Skip to main content

As a CFO, you understand how important it is to have accurate, efficient, and reliable tools for managing your property portfolio’s finances. Yet, if you’re still relying on outdated property management accounting software, you’re likely facing unnecessary challenges: time-consuming manual processes, limited integrations, or even inaccurate financial data. These issues don’t just hinder your productivity; they can also affect your decision-making and overall business performance.

But with all of the solutions available, how can you know which is right for you?

Using my experience as a fintech expert, I’ve helped countless financial leaders like you find solutions that align with their operational goals. I understand the specific challenges of balancing software and accounting requirements, and I'm confident that my insights into digital tools can help simplify financial workflows and focus on driving growth.

With this knowledge, I carefully tested and reviewed some of the best property management accounting software options available. These recommendations are based on their ability to streamline financial operations, improve accuracy, and integrate seamlessly into existing workflows.

Best Property Management Accounting Software Summary

Tool Best For Trial Info Price
1
Rent Manager

Rent Manager has a no-frills UI but solid functionality in accounts receivable and accounts payable workflows.

Best for efficient AR and AP processes

Free demo available

From $1/unit/month ($200 minimum) Website
2
AppFolio

Appfolio’s platform automates many of the routine tasks for property managers, including AR, AP, and bill entry.

Best for automation

Free demo available

From $1.40/unit (minimum monthly fee of $280) Website
3
Buildium

Buildium has an intuitive and responsive interface, plus an excellent mobile app for iOS and Android.

Best all-in-one property management software

14-day free trial

From $50/user/month Website
4
TenantCloud

TenantCloud offers a simplified UI that is primarily focused on listing, generating leads, and collecting rent payments.

Best value for money

Free trial and demo available

From $15/month Website
5
MRI Commercial Management

MRI Commercial Management is specifically designed for managers of commercial properties.

Best for commercial property management

Free demo available

Pricing upon request Website
6
DoorLoop

Doorloop’s beautiful data visualization helps managers get a birds-eye-view of operations and finances.

Most intuitive

Free demo available

From $59/month (up to 20 units) Website
7
Yardi Breeze

Yardi Breeze’s simplified UI is easy to navigate, even for beginners.

Best for non-technical users

Not available

From $100/user/month Website
8
Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct has a simple interface and can create robust financial reports for owners, managers, and stakeholders.

Best for financial reporting

14-day free trial

From $45/month Website
9
Proper.ai

Proper.ai is a dedicated accounting service that pairs managers with accounting experts in the property management industry.

Best service for one-on-one support

Not available

Pricing upon request Website
10
Hemlane

Hemlane is efficient for lease tracking and online rent collection.

Best for collaboration

14-day free trial

From $40/user/month Website

Best Property Management Accounting Software Reviews

Based on a combination of features, functionality, UI, pricing, and portfolio scope, these are the best rental property management accounting platforms on the market today.

Best for efficient AR and AP processes

  • Free demo available
  • From $1/unit/month ($200 minimum)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.7/5

Rent Manager is a comprehensive property management software with a solid list of features. It offers full-featured accounting with exceptional AR and AP processes—as well as ample marketing, listing, and screening tools to run the day-to-day operations of property management.

Why I picked Rent Manager: I selected Rent Manager because it has excellent AP and AR processes to help finance teams work more efficiently. The platform allows you to designate categories for everything coming in (rent, late fees, storage, parking, etc.) and going out (repairs, maintenance, licensing fees, taxes, etc). Once set up, the additional context adds insight to your financial reports and gives you a better understanding of your financial performance.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a complete accounting system, with advanced features like the ability to run in cash and accrual accounting modalities simultaneously. The platform can also generate over 450 unique financial reports for owners, stakeholders, and authorities.

Integrations include AmRent, Lease Track, Butterfly MX, Apartment List, and Experian.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good balance of property management, finance, and accounting functionality
  • Support for cash and accrual accounting simultaneously
  • Solid accounting features

Cons:

  • Pricing structure is overpriced for small portfolios
  • Initial implementation costs 2x the normal monthly rate

Best for automation

  • Free demo available
  • From $1.40/unit (minimum monthly fee of $280)
Visit Website
Rating: 4.6/5

Appfolio is a leading property management software that serves as an all-in-one platform for both residential and commercial managers. Its software is feature-rich and leans heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to automate certain workflows and provide data-driven insights.

Why I picked Appfolio: I selected Appfolio because of its extensive use of AI/ML to drive efficiency across property management operations. I also like their performance insights to compare year-over-year, budget to actuals, etc.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include smart bill entry that scans PDF invoices for key data to import to Appfolio, automated AP, automated late fees, and an AI leasing assistant. You also have a vendor portal, tenant portal, and owner portal that help you customize and automate your communication with each one.

Integrations include ButterflyMX, CondoCerts, Knock, Lowes, NetVendor, and PetScreening.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Unique features like utility management and security deposit alternatives
  • Easy integrations with a growing library of industry tools
  • Ample automation features to save time

Cons:

  • Does not support portfolios of under 50 units
  • Pricing structure isn’t a good fit for small portfolios

Best all-in-one property management software

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $50/user/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

Buildium is a property management software designed to help managers organize and handle just about every aspect of their business. Its dashboards serve as an overview of your entire operation, from outstanding rent to total door listings and tenancy rates.

Why I picked Buildium: I selected Buildium because it covers all the bases. From the accounting side, Buildium connects directly to bank accounts at most major financial institutions to help you track rent payments automatically. It also has built-in payment processing features for ACH payments and credit card purchases to help manage your accounts payable and vendor management. It even lets you accept cash payments through a partnership with PayNearMe.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include automatic bank syncing/reconciliation, making tracking rent payments much easier. It also has a slick resident portal, which helps tenants request quick maintenance, make payments, and manage lease agreements. By handling these more mundane tasks, Buildium allows managers to focus on higher-value activities.

Integrations include Obligo, LeadSimple, Tenant Turner, PetScreening, Gravy, and Hunter Warfield.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Useful resident portal for payments and maintenance requests
  • Excellent mobile app
  • All-in-one property management platform

Cons:

  • A bit pricey for smaller managers (under 50 units)

Best value for money

  • Free trial and demo available
  • From $15/month
Visit Website
Rating: 4.3/5

TenantCloud is an affordable property management software that has basic accounting features built-in. It’s generally best when paired with external accounting software, but it can be sufficient on its own for simpler operations.

Why I picked TenantCloud: I selected TenantCloud because it’s one of the most affordable platforms on the market, with plans from just $15. The software also shines on the business side of property management: It’s great for listing available units to dozens of listing sites automatically, screening tenants, collecting rent, and more.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include many listing and marketing tools, like the ability to automatically add listings to dozens of listing sites. TenantCloud also helps with generating and managing tenant leads and running tenant screening reports.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Stripe, Zillow, and Google Calendar.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Tenant lead generation tools
  • Solid listing tools
  • Affordable price point

Cons:

  • Best paired with additional accounting tools (like QuickBooks)
  • Basic accounting functionality

Best for commercial property management

  • Free demo available
  • Pricing upon request

MRI Commercial Management is a property management software tailored to the needs of large investors and commercial real estate managers. It focuses on leasing tools, lease flow monitoring, and advanced intelligent reporting and monitoring tools.

Why I picked MRI Commercial Management: I selected MRI because of its focus on commercial real estate (most tools on this list can support commercial properties, but few have a feature set as rich as MRI’s).

Standout features & integrations:

Features include lease flow CRM to manage the entire property lifecycle (and gain greater visibility into your leasing pipeline, helping to improve occupancy rates), and Secure Sign to manage and sign digital commercial real estate documents electronically. The software's AI-powered Lease Intelligence can also analyze commercial lease data, helping you manage lease agreements and other contract documents.

Integrations include AmRent, ApartmentFinder, Experian, HappyCo, Knock, and Obligo.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Responsive web-based design for use on any device
  • Excellent lease management, lease flow, and lease analytics tools
  • Designed for commercial property management

Cons:

  • Somewhat outdated UI
  • Accounting features are fairly basic

Most intuitive

  • Free demo available
  • From $59/month (up to 20 units)

Doorloop is a full-service property management software tool, covering everything from tenant screening to payment collection to accounting.

Why I picked Doorloop: I picked Doorloop primarily because of its ease of use. The app’s design is slick and responsive on any device, and the tenant and owner portal versions are simplified enough to not confuse users who are less tech-savvy.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include a built-in CRM and tenant portal for all-in-one management, an intuitive owner portal, a simple UI with responsive design, and marketing features that help you find tenants and schedule showings. It’s very easy to use, whether you’re accessing the manager portal, owner portal, or tenant portal. The software also gives you lots of ways to automate and customize your text and email communication with tenants and owners.

Integrations include Zillow, Trulia, QuickBooks, Asana, DeskAI, Slack, Zoom, Dropbox, Google Drive, Evernote, Gmail, Outlook, DocuSign, Salesforce, RingCentral, and Expensify.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Built-in marketing features to find tenants and schedule showings
  • All-in-one platform
  • Very simple to use for managers, owners, and tenants

Cons:

  • Limit of one currency per account
  • No free trial

Best for non-technical users

  • From $100/user/month

Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management and accounting software that makes it easier for individual managers and small firms to manage their properties. It’s specifically designed to be simple to use, even for beginners and non-technical users.

Why I picked Yardi Breeze: I selected Yardi Breeze because of its intuitive UI and its responsive cloud-based design for cross-platform compatibility. The software also provides specialized applications for different property types, including residential, commercial, self-storage, and affordable housing.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include marketing and leasing tools that simplify property listings and leasing with online leases and electronic signatures. Your team can also manage rent collection with various tenant payment options, including online payments and automated invoicing. Additionally, the software makes maintenance management simple with the electronic submission of maintenance requests and document attachments.

Integrations include QuickBooks, Condo Control, Nexus, and Butterfly MX.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • No onboarding/initiation fees
  • Simple integrations
  • User-friendly

Cons:

  • Annual contract (12 months)
  • Pricing structure makes it expensive for managers with less than 50-100 doors

Best for financial reporting

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $45/month

Rentec Direct is a comprehensive property management software that’s known for excellent financial reporting capabilities. It’s a relatively simple tool to use, but it packs a punch in terms of features. It handles both the day-to-day operations (like collecting rent payments and recording expenses), as well as the bigger-picture financial projections and performance tracking.

Why I picked Rentec Direct: I selected Rentec Direct for a combination of the reporting features and its Trust Account Certified status. That means it complies with all state-level requirements for trust accounting and security deposit fund tracking.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include trust account certification in all US states to comply with state real estate board requirements. The software also provides strong financial reporting and projections, and built-in tenant communications via SMS and email to help streamline communications.

Integrations include PetScreening, Dropbox Sign, Twilio, Plaid, and CloudConvert.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Tenant and owner portals via mobile app
  • Top-notch compliance support, including Trust Account Certification
  • Robust financial reporting

Cons:

  • Pricey for managers with smaller portfolios

Best service for one-on-one support

  • Pricing upon request

Proper.ai is very different from any other product on this list. It’s not so much software as it is a professional service.

Why I picked Proper.ai: I selected Proper.ai because it’s unique in offering one-on-one accounting and bookkeeping services from real human accountants (who are genuine industry experts). It offers professional accounting services with a specialty in property management—meaning you’re paying for one-on-one help with a real human accountant rather than a software solution. The software's experts also come from industry backgrounds and are specifically trained to handle the unique variables of property management accounting.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include full-featured task management, allowing your team to handle tasks, subtasks, and comments with real-time collaboration. The tool also offers project visualization with a variety of views such as Kanban and timelines, helping you and your team better plan and track progress. Additionally, OKR management is available to align your goals and performance metrics seamlessly.

Integrations include Productboard, Jira, Linear, and Slack.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Specifically designed for property managers and owners, with genuine expert help
  • AP, AR, bank reconciliation, and fee management
  • Real human bookkeeping help from industry experts

Cons:

  • Can be costly for smaller companies (best for 250+ units)
  • Tax preparation services are not included

Best for collaboration

  • 14-day free trial
  • From $40/user/month

Hemlane is a property management tool that covers leasing, tenant placement, lease tracking, and rent collection. It’s primarily designed for smaller portfolios (1 to 100 properties), and in fact, its pricing structure makes it a bit more expensive for large firms (but a pretty good value for smaller operations).

Why I picked Hemlane: I selected Hemlane because they offer managed repair and maintenance coordination services. Essentially, Hemlane’s admin team finds licensed professionals in your area to complete tenant repair requests and handles all the coordination for you.

Standout features & integrations:

Features include streamlined tenant management that makes your property oversight easier and more efficient. The software's automated rent collection saves you time by handling payments directly through the platform, while maintenance tracking helps you keep up with property repairs and issues, ensuring nothing is overlooked.

Integrations include Zillow Rental Manager, Stripe, and BetterCapital.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Solid marketing and listing tools
  • Budget-friendly for smaller operations
  • Managed repair coordination

Cons:

  • Not suited to large operations
  • Basic accounting features

Other Property Management Accounting Software Options

If you didn’t find quite what you were looking for, here are a few more options to consider.

  1. Stessa

    For portfolio performance insights

  2. QuickBooks Online

    For beginners

  3. Sage Intacct

    For a variety of features

  4. Condo Control

    For condos and homeowner associations

  5. Property Matrix

    For customizations

  6. RealPage

    For commercial and residential portfolios

  7. PropertyWare

    For reporting and analysis

How I Selected the Best Property Management Accounting Software

Here’s a short summary of the main criteria I used to develop my list of the best rental property management software for this article:

Criteria to look for

Core Functionality

At its core, property management accounting software should allow you to:

  • Collect rent payments
  • Record and reconcile property transactions
  • Manage invoices and billing
  • Prepare financial reports
  • Account reconciliations

Additionally, if the software is a property management tool with accounting features built in, it should also enable you to:

  • Screen potential tenants
  • Manage lease paperwork
  • Manage maintenance requests
  • Accept rent payments with multiple payment options (ACH, check, credit card, etc.)
  • Be accessible from any location

Key Features

Here are some unique features I looked for when selecting rental management accounting software:

  • Property management features: While this list focused on accounting functionality, having property management features (tenant screening, maintenance management, etc.) built-in to the software is a huge selling point in my book.
  • Rent collection: All software on this list will be able to process payments from tenants/customers. But the ease of use is important, as are the payment options available. Property management platforms tend to have tenant “portals,” which tenants sign into to pay bills, set up auto-pay, etc. These often have more payment options, as well.
  • Manager/tenant/owner communication: I gave preference to software that does a good job of connecting managers, tenants, and owners with different interfaces and reports. Ideally, software should be full-featured for managers and simplified for tenants.
  • Tenant communications and notifications: Many of the best software options in this category provide tools to communicate with tenants, including automated rent reminders, and lease expiration from one platform.

Usability

Usability encompasses the user interface (UI) on all platforms, including mobile devices.

Not all of these tools have mobile apps or cloud-based access, but I gave preferential treatment to those that do (and to those that have intuitive UI in general).

I also considered the software’s usability for tenants for tools where there is a tenant-facing component like rent collection and maintenance requests.

Intended Use and Portfolio Scope

This list is somewhat of a hybrid: There are a few accounting-specific options (like QuickBooks) and tons of property management software that come with some accounting features (like Buildium and Doorloop).

I included both, as different firms and managers may have different preferences.

I also considered the intended use and scope of each tool in terms of door count, residential/commercial, etc.

Integrations

Some of the platforms on this list are comprehensive enough that integrations become less essential. Others, like QuickBooks, are so accounting-focused that integrations with property management software are 100% necessary.

It’s essential to make sure the property management accounting software tool you choose can sync with your company’s checking accounts, and easily integrate with any software (such as real estate ERPs) you’re already using to process payments or communicate with tenants, as well as any other tools you use in your day-to-day business.

Price

Property management software should save you time (and money). It’s not always worth the cost—especially for those managing just a few properties.

The price range for the tools on this list runs between $15 to $200 per month. Most property management accounting software also includes a per-unit charge, which typically runs between $1 to $5 per unit.

How to Choose Property Management Accounting Software

It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:

FactorWhat to Consider
ScalabilityEnsure the software grows with your business. Look for solutions that handle more properties as your portfolio expands.
IntegrationsCheck compatibility with tools your team already uses, like CRM systems or payment gateways.
CustomizabilityDetermine if the software can be tailored to fit your specific processes and reporting needs.
Ease of UseOpt for intuitive interfaces that reduce training time, so your team can quickly adapt.
BudgetConsider the total cost, including hidden fees, to ensure it aligns with your financial constraints.
Security SafeguardsVerify the software’s data protection measures to keep sensitive information secure.
Reporting CapabilitiesLook for detailed financial reporting features to aid in making informed decisions.
Customer SupportEvaluate the availability and quality of support to assist your team when issues arise.

In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different property management accounting software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:

  • AI-Powered Analytics: More vendors are using AI to provide deeper insights into financial data. This helps property managers make informed decisions by predicting trends and identifying potential issues before they arise.
  • Blockchain for Transparency: Some software now includes blockchain technology to enhance transparency in transactions. This ensures secure and tamper-proof records, which is crucial for maintaining trust with stakeholders.
  • Enhanced Data Security: With cyber threats on the rise, there's a focus on improving data security measures. Vendors are implementing advanced encryption and multi-factor authentication to protect sensitive financial information.
  • Customizable Dashboards: Vendors are offering more customizable dashboards that allow users to tailor the interface to their specific needs. This makes it easier for property managers to track key metrics and analyze performance in real-time.
  • Real-Time Financial Reporting: The demand for real-time financial reporting is growing. Software that can provide instant updates and insights into financial status is becoming increasingly important for effective property management.

What is Property Management Accounting Software?

Property management accounting software is a digital tool used to meet the financial requirements of property managers and landlords. These include managing rent payments, tracking expenses, and generating financial reports specific to property-related transactions.

With these tools, property managers can maintain organized financial records and make informed decisions related to both residential and commercial property investments.

Features of Property Management Accounting Software

When selecting property management accounting software, keep an eye out for the following key features:

  • Automated Billing: Automatically generate invoices and billing statements, reducing manual errors and saving time for property managers.
  • Tenant and Lease Tracking: Manage tenant information and lease agreements efficiently, ensuring all lease details are accessible and up-to-date.
  • Expense Tracking: Keep a detailed record of all property-related expenses, helping financial managers budget effectively and monitor financial performance.
  • Financial Reporting: Generate comprehensive financial reports to provide insights into the financial health of properties, aiding in informed decision-making.
  • Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly connect with other software systems like CRM or time tracking tools to enhance overall functionality and data consistency.
  • Budget Forecasting: Predict future financial performance and plan budgets accordingly, assisting in long-term strategic planning.
  • Maintenance Management: Schedule and track property maintenance tasks to ensure timely repairs and upkeep, improving tenant satisfaction.
  • Secure Data Storage: Protect sensitive tenant and financial information with robust security measures, ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.

Benefits of Property Management Accounting Software

Implementing property management accounting software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:

  • Improved Financial Tracking: The software allows you to keep accurate records of all financial transactions, making it easier to manage budgets and reduce errors.
  • Automated Rent Collection: With automated billing and reminders, you can ensure timely rent payments, reducing the need for manual follow-ups.
  • Expense Management: Track and categorize expenses efficiently, which helps in maintaining a clear financial overview and aids in cost control.
  • Tenant Management: Facilitate better communication and record-keeping with tenants, including lease agreements and maintenance requests.
  • Real-Time Reporting: Generate up-to-date financial reports that help in making informed decisions quickly.
  • Compliance Management: Ensure adherence to legal and tax regulations by maintaining accurate and timely records.
  • Integration With Other Tools: Connect with CRM and other platforms to synchronize data, improving workflow efficiency.

Costs and Pricing of Property Management Accounting Software

Selecting property management accounting software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in property management accounting software solutions:

Plan Comparison Table for Property Management Accounting Software

Plan TypeAverage PriceCommon Features
Free Plan$0Basic accounting, tenant tracking, and limited support.
Personal Plan$10-$30/user/monthAdvanced accounting, tenant management, and basic reporting.
Business Plan$50-$100/user/monthFull accounting suite, comprehensive reporting, and customer support.
Enterprise PlanCustom PricingAll features, dedicated support, custom integrations, and enhanced security.

Property Management Accounting Software FAQs

Here are some common questions people have about buying property management accounting software.

Is QuickBooks good for collecting rent and other property management tasks?

QuickBooks is a complete accounting and bookkeeping tool, but it needs to be paired with a dedicated property management software. Because it’s not specifically designed for property managers, so it does require a few workarounds.

Is property management accounting software necessary?

Not necessarily, although it becomes more and more essential as the portfolio size increases. If you’re managing a few doors, you can likely handle the day-to-day finances on your own with a simple spreadsheet.

But for managers with dozens or hundreds of doors, a centralized software platform or ERP is vital.

What tasks can property management software help with?

Functionality varies depending on the product, but most property management software can help with:

  • Tenant screening and communication
  • Rental applications
  • Rent and past due payment reminders
  • Deposit collections
  • Maintenance requests
  • Bookkeeping tasks
  • Managing transactions with owners and vendors

Some software focuses only on accounting/bookkeeping tasks, while other platforms offer more comprehensive features for property managers.

What's Next?

For more finance news and industry insights, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates and advice from financial leaders.

Simon Litt
By Simon Litt

Simon Litt is the editor of The CFO Club, specializing in covering a range of financial topics. His career has seen him focus on both personal and corporate finance for digital publications, public companies, and digital media brands across the globe.