Landlord Software in the UK: An Independent Comparison by Portfolio Size

Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Next review: April 2027

Most “best landlord software” articles are written by the software companies themselves, or by sites paid a commission for every sign-up. This one isn’t. We don’t take affiliate fees from any product below, and we don’t claim to have run every tool for a year. What we do is compare the published plans, prices and limits side by side — checked on each vendor’s own pricing page in September 2026 — and explain which type of tool tends to suit which kind of landlord.

With Making Tax Digital now in force for landlords with qualifying income over £50,000, and extending to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028, choosing software has become a compliance decision as well as a convenience one.

First, understand the four types of software

Landlord “software” covers quite different products. Knowing which type you need narrows the field quickly.

The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) notes that bridging software can’t create digital records itself — it relies on your spreadsheet — while accounting software can link to your bank and categorise transactions automatically.

Comparison by portfolio size

1–3 properties: keep it simple and cheap

If you have one to three properties, the most important job is staying MTD-compliant with minimal effort. Two landlord apps publish free tiers at this size:

• Landlord Studio “MTD Go” — free for up to 3 units, with MTD submissions charged at £5 per submission. Manual income and expense tracking, basic reports, tenancy management and a mileage tracker.
• Latch Basic — free for up to 3 leases, one user, with limited document storage and reports.

If you’d rather have automatic bank feeds, paid entry plans start at around £10–£20 a month (see our full price table). QuickBooks’ Sole Trader Plus is listed at £10 a month plus VAT; Landlord Studio Pro at £12 a month plus VAT for 3 units.

Watch out for: per-submission fees on free plans (four quarterly updates plus a tax return add up), and whether the free tier supports everything MTD requires for property income.

4–10 properties: landlord-specific tools earn their keep

At this size, tracking which tenant has paid, when each certificate expires and which repairs are outstanding becomes real work. Landlord-specific apps start to justify their price:

• Latch Pro — £20 a month for up to 8 leases, then £1 per extra lease; up to 2 users; tenant communication tools and an AI assistant.
• Landlord Studio Pro — £12 a month plus VAT for 3 units, plus £1.20 plus VAT per extra unit; automated bank feeds, rent reminders and free MTD submissions.
• Landlord Vision — Starter plan listed for 4 tenancies and Standard for 10 tenancies (annual billing; see prices in our price table); 14-day free trial and a 90-day money-back guarantee advertised.

Watch out for: tier boundaries. A plan that fits 8 properties today can jump in price when you buy the 9th.

10–50 properties: multi-user and compliance tracking

Larger portfolios usually need several people to access the system (a partner, a bookkeeper, a maintenance contact) and stronger compliance tracking, especially with the PRS database requiring gas, electrical and EPC documents to be uploaded from December 2026.

• Latch Enterprise — £40 a month for up to 50 leases, up to 5 users, automated workflows and advanced compliance tracking.
• Landlord Vision Premium / Enterprise — listed for 15 and 25 tenancies respectively, with per-tenancy charges above that.

50+ properties or letting agents: property management platforms

• Arthur Online — plans from £82.50 a month (Standard, 55 units included) up to £126 a month (Enterprise, 70 units), with per-unit pricing above that and annual contracts. Maintenance and finance modules, compliance tracking, contractor tools and mobile access.
• Latch Commercial — custom pricing, up to 50 users, API access and multi-entity portfolios.

Comparison by need

General accounting software vs landlord apps

Xero (from £18 a month on the Ignite plan; all plans described by Xero as “MTD for Income Tax ready”) and QuickBooks (Sole Trader Plus £10, Simple Start £16 a month plus VAT, per Startups.co.uk) are powerful accounting tools. Both have run steep introductory discounts — 90% off for six months at the time of checking.

The trade-off: they’re built for businesses, not tenancies. They won’t natively track tenancy start dates, deposits or certificate expiries the way landlord apps do, and Xero’s cheapest plan limits the number of bills you can enter. They make most sense if you’re also self-employed or if your accountant already works in them.

What we haven’t verified

We compare published plans and limits. We haven’t tested each product with a live portfolio, and features, prices and MTD status change frequently. Before you commit:

1. Check the product appears on HMRC’s MTD for Income Tax software finder and supports property income (and joint or foreign property if you have it).
2. Use the free trial to run one real month: record rent, add an expense, and create a quarterly summary.
3. Confirm you can export your data if you leave — LITRG points out you need to keep records for years, even after switching.

Our 8-point checklist for choosing landlord software walks you through this in more detail.

Is software tax-deductible?

Yes, generally. Software subscriptions used wholly for your letting business are an allowable expense, and LITRG notes that the cost of MTD software can be deductible as a business expense.

Quick profiles: which type suits which landlord?

The one-property accidental landlord. Wants MTD compliance with minimum fuss, only if their income crosses a threshold. A free landlord app tier or bridging software is usually enough. Spend the time on getting records right rather than learning a complex package.

The five-property investor with a day job. Wants to stop chasing rent on spreadsheets and never miss a certificate renewal. A paid landlord-specific app with bank feeds and compliance reminders usually earns its cost here, typically £12–£35 a month on the published plans.

The landlord who’s also a sole trader. Has two income streams under MTD and often an accountant already. General accounting software such as Xero or QuickBooks keeps both in one place, though it won’t track tenancies the way landlord apps do.

The 30-property portfolio with a part-time assistant. Needs multi-user access, workflows for repairs and a clear audit trail for the PRS database. Look at higher landlord-app tiers or a property management platform, and weigh annual contracts against flexibility.

Switching software later

It’s normal to outgrow your first choice. To make switching painless:

• choose a product that lets you export transactions, documents and tenancy data;
• switch at the start of an MTD quarter so each update comes from one system;
• keep a full export from the old system — you need to keep records even after moving provider;
• run both systems in parallel for a month if you can.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best landlord software in the UK? There isn’t one best choice for everyone. For 1–3 properties, a free or low-cost landlord app is usually enough; for larger portfolios, look at multi-user tools with compliance tracking.

Is there free MTD software for landlords? Yes. Some landlord apps offer free tiers for small portfolios (for example Landlord Studio’s MTD Go and Latch Basic for up to 3 units/leases), though limits and per-submission fees can apply.

Do I need property management software or accounting software? If you mainly need tax records, accounting or landlord-accounting software is enough. If you manage maintenance, tenants and a team, a property management platform adds more value.

Can I keep using spreadsheets under MTD? Yes, if you use bridging software to submit to HMRC.

Sources

• Latch — Pricing (checked September 2026)
• Landlord Studio — UK pricing (checked September 2026)
• Landlord Vision — Plans and prices (checked September 2026)
• Arthur Online — Pricing (checked September 2026)
• Xero UK — Pricing plans (checked September 2026)
• Startups.co.uk — How much does QuickBooks cost? (updated 26 March 2026)
• LITRG — Choosing Making Tax Digital software (updated 6 April 2026)
• GOV.UK — Find software that works with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax

We don’t receive commission from any software mentioned. Prices change often — always confirm on the vendor’s site. Last checked: 8 October 2026.

Related guides

• Landlord Software Prices in the UK (2026): The Full Comparison Table
• How to Choose Landlord Software: An 8-Point Checklist for UK Landlords
• Landlord Safety Certificate Costs in 2026: Gas Safety, EICR and EPC
• The True Cost of Being a Landlord in the UK (2026)
• Making Tax Digital for Landlords: Does It Apply to You, and When?

Figures are published examples, estimates and averages, not quotes. Rules change: check the linked official source before you act.

About this guide: written and edited by the LandlordCosts Team. We are not solicitors, accountants or insurance brokers; every figure is linked to its source. Read how we research costs, our editorial policy and more about us.