Quick Overview
- 1#1: Stessa - Automates bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax-ready reports specifically for rental property investors.
- 2#2: Baselane - Offers integrated banking, automated accounting, and portfolio management for real estate landlords and investors.
- 3#3: QuickBooks Online - Provides robust accounting with real estate add-ons for tracking income, expenses, and generating Schedule E reports.
- 4#4: REI Hub - Delivers investor-focused bookkeeping software and services for multi-property portfolio accounting and tax prep.
- 5#5: Yardi Breeze - Cloud property management platform with comprehensive accounting for residential and commercial investments.
- 6#6: AppFolio - All-in-one property management software featuring advanced accounting and financial reporting for investors.
- 7#7: Buildium - Streamlines property management and accounting with tools for rent collection, expenses, and investor reports.
- 8#8: DoorLoop - Modern all-in-one platform for property accounting, tenant screening, and investment performance tracking.
- 9#9: Xero - Cloud-based accounting software ideal for managing investment property finances and bank reconciliations.
- 10#10: Rentec Direct - Affordable property management tool with integrated accounting for rental income and expense tracking.
We selected and ranked these tools based on functionality (e.g., automated reporting, tax readiness), user experience (ease of navigation, setup), quality (reliability, integration capabilities), and value (cost-effectiveness relative to features) to ensure relevance for today’s investors.
Comparison Table
Managing investment properties effectively relies on the right accounting software, and with tools like Stessa, Baselane, QuickBooks Online, REI Hub, Yardi Breeze, and many others, selecting the ideal solution can be challenging. This comparison table breaks down key features, ease of use, and pricing structures, guiding readers to find software that matches their needs—whether they prioritize simplicity, automation, or robust portfolio management.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stessa Automates bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax-ready reports specifically for rental property investors. | specialized | 9.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 2 | Baselane Offers integrated banking, automated accounting, and portfolio management for real estate landlords and investors. | specialized | 9.3/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 3 | QuickBooks Online Provides robust accounting with real estate add-ons for tracking income, expenses, and generating Schedule E reports. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 4 | REI Hub Delivers investor-focused bookkeeping software and services for multi-property portfolio accounting and tax prep. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 5 | Yardi Breeze Cloud property management platform with comprehensive accounting for residential and commercial investments. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 6 | AppFolio All-in-one property management software featuring advanced accounting and financial reporting for investors. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 7 | Buildium Streamlines property management and accounting with tools for rent collection, expenses, and investor reports. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | DoorLoop Modern all-in-one platform for property accounting, tenant screening, and investment performance tracking. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Xero Cloud-based accounting software ideal for managing investment property finances and bank reconciliations. | other | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 10 | Rentec Direct Affordable property management tool with integrated accounting for rental income and expense tracking. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.3/10 |
Automates bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax-ready reports specifically for rental property investors.
Offers integrated banking, automated accounting, and portfolio management for real estate landlords and investors.
Provides robust accounting with real estate add-ons for tracking income, expenses, and generating Schedule E reports.
Delivers investor-focused bookkeeping software and services for multi-property portfolio accounting and tax prep.
Cloud property management platform with comprehensive accounting for residential and commercial investments.
All-in-one property management software featuring advanced accounting and financial reporting for investors.
Streamlines property management and accounting with tools for rent collection, expenses, and investor reports.
Modern all-in-one platform for property accounting, tenant screening, and investment performance tracking.
Cloud-based accounting software ideal for managing investment property finances and bank reconciliations.
Affordable property management tool with integrated accounting for rental income and expense tracking.
Stessa
specializedAutomates bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax-ready reports specifically for rental property investors.
AI-driven automated categorization and bank reconciliation that eliminates manual data entry for rental income/expenses
Stessa is a cloud-based accounting platform designed specifically for real estate investors managing rental properties. It automates bookkeeping by syncing transactions from bank accounts and credit cards, intelligently categorizing income and expenses, and generating detailed financial reports, profit/loss statements, and tax-ready documents. The software provides portfolio-level dashboards for performance tracking, cash flow analysis, and benchmarking against market data, making it ideal for scaling investment portfolios.
Pros
- Completely free for unlimited properties and units with core accounting features
- Seamless automated bank syncs and AI-powered transaction categorization
- Comprehensive reporting including tax packages, cash flow forecasts, and investor-grade dashboards
Cons
- Limited advanced customization for reports and invoicing compared to enterprise tools
- Customer support mainly email-based with no phone option
- Best suited for smaller portfolios; may lack depth for very large-scale operations
Best For
Individual real estate investors and small property managers who need simple, automated accounting without ongoing costs.
Pricing
Free for all core features including unlimited properties; optional partner services for banking and lending at extra cost.
Baselane
specializedOffers integrated banking, automated accounting, and portfolio management for real estate landlords and investors.
Integrated high-yield banking that automatically sweeps rental income into FDIC-insured accounts earning competitive interest
Baselane is a free, all-in-one platform tailored for real estate investors, providing automated accounting software specifically for managing investment rental properties. It syncs with bank accounts and credit cards to automatically categorize income, expenses, mortgages, and maintenance costs across multiple properties. The tool generates detailed financial reports, profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and IRS Schedule E tax forms, while also offering integrated banking with high-yield savings.
Pros
- Completely free core accounting with unlimited properties and transactions
- Automated bank sync and AI-powered transaction categorization
- Tax-ready Schedule E reports and investor-grade financial dashboards
Cons
- Limited to U.S. properties and banks
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to enterprise solutions
- Advanced lending features require application and approval
Best For
U.S.-based real estate investors and landlords with 1-50 rental properties seeking automated, cost-free bookkeeping.
Pricing
Core accounting and reporting are free forever; optional banking provides up to 4.35% APY on balances with no monthly fees.
QuickBooks Online
otherProvides robust accounting with real estate add-ons for tracking income, expenses, and generating Schedule E reports.
Class and Location tracking for granular, property-specific financial reporting
QuickBooks Online is a versatile cloud-based accounting software widely used by small businesses, including real estate investors managing rental properties. It enables tracking of rental income, expenses, mortgages, and maintenance costs through customizable categories, classes, and locations for property-specific reporting. While not a dedicated property management tool, it supports investment property accounting with strong general ledger capabilities, bank reconciliations, and tax-ready reports, often enhanced by third-party integrations.
Pros
- Powerful bank feed integration for automatic transaction import and categorization
- Custom classes and locations for property-level profit/loss tracking
- Robust reporting tools including 1099 filings and customizable financial statements
Cons
- Lacks native tenant portals, rent collection, or maintenance tracking
- Requires third-party apps for advanced property management features
- Higher-tier plans needed for multi-property scalability, increasing costs
Best For
Real estate investors with 5-50 rental properties seeking reliable general accounting with some customization, who are comfortable with integrations.
Pricing
Starts at $30/month (Simple Start) up to $200/month (Advanced), with annual discounts and add-ons extra.
REI Hub
specializedDelivers investor-focused bookkeeping software and services for multi-property portfolio accounting and tax prep.
One-click bank reconciliation with AI-powered real estate transaction categorization
REI Hub is a specialized accounting software designed for real estate investors, automating bank transaction reconciliation, expense tracking, and financial reporting for rental properties. It categorizes transactions with real estate-specific rules, generates Schedule E tax forms, and provides profit/loss statements across multiple properties. The platform emphasizes simplicity, connecting directly to bank accounts for hands-off data import and management.
Pros
- Automated bank feeds and reconciliation save significant time for property owners
- Real estate-focused categorization and Schedule E reporting streamline tax prep
- Affordable pricing scales well for small to mid-sized portfolios
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- No native mobile app, relying on web access
- Integrations are basic, mainly with banks and QuickBooks
Best For
Small to medium real estate investors and landlords with 1-50 properties seeking simple, automated accounting without needing full property management features.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month for up to 10 properties (Starter plan), $49/month for up to 50 (Pro), and custom enterprise pricing; annual discounts available.
Yardi Breeze
enterpriseCloud property management platform with comprehensive accounting for residential and commercial investments.
Investor Portal for secure, self-service access to financial statements and distributions
Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management software with robust accounting features designed for investment property owners and managers. It streamlines financial operations including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, bank reconciliations, and investor distribution tracking. The platform offers real-time reporting, customizable dashboards, and integration with property management tools for end-to-end portfolio oversight. It's particularly suited for multifamily and commercial investment properties.
Pros
- Comprehensive accounting suite with investor-specific tools like fund accounting and distribution management
- Real-time financial dashboards and advanced reporting capabilities
- Scalable cloud platform with seamless mobile access and integrations
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers make it less ideal for small portfolios
- Steeper learning curve for advanced accounting customizations
- Implementation and onboarding can take several weeks
Best For
Mid-sized real estate investment firms managing multifamily or commercial portfolios needing integrated accounting and property management.
Pricing
Subscription-based starting at $1-2 per unit/month, with custom quotes for enterprise features and add-ons.
AppFolio
enterpriseAll-in-one property management software featuring advanced accounting and financial reporting for investors.
Real-time owner portals delivering customized financial dashboards and automated distribution reports
AppFolio is a comprehensive cloud-based property management platform with robust accounting features tailored for investment property owners and managers. It handles tenant billing, rent collection, expense tracking, bank reconciliations, financial statements, and tax reporting like 1099s. The software integrates accounting seamlessly with property operations, providing real-time insights into portfolio performance.
Pros
- Automated accounting with bank integrations and real-time reporting
- Strong compliance tools including trust accounting and 1099 generation
- Scalable for portfolios of varying sizes with mobile access
Cons
- Pricing per-unit model can be costly for small investors
- Steeper learning curve for advanced accounting customizations
- Less focused on pure investment analytics compared to dedicated tools
Best For
Real estate investors and property managers handling moderate to large multifamily or commercial portfolios needing integrated operations and accounting.
Pricing
Starts at $1.40 per unit/month (billed annually) with tiered plans; additional fees for premium features and setup.
Buildium
specializedStreamlines property management and accounting with tools for rent collection, expenses, and investor reports.
Automated 1099 e-filing and expense categorization directly integrated with property management workflows
Buildium is a comprehensive cloud-based property management software tailored for residential landlords and property managers, with strong accounting capabilities for investment properties. It automates rent collection, tracks expenses, handles bank reconciliations, generates financial statements, and supports tax reporting like 1099 forms. The platform integrates property operations with accounting to provide a unified view of portfolio performance, making it suitable for small to mid-sized investors.
Pros
- Integrated accounting with automated invoicing, payments, and reconciliations
- Robust reporting tools including P&L, balance sheets, and year-end tax prep
- Scalable for growing portfolios with resident self-service portals
Cons
- Pricing scales with number of units, becoming costly for large portfolios
- Some advanced accounting customizations require higher-tier plans
- Occasional glitches in mobile app for financial tracking
Best For
Small to medium-sized residential property investors and managers seeking an all-in-one solution for accounting and operations.
Pricing
Starts at $58/month for up to 20 units (Growth plan), scaling to $365+/month for 250+ units (Premium+), billed annually.
DoorLoop
specializedModern all-in-one platform for property accounting, tenant screening, and investment performance tracking.
Dedicated Investor Owner Portal with customizable dashboards for portfolio-wide financial insights and reporting
DoorLoop is an all-in-one property management software with strong accounting capabilities tailored for real estate investors and landlords managing investment properties. It automates rent collection, tracks expenses, handles accounts payable/receivable, and generates financial reports like profit & loss statements, balance sheets, and 1099 forms. The platform supports bank reconciliations, portfolio tracking, and investor portals for multi-property oversight, making it suitable for scaling operations.
Pros
- Robust accounting tools including automated reconciliations and tax reporting
- Intuitive interface with mobile app for on-the-go management
- Investor portals for owners to view real-time financials across properties
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with portfolio size, potentially costly for large investors
- Limited native support for advanced investment analytics like IRR calculations
- Some users report occasional sync issues with bank integrations
Best For
Small to mid-sized real estate investors and property managers needing integrated accounting and operations management.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for up to 25 units (Essentials plan); Pro ($99+/month) and Premium ($179+/month) add advanced features, billed per portfolio size.
Xero
otherCloud-based accounting software ideal for managing investment property finances and bank reconciliations.
Unlimited bank connections with smart rules for automatic categorization of rental income and property expenses
Xero is a cloud-based accounting software primarily designed for small to medium businesses, providing tools for invoicing, bank reconciliation, expense tracking, payroll, and financial reporting. For investment property accounting, it supports rental income tracking via invoicing and bank feeds, expense categorization with custom tracking for properties, and basic fixed asset management for depreciation. While versatile and integrable with property-specific apps like REI Hub or PropertyMe, it lacks native features for tenant management, lease tracking, or portfolio-level vacancy analysis, making it suitable as a general ledger rather than a dedicated property solution.
Pros
- Seamless bank feeds and automation rules for reconciling rental transactions
- Custom tracking categories and projects for multi-property expense allocation
- Strong integrations with property management tools like Buildium and Rentec Direct
Cons
- No built-in tenant or lease management features
- Property-specific reporting requires manual setup or third-party apps
- Pricing scales quickly for users needing advanced features or multiple users
Best For
Small-scale property investors who need reliable general accounting with customization for rentals and integrations for specialized needs.
Pricing
Starts at $15/month (Early plan, limited users/features), $42/month (Growing), $78/month (Established); billed annually with regional variations.
Rentec Direct
specializedAffordable property management tool with integrated accounting for rental income and expense tracking.
Automatic synchronization of rent payments and expenses directly into the general ledger for real-time financial accuracy
Rentec Direct is a cloud-based property management software with integrated accounting features designed for landlords and investment property owners. It streamlines rent collection, expense tracking, bank reconciliations, and generates financial reports including profit/loss statements and 1099 forms. While it offers solid basics for small to mid-sized portfolios, it lacks advanced investment analytics or multi-entity support found in enterprise solutions.
Pros
- Affordable pricing scalable by unit count
- Integrated online rent payments and auto-ledger posting
- Comprehensive reporting including tax-ready 1099s and P&L statements
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting tools like portfolio-level analytics or depreciation tracking
- Basic customization in financial reports
- Customer support primarily email-based with no phone option for lower tiers
Best For
Small to medium-sized landlords and individual investors managing 10-100 units who need straightforward accounting tied to daily property operations.
Pricing
Starts at $45/month for up to 10 units, $55 for 11-25 units, up to $235+ for 500+ units; 30-day free trial, no setup fees.
Conclusion
The top 10 investment property accounting tools highlight solutions tailored to diverse investor needs, with Stessa emerging as the top choice for its seamless automation of bookkeeping, expense tracking, and tax-ready reports. Baselane and QuickBooks Online follow as strong alternatives, offering integrated banking/portfolio management and robust real estate add-ons, respectively, ensuring there’s a tool for every investor’s unique workflow. Evaluating these platforms helps streamline financial tasks, from rent collection to tax prep, making smart tools essential for managing and growing rental portfolios effectively.
Take the first step toward simplified property accounting—try Stessa, the top-ranked tool, and discover how it can transform your investment management experience.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
