LONDON, UK - 20th Aug, 2025 - A comprehensive independent study has revealed the top 10 tax software alternatives available to UK taxpayers as HMRC prepares to shut down its online self-assessment website in 2026. The research, conducted by tax professionals and software experts, evaluated solutions ranging from completely free platforms to premium services, with Pie Tax App emerging as the leading choice for individuals and freelancers.
The study comes at a critical time, as approximately 12 million users currently rely on HMRC's self-assessment platform, yet an alarming 96% remain unaware of the impending shutdown. With less than 18 months to adapt, the need for reliable third-party alternatives has never been more urgent.
Top 10 Tax Software Solutions for 2025:
1. Pie Tax App (FREE)
Leading the rankings, this comprehensive solution offers full mobile functionality, multiple income stream support, open banking integration, invoicing, bookkeeping, mileage tracking, and direct HMRC submission. Despite being less than a year old, it has quickly established itself as the go-to replacement for HMRC's platform.
Key features include:
-
Completely free core platform
-
Smart match feature for automated bookkeeping
-
Customer support responses within 10 minutes
-
CIMA, FCA, and HMRC approved
-
Optional premium services: tax support (£6.99/month), tax return check (£59.99), full tax return service (£149)
2. TaxCalc (£36 per tax return)
A trusted desktop solution offering extensive self-assessment form options and professional-grade capabilities, though lacking mobile app functionality.
3. GoSimpleTax (£99 per submission)
Desktop-only platform specifically designed for self-assessment with receipt reconciliation features and automatic expense categorization.
4. FreeAgent (£19/month)
Comprehensive accounting and tax management solution with intuitive mobile app, particularly appealing for small business owners requiring full financial management capabilities.
5. Taxfiler (£43 per submission)
Cost-effective solution offering straightforward design and essential tax filing functionalities, ideal for users prioritizing simplicity and affordability.
6. QuickBooks (£14/month)
Popular accounting software with extensive features, though limited to sole-trader and landlord self-assessments, lacking support for multiple income types like employment and benefits.
7. Sage (from £15/month)
Robust solution tailored for small to medium businesses with solid tax management and reporting features, though similarly limited in self-assessment scope.
8. Xero (from £15/month)
Celebrated for powerful accounting capabilities and user-friendly interface, ideal for small business accounting but lacking comprehensive self-assessment features.
9. Tax Scouts (£169 per submission)
Premium service providing comprehensive tax support specifically for freelancers and self-employed individuals, though offering limited app functionality and representing the most expensive option.
10. Coconut (£6.50/month)
Affordable solution focusing on simplifying bookkeeping for freelancers with excellent bank linking features, though users report app stability issues.
Key Research Findings:
The study evaluated each platform across eight critical categories:
-
Mobile app availability
-
Self-assessment capabilities
-
Qualified tax support
-
Open banking connectivity
-
Multiple income handling
-
Invoicing functionality
-
Direct HMRC submission
-
HMRC approval status
Critical Gap Identified: Many popular accounting platforms (QuickBooks, Sage, Xero) offer limited self-assessment features, potentially problematic for the 47% of Generation Z with multiple income streams including employment, benefits, and self-employment.
Market Impact and User Implications:
The transition affects diverse user groups including:
-
12 million current self-assessment users
-
Freelancers and gig economy workers
-
Small business owners
-
Landlords and property investors
-
Individuals with multiple income streams
"This represents the largest change in UK tax filing in decades," noted the research team. "Third-party tax apps are not just alternatives—they're becoming essential tools that often exceed the functionality of the original HMRC platform, particularly in areas like mobile accessibility, open banking integration, and automated bookkeeping."
Expert Testing Methodology:
The comprehensive evaluation was conducted through:
-
Thorough hands-on testing of each platform
-
Assessment of tax-filing capabilities and user experience
-
Analysis of unique offerings and value propositions
-
Consultation with users across different professions
-
Evaluation of functionality, cost, and support options
-
Focus on reliability and customer support quality
Cost Analysis:
The study revealed significant pricing variations:
-
Free options: Pie Tax App (completely free with optional premium services)
-
Budget solutions: Coconut (£6.50/month)
-
Mid-range platforms: QuickBooks (£14/month), FreeAgent (£19/month)
-
Per-submission models: TaxCalc (£36), Taxfiler (£43), GoSimpleTax (£99)
-
Premium services: Tax Scouts (£169 per submission)
Urgent Recommendations for Taxpayers:
With the 2026 deadline approaching, experts strongly recommend taxpayers:
-
Act immediately to research available alternatives
-
Test platforms during the current tax season to ensure compatibility
-
Evaluate feature requirements beyond basic filing needs
-
Consider long-term costs and platform scalability
-
Prioritize platforms with comprehensive self-assessment support
-
Ensure mobile compatibility for on-the-go tax management
About the Research:
This independent study was conducted by a team of qualified tax professionals and software testers, incorporating extensive hands-on testing and real-world user feedback. The research aimed to provide unbiased insights to help taxpayers make informed decisions during this critical transition period.
The evaluation prioritized overall value, reliability, customer support quality, and practical usability rather than simply assessing features in isolation.
More info: Pie Money Limited
Contact:
Tommy Mcnally
Email: help@pie.tax
Website: https://pie.tax
Media Contact
Company Name: Pie Money Limited
Contact Person: Tommy Mcnally
Email: Send Email
Address:77 Lower Camden Street
City: Dublin 2
State: D02 XE80 Ireland
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://pie.tax
