Quick Comparison: Which Features Does Each Have?
| Feature | ByteLogic | Xero | FreeAgent | QuickBooks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bookkeeping | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Invoicing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-currency | Pro (coming soon) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank feeds / Open Banking | Pro (coming soon) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Time tracking | ✓ Free | ✗ Add-on | ✓ | ✗ |
| Payroll (payslips & P60s) | ✓ Free | £7/mo extra | ✓ Included | £4/mo extra |
| RTI to HMRC | Pro (coming soon) | £7/mo extra | ✓ | £4/mo extra |
| VAT MTD | Pro (coming soon) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CT600 Corporation Tax | Pro (coming soon) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Companies House iXBRL | Pro (coming soon) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Director's Loan tracking | ✓ | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual | ✗ |
| Dividend management | ✓ | ✗ Manual | ✗ Manual | ✗ |
| Pension auto-enrolment | ✓ Free | £7/mo extra | ✓ | £4/mo extra |
| P&L & Balance Sheet | ✓ Free | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Price (with payroll) | Free / £19/mo Pro | £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 is building the only affordable software that takes you from daily transactions all the way through to filed accounts at Companies House. The free tier already covers payroll, bookkeeping, reports, and more.
🏆 ByteLogic's Unique Value
- Free tier: Payroll with payslips & P60s, bookkeeping & reconciliation, P&L & Balance Sheet reports, dividend management, director's loan tracking, pension auto-enrolment, invoicing, time tracking, FPS XML export
- Pro tier (coming soon): Direct RTI submission, Open Banking, VAT MTD, CT600, Companies House iXBRL, multi-currency, unlimited employees/invoices
- Daily bookkeeping → VAT MTD → RTI Payroll → CT600 → Companies House — in ONE tool
- No accountant needed for routine filings
- Built specifically for UK limited companies
- Free tier includes payroll at no cost — no credit card required
- Pro: £19/month early adopter price (usually £29)
Pricing Breakdown
ByteLogic
Free: Payroll with payslips & P60s, bookkeeping & reconciliation, P&L & Balance Sheet reports, dividend management, director's loan tracking, pension auto-enrolment, invoicing (up to 10/month), time tracking, FPS XML export. Up to 5 employees and 5 clients. No credit card required.
Pro (coming soon): £19/mo (early adopter) / £29/mo (standard) — adds direct RTI submission to HMRC, Open Banking, VAT MTD, CT600 Corporation Tax, Companies House iXBRL, multi-currency, unlimited employees/invoices/users
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 (being discontinued)
- 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 is the most complete and affordable option. The generous free tier already covers payroll, bookkeeping, reports, and more.
Sign up free today — no credit card required. Get payroll, bookkeeping, reports, and more at no cost. When the Pro tier launches, you'll be ready to unlock direct HMRC submissions and more.
Try ByteLogic Free
Payroll with payslips & P60s, bookkeeping, P&L & Balance Sheet reports, dividend management, director's loan tracking, pension auto-enrolment, invoicing, and time tracking — all free. No credit card required. Direct HMRC integration coming in Pro.
Sign Up Free →