good for recruitment agencies managing multiple clients
Cons
- ✗Less established in Western markets compared to Greenhouse or Lever
- ✗Some advanced features limited to higher tiers
- ✗Customer support response times can vary
- ✗Limited employer branding customization
FreeAgent vs Manatal: Side by Side
| Factor | FreeAgent | Manatal |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | N/A | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Category | Accounting Software | Applicant Tracking |
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting Price | $12/mo | $15/user/mo |
| Best For | UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools | Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price |
| 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
Manatal Features
- ✓AI candidate scoring
- ✓social profile enrichment
- ✓pipeline management
- ✓job posting
- ✓collaboration tools
- ✓career page
- ✓analytics
- ✓mobile app
- ✓integrations
Pricing Comparison
Best Use Cases
Manatal
- →Recruiting agencies managing multiple client pipelines
- →HR teams wanting AI-powered candidate scoring
- →Companies sourcing candidates from LinkedIn at scale
Who Should NOT Use These Tools
Manatal is NOT ideal for:
- ✗Companies needing full HRIS beyond recruiting
- ✗Small businesses with occasional hiring needs
- ✗Teams wanting a free ATS option
Integrations
Manatal
LinkedIn, Gmail, Outlook, Slack, Zapier, Google Calendar, Zoom, Teams
Our Take
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Best For
UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools
Best For
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price
Also Consider
If neither FreeAgent nor Manatal 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 Manatal?
FreeAgent is best for uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Manatal is best for recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
Which is better, FreeAgent or Manatal?
Choose FreeAgent if uk freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong self assessment and vat tools. Choose Manatal if recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting ai-powered ats at an affordable price.
How much does FreeAgent cost?
FreeAgent starts at $12/mo. Pricing model: Paid.
How much does Manatal cost?
Manatal starts at $15/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 Manatal?
Recruitment agencies and budget-conscious companies wanting AI-powered ATS at an affordable price