The Best MTD Software for Landlords: Which is Right For You?

The countdown is underway as the Making Tax Digital (MTD) deadline looms for landlords. Are you using MTD software yet?

If not, don’t worry – there’s still time! Adopting MTD software now can help you streamline bookkeeping, keep more accurate records, and prepare for MTD ahead of the deadline. 

This guide explains the key differences between the top MTD software solutions for landlords, helping you choose the most suitable option for your needs. 

Making Tax Digital (MTD) recap

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is a government initiative that aims to make it easier for individuals, businesses, and landlords to maintain accurate financial records and submit their tax returns to HMRC.

The initiative will digitise the UK’s tax system by requiring everyone to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC online using compatible software.

VAT-registered businesses have been using the new system since 2022, and landlords who earn more than £50,000 a year will need to follow suit from 6^th April 2026 when MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment (ITSA) is rolled out. Landlords with an annual income between £30,000 and £50,000 will follow suit a year later in April 2027.

Before this date, landlords should sign up for and start using HMRC-compliant, MTD-compatible software to ensure they’re prepared.

Why do landlords need specialist MTD software?

Once MTD for Income Tax Self-Assessment has been rolled out, landlords will be required to:

• Keep digital records of their income and expenses.
• Submit quarterly updates to HMRC online.
• Submit a digital end-of-period statement and declaration to HMRC each tax year.
• Do so using MTD-compatible and HMRC-compliant software.

While there will be a period of adjustment as you get to grips with the new way of working, the new digital tax system offers some undeniable benefits.

Software helps streamline financial management, increasing both efficiency and accuracy using automation and minimising the risk of human error. More accurate submissions also mean no over- or under-payments and less risk of being hit by a penalty by HMRC. By submitting your tax returns quarterly rather than annually and managing everything digitally, you’ll also be able to access up-to-date, real-time reports to enable better tax planning.

Why choosing the right software matters

There are plenty of different MTD software options available, each offering slightly different features and functionality. Understanding what each can do will help you choose the solution that best fits your needs.

Many of the solutions available are general-purpose bookkeeping tools designed for a wide range of industries. While these tools offer everything you need to comply with MTD, they lack specialist features like property-specific income tracking and tenant management. Specialist MTD-compatible landlord software may provide a more complete, organised, and efficient solution.

Remember, getting ready for MTD isn’t just about ticking a compliance box. Choose the right software and you will also save time and boost your efficiency.

Key features landlords should look for in MTD software

So, what makes one MTD software better than another? Let’s take a look at some of the key features to look out for when shopping around for MTD software for landlords.

• Easy integration with existing accounting tools: Choosing MTD software that integrates smoothly with your existing accounting tools and bank feeds can help to save time and avoid errors.
• User-friendly interface and ease of use: While there is always a learning curve when you start using new software, it should not be overly complicated. The aim is to simplify financial management and tax submissions, so make sure you pick a user-friendly option.
• Affordability and transparent pricing: Look for software that offers various pricing plans to allow you to choose one that fits your needs perfectly and offers good value for money. You don’t want to be paying for more features than you currently need, but you also want to know the software is capable of scaling with your business.
• Support and training: Find out what customer support and resources are available. If things go wrong or you need help getting set up, having access to responsive customer support can make all the difference, saving you time and frustration.
• Security and data privacy: It’s important that your MTD software can handle your financial and tenant data securely. Look for a GDPR-compliant solution that uses encryption and offers secure cloud-based backups.
• Landlord-specific tools and features: Software designed specifically for landlords offers useful features like tenant payment history and arrears tracking, and property-by-property income and expense tracking, helping landlords to save time and streamline financial management.
• Tax forecasting and real-time insights: Choose software that does more than just submit your tax return digitally. The best MTD software also provides real-time insight into your projected tax liability and financial position, helping you to make more informed business decisions.
• Accountant collaboration: If you work with an accountant or a letting agent, it’s important to choose software that enables shared access. This means everyone can log in to view records, saving time on communicating information back and forth.

The top six MTD software options for landlords

Don’t have time to spend hours researching and comparing software options? To save you time and hassle, we’ve compiled a list of the top six MTD software options for landlords. Explore each option’s top features and plans to find the right software for you and your portfolio.

All software providers in this list are either HMRC and MTD compliant or have stated that they will be before MTD for ITSA is rolled out in April 2026.

1. Landlord Vision

Best for: Landlords with portfolios of any size, looking for all-in-one MTD-compliant software.

Landlord Vision is an all-in-one property management and accounting software built especially for landlords. It is fully MTD compliant, allowing landlords to keep digital records of their income and expenses, generate end-of-period statements with ease, and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Unlike more generic accounting software, Landlord Vision is tailored to the needs of property investors and also offers a comprehensive suite of property management tools. It’s a great option for landlords who wish to streamline all of their operations into one intuitive dashboard.

(Insert demo video)

Key benefits:

• Comprehensive tool designed for landlords.
• Property-by-property income and expense tracking.
• Built-in reminders and financial reporting.
• Secure cloud storage.
• Multi-user access.
• Tenant, maintenance, and document management tools.
• Excellent customer support.

Pricing:

Plan	No. of tenancies included	Price per month
Starter	5	£19.97
Standard	10	£29.97
Premium	15	£39.97
Enterprise	25	£84.97

Learn more about Landlord Vision’s pricing and plans.

2. Xero

Best for: Landlords managing one or two properties who already use Xero for their accounting.

Xero accounting software is very popular among small businesses across a wide range of industries. It is fully MTD-compliant and offers excellent bookkeeping features, including bank reconciliation, invoicing, and expense tracking. Landlords can use Xero to manage their rental income and submit MTD updates, but it is not designed specifically for landlords and doesn’t offer any property-specific features.

Pros

• Excellent bank feed and reconciliation features.
• Strong reporting tools.
• Various integrations available.

Cons

• Not tailored to landlords.
• No built-in tenant or property management tools.
• Expensive considering no specialist tools.

Pricing

Plans start from £16/month.

3. QuickBooks

Best for: Landlords with small portfolios looking for simple, mobile-friendly MTD software.

QuickBooks is another popular accounting tool that features built-in MTD compliance. It offers a good selection of time-saving automation tools that are useful for landlords, including live bank feeds, expense categorisation, and income tracking. It’s a straightforward option for landlords looking for user-friendly software that can be accessed on a mobile phone.

Pros

• User-friendly interface.
• Good automation features.
• Various integrations available.

Cons

• Not tailored to landlords.
• Difficult to access property-specific reports.
• Limited scalability for large portfolios.

Pricing

Plans start from £10/month.

4. FreshBooks

Best for: Landlords with small portfolios and basic accounting needs.

FreshBooks is an HMRC and MTD compliant cloud accounting software with a simple, user-friendly interface. Businesses use it in a wide variety of industries, and it is not specifically designed for landlords. While it doesn’t have any landlord-specific tools, it has all the features required by landlords with one or two properties to manage their finances and digital tax submissions efficiently.

Pros

• User-friendly accounting and bookkeeping tools.
• Good reporting for basic needs.

Cons

• Not tailored to landlords.
• Limited automation tools.

Pricing

Plans start from £7.50/month.

5. Hammock

Best for: Hands-on landlords looking for finance and compliance-focused software.

Hammock is a new platform designed to help landlords comply with Making Tax Digital. It offers tools for easy bookkeeping and digital tax submissions, but does not include more general property management features. Hammock has a good range of automation tools and insightful reports, making it a great choice for landlords who want to save time and gain a clearer view of their rental portfolio’s financial health.

Pros

• Built for landlords.
• Real-time rent tracking and cash flow analysis.
• Manages all property ownership structures.

Cons

• Still quite a new and developing platform.
• Limited custom reporting compared to full accounting software.

Pricing

Plans start from £8/month.

6. Landlord Studio

Best for: Small portfolio landlords looking for MTD support and basic property management tools.

Landlord Studio is an all-in-one MTD-approved software for landlords. As well as helping landlords comply with MTD by keeping digital records and making quarterly tax submissions to HMRC, Landlord Studio also offers property maintenance and tenancy management tools. Its user-friendly app makes it easy for landlords to manage their business while on the go.

Pros

• Slick mobile app.
• Specialist landlord software.
• Good suite of property management tools.
• Cloud document storage and data backups.

Cons

• Mobile reporting is quite basic.
• Some features are only available with higher-tier plans.

Pricing

Free plan available for landlords managing 1-3 units with a fee of £5 per MTD tax submission.

Comparing MTD software for landlords at a glance

Software	Best for	Starting Price	Free Trial	Supports direct HMRC integration
Landlord Vision	Landlords with portfolios of any size, looking for all-in-one software.	£19.97/month	Yes (2 weeks)	Yes
Xero	Landlords managing one or two properties who already use Xero for their accounting.	£16/month	Yes (30 days)	Yes
QuickBooks	Landlords with small portfolios looking for simple, mobile-friendly MTD software.	£10/month	Yes (30 days)	Yes
FreshBooks	Landlords with small portfolios and basic accounting needs.	£7.50/month	Yes (30 days)	No, VAT only. But it will be by the deadline.
Hammock	Hands-on landlords looking for finance and compliance-focused software.	£8/month	Yes (30 days)	Yes
Landlord Studio	Small portfolio landlords looking for MTD support and basic property management tools.	Free for 1-3 units (£5 per MTD submission)	Yes (14 days)	No, but it will be by the deadline.

Choosing the right software for your MTD needs

The right software for you depends on the size of your portfolio, how involved you are in managing your properties, and how you currently manage your finances. While some landlords may require a comprehensive, all-in-one software that streamlines every aspect of property management, others may only need a straightforward tool to help them comply with the new way of working. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the right software for your needs.

Choose Landlord Vision if: You want an all-in-one solution for MTD compliance, accounting, and full property management, whether you manage one property or a large portfolio.

Choose Xero if: You already use Xero for general business accounting and want to start making MTD submissions with minimal hassle.

Choose QuickBooks if: You’re a small-scale landlord looking for user-friendly accounting software with good automation features and built-in MTD compliance.

Choose FreshBooks if: You have one or two rental properties and want a simple, affordable platform to manage basic bookkeeping and MTD compliance.

Choose Hammock if: You want landlord-specific finance tools with strong automation, real-time rent tracking and full MTD for Income Tax integration.

Choose Landlord Studio if: You manage a small portfolio and prefer a mobile-first tool that combines MTD submissions and bookkeeping with essential property management features.

Get ready for MTD with Landlord Vision

Landlord Vision is an HMRC-approved, all-in-one property management and MTD-compliant software solution. Designed for landlords, it helps streamline every aspect of property management, from tenant management to tax submissions – with no need to juggle multiple platforms. It also notifies you when deadlines are due so that you never miss one!

Prepare for MTD now to avoid last-minute stress. 

Book a free demo to find out how Landlord Vision can transform your rental business and help you comply with MTD.

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do I need different MTD software if I already use an accountant?

A: Even if your accountant will be making the digital submissions to HMRC for you, you will still be required to keep digital records. Choosing an MTD-compatible software that offers multi-user access will make it easy to share your digital records with your accountant.

Q: Is there a “free” MTD software for landlords?

A: There are a few free options, but they are very basic and don’t meet the needs of a growing portfolio. Landlord Studio offers a free basic plan for landlords with up to three properties and charges a separate fee for MTD submissions.

Q: Can I use spreadsheets and still comply with MTD?

A: While you are technically allowed to use spreadsheets to keep digital records, it is not generally advised as they can’t be connected directly to HMRC. To comply with MTD, you’d need to use bridging software to make your quarterly submissions. Using spreadsheets is not advised as it is less secure, more prone to errors, and less efficient than using approved MTD software.