TinyTax vs 123 Filings: Free CT600 Software Compared
Both TinyTax and 123 Filings offer CT600 filing services for UK companies. This comparison helps you decide which is right for your business.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Free CT600 | Yes (micro-entities) | Free tier available |
| iXBRL accounts | Included free | Additional cost |
| Companies House | Included | Additional cost |
| Interface | Modern web app | Form-based |
| Support | Chat and email | |
| Best for | Self-filing directors | Simple returns |
Pricing Comparison
TinyTax Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | £0 | CT600 + accounts + CH filing |
| Standard | From £49 | Additional features |
123 Filings Pricing
| Service | Price (approx) |
|---|---|
| CT600 only | From £25 |
| Accounts | Additional |
| Companies House | Additional |
| Combined | £60+ |
5-Year Cost Comparison
For annual filing (micro-entity):
| Option | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TinyTax Free | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 | £0 |
| 123 Filings | ~£60 | ~£60 | ~£60 | ~£60 | ~£60 | ~£300 |
What's Included Free
TinyTax Free Tier
- CT600 preparation and calculation
- Direct HMRC submission
- iXBRL micro-entity accounts
- Companies House filing
- Tax calculation with marginal relief
- Unlimited companies
- Prior year data fetch
123 Filings Free/Low-Cost
- Basic CT600 form
- HMRC submission
- Limited validation
Feature Comparison
CT600 Filing
| Feature | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Basic CT600 | ✓ | ✓ |
| All CT600 boxes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tax calculation | Auto | Auto |
| Marginal relief | Auto | Auto |
| HMRC submission | ✓ | ✓ |
| Confirmation | ✓ | ✓ |
Accounts Generation
| Feature | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Micro-entity accounts | ✓ (free) | Extra cost |
| iXBRL format | ✓ | ✓ |
| Balance sheet | ✓ | ✓ |
| Notes to accounts | ✓ | ✓ |
Companies House Filing
| Feature | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| CH submission | ✓ (free) | Extra cost |
| Same-day filing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Confirmation | ✓ | ✓ |
User Experience
| Aspect | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Interface | Modern, guided | Traditional |
| Mobile-friendly | Yes | Limited |
| Learning curve | Low | Medium |
| Help text | In-app | Knowledge base |
Who Should Choose TinyTax
Choose TinyTax if you:
- Want completely free CT600 + accounts + CH filing
- Are a micro-entity company
- Prefer modern, guided software
- Want everything in one place
- Value chat support
Who Should Choose 123 Filings
Choose 123 Filings if you:
- Only need CT600 without accounts
- Prefer à la carte pricing
- Are comfortable with form-based interfaces
- Already use their other services
Company Type Comparison
For Micro-Entities
| Need | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| CT600 | Free | Low cost |
| Accounts | Free | Extra |
| Total | Free | Paid |
For First-Time Filers
| Need | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance | High | Medium |
| Setup time | Quick | Moderate |
| Support | Chat |
For Dormant Companies
| Need | TinyTax | 123 Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Dormant CT600 | Free | Low cost |
| Dormant accounts | Free | Extra |
| Simplicity | High | Medium |
Switching From 123 Filings to TinyTax
If you currently use 123 Filings:
- Create a free TinyTax account
- Add your company (automatic data fetch)
- TinyTax retrieves prior year data from HMRC
- File your next return with TinyTax
What Users Say
About TinyTax
> "Couldn't believe it's actually free. Filed my CT600 and accounts without paying anything."
> "Much easier than the form-based tools I've tried before."
About 123 Filings
> "Gets the job done but had to pay extra for accounts."
> "Been using it for years, does what it needs to."
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TinyTax really free?
Yes. For micro-entities, CT600, accounts, and Companies House filing are all free. No hidden fees.
Which is more established?
123 Filings has been around longer. TinyTax is newer but purpose-built for modern filing needs.
Can I use both?
Technically yes, but there's no need. Each can handle your complete filing independently.
What if I outgrow micro-entity status?
TinyTax offers paid tiers for larger companies. 123 Filings offers various service levels too.
Which has better support?
TinyTax offers live chat support. 123 Filings relies on email and knowledge base.
Summary
| Factor | Winner |
|---|---|
| Price (micro-entity) | TinyTax (free) |
| Included features | TinyTax |
| Ease of use | TinyTax |
| Support | TinyTax |
| Track record | 123 Filings |
| Overall | TinyTax |
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