More than 60% of UK adults do not have a will. That leaves millions of families exposed to the intestacy rules — rigid, outdated laws that can send assets to the wrong people and trigger family disputes. The good news is that the cost of writing a will has plummeted. Non-solicitor online will services captured 51% market share for the first time in 2025, with prices starting from under £100.
So what are the real options, and how much should you actually pay? This is our April 2026 independent price and features comparison of the major UK online will services, alongside the solicitor route.
The 2026 UK will writing market — at a glance
| Route | Typical cost (single will) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| DIY template | £0–£30 | Simplest estates, high risk |
| Free Wills Month / Will Aid | Free / suggested donation | 55+ or November donors |
| Online services (Farewill, Beyond, Octopus) | £90–£150 | Most UK families, straightforward estates |
| Co-op Legal Services (SRA-regulated) | £150 single / £245 mirror | Moderate complexity, regulated assurance |
| Solicitor (simple will) | £150–£400 | Blended families, trusts, IHT planning |
| Solicitor (complex will) | £500–£5,000+ | Business assets, overseas property, trusts |
Online wills — the leading UK services
Farewill — £90/year subscription or £149 one-time
Farewill markets itself as the UK's most popular will-writing service. Clean, user-friendly interface, telephone support, and FCA-regulated. The subscription model (£90/year) includes unlimited updates — useful for people whose circumstances change often. A one-time £149 premium plan is available for those who prefer to pay once.
Beyond — £90 single / £135 couples
Beyond offers the lowest upfront cost at £90 for a single will. Pay only at the point you print and sign, not upfront — reducing purchase risk. An optional £10/year subscription covers unlimited updates plus secure physical storage. National Will Registration (normally a £30 add-on) is included in the base price.
Octopus Legacy — £150 single / £250 couples / £450 complex
Octopus Legacy (part of the Octopus Group) is positioned as the premium online service. Every document is reviewed by legal experts, and delivery can be online, over video or in person — pricing is the same regardless of channel. The £450 complex tier covers trust structures commonly needed for blended families or children from a previous relationship.
Co-op Legal Services — £150 single / £245 mirror
Co-op Legal is the only major UK online will-writer that is fully SRA-regulated (the same regulator as solicitors). Wills are drafted by SRA-regulated solicitors rather than paralegals or will writers. Free lifetime storage is included. Multiple channels — online, phone, video or face-to-face. Legal Ombudsman access provides a dispute-resolution path that unregulated services cannot offer.
Solicitor route — still the right choice for complex cases
MoneyHelper data shows a simple solicitor will typically costs £150 to £400 for a straightforward case. For complex estates — trusts, business assets, overseas property, blended families, or meaningful IHT planning — solicitor fees of £500 to £5,000+ are common, but typically pay for themselves through tax savings or dispute prevention.
Consider a solicitor if any of the following apply:
- Your estate is over £1 million
- You own business assets or an interest in a partnership
- You own overseas property
- You have children from a previous relationship
- You need a trust for a disabled beneficiary
- You want to cap the risk of the will being contested
- You need inheritance tax planning alongside the will itself
What you are actually paying for at different price points
£9.99 to £50 — basic online templates
Low-cost services like CheapWills offer a solicitor-approved template for under £10. Legal validity under the Wills Act 1837 is the same as any other will, provided execution requirements are met. You are paying for stationery — no legal review, no trust capability.
£90 to £150 — guided online services with review
Farewill, Beyond, Octopus Legacy, Co-op Legal. You answer a guided questionnaire; the system produces a will; it is reviewed by trained professionals. Legal validity identical to a solicitor will once executed. The difference is the absence of bespoke advice for complex situations.
£150 to £400 — simple solicitor will
SRA-regulated, face-to-face advice, professional indemnity insurance, Legal Ombudsman access. You are paying for overheads (office rent, staff, regulation) that a simple online will does not carry.
£500+ — bespoke solicitor drafting with trusts and tax planning
Time-intensive drafting for trusts, business succession, overseas property, IHT planning. Fees reflect professional hours — often three to five consultation sessions plus drafting time.
The validity question — are online wills legally binding?
Yes, provided they are properly executed. Under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837, a will is legally valid if it is:
- In writing
- Made by someone aged 18 or over with testamentary capacity
- Signed by the testator in the presence of two independent witnesses (present simultaneously)
- Each witness signs in the presence of the testator
The law does not care who or what drafted the content — an online will, a solicitor will and a handwritten will all have identical legal status if these conditions are met. Validity is about execution, not creation.
The Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) question
A will only operates after death. Equally important is a Lasting Power of Attorney, which appoints someone to act on your behalf if you lose mental capacity during your lifetime. There are two types:
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA — bank accounts, investments, property, bills
- Health and Welfare LPA — medical decisions, care arrangements
Each LPA costs £82 to register with the Office of the Public Guardian — so £164 for both. Most online will services can draft LPAs alongside the will for a modest additional fee.
Executor fees — the hidden cost to watch
A common trap is naming a bank, solicitor or the will-writing company itself as your executor. Professional executors often charge 1-5% of the estate value plus VAT, which on a £400,000 estate is £4,000 to £20,000. Unless your estate is genuinely complex, a trusted family member or friend is usually a better choice — and you can still seek paid professional help during probate if needed.
Where to store your will safely
- With the will writer — some (Co-op Legal, Farewill) offer free lifetime storage; others charge a fee.
- HM Courts & Tribunals Service — £23 one-off to store with the government's Probate Service.
- National Will Register — register basic location info for around £30 (included free with some services).
- With your solicitor — often free of charge as a client service.
Tell your executors where your will is stored. A will that cannot be found after death cannot be acted on.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Will-writing law is set out in the Wills Act 1837 as amended. Individual circumstances vary — always consider consulting an SRA-regulated solicitor for complex estates, significant inheritance tax planning or contested family situations. Some links in this guide may be affiliate links.
FAQ
Are online wills legally valid in the UK?
Yes, provided they meet the Section 9 Wills Act 1837 requirements — in writing, signed by the testator in the presence of two independent witnesses who each sign in the testator's presence. The method of creation does not affect legal validity.
When should I update my will?
Major life changes — marriage (which automatically revokes an existing will), divorce, birth of children, death of a beneficiary, significant change in assets, or moving country. Most online services offer subscription models that include unlimited updates for an annual fee.
Can I write a mirror will with my partner online?
Yes. All major online services offer mirror wills — each partner creates their own will with mutually reflecting wishes, at a discount to two single wills. Note that mirror wills can be changed unilaterally by a survivor; to prevent this, mutual wills (legally binding contract) require a solicitor.
