FreeAgent vs When I Work

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 →

When I Work

When I Work is an employee scheduling and time tracking platform designed for hourly and shift-based teams. It makes it easy for managers to build schedules, communicate with staff, and track attendance. When I Work is one of the most affordable scheduling tools on the market.

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

• ✓Very affordable pricing starting at just a few dollars per user
• ✓Easy-to-use scheduling with drag-and-drop interface
• ✓Good team messaging and shift swap tools
• ✓Simple time clock with GPS tracking

Cons

• ✗Limited features beyond scheduling and time tracking
• ✗No payroll processing or full HR suite
• ✗Reporting is basic compared to more comprehensive workforce tools

Best For

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

Best For

Small businesses with hourly or shift-based workers