RentalBux vs. Crunch
Which MTD Software Is Better for UK Landlords and Sole Traders?
Overall Winner: RentalBux
RentalBux is the more complete MTD software for landlords and sole traders. It combines full Making Tax Digital compliance across UK property income, foreign property income, and self-employment income with comprehensive property management, automated bookkeeping, AI-driven expense categorisation, joint ownership profit-splitting, and a free plan for single-property landlords until March 2028. Crunch is a strong alternative for sole traders and landlords who want a hybrid software-plus-accountant service with unlimited expert support, but its general-purpose accounting design, lack of landlord-specific property management features, and higher pricing make it less specialised for portfolio landlords.
At-a-Glance MTD Software Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and Crunch across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | General-Purpose Accounting + Accountant Service |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Sole Traders, Freelancers, Contractors, Ltd Companies |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property |
| Free MTD Software Plan | Free until March 2028 (1 property) | Free plan (software only, limited features) |
| MTD Quarterly Updates to HMRC | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes | Yes |
| Invoice Creation | Yes | Yes |
| Receipt Capture (OCR) | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | Yes |
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Joint Ownership & Profit Sharing | Yes | No |
| Payroll | No | Yes |
| HMO Unit-Level Tracking | Yes | No |
| HMRC SA105 Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
What Is RentalBux? What Is Crunch?
What Is RentalBux?
All-in-One MTD Software for Landlords and Sole Traders
RentalBux is an all-in-one property management, accounting, and Making Tax Digital compliance platform built specifically for UK landlords, letting agents, and self-employed individuals. Designed with direct input from accountants who specialise in property and sole trader tax, RentalBux covers everything from tenancy management and rent collection to full bookkeeping with a pre-configured chart of accounts tailored to the property sector.
RentalBux is fully HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax across all three qualifying income categories: UK property income, foreign property income, and self-employment. This makes it one of the only landlord-specific MTD software platforms that can handle a landlord who also runs a sole trader business, all from a single subscription.
A major differentiator is RentalBux's pricing model: single-property landlords can use the platform completely free until March 2028, making it one of the most affordable HMRC-approved MTD software options for landlords entering the MTD regime.
What Is Crunch?
Crunch is a UK-based online accounting platform founded in 2007 by Darren Fell, combining cloud-based bookkeeping software with access to in-house Chartered Certified accountants and expert client managers. Over 15+ years, Crunch has served thousands of sole traders, freelancers, contractors, and limited company owners across all industries. The platform is HMRC-recognised for MTD for VAT and has confirmed it will be fully MTD ITSA compatible by April 2026.
Crunch's core strength lies in its hybrid model: rather than just providing software, it pairs accounting tools with real, unlimited access to qualified accountants on its Pro plans. This means that instead of a landlord figuring out MTD filings themselves, Crunch's team of Chartered Certified accountants can handle Self Assessment, VAT returns, HMRC registration, and tax-saving advice. The platform offers invoicing, expense tracking with AI-powered auto-matching ("Luca's Auto Match"), open banking bank feeds, receipt scanning (via "Snap," powered by Dext), and mileage recording.
Strengths
- Free MTD software for single-property landlords until March 2028
- Handles sole trader + UK property + foreign property income in one platform
- Joint ownership with automatic profit-sharing split by ownership percentage
- Pre-built chart of accounts tailored for landlords and sole traders
- AI-powered expense auto-categorisation and OCR receipt capture
- Agent filing on behalf of landlords — ideal for accountants and letting agents
- Supports HMO properties with auto-created units
Strengths
- Unlimited access to Chartered Certified accountants (Pro plans)
- Self Assessment filing handled by accountants (Pro plan)
- Over 15 years in the UK market with established reputation
- Free software plan available for basic accounting
- MTD for VAT already supported; MTD ITSA confirmed for April 2026
- Supports limited companies as well as sole traders
- Trustpilot rating of 4.3 (Excellent) with 1,000+ reviews
Limitations
- Newer to market compared to established platforms
- No yield or LTV investment analysis tools
- No MTD for VAT support yet
- Some advanced reporting features still in development
- Limited third-party app integrations
- No offline capability
- No tax liability forecasting feature currently
Limitations
- No property portfolio management or tenant tracking
- No landlord-tailored chart of accounts or property-specific workflows
- No joint ownership or profit-sharing automation
- Bank feeds sync only weekly (not real-time)
- No agent filing on behalf of landlord clients
- Receipt scanning limited to 15/month on free plan (unlimited costs £5/month extra)
- Higher monthly cost compared to landlord-specific MTD platforms
Making Tax Digital Compliance
How RentalBux Handles MTD Compliance
RentalBux supports all three MTD qualifying income categories: sole trader income, UK property income, and foreign property income. This makes it suitable for landlords who also earn self-employment income, eliminating the need for separate software. Most accounts are pre-mapped to HMRC Self-Assessment boxes. RentalBux also supports agent filing, allowing accountants or letting agents to submit MTD returns on behalf of their landlord clients.
How Crunch Handles MTD for Landlords and Sole Traders
Crunch covers sole trader income, UK property income, and foreign property income for MTD ITSA purposes, with quarterly updates and final declarations supported. The platform has confirmed full MTD ITSA compatibility by April 2026, having already been HMRC-recognised for MTD for VAT. Crunch's advantage is that on its Pro plans, accountants handle filings directly — the landlord reviews and approves, and Crunch's team submits to HMRC. However, Crunch does not offer agent filing in the traditional sense (where a separate accountant or letting agent uses the platform to file on behalf of a client). Crunch's MTD filing is handled internally by Crunch's own accountancy team.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| HMRC Recognised (MTD ITSA) | Yes | Yes |
| MTD Quarterly Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Keeping | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Links Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Sole Trader Income | Yes | Yes |
| UK Property Income | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Property Income | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Income Streams | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | No |
Winner: Tie — depends on priorities — Both platforms cover all three MTD income types. RentalBux wins on agent filing capability for external accountants and letting agents. Crunch wins for landlords who want their filings handled entirely by in-house accountants with no DIY required.
Property Management
RentalBux: Property Management
RentalBux provides comprehensive property portfolio management with tenant management, rent tracking, property expense allocation, and support for multiple properties. A standout feature is its joint ownership and profit-sharing capability: landlords can define ownership percentages once, and RentalBux automatically splits rental income and expenses. RentalBux also supports HMO properties, automatically creating individual units.
Crunch: General-Purpose Accounting — No Property-Specific Features
Crunch does not offer any property-specific management features. There is no property portfolio dashboard, no tenant management, no per-property rent tracking, no joint ownership automation, no HMO support, and no compliance document alerts. Landlords using Crunch would record rental income as standard sales/income entries and property expenses as standard expense entries, without the ability to allocate them to specific properties, tenancies, or ownership structures within the software itself. Crunch's accountants can provide advice on property tax matters, but the software layer does not provide landlord-specific workflows.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Rent Tracking | Yes | No |
| Property Expense Allocation | Yes | No |
| Multiple Property Support | Yes | No |
| HMO Property Support | Yes (auto-creates units) | No |
| Joint Ownership/Profit Sharing | Yes (auto-split by %) | No |
| Maintenance Tracking | No | No |
| Tenant Screening | No | No |
| Compliance Document Alerts | Yes | No |
| Arrears Tracking | No | No |
Winner: RentalBux — This is not a close comparison. RentalBux is built for landlords; Crunch is not. Any landlord managing multiple properties, tenancies, or joint ownership structures will find RentalBux dramatically more capable in this category.
Bookkeeping, Accounting & Digital Record Keeping
RentalBux: Structured Accounting
RentalBux includes a pre-built chart of accounts specifically designed for landlords and sole traders, covering rental income, mortgage interest, insurance, property repairs, professional services, utilities, and tenant deposits. All accounts are pre-mapped to HMRC Self-Assessment boxes. The platform supports cash basis accounting, bank reconciliation, and journal entries.
Crunch: General-Purpose Bookkeeping with Accountant Oversight
Crunch provides standard bookkeeping features including invoicing, expense tracking, bank reconciliation via open banking, and automated payment reminders. The platform's "Luca's Auto Match" AI feature helps reconcile bank transactions up to 3× faster, and users can approve transactions in bulk. However, Crunch's accounting framework is general-purpose — it does not offer a landlord-tailored chart of accounts, nor are accounts pre-mapped to SA105 property income categories. Bank feeds sync weekly rather than daily. For sole traders on the free plan, reporting is notably limited — there is no formal profit & loss statement or balance sheet. On Pro plans, Crunch's accountants handle year-end accounts preparation and filing, compensating for the software's lighter reporting capabilities.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Basis Accounting | Yes | Yes |
| Chart of Accounts (Pre-built, Landlord-Tailored) | Yes (pre-built + custom) | No |
| Journal Entries | Yes | No |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes (Major UK banks) | Yes |
| Open Banking Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | Yes | No |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | No |
| Xero Integration | No | Partial |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux — The pre-built landlord chart of accounts, journal entries, double-entry bookkeeping, and daily bank feeds give RentalBux a structured accounting foundation specifically designed for property income under MTD. Crunch's general-purpose approach, weekly bank sync, and lack of formal reporting on its sole trader plans put it at a disadvantage for landlords who want clean, audit-ready records.
Invoicing, Expense Tracking
RentalBux: Expense Management
RentalBux includes OCR receipt capture, structured expense tracking with landlord-specific categories, auto-categorisation, invoice creation with customisable branding, and payment tracking with reminders.
Crunch: Receipt Scanning and Invoicing with Accountant Backup
Crunch provides invoicing with recurring invoice support, automated payment reminders, and expense tracking. Receipt scanning is available through "Snap" (powered by Dext), with 15 free scans per month on the free plan and unlimited scanning for an additional £5/month. The AI-powered "Luca's Auto Match" feature helps categorise and reconcile bank transactions automatically. Crunch also supports mileage recording and CrunchPay for faster invoice payments. On Pro plans, Crunch's accountants review expenses and ensure correct categorisation — an advantage for landlords who are unsure which expenses are allowable.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | Yes | Yes |
| Invoice Customisation/Branding | Yes | Limited |
| Online Payment Collection | Yes | Yes |
| Payment Tracking/Reminders | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Receipt Capture (OCR/Photo) | Yes | Yes |
| Expense Categorisation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Transaction Matching | Yes | Yes |
| Mileage Tracking | No | No |
| AI Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux — OCR receipt capture included at no extra cost, landlord-specific expense categories pre-mapped to HMRC allowable deductions, and branded invoicing give RentalBux the edge. Crunch's receipt scanning requires an add-on for heavy use, and its expense categories are general-purpose rather than property-tailored.
Reporting & Tax Forecasting
RentalBux: Formal Accounting Reports
RentalBux produces structured financial reports including profit & loss statements, balance sheets, journal reports, ledger reports, and trial balances. Smart categorisation helps ensure accuracy.
Crunch: Self Assessment Screen and Accountant-Prepared Reports
For sole traders on Crunch's free plan, reporting is limited — the software calculates self-employment income on the Self Assessment screen, but does not produce a formal profit & loss statement or balance sheet. On Pro plans, Crunch's accountants prepare year-end accounts and file Self Assessment on the landlord's behalf. For limited company clients, Crunch provides full reporting including accounts for Companies House, full accounts for HMRC, management information, and CT600 corporation tax returns. Crunch also provides real-time tax liability tracking on paid plans, helping users understand their tax position throughout the year.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Profit & Loss Report | Yes (formal) | No |
| Balance Sheet | Yes | No |
| Trial Balance | Yes | No |
| Dashboard/Overview | Yes | Yes |
| Real-Time Financial Data | Yes | Yes |
| Cash Flow Reporting | No | Yes |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | Yes | Yes |
| AI-Powered Features | Coming soon | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux for DIY landlords. RentalBux leads on formal accounting reports (P&L, balance sheet, trial balance) that landlords can generate themselves.
Collaboration & Mobile Apps
RentalBux's Collaborative Features
RentalBux enables agent filing, which gives accountants and letting agents the ability to submit directly on a landlord's behalf.
Crunch's Collaborative Features
Crunch takes a fundamentally different approach to collaboration: rather than enabling external accountants to file on your behalf, Crunch is the accountant. On Pro plans, landlords and sole traders get unlimited access to Crunch's in-house team of Chartered Certified accountants and expert client managers — available via phone, email, and in-app live chat at no extra cost. Users can also invite an external accountant or bookkeeper to collaborate securely within their Crunch account if needed. The platform supports data imports from Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent, making switching straightforward. Mobile access is available via iOS and Android apps, and the mobile-friendly web interface allows on-the-go management. However, Crunch does not support agent filing in the traditional HMRC sense — its filing capability is internal to Crunch's own accountancy.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | No |
| Bank Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | iOS, Android | Web, iOS, Android |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Depends on your setup — RentalBux wins for landlords who use external accountants or letting agents, thanks to agent filing on behalf. Crunch wins for landlords who want an all-inclusive accountant service built into the platform — no need to find or pay a separate accountant.
Ease of Use, Support & Security
RentalBux: Guided Workflows
RentalBux uses guided workflows, clear dashboards, and no accounting jargon. The platform offers phone support, email/chat support, and a help centre with guides and knowledge base articles.
Crunch's Ease of Use
Crunch emphasises its jargon-free approach and has built its reputation on making accounting accessible. The platform offers in-app live chat with client managers, phone support, email support, video tutorials, FAQs, and a knowledge base. On Pro plans, users have direct access to dedicated accountants and experts. Crunch holds a 4.3 "Excellent" rating on Trustpilot with over 1,000 reviews, with users consistently praising its responsive and knowledgeable support team. Crunch has also won industry awards for its training programme, which is AAT and ACCA accredited.
| Feature | RentalBux | Crunch |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Chat Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise-Grade Security | Yes | Yes |
RentalBux Features
Sole Trader Income Support for MTD
RentalBux is one of the few landlord-focused MTD software platforms that supports self-employment income alongside UK and foreign property income within a single account. Landlords who also run a trade, consultancy, or freelance business can manage all quarterly submissions from one dashboard. Landlord Studio covers property income only.
Custom Chart of Accounts for Landlords
A property-tailored chart of accounts covering rental income, mortgage interest, insurance, repairs, utilities, letting agent fees, and more — all pre-mapped to HMRC Self-Assessment boxes. No setup required; the system is ready to use from day one. Landlord Studio has no equivalent.
Agent Filing on Behalf of Landlords
Letting agents and accountants can submit MTD quarterly updates and the Final Declaration on behalf of landlord clients directly from the platform. Landlord Studio allows accountant access but does not support submission on the landlord's behalf.
Branded Invoice Creation
Invoice creation with customisable branding for service charges and commercial landlords. Not available in Landlord Studio.
AI-Powered OCR Receipt Capture with Auto-Categorisation (Coming soon)
RentalBux's AI will read uploaded receipts and categorise the expense automatically against the pre-built chart of accounts. Landlord Studio's Smart Scan extracts dates and amounts but does not include AI-driven expense categorisation.
Formal Accounting Reports
Balance sheet, trial balance, ledger reports, and journal reports. Landlord Studio does not produce these natively.
Free Plan Including MTD Submissions Until March 2028
RentalBux's free single-property plan includes MTD quarterly submissions. Landlord Studio's free GO plan covers property management for up to three units but requires a paid PRO plan (from £12/month) to access MTD submission functionality.
Unique Features Only Crunch Offers
Unlimited Access to Chartered Certified Accountants
On Pro plans, landlords and sole traders get unlimited access to Crunch's in-house team of Chartered Certified accountants and expert client managers via phone, email, and in-app live chat. This is included in the monthly fee — no hourly charges.
Self Assessment Filed by Accountants
On Crunch's Sole Trader Pro plan (£27+VAT/month), accountants handle the preparation and filing of your annual Self Assessment, VAT returns, and HMRC registration. This removes the burden of tax filings entirely from the landlord.
MTD for VAT Support
Crunch is already HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for VAT. VAT-registered sole traders and limited companies can submit VAT returns directly through the platform.
Limited Company Support
Crunch offers comprehensive plans for limited company directors (from £90+VAT/month), including corporation tax returns, Companies House filings, director payroll, IR35 support, and a registered office service.
Tax Liability Tracking
Crunch provides real-time tax liability tracking on paid plans, helping sole traders and landlords understand their estimated tax position throughout the year.
Mileage Recording
Crunch includes mileage recording functionality for business travel — useful for landlords who drive to properties for inspections, maintenance, or viewings.
Who Should Choose RentalBux?
RentalBux is a strong fit if you:
Landlords with Mixed Income Streams
If you earn from both property and self-employment, RentalBux handles sole trader income alongside UK and foreign property income in a single MTD-compliant platform.
Joint Owners and Family Portfolios
The automated profit-sharing split is a standout feature. Define ownership percentages once and RentalBux calculates each owner's share automatically.
Budget-Conscious Landlords Entering MTD
Free MTD software for single-property landlords until March 2028, with no upfront commitment.
Landlords Who Want Proper Accounting Structure
Chart of accounts, journal entries, profit & loss, balance sheet, and trial balance give RentalBux a structured accounting foundation.
Accountants and Letting Agents
Agent filing on behalf, multi-user access, and spreadsheet import make RentalBux practical for professionals managing multiple landlord portfolios.
Commercial Landlords and HMO Owners
Invoice creation with branding for service charges, plus automatic HMO unit creation and tenant management.
Who Should Choose Crunch?
Crunch is the better choice for:
Sole Traders and Landlords Who Want an Accountant Included
If you don't want to handle MTD filings, Self Assessment, or tax calculations yourself, Crunch's Pro plan bundles unlimited accountant access with the software. Your dedicated team files everything for you — quarterly updates, Self Assessment, and VAT returns if applicable.
Landlords Who Also Need VAT Support
Crunch is already HMRC-recognised for MTD for VAT. If you're a VAT-registered landlord or sole trader, Crunch handles both MTD ITSA and MTD VAT in one platform.
Limited Company Property Owners
If you hold rental properties through a limited company, Crunch offers comprehensive Ltd company plans (from £90+VAT/month) with corporation tax returns, Companies House filings, director payroll, and IR35 support.
Sole Traders with Simple Property Income
If you have one or two properties and your primary need is simple MTD compliance with expert tax advice, Crunch's accountant-led approach may suit you better than a self-service property management platform.
Landlords Who Want Tax Liability Forecasting
Crunch provides real-time tax liability tracking, helping you understand your estimated tax position throughout the year and avoid surprise bills.
People Who Prefer Human Support Over Software Features
If your priority is having a real person handle your accounting rather than learning to use property management software, Crunch's unlimited expert support with Chartered Certified accountants is its defining advantage.