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WUHLD vs Farewill: Which Online Will Service is Better?

· 16 min

Note: The following scenario is fictional and used for illustration.

Emma, 38, spent 20 minutes comparing Farewill and WUHLD before making her will. Farewill's £100 price seemed reasonable, and their 19,000+ Trustpilot reviews were reassuring. But when she read the fine print about the £10/year update subscription, she did the maths: over 20 years, that's £200 in update fees on top of the initial £100. WUHLD's £99.99 one-time payment with unlimited free updates would save her £200.10 with identical legal validity.

According to the 2025 UK Wills & Probate Consumer Research Report, just 44% of UK adults have a will. As online will services like Farewill and WUHLD make will-writing more accessible, comparison shoppers want honest answers: which service offers better value? Which is easier to use? Are both legally valid?

This comprehensive comparison breaks down pricing, features, legal validity, customer support, and long-term value so you can choose the right service for your circumstances.

Table of Contents

WUHLD vs Farewill: Quick Comparison Overview

When choosing between WUHLD and Farewill, understanding the key differences helps you make an informed decision. Both services create legally valid wills under the same law, but their pricing models and features differ significantly.

Here's an at-a-glance comparison of the two services:

Feature WUHLD Farewill
Price (single will) £99.99 one-time £100 + £10/year
Price (couple) £149.99 one-time £160 + £20/year
Update fees £0 (unlimited free) £10/year per person (first year free)
Time to complete ~15 minutes ~15 minutes
Legal validity Complies with Wills Act 1837 Section 9 Complies with Wills Act 1837 Section 9
Phone support Online only £240 single (£380 couples)
Documents included Will + 3 guides Will + update subscription
Trustpilot rating New service 4.9/5 (19,651 reviews)
Regulation Unregulated Unregulated
10-year total cost (single) £99.99 £190
10-year total cost (couple) £149.99 £360
Best for Long-term value Established brand trust

Both services create legally valid wills under Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. The main difference is pricing model: WUHLD charges once with unlimited free updates, while Farewill uses a subscription model for updates after the first free year. This comparison helps you decide which model suits your preferences and long-term needs.

Farewill offers discount codes (30% off with msesave30 = £70 single will), which makes the short-term cost lower than WUHLD. However, the £10/year subscription still applies from year two onwards.

Pricing Comparison: One-Time vs Subscription Model

The pricing model is the most significant difference between WUHLD and Farewill. Understanding the long-term financial implications helps you choose the service that offers better value for your situation.

WUHLD uses a straightforward one-time payment model: £99.99 for a single will or £149.99 for couples. This includes your complete will document plus three expert guides (Testator Guide, Witness Guide, and Asset Inventory). You can preview your entire will before paying anything—no credit card required. Once created, you own it forever with unlimited free updates for life.

Farewill's pricing structure works differently. The base price is £100 for a single will or £160 for couples. Your first year of updates is free, but from year two onwards, you pay £10 per year per person to maintain update access. They also offer a telephone will service for £240 (single) or £380 (couples) and optional executor services ranging from £595 to £2,750.

The total cost comparison over time:

Single will:

  • Year 1: WUHLD £99.99 | Farewill £100
  • Year 10: WUHLD £99.99 | Farewill £190
  • Year 20: WUHLD £99.99 | Farewill £290

Couples:

  • Year 1: WUHLD £149.99 | Farewill £160
  • Year 10: WUHLD £149.99 | Farewill £360
  • Year 20: WUHLD £149.99 | Farewill £560

Life changes require will updates: marriage, divorce, children, house purchases, and beneficiary deaths. The average person updates their will three to five times over their lifetime. With Farewill's subscription model, those updates require an active subscription. With WUHLD, every update is free.

Farewill's discount codes (30% off with msesave30 = £70 single will) make the short-term cost lower, but the £10/year subscription still applies from year two. Even with the discount, the 10-year total is £160 versus WUHLD's £99.99.

Both WUHLD and Farewill create wills that comply with Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837, the statutory framework for England and Wales.

Legal validity doesn't depend on who drafts your will. What matters is meeting the statutory requirements: the will must be in writing, signed by the testator, and witnessed by two independent witnesses who are present at the same time. Both services meet these requirements.

Will writing is not a regulated activity in England and Wales. Both WUHLD and Farewill employ legal teams to review wills before you receive the final document.

Your witnesses must be:

  • Two independent adults over 18 years old
  • Not beneficiaries of your will (or married/partnered to beneficiaries)
  • Present at the same time when you sign

Both services provide detailed guidance to help you avoid common witnessing mistakes. WUHLD includes a Witness Guide; Farewill provides similar instructions.

When do you need a solicitor instead? Both services are designed for straightforward estates. If your situation includes business assets, foreign property, complex tax planning, agricultural land, or significant inheritance tax concerns, a solicitor provides more comprehensive advice.

Features Comparison: What's Included with Each Service

WUHLD includes:

  • Complete will document plus three expert guides (Testator, Witness, Asset Inventory)
  • Unlimited free updates forever—no subscriptions
  • Preview-before-paying feature (no credit card required)
  • Instant download with no waiting period
  • Clean interface with no upselling

Farewill provides:

  • Complete will document after specialist checking (up to 5 days)
  • First year of updates free, then £10/year per person
  • Online chat support seven days a week
  • Optional telephone will service (£240 single, £380 couples)
  • Optional executor services (£595-£2,750)
  • Partnerships with 50+ UK charities (over £1 billion in legacy pledges)
  • National Will Writing Firm of the Year 2019-2022

The key differences:

  • Updates: WUHLD unlimited free vs Farewill £10/year after first year
  • Phone support: WUHLD online-only vs Farewill £240 extra
  • Preview: WUHLD full preview before payment vs Farewill requires submission first
  • Speed: WUHLD instant download vs Farewill 5-day specialist review

User Experience: Interface, Speed, and Ease of Use

Both services advertise completion times of around 15 minutes, but the user journey differs.

WUHLD:

  • Clean interface with clear progress indicators
  • Plain English explanations without legal jargon
  • Preview your will at any stage without account creation
  • Mobile-responsive design
  • Instant preview and download once satisfied

Farewill:

  • Modern, friendly interface consistently praised in reviews
  • Online chat support seven days a week
  • Must create account to begin
  • Specialist checking takes 3-5 days before you receive final will
  • Chat support provides real-time answers

The key difference is immediacy: WUHLD provides instant access while Farewill prioritises specialist review. Both are designed for people with no legal knowledge and work well on mobile devices.

Customer Support: Online vs Phone Options

WUHLD centres on intuitive design with comprehensive inline guidance. Three detailed guides (Testator, Witness, Asset Inventory) come with every will. Email support handles technical issues. The design assumption: clear processes eliminate the need for live support.

Farewill offers online chat support seven days a week during will creation. Trustpilot reviews praise the support team. For phone support, the telephone will service costs £240 (singles) or £380 (couples).

When phone support matters: Complex family situations (blended families, unusual beneficiary structures), high-value estates with tax implications, or concerns about will challenges.

When it's unnecessary: Straightforward estates leaving everything to your spouse with children as alternates. Standard family structures with clear intentions don't require phone guidance.

The honest assessment: if you genuinely need phone support to make will decisions, you probably need a solicitor (£650+), not a phone consultation with an online service. Farewill's £240 telephone service is still limited to straightforward situations.

Regulation and Professional Standards

Will writing is not a regulated activity in England and Wales. Both WUHLD and Farewill operate within this framework—neither is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority because they're not law firms.

Both services include legal team reviews of all wills for quality assurance. Farewill's qualified solicitors work in management roles, not customer-facing positions. Neither provides a lawyer-client relationship.

What regulation means: Regulated solicitors carry unlimited professional indemnity insurance and complaints go to the Legal Ombudsman. Unregulated services have limited compensation schemes (Farewill caps at £1,000).

Critical point: Regulation status doesn't affect legal validity. A will is valid if it meets statutory requirements under the Wills Act 1837, regardless of who drafted it.

If regulation is your critical concern, use a solicitor. For straightforward wills, regulation matters less than proper execution with correct witnessing.

Customer Reviews and Track Record

Farewill has established an impressive track record since 2017:

Reviews praise "user-friendly design," "helpful staff," and "clear guidance." Some mention "attempted upselling" for executor services and phone options, and limitations for complex situations outside standard templates.

WUHLD is a newer service focused on transparent pricing without upselling, no annual fees, and building reputation through value proposition. The interface is clean without cross-sells.

Farewill has established trust through volume and awards. WUHLD offers a newer alternative with different pricing philosophy. Both create legally valid wills when executed correctly—track record matters for peace of mind but doesn't affect legal validity.

Long-Term Value: Total Cost Over 10-20 Years

The subscription model creates significant cost differences over time. Most people update their wills 3-5 times over their lifetime due to marriage, divorce, children, property purchases, or beneficiary deaths.

20-year savings with WUHLD:

  • Single will: £190.01 (WUHLD £99.99 vs Farewill £290)
  • Couples: £410.01 (WUHLD £149.99 vs Farewill £560)

When Farewill is cheaper: Only if you use the 30% discount code and never update your will (unlikely) or need a will for only 1-2 years (unusual scenario).

Beyond price, WUHLD's free updates remove psychological barriers to updating your will when circumstances change. No annual renewals, forgotten subscriptions, or renewal emails. You create once and update free whenever needed.

When to Choose Farewill Over WUHLD

Choose Farewill if you:

Value established track record: 19,000+ Trustpilot reviews and National Will Writing Firm of the Year 2019-2022 provide reassurance. If you're willing to pay a premium for proven brand recognition, Farewill delivers.

Want phone support options: Telephone will service (£240 singles, £380 couples) and live chat seven days a week. If phone or chat support reduces your anxiety enough to complete your will, the extra cost may be worthwhile.

Prefer spreading costs over time: £100 upfront with £10/year subscriptions feels manageable for those who budget annually rather than thinking about long-term total costs.

Want integrated services: Farewill offers probate assistance, executor services (£595-£2,750), and cremation services. The one-stop-shop approach means fewer providers during difficult times.

Are making charitable bequests: Partnerships with 50+ UK charities facilitating over £1 billion in legacy pledges. Some charities offer free will writing through Farewill.

Have discount codes: The 30% discount (msesave30) reduces single will price to £70, making first-year cost lower than WUHLD if you plan to cancel subscription after year one.

Farewill is a proven, award-winning service. If brand trust and established reputation matter more than long-term cost savings, it's an excellent choice.

When to Choose WUHLD Over Farewill

Choose WUHLD if you:

Want best long-term value: £99.99 one-time (£149.99 couples) includes unlimited free updates forever. Over 10 years, save £90 on single wills or £210 on couples' wills. Over 20 years, save £190-£410. Transparent pricing with no increases.

Dislike subscriptions and upselling: No annual renewals, forgotten subscriptions, or lapsed access. No executor service upsells (£595-£2,750), phone service upsells (£240), or cremation/probate cross-selling. Clean experience focused solely on creating your will.

Want instant results: Preview your complete will before paying anything. Download instantly once satisfied—no 5-day wait. For time-sensitive situations (travel, surgery), immediate access matters. Complete Tuesday evening, sign Wednesday afternoon.

Prefer preview before committing: Create complete will without payment details. No credit card required for preview. Experiment with different executor, guardian, and beneficiary choices risk-free until completely satisfied.

Are comfortable with online-only support: For straightforward estates (leaving everything to spouse with children as alternates), the intuitive interface doesn't require hand-holding. Comprehensive guides answer questions without phone calls or chat.

Want complete ownership and control: No ongoing relationship required. Update whenever you want without checking subscription status or paying fees. No renewal emails. One-time transaction with lifetime access.

WUHLD offers unbeatable long-term value for straightforward wills. If comparing costs objectively without needing phone support, WUHLD saves hundreds of pounds while providing identical legal validity under the Wills Act 1837.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is WUHLD or Farewill better for making a will online? Both create legally valid wills under the Wills Act 1837. WUHLD is better for those prioritising value (£99.99 one-time, no annual fees). Farewill suits those wanting phone support and comfortable with £10/year subscriptions.

Q: What is the main difference between WUHLD and Farewill pricing? WUHLD charges £99.99 one-time (£149.99 couples) with unlimited free updates. Farewill charges £100 (£160 couples) plus £10/year per person after first free year. Over 10 years: Farewill £190 vs WUHLD £99.99.

Q: Are WUHLD and Farewill both legally valid in the UK? Yes. Both comply with Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Both require proper signing and witnessing (two independent witnesses over 18, not beneficiaries). Legal validity is identical when executed correctly.

Q: Can I switch from Farewill to WUHLD after making my will? Yes. Create a new will with WUHLD anytime—it automatically revokes your previous will once signed and witnessed. Many switch to avoid annual update fees.

Q: Which service is better for couples? WUHLD offers better value: £149.99 one-time vs Farewill's £160 plus £20/year. Over 10 years, save £210.10. Over 20 years, save £410.01.

Q: Is Farewill regulated differently than WUHLD? No. Will writing is not a regulated activity in England and Wales. Neither is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Both have legal teams checking wills.

Q: Which service is faster? Both take ~15 minutes to complete. WUHLD offers instant download. Farewill takes up to 5 days for specialist checking. For time-sensitive situations, WUHLD is faster.

Conclusion

Key takeaways:

  • Legal validity is identical: Both create wills complying with Section 9 of the Wills Act 1837. Legal validity comes from proper execution (signed with two independent witnesses over 18 who aren't beneficiaries), not the service used.

  • Pricing is the key difference: WUHLD charges £99.99 once (£149.99 couples) with unlimited free updates. Farewill charges £100 (£160 couples) plus £10/year per person after first free year. Over 10 years, WUHLD saves £90 (singles) or £210 (couples).

  • Track record vs value: Farewill has proven reputation (4.9/5 stars, 19,651 reviews, National Will Writing Firm 2019-2022). WUHLD offers superior long-term value with no subscriptions. Choose based on whether you prioritise brand recognition or cost savings.

  • Phone support costs extra: Farewill offers telephone service for £240 (£380 couples). WUHLD is online-only. For genuinely complex decisions, consider a solicitor (£650+) for more comprehensive advice.

  • Both exclude complex estates: Neither handles business assets, foreign property, or significant tax planning. Complex estates require solicitors.

Both services make will creation accessible and affordable. The choice comes down to priorities: established reputation and phone support (Farewill) or superior long-term value (WUHLD). Either way, you're taking action to protect your loved ones.

Need Help with Your Will?

Now that you understand the key differences between online will services, creating your own will becomes straightforward. Choose the option that aligns with your priorities and circumstances.

Create your will with confidence using WUHLD's guided platform. For just £99.99, you'll get your complete will (legally binding when properly executed and witnessed) plus three expert guides. Preview your will free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Legal Disclaimer:

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.

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