Quick Comparison: Which Features Does Each Have?
| Feature | ByteLogic (Apr 2026) | Xero | FreeAgent | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-currency | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank feeds / Open Banking | Coming Apr 2026 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Time tracking | ✓ Included | ✗ Add-on | ✓ | ✗ |
| Payroll | ✓ Included | £7/mo extra | ✓ Included | £4/mo extra |
| RTI to HMRC | Coming Apr 2026 | £7/mo extra | ✓ | £4/mo extra |
| VAT MTD | Coming Apr 2026 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CT600 Corporation Tax | ✓ Coming Apr 2026 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Companies House iXBRL | ✓ Coming Apr 2026 | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Director's Loan tracking | ✓ | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual | ✗ |
| Dividend management | ✓ | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual | ✗ |
| Price (with payroll) | £19-29/mo | £49+/mo | £34/mo | £39+/mo |
The Key Difference: CT600 and Companies House
Here's what most people don't realise: Xero, FreeAgent, and QuickBooks don't file your Corporation Tax or Companies House accounts. They only do the bookkeeping. You still need to pay an accountant £500-2000/year to file your actual company accounts.
ByteLogic (from April 2026) will be the only affordable software that takes you from daily transactions all the way through to filed accounts at Companies House.
🏆 ByteLogic's Unique Value (Coming April 2026)
- Daily bookkeeping → VAT MTD → RTI Payroll → CT600 → Companies House — in ONE tool
- No accountant needed for routine filings
- Built specifically for UK limited companies
- Includes payroll at no extra cost
- Director's Loan and dividend tracking built-in
- One price, everything included: £19-29/month
Pricing Breakdown
ByteLogic
Free Beta (Now): Time tracking, invoicing, payroll calculations, FPS XML export
Pro (April 2026): £19/mo (intro) / £29/mo (standard) — includes EVERYTHING
No add-ons, no hidden costs, no per-employee charges.
Xero
Starter: £15/mo — 20 invoices/month, no payroll
Standard: £30/mo — unlimited invoices, still no payroll
Payroll add-on: £7/mo extra
Total for Ltd company with payroll: ~£37-50/mo, then still need accountant for CT600
FreeAgent
Standard: £34/mo — includes payroll and RTI
Good all-rounder, but no CT600 or Companies House filing.
QuickBooks
Simple Start: £12/mo — no payroll
Essentials: £22/mo — still no payroll
Payroll add-on: £4/mo extra + £4/employee
Can get expensive with multiple employees.
Who Should Use What?
Use ByteLogic if...
- You're a UK limited company director managing your own accounts
- You want ONE tool for bookkeeping, payroll, VAT, CT600, AND Companies House
- You're fed up paying accountants for routine filings
- You're currently using IRIS Payroll Basics discontinued after April 2026)
- You want the cheapest all-in-one option
Use Xero if...
- You work with an accountant who uses Xero
- You need extensive integrations with other apps
- You have complex multi-entity or international operations
- You're happy paying extra for payroll and using an accountant for CT600
Use FreeAgent if...
- You want a polished, established UK product
- You're a contractor or small Ltd company
- You're happy using an accountant for CT600 and Companies House
- Your bank offers FreeAgent free (NatWest, RBS, etc.)
The Bottom Line
If you're a UK limited company director who wants to do everything yourself — from bookkeeping through to Companies House annual accounts — ByteLogic (from April 2026) will be the most complete and affordable option.
Try the free beta today to get familiar with time tracking, invoicing, and payroll calculations. When the Pro tier launches in April 2026, you'll be ready to go.
Try ByteLogic Free Beta
Time tracking, invoicing, and payroll calculations available now. Full HMRC integration coming April 2026.
Start Free →