Best Rental Property Accounting Software for Landlords in the US
Feb 26, 2026
Managing rental properties can be incredibly rewarding, but the accounting side often feels like a full-time job on its own. Between tracking rent payments, logging expenses, preparing for tax season, and keeping your books organized for investors or lenders, spreadsheets can quickly become overwhelming and prone to errors. Using the right software does more than just reduce stress; it provides clear insights into your cash flow and helps you keep more money in your pocket.
In this guide, you’ll get plain language breakdowns of the top rental property accounting tools landlords in the US rely on, with features, estimated pricing, tax support details, and ease‑of‑use info that helps you choose the right fit for your portfolio.
Let’s break down each of them.
Stessa
Stessa is a rental property financial tracking platform designed specifically for real estate investors. It helps you monitor income, expenses, and property performance in one centralized dashboard without complex accounting setup.
Best for: Independent landlords and small portfolio owners
Starting price (US): Free plan available, optional paid upgrades
Key accounting features: Automated income and expense tracking, financial dashboards, performance analytics, tax-ready reports
Portfolio size fit: 1–50 properties
Tax reporting support: Schedule E-ready reports for US tax filing
Bank sync and integrations: Bank and mortgage account syncing with automatic transaction imports
Free trial or free plan: Free plan available
Ease of use: Very easy and beginner-friendly
Buildium
Buildium is a property management platform that includes built-in accounting tools for rental businesses. It combines financial tracking, tenant management, and operations in one system designed for growing portfolios.
Best for: Small to mid-sized property managers
Starting price (US): About $50+ per month depending on plan
Key accounting features: General ledger accounting, rent tracking, expense management, financial reporting, automated payments
Portfolio size fit: 20–200+ units
Tax reporting support: Exportable financial reports for tax preparation
Bank sync and integrations: Bank feeds for automatic transaction import
Free trial or free plan: Free trial available
Ease of use: Moderate learning curve
AppFolio
AppFolio is an all-in-one property management and accounting platform built for professional real estate operators. It provides enterprise-level financial controls and automation for complex rental portfolios.
Best for: Professional property managers and large portfolios
Starting price (US): Per-unit pricing with monthly minimum cost
Key accounting features: Double-entry accounting, automated owner statements, advanced reporting, bank reconciliation
Portfolio size fit: 50+ units
Tax reporting support: Detailed financial reports and audit-ready records
Bank sync and integrations: ACH payments and automated reconciliation tools
Free trial or free plan: Demo available
Ease of use: Moderate to advanced
QuickBooks
QuickBooks is a general business accounting software widely used by small businesses and accountants. Landlords can adapt it for rental property bookkeeping by tracking each property as a separate income source.
Best for: Landlords who want full accounting flexibility
Starting price (US): About $35/month for entry-level plan
Key accounting features: Income and expense tracking, invoicing, financial reporting, tax preparation support
Portfolio size fit: 1–100 properties
Tax reporting support: CPA-friendly reports and tax-ready financial statements
Bank sync and integrations: Direct bank feeds and third-party integrations
Free trial or free plan: Free trial available
Ease of use: Moderate, requires setup for rental tracking
Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct is a property management and accounting platform focused on affordability and essential features. It helps landlords manage rent payments, track expenses, and generate financial reports from one system.
Best for: Budget-conscious landlords and small property managers
Starting price (US): Around $45+ per month depending on units
Key accounting features: General ledger accounting, rent tracking, owner reporting, financial statements
Portfolio size fit: 10–200 units
Tax reporting support: Schedule E-ready financial summaries
Bank sync and integrations: Bank transaction imports and ACH rent payments
Free trial or free plan: Free trial available
Ease of use: Easy and practical
DoorLoop
DoorLoop is a modern property management system that includes built-in accounting tools for rental businesses. It focuses on automation and usability, making financial tracking accessible even for new landlords.
Best for: Growing landlords who want an all-in-one system
Starting price (US): Around $59/month depending on plan
Key accounting features: Income and expense tracking, owner and tenant ledgers, reporting tools, automated rent payments
Portfolio size fit: Small to large portfolios
Tax reporting support: Exportable financial reports for tax filing
Bank sync and integrations: Bank synchronization and online payment processing
Free trial or free plan: Free trial available
Ease of use: Very easy and intuitive
Hemlane
Hemlane is a rental management platform that blends accounting tools with leasing and maintenance coordination. It is designed for self-managing landlords who want financial tracking and operational support in one place.
Best for: Self-managing landlords with remote properties
Starting price (US): Around $36–$65/month depending on plan
Key accounting features: Income tracking, expense reporting, rent collection, financial summaries
Portfolio size fit: 1–100 units
Tax reporting support: Financial reports for US tax preparation
Bank sync and integrations: Bank syncing and online payment handling
Free trial or free plan: Free trial available
Ease of use: Easy and user-friendly
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right rental property accounting software is essential for landlords who want to save time, reduce errors, and make tax season easier. Each tool has its strengths depending on your portfolio size, management style, and the level of automation you want.
Single-property landlords: Stessa or QuickBooks offer simplicity and strong accounting features without unnecessary extras.
Small portfolios (2–10 units): Rentec Direct or DoorLoop balance affordability with essential accounting and tenant management tools.
Scaling investors: DoorLoop or Buildium provide automation and reporting features that support growth and multiple properties.
Property managers: AppFolio and Buildium excel at combining accounting, leasing, and reporting in one platform.
Budget-conscious landlords: Stessa provides a free and reliable option for basic accounting needs.
Advanced reporting needs: AppFolio and QuickBooks offer in-depth financial reporting and tax-ready data for complex portfolios.
No matter your portfolio size or goals, aligning your software choice with your workflow will save you time and help you make smarter financial decisions. For landlords and investors in the US looking for guidance on accounting tools, financial management, and business strategy, our team at Andemax can help you set up, optimize, and scale your rental property finances efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best rental property accounting software for landlords in the US?
The right choice depends on your portfolio and how much automation you want. For simple rental accounting without extra property tools, Stessa or QuickBooks work well. For combined property management and accounting, Buildium or DoorLoop are strong picks.
Do landlords need accounting software or is a spreadsheet enough?
Spreadsheets may work if you have one or two properties, but they become error‑prone with growth. Software automates bank syncing, expense categorization, and tax reporting, saving you time and reducing mistakes.
Is there free accounting software for rental properties?
Yes. Stessa offers a robust free tier covering most basic accounting needs, including income/expense tracking and tax‑ready reports.
What features should landlords prioritize first?
Focus on bank synchronization, income/expense tracking, tax‑ready reporting, and online rent collection. These features reduce manual work and keep your books accurate.
Can rental accounting software help with taxes?
Most tools generate reports landlords can hand to accountants or upload to tax software, making preparation for IRS Schedule E much easier than manual methods.
What software works best for small portfolios vs large portfolios?
For smaller portfolios (1–20 units), Stessa, Rentec Direct, or DoorLoop are cost‑effective options. For larger portfolios or more advanced workflows, Buildium and AppFolio offer deep functionality.