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Looking for the best MTD software for landlords in the UK? We compare six reputable options, including Landlord Vision, Xero, QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Hammock, and Landlord Studio. We put them head to head on what matters for landlords ahead of MTD for Income Tax, including digital record keeping, bank feeds, property level income and expense tracking, reporting, and support.
The rollout of Making Tax Digital (MTD) is underway. If you’ a’re not using MTD software yet, there’ i’s still time to get set up.
Choosing the right software now helps you keep cleaner digital records, streamline bookkeeping and reduce last minute stress when quarterly updates begin.
This guide compares the most popular MTD software options used by UK landlords. It explains the differences between general accounting platforms and landlord focused tools, so you can choose what fits your portfolio and working style.
TL; DR: the best MTD software for landlords is:
- Landlord Vision
- Xero
- Quickbooks
- Freshbooks
- Hammock
- Landlord Studio
Making Tax Digital (MTD) recap
Making Tax Digital is a government initiative designed to move the UK tax system towards digital record keeping and online submissions. Under MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment, landlords and sole traders will need to keep digital records and send quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software.
VAT registered businesses already follow similar rules, with MTD for VAT now required for most VAT registered businesses using compatible software.
MTD for Income Tax is being introduced in phases:
- From 6 April 2026 if your qualifying income is over £50,000
- From 6 April 2027 if your qualifying income is over £30,000
- HMRC also set out plans to lower the threshold to £20,000 from 6 April 2028
If you are likely to fall into the first phase, the most practical step is to start using software that supports digital record keeping now, so your categories, bank feeds, and reporting are already in place when quarterly submissions begin.
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 6 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: UK landlords with growing portfolios who want one system for MTD-ready record keeping, cleaner finances, and tighter portfolio control.
Landlord Vision is a UK-focused property portfolio management platform built for landlords who have outgrown spreadsheets and paperwork. It is desktop-first, aimed at landlords running property like a business, where compliance pressure and admin volume rise as portfolios grow.
For Making Tax Digital, Landlord Vision is building tools to support MTD-aligned workflows and digital submissions to HMRC once HMRC recognition is confirmed. This means you can keep cleaner digital records in the same place you manage rent, expenses, and property admin, rather than stitching together separate tools.
It also supports the day to day property side, including compliance reminders, task tracking, and secure document storage, which is useful if you want MTD readiness without losing operational control.
Landlord Vision keyMTD features
| Feature | Description |
| Digital record keeping for rental finances | Property level income and expense tracking, so your records stay clean and consistent across the year.Receipts and invoices stored with each expense, keeping evidence organised for reviews and tax work. |
| Automated rent tracking and arrears visibility | Automatic rent schedules per tenancy, so you always know what is due, paid, or overdue.Real time arrears visibility across tenant, property, and portfolio, helping you spot missed payments early. |
| Bank feeds and reconciliation | Secure UK bank connections with support for multiple accounts.Automatic transaction imports with continuous updates.Property aware matching for rent and expenses, reducing manual reconciliation and improving accuracy. |
| Profit and loss reporting | Property level profit and loss views with drill down into cost categories.Portfolio level performance views, so you can compare properties and track trends over time. |
| Reporting suite for landlords | Financial reporting built from reconciled rent, expenses, and banking data, reducing multiple versions of the truth.Clear outputs for planning, reviews, and working with accountants. |
| MTD aligned workflows | Structured records designed to support MTD aligned workflows, helping you prepare for quarterly updates and end of year submissions.Built to support MTD for Income Tax submission functionality once HMRC recognition is confirmed. |
| Accountant collaboration and audit trail | Multi user access so you can share records with an accountant without emailing spreadsheets back and forth.Clear audit trails that make it easier to review changes and support compliance. |
Pricing
Starter (5 tenancies) £19.97, Standard (10) £29.97, Premium (15) £39.97, Enterprise (25) £84.97.
2. Xero
Best for: Landlords with one or two properties who already use Xero for their accounting.
Xero is widely used by small businesses in the UK and includes tools designed to support Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. It offers strong day to day bookkeeping features like bank feeds, reconciliation, invoicing, and expense tracking, plus a wide range of add-ons if you want to extend what the platform does.
For landlords, Xero works well if you mainly want a clean accounting tool to keep digital records and submit updates, and you do not need built-in property management features like tenancy workflows or compliance tracking.
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 user-friendly MTD software with automation.
QuickBooks is another popular accounting platform in the UK, with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax functionality and a setup designed to help users keep digital records and submit quarterly updates through the software.
It tends to suit hands-on landlords who want simple bookkeeping, bank feeds, and automation such as categorisation, without needing property-specific workflows. Like other general accounting tools, it is not built around tenancies, arrears, or property level admin, so many landlords pair it with separate landlord software if they want more than finance.
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 basic accounting needs who want a simple interface.
FreshBooks positions itself as an easy to use cloud accounting tool, and its UK materials focus heavily on Making Tax Digital for VAT. It can suit landlords who want straightforward invoicing and expense tracking in one place, without complex reporting or advanced automation.
For MTD for Income Tax, the wording is less clear in its UK pages compared with platforms that explicitly reference submitting quarterly Income Tax updates, so it is worth confirming Income Tax specific functionality before committing if MTD for ITSA is your main driver.
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: Landlords who want landlord-specific finance and MTD support.
Hammock is positioned as MTD software built for landlords, with a focus on tracking rental income and expenses and supporting quarterly filings to HMRC. It presents itself as HMRC recognised for landlords and puts MTD compliance at the centre of the product experience.
Unlike general accounting tools, Hammock leans into property context, which can make it easier to keep records clean without building workarounds. If you want deeper end to end property management features, you may still prefer an all-in-one platform, but for MTD and property finances, Hammock is a strong specialist option.
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 who want landlord-focused tracking with mobile access.
Landlord Studio is a landlord-focused platform that combines income and expense tracking with practical tools for managing rental admin. It is often used by landlords who want something more property-aware than general accounting software, with simple reporting and straightforward record keeping.
It is positioned for landlords who like handling admin on the go, while still keeping digital records organised for tax time. As with any MTD-related choice, it is worth checking the current MTD for Income Tax submission support and how it fits your workflow before you commit, especially if you manage multiple properties and want deeper reporting.
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.
- 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.
