Best Real Estate Accounting Software Shortlist
Here’s my shortlist of the best real estate accounting software:
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Real estate accounting software is a valuable asset for any company. With the right software, teams can reduce the likelihood of human error and ensure accurate financial reporting. However, finding the right real estate accounting software can be a challenge, especially with so many options available.
Using my experience with finance and accounting software, I tested and compared several of the top real estate accounting software available. From there, I compiled my results into in-depth reviews to help you find the best software for your unique needs. I’m confident that you’ll discover your next real estate accounting software in the list below.
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Best Real Estate Accounting Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top real estate accounting software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tools | Price | |
---|---|---|
Spacebase | Pricing upon request | Website |
Zoho Books | From $15/month (billed annually) | Website |
Bench | From $249/month (billed annually) | Website |
FreshBooks | From $10/month (billed annually) | Website |
Buildium | From $50/user/month | Website |
DoorLoop | From $59/month (up to 20 units) | Website |
Wave | From $14/month | Website |
Patriot | From $17/month + $4/employee | Website |
Xendoo | From $395/month (billed annually) | Website |
Sage 50 | From $607/user/year | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose Real Estate 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:
Factor | What to Consider |
Scalability | Can this software grow with your business needs? |
Integrations | Does it integrate with your current systems? |
Customizability | Can you tailor it to fit your specific processes? |
Ease of Use | Is the user interface intuitive for your team? |
Budget | Does it fit within your financial constraints? |
Security Safeguards | Are there advanced security measures in place? |
Support | Is reliable customer support available? |
Reporting | Does it offer the reporting features you require? |
Best Real Estate Accounting Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best real estate accounting software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Spacebase is a lease accounting and management platform designed to help businesses handle their real estate portfolios. It offers tools for managing leases, ensuring compliance with accounting standards, and streamlining reporting processes.
Why I picked Spacebase: Spacebase's lease accounting features are tailored to help you comply with standards like ASC 842 and IFRS 16. It guides you in classifying leases as operating, finance, or short-term, ensuring your records meet current regulations. Additionally, Spacebase allows you to create custom journal entries and reports that align with your team's workflow, exporting them in formats compatible with systems like Workday, NetSuite, and Oracle.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include invoice approval, expense management, headcount tracking, space utilization, lease accounting automation, lease classification, and the ability to set discount rates, track lease payments, and measure right-of-use assets.
Integrations include Stripe, PayPal, Square, Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, eBay, and FreshBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated journal entries
- Rent collection tools
- Effective lease management features
Cons:
- Initial data import can be time-consuming
- No mobile app
Zoho Books ensures real estate managers stay on top of their financial tasks through automated invoicing, expense tracking, and tax management. It handles rent collection, property-related expenses, and insights into cash flow.
Why I picked Zoho Books: Zoho Books is user-friendly and provides a simple way to manage rental income, expenses, and vendor payments. It lets you automate recurring transactions, making rent payments simple. You can also track your expenses to see where money is going and generate detailed financial reports to track each property’s performance.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated recurring invoices to simplify billing, real-time expense tracking to manage your costs, and detailed reporting tools to give insights into your finances. You can easily track payments, categorize expenses, and generate custom reports to meet your needs. Zoho Books also helps you stay compliant by providing tax management features.
Integrations include PayPal, Stripe, Google Drive, Dropbox, Slack, G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Twilio, Zoho CRM, and Zoho Projects.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Recurring invoices
- Built-in payment reminders
- Auto-categorization of expenses
Cons:
- No automated rent payment tracking
- Complex real estate accounting setup
Bench provides businesses with automated bookkeeping and financial reporting. It offers a team of bookkeepers to handle day-to-day transactions, expense tracking, categorization, and tax support, helping professionals stay on top of compliance and tax deadlines.
Why I picked Bench: Bench provides you with a dedicated bookkeeper who handles your financial records, giving you more time to focus on running your properties. The service delivers monthly financial reports, which help you track property income and expenses, and simplifies tax season by offering year-end financial packages for your accountant. Additionally, Bench’s expert support ensures that your books are accurate and that you’re always prepared for tax time without hassle.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a dedicated bookkeeper, real-time financial insights, and secure document sharing through Plaid. Your bookkeeper reconciles accounts and categorizes transactions, ensuring accurate records. Plus, automatic syncing with various payment processors simplifies financial management.
Integrations include Stripe, PayPal, Square, Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, eBay, and FreshBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Monthly financial reporting
- Customizable expense categories
- Tax filing integration
Cons:
- Limited financial statement customization
- Not ideal for complex real estate
FreshBooks allows real estate agents and property managers to easily track income, manage expenses, and generate reports for tax preparation. It streamlines financial management tasks like invoicing, time management, and cash flow monitoring.
Why I picked FreshBooks: FreshBooks allows you to create and send professional-looking invoices in just a few clicks. You can set up recurring billing for regular clients and automate late payment reminders, helping you get paid faster without much effort. The software also tracks your billable hours and automatically adds them to your invoices, cutting down on manual data entry. With built-in expense tracking and reporting features, it keeps your finances organized while saving you time.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include time tracking that helps you log billable hours and easily add them to invoices, automated late payment reminders to keep cash flow steady, and expense tracking to categorize and organize all your transactions. You can also create customizable invoices to match your branding.
Integrations include Gusto, Stripe, HubSpot, Shopify, Zapier, Google Workspace, Mailchimp, Slack, Fundbox, and Squarespace.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated recurring invoices
- Late payment reminders
- Client communication tracking
Cons:
- No direct tenant management
- No property tax tracking
Buildium simplifies real estate accounting tasks like rent collection, property expense management, and financial report generation. It supports tax preparation and helps managers stay organized and compliant.
Why I picked Buildium: Buildium handles everything from lease management to tracking maintenance requests. You can automate rent collection, manage payments directly through the platform, and track your properties’ financial health with its reporting features. The software also focuses on property management and simplifies complex processes like accounting and communication.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include online rent collection, maintenance request management, and tenant screening. You can manage finances with tools for bookkeeping and automated payment processing. The platform also supports bulk messaging for easy communication with tenants.
Integrations include HappyCo, AvidXchange, TransUnion, Stripe, Tenant Turner, PayNearMe, RevSpring, Plaid, and Zapier.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable payment schedules
- Auto-split for utility payments
- Tenant-specific financial reports
Cons:
- Limited vendor payment methods
- Slow report generation
DoorLoop is a property management software that offers automated rent payments, tracking expenses, and generating financial reports. It’s an all-in-one solution for managing residential and commercial properties.
Why I picked DoorLoop: DoorLoop offers an intuitive interface that makes managing multiple properties a breeze. It simplifies rent collection by automating payments and sending reminders to tenants and keeps track of maintenance requests, making it easy to stay on top of property upkeep. With built-in financial reporting, you can quickly generate reports on income and expenses, helping you make informed decisions about your properties.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated rent collection, maintenance request management, customizable dashboards, and financial reporting. You can also track leases and manage tenant communications. The platform supports various property types, including residential, commercial, and self-storage.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Google Drive, Docusign, Stripe, PayPal, Mailchimp, Zillow, Apartments.com, and TransUnion.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated rent collection with reminders
- Bulk rent payment processing
- Lease agreement management
Cons:
- No advanced tax features
- Lacks built-in rent roll reports
Wave offers essential features like income and expense tracking, invoicing, and receipt management. Its user-friendly interface simplifies rental payment management, property expenses, and cash flow monitoring for small estate businesses.
Why I picked Wave: Wave provides invoicing, payment tracking, and basic accounting features that are accessible without any fees. You can generate and send unlimited invoices, track expenses, and connect your bank accounts to import transactions automatically. It also lets you accept credit card payments and set up recurring billing, which can help streamline your income management. The best part is that you won’t be hit with unexpected costs for basic tools—everything you need to manage your finances is free.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include professional invoicing, mobile receipt management, and automated banking for easy transaction imports. The software provides advanced reporting tools and helps organize tax preparation, ensuring your business stays on track.
Integrations include PayPal, Etsy, Shoeboxed, Zapier, Stripe, Google Sheets, Google Pay, HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Square.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automatic transaction imports
- Receipt scanning with mobile app
- Customizable income and expense categories
Cons:
- Limited real estate-specific customizations
- Basic reporting features
Patriot handles core accounting tasks like income and expense management and rent collections. It includes automated financial reporting, tenant billing, and property-specific tracking, making it a well-rounded tool for small to mid-sized real estate businesses.
Why I picked Patriot: Patriot simplifies payroll management by automating tax calculations and filings of your property management staff. Its expense tracking and financial reporting features help manage property-related expenses such as maintenance and utilities. Additionally, the platform’s affordability is ideal for real estate professionals needing payroll and accounting tools without overspending.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include payroll that automatically calculates and files payroll taxes, expense tracking to help manage business costs, and a general ledger for tracking income and expenses. You can also generate financial reports for your business’s financial health.
Integrations include QuickBooks, Gusto, Xero, ADP, FreshBooks, NetSuite, Zoho Books, Sage, Wave, and TSheets.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable general ledger
- Tax-ready reports
- Budgeting tools for property management
Cons:
- Manual entry for rent payments
- No integration with property management systems
Xendoo offers cloud-based accounting services with dedicated bookkeepers to manage property-related income, expenses, and tax filing. It comes with personalized monthly reports to keep businesses tax-ready throughout the year.
Why I picked Xendoo: Xendoo provides dedicated bookkeeping services with experts to help real estate teams streamline financial operations. It also offers real-time access to monthly financial statements and handles tax preparation, ensuring your business stays compliant while giving you more time to focus on growth. Additionally, the platform’s fixed monthly pricing means you won’t face any unexpected costs, and it’s easy to use, which makes managing your finances more straightforward.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include personalized monthly reports, dedicated support teams, and a money-back guarantee. You can also benefit from their no onboarding fees and seamless software integrations.
Integrations include QuickBooks Online, Xero, Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Stripe, PayPal, Square, BigCommerce, and eBay.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time access to reports
- Simple property categorization
- Quarterly tax estimates
Cons:
- Limited reporting customization
- No direct tenant management
Sage 50 provides financial management features like accounts payable and receivable, payroll processing, and budgeting for tracking and managing real estate assets, expenses, and income. It offers tools for cash flow analysis and income tracking by property.
Why I picked Sage 50: Sage 50 provides advanced accounting features like budget forecasting, account management, asset tracking, and customizable reporting. Its automated bank reconciliation helps you maintain accurate financial records, while the platform’s inventory management enables you to track supplies and equipment. Additionally, the software supports job costing to track and manage expenses efficiently.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated bank reconciliation, advanced inventory management, and job costing. You can manage your business finances with ease and generate insightful reports. The software also supports complex payroll processing to ensure compliance with tax regulations.
Integrations include Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, AutoEntry, Paya, TrueCommerce, and Sage Intelligence.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Customizable reports for property analysis
- Tax compliance for property owners
- Automated billing for tenants
Cons:
- Limited real estate-specific features
- No tenant communication tools
Other Real Estate Accounting Software
Here are some additional real estate accounting software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Entrata
For AI-driven property management
- Melio
For versatile bill payments
- Xero
For automated bank reconciliation
- Bonsai
For freelancers managing projects
- AppFolio
For multi-family residential properties
- Dynamics 365
For complex financial accounting
- Oracle NetSuite ERP
For large-scale property management
- Landlord Studio
For small landlords' expense tracking
- QuickBooks
For small business bookkeeping
- PropertyWare
For managing single-family homes
Real Estate Accounting Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best real estate accounting software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like managing property expenses and tracking rental income. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total weighting score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Manage rental property income and expenses
- Track tenant lease agreements and renewals
- Generate financial reports for properties
- Handle vendor payments and contractor expenses
- Reconcile bank statements and transactions
Additional Standout Features (25% of total weighting score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Automated rent reminders and payment processing
- Integration with property management software
- Customizable financial dashboards
- Mobile app for on-the-go accounting
- AI-driven financial forecasting and budgeting
Usability (10% of total weighting score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive user interface design
- Ease of navigation between features
- Availability of templates for common tasks
- Responsiveness of the software
- Customizability of user dashboards
Onboarding (10% of total weighting score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of step-by-step training videos
- Interactive product tours for new users
- Pre-built templates for common accounting tasks
- Live chat support during the initial setup
- Webinars and training sessions for new users
Customer Support (10% of total weighting score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 live chat support availability
- Detailed knowledge base and FAQs
- Availability of phone support
- Responsiveness of email support
- Quality of in-app support features
Value For Money (10% of total weighting score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing compared to similar tools
- Availability of a free trial or demo version
- Range of features included in the base price
- Flexibility in pricing plans and tiers
- Discounts for annual subscriptions
Customer Reviews (10% of total weighting score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction score from users
- Positive feedback on core functionalities
- Negative feedback and common complaints
- User ratings on ease of use
- User ratings on customer support quality
Trends In Real Estate Accounting Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different real estate accounting software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-Driven Analytics: Many real estate accounting software vendors are integrating AI to enhance data analytics. This helps users predict market trends, financial outcomes, property value fluctuations, and investment risks more accurately.
- Blockchain for Transactions: Blockchain technology is being introduced to ensure secure and transparent transactions. This is particularly useful for real estate transactions that require detailed tracking and verification, property management, and smart contracts.
- Enhanced Reporting Capabilities: There’s a growing focus on offering more detailed and customizable reporting options. This allows users to generate specific financial reports tailored to their needs, such as cash flow analysis and investment performance reports.
- Cloud-Based Solutions: The shift towards cloud-based accounting solutions continues to rise. This trend allows for easier access, scalability, and collaboration. Real estate firms benefit from real-time data access and updates, facilitating better decision-making and operational efficiency.
- Sustainability Tracking: New features are being added to track and report on sustainability metrics. This is important for businesses aiming to meet environmental regulations and attract eco-conscious investors. Some software now includes tools to monitor energy usage and carbon footprints for properties.
What Is Real Estate Accounting Software?
Real estate accounting software manages the financial records and transactions specific to the real estate industry. Real estate agents, property managers, and accountants use these tools to track income, expenses, and other financial metrics.
Budgeting, payroll management, and financial reporting help organize data, ensure accuracy and simplify tax preparation. Overall, these tools make it easier to handle the financial aspects of real estate operations.
Features of Real Estate Accounting Software
When selecting real estate accounting software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Property Management: Assists in managing multiple properties, including rent collection, tenant information, and maintenance schedules.
- Automation: Reduces the need for manual data entry by automating tasks such as invoicing and payment processing.
- Real-Time Analytics: Provides up-to-date financial metrics to help make informed property investments and management decisions.
- Integration: Ensures compatibility with other systems like CRM and property management tools to streamline data flow and operations.
- Reporting and Analytics: Generates detailed financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports, for better performance insights.
- Tax Compliance: Offers features to assist with tax calculations and ensures adherence to current tax regulations and updates.
- Scalability: Allows the software to grow alongside your business, managing an increasing number of properties and transactions.
- Security: Incorporates advanced security measures like data encryption to protect sensitive financial and tenant information.
- Customization: Enables the creation of personalized reports and automated reminders tailored to specific business needs.
- Cloud-Based Access: Facilitates remote access to financial data and ensures data is backed up and updated automatically.
Benefits of Real Estate Accounting Software
Implementing real estate accounting software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Automated Invoicing and Payments: Save time by automating the creation and sending of invoices and payment reminders.
- Expense Tracking: Easily monitor and categorize all expenses related to your properties.
- Tenant Management: Keep track of tenant information, lease agreements, and payment histories in one place.
- Financial Reporting: Generate detailed financial reports that provide insight into your property's performance.
- Tax Preparation: Simplify tax season with tools that help you organize deductible expenses and generate required tax forms.
- Property Maintenance Tracking: Schedule and manage maintenance tasks to ensure properties are well-maintained.
- Multi-Property Management: Handle accounting for multiple properties within a single platform, reducing the complexity of managing your portfolio.
Costs & Pricing of Real Estate Accounting Software
Selecting real estate 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 real estate accounting software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Real Estate Accounting Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic accounting, limited users, basic reporting, and email support. |
Personal Plan | $10-$30/user/month | Advanced accounting, single-user, standard reporting, and phone support. |
Business Plan | $50-$100/user/month | Comprehensive accounting, multi-user access, custom reporting, and chat support. |
Enterprise Plan | $200-$500/user/month | Full accounting suite, unlimited users, advanced analytics, and dedicated support. |
Real Estate Accounting Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about real estate accounting software:
What accounting method do real estate agents use?
Real estate agents often use the cash method of accounting. This method lets you record income when you receive it and expenses when you pay them. It helps manage taxable income by allowing you to delay income or accelerate expenses to fit your tax strategy.
How does real estate accounting software help with tax compliance?
Real estate accounting software helps you comply with tax laws by accurately tracking income and expenses. It can generate reports that simplify tax filings and help identify deductible expenses. This minimizes errors and reduces the risk of audits.
Can I track rental income with real estate accounting software?
Yes, real estate accounting software allows you to track tenant’s rental income. You can generate invoices, set up recurring rent payments, and monitor who has paid and who hasn’t. This makes managing cash flow easier and ensures you’re on top of your income.
Can real estate accounting software handle multiple properties?
Yes, most real estate accounting software supports managing multiple properties. You can track income, expenses, and financial performance for each property separately. This is especially helpful if you own or manage a portfolio of properties and need clear, organized records for each one.
Other Accounting Software Options
If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for here, check out these other tools that we’ve tested and evaluated:
- Accounting Software For Midsize Businesses
- Accounting Software for PC
- Engineering Accounting Software
- Accounting Software for Teams
- Accounting Software With CRM
- Accounting Software With Client Portals
- Multi-Company Accounting Software
- Legal Accounting Software
- Accounting Software for Startups
- AI Accounting Software
- Accounting Workflow Management Software
- Accounting Software With Payroll For Small Businesses
- Accounting Software For Service Companies
- Accounting Software For Rental Properties
- Accounting Software For Advertising Agencies
- Accounting Software For The Self-Employed
- Accounting Software For Large Business
- Accounting Software For Consultants
- Accounting Software for Mac
- Accounting Software For Accountants
- Cloud-Based Accounting Software
- Lease Accounting Software
- Small Business Accounting Software
- Property Management Accounting Software
- Construction Accounting Software
- Accounting Software For Nonprofits
- Online Accounting Software
- Business Accounting Software
What’s Next?
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