Finance & accounting

Should you build your own FreeAgent?

UK accounting, invoicing, expenses, banking, payroll, and tax filing

Worth subscribing · the value goes beyond code
Price Not listedEstimated time not a true replacement; consolation build in one to two daysCategory Finance & accountingCatalog votes 0

Do not mistake the interface for the product. FreeAgent's durable value is banking, compliance, trust, which a solo one-shot build cannot reproduce responsibly. The prompt therefore builds only the closest honest personal consolation tool.

ENOriginal research content in English. Original prompt preserved in English.

The complete prompt
Build the closest honest consolation tool inspired by FreeAgent; do not claim to replace its structural moat.
Use exactly this stack: Next.js 15 + TypeScript + SQLite.
Primary job: Build a private small-business accounting ledger that imports user-supplied CSV files, categorizes entries, reconciles balances, and exports reports.
Start from an empty folder and create the complete working project.
Make the default mode single-user and private.
Store user data locally unless the core job requires the declared self-hosted database.
Do not add analytics, telemetry, ads, or third-party accounts.
Put every secret and external credential in .env and provide .env.example.
Use realistic sample data that is clearly labelled and easy to delete.
Implement the smallest polished interface that completes the core loop end to end.
Include clear empty, loading, validation, success, and failure states.
Add import and export so the user is not trapped in the app.
Use accessible keyboard navigation, labels, focus states, and sensible contrast.
Validate untrusted input and never log secrets or private file contents.
Deliberately exclude these paid-product advantages: bank, payment, tax, and reconciliation integrations; live bank feeds and payment rails; tax and accounting rule updates.
Do not fake integrations, network effects, proprietary data, model quality, compliance, or security claims.
Where an external API is optional, keep the app useful without it and explain the degraded mode.
Write focused unit tests for the data model and the most important workflow.
Add one end-to-end smoke test that proves the core loop works.
Create a README with setup, permissions, architecture, data location, backup, and limitations.
Add scripts for install, development, test, build, and a production-style local run.
Run the tests and build before finishing, then fix errors rather than merely describing them.

The prompt opens pre-filled in your agent. Review it before running. · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR

Original prompt preserved in English.

What would building your own look like?

Build a private small-business accounting ledger that imports user-supplied CSV files, categorizes entries, reconciles balances, and exports reports.

What you will need

Why paying can still make sense

FreeAgent: People pay because errors touch real money. Bank connections, reconciliation, tax changes, evidence, security, and support are the product.

What you lose

xbank, payment, tax, and reconciliation integrations

xlive bank feeds and payment rails

xtax and accounting rule updates

xaudited security and recovery

xmulti-user controls and accountant workflows

prior art · use these instead of building, if you’d ratherActual BudgetLocal-first open-source personal finance and envelope budgeting.↗Invoice NinjaOpen-source invoicing, payments, and client management.↗
Share on X ↗"I just replaced FreeAgent with one prompt"
Plans and pricing

How much does FreeAgent cost?

In your currency · US DollarChecked on 07/31/2026 · Price not confirmed in the last check

No public price. Check the official site.

Buy on the official site

You complete the purchase on FreeAgent’s site. Vibe Radar does not handle payments.

PlanMonthlyAnnual (per month)What is included
free with qualifying bank account$0/workspace$0/workspaceFull FreeAgent account while a qualifying NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, or Ulster Bank NI business current account is retained, or while a Mettle account records at least 1 transaction each month
limited company$44.38/workspace$36.99/workspaceUK limited-company accounting, invoicing, expenses, banking, payroll, corporation tax, and VAT; 10 Smart Capture items/month
partnership / llp$36.31/workspace$30.26/workspacePartnership/LLP accounting and tax workflows; 10 Smart Capture items/month
sole trader$25.55/workspace$21.30/workspaceSole-trader accounting and Self Assessment; 10 Smart Capture items/month
landlord$13.45/workspace$11.21/workspaceProperty income and expense tracking plus Self Assessment; 10 Smart Capture items/month

Free tierFull account only with a qualifying NatWest/RBS/Ulster Bank NI business account, or a Mettle account with at least 1 transaction every month; otherwise no permanent free tier

Billing termsmonthly + annual; 30-day trial; conditional bank-linked free access

Additional costsPrices exclude 20% VAT. Unlimited Smart Capture is an extra £5/month and the Amazon integration is £6/month. The current 50%-off introductory promotion is temporary; losing bank eligibility ends the £0 plan.

verified 2026-08-10 · source ↗

Build or buy

Is it cheaper to build or buy FreeAgent?

Adjust the numbers: hours to build, your hourly rate, running costs and the subscription price.

Subscribe
Build it yourself
Horizon
Subscribe$0
Build it yourself$1,920

Over 24 months, subscribing is cheaper.

Starting hours estimated from the analysis (not a true replacement; consolation build in one to two days). Does not price what you give up (support, integrations, security).

Frequently asked questions
Can I rebuild FreeAgent?

Not really. FreeAgent’s value is not the code: the moat survives one prompt. See the honest breakdown above.

How much does FreeAgent cost?

FreeAgent’s pricing is usage-based or varies by plan · The official pricing URL is recorded, but a stable current amount was not safely recoverable in this pass. Do not publish a number until rechecked..

What do I lose by replacing FreeAgent?

Honestly: bank, payment, tax, and reconciliation integrations; live bank feeds and payment rails; tax and accounting rule updates; audited security and recovery; multi-user controls and accountant workflows. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.

Is there an open-source alternative to FreeAgent?

Yes: Actual Budget (Local-first open-source personal finance and envelope budgeting.), Invoice Ninja (Open-source invoicing, payments, and client management.). Using prior art is also vibecoding; the prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.

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