Last year I paid £180 for FreeAgent. It's good software. But I used maybe 10% of it.
So I built what I actually needed: 5 standalone browser tools that handle my entire freelance admin. Zero subscription. Zero data upload. Everything stays in my browser.
Here's what replaced what:
1. Expense Tracker → replaced FreeAgent expenses
Tracks spending by HMRC category. Running totals. Export to CSV for my tax return.
landolio.com/tools/expense-tracker
Why it's better for me: I don't need bank feed integration or receipt scanning. I just need to categorise expenses and export them once a year.
2. Invoice Generator → replaced FreeAgent invoicing
Fill in a form, get a professional PDF. VAT toggle, multiple line items.
landolio.com/tools/invoice-generator
Why it's better: I invoice 2-3 clients a month. I don't need recurring invoices, payment reminders, or Stripe integration. I need a PDF.
3. Tax Calculator → replaced guessing
Enter income and expenses. Get Income Tax, National Insurance, student loan, take-home breakdown.
landolio.com/tools/self-employed-tax-calculator
Why it helps: I check this quarterly to make sure I'm setting enough aside. Takes 30 seconds.
4. Client Tracker → replaced spreadsheets
Track clients, projects, and invoices. Dashboard with revenue stats, outstanding amounts, average days to payment.
landolio.com/tools/freelancer-client-tracker
Why it's better: My old Google Sheet was a mess. This has structure without complexity.
5. Cash Flow Forecast → replaced anxiety
Plan income vs expenses month by month. Spot cash gaps before they become emergencies.
landolio.com/tools/cash-flow-forecast
Why it matters: I used to just hope I'd have enough money next month. Now I can see 6 months ahead.
The trade-offs
What I lost:
- Bank feed auto-import
- Automated payment reminders
- Multi-currency support
- Mobile app
- MTD submission (I use HMRC's free tool for that)
What I gained:
- £180/year back
- No vendor lock-in
- Complete data privacy
- Tools that load instantly
- No feature bloat
Would I recommend this?
If you're a solo freelancer with a handful of clients and straightforward finances — yes. If you run an agency with 50 clients and need time tracking, payroll, and VAT returns — stick with proper software.
All tools are at landolio.com/tools. 25 free tools total. No accounts, no sign-ups, no tracking.
What does your freelance admin stack look like?
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