FreeAgent vs 15Five

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.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

15Five

15Five is a continuous performance management platform focused on weekly check-ins, OKRs, and employee engagement. It helps managers stay connected with their teams through structured feedback and recognition tools. 15Five is popular with remote and distributed teams that need async communication tools.

Paid pricing · Get Pricing →

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

• ✓Simple and intuitive weekly check-in format that drives adoption
• ✓Strong OKR and goal-setting tools
• ✓Excellent manager training and coaching resources
• ✓Good engagement survey tools with benchmarking

Cons

• ✗Limited HR functionality beyond performance and engagement
• ✗No payroll or benefits administration
• ✗Reporting could be more advanced for data-driven HR teams

Best For

UK freelancers and contractors wanting simple accounting with strong Self Assessment and VAT tools

Best For

Companies focused on employee engagement and performance