RentalBux vs. #Gofile
Which MTD Software Is Better for UK Landlords?
Overall Winner: RentalBux
RentalBux is the more complete MTD solution for landlords. 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. #GoFile is a well-established, affordable MTD bridging tool trusted by over 50,000 UK businesses for VAT and Income Tax filing.But it is not an accounting platform, property management tool, bookkeeping system. It has no bank feeds specific to landlords, no tenant management, no receipt capture, no chart of accounts, and no property-specific workflows. For landlords who already have their records in order and simply need to file quarterly MTD updates, #GoFile is a low-cost option worth considering. For landlords who need a single platform to manage their property portfolio, bookkeeping, and MTD compliance together — RentalBux is the clear choice.
At-a-Glance MTD Software Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and #Gofile across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Sole Traders, Landlords, Limited Companies, Partnerships, Charities, Accountants/Agents |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property | Self-employment, UK Property, Foreign Property, Dividends, Interest, Pensions, Capital Gains |
| Free MTD Software Plan | Free until March 2028 (1 property) | Yes, free forever (view-only) |
| MTD Quarterly Updates to HMRC | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes | No |
| Invoice Creation | Yes | No |
| Receipt Capture (OCR) | Yes | No |
| Expense Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | No |
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Joint Ownership & Profit Sharing | Yes | No |
| Payroll | No | No |
| HMO Unit-Level Tracking | Yes | No |
| HMRC SA105 Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android | Web (mobile browser accessible) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Software | MTD Bridging and Tax Filing Software |
Product Overviews
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 #Gofile?
MTD Bridging and Tax Filing Software
#GoFile is a UK-based MTD bridging and tax filing tool incorporated in 2021 and headquartered in Chester. Trusted by over 50,000 UK businesses for MTD VAT filing since 2019, #GoFile expanded into MTD Income Tax filing ahead of the April 2026 mandate. It is built and positioned as the simplest, most affordable way to submit tax returns to HMRC — for landlords, sole traders, directors, and accountants who already have their records elsewhere and just need the final submission layer. Notably, #GoFile acknowledges on its own website that landlords who do not have digital records should consider its sister company Numeo for full bookkeeping software — confirming that #GoFile itself is not a bookkeeping solution.
#GoFile's core philosophy is deliberate: it does one thing — submit your figures to HMRC — and does it well. Users keep their existing records in Excel, Sage, QuickBooks, Google Sheets, or any other system they prefer, and import the summary figures into #GoFile for quarterly submission. The interface is deliberately minimal. There is no bookkeeping system, no property management module, no invoice builder, and no bank reconciliation engine. The software is designed so that filing an MTD quarterly update takes minutes, not hours.
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
- Extremely affordable — £24.98/year for property and self-employment income
- HMRC-recognised for MTD ITSA quarterly updates and final declaration
- Supports all income types: property, self-employment, dividends, pensions, capital gains, foreign
- Works with any existing software — Excel, Sage, QuickBooks, CSV, bank import
- 4.9/5 Trustpilot rating — highly praised for simplicity and speed
- Agent mode for accountants filing on behalf of multiple clients
- Dividends, interest, pensions, and capital gains free forever
- No minimum contract — cancel anytime
- Bank-grade encryption — security taken seriously
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
- Not an accounting platform — no bookkeeping, bank reconciliation, or record keeping
- No property management features — no tenant tracking, leases, or compliance tools
- No receipt capture, expense categorisation, or invoice creation
- No joint ownership profit-splitting
- No dedicated mobile app — web browser only (mobile-accessible)
- No HMO-specific functionality
- Requires separate bookkeeping software — #GoFile alone does not satisfy MTD digital record-keeping requirements
- Newer to income tax filing (VAT bridging since 2019; Income Tax MTD from 2026)
- Limited reporting — no P&L, balance sheet, or landlord-specific financial reports
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 #GoFile Handles MTD Compliance
#GoFile is a bridging tool: it handles the submission step of MTD compliance, not the record-keeping step. Landlords connect their HMRC account, import their summary figures (from a CSV, spreadsheet, or linked bank account), and submit their quarterly update in a few clicks. #GoFile supports UK property income, self-employment, foreign income, dividends, interest, pensions, and capital gains — a broader income type range than many platforms. Agent mode allows accountants to file on behalf of multiple clients. However, #GoFile does not provide digital record keeping. Landlords who use #GoFile as their only tool are responsible for maintaining their own compliant digital records separately.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| HMRC Recognised (MTD ITSA) | Yes | Yes |
| MTD Quarterly Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Keeping | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux. RentalBux wins on completeness — Both platforms submit MTD quarterly updates and final declarations directly to HMRC. #GoFile supports a broader range of income types. RentalBux wins decisively on digital record keeping — it satisfies both MTD requirements (records + submission) within the same platform, so landlords do not need a second tool.
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.
#GoFile: No Property Management Features
#GoFile is a tax submission tool. It does not include any property management functionality: no tenant management, no rent tracking, no HMO unit creation, no compliance alerts, no portfolio analytics, and no joint ownership splitting. It is explicitly designed as a lean submission layer between your existing records and HMRC, rather than as a property management or accounting platform. Landlords who need property management features alongside #GoFile submissions would need to use a separate system for that purpose.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| 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 %) | |
| Maintenance Tracking | No | No |
| Tenant Screening | No | No |
| Compliance Document Alerts | Yes | No |
| Arrears Tracking | No | No |
| Joint Ownership / Profit Sharing | No |
Winner: RentalBux — #GoFile has no property management features of any kind. For landlords who need more than a quarterly submission tool, RentalBux is the only platform in this comparison built for the job.
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, 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.
#GoFile: Lean Transaction Import and Submission
#GoFile's record-keeping approach is to accept whatever format your records are already in. You import transactions (via bank account connection, CSV, Excel, or other file formats), the AI categorises them, you review and confirm, then submit. There is no formal chart of accounts, no double-entry bookkeeping, no invoicing, no balance sheet, and no trial balance. The platform is deliberately designed not to replace bookkeeping software but to act as the digital submission layer on top of whatever bookkeeping system you already use. #GoFile's sister company Numeo provides full bookkeeping software for those who need structured accounting alongside their GoFile submissions.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Basis Accounting | Yes | No |
| Chart of Accounts (Pre-built, Landlord-Tailored) | Yes | |
| Journal Entries | Yes | No |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | No |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes (Major UK banks) | Partial (bank link for import/summary figures only) |
| Open Banking Integration | Yes | No |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | Yes | No |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | No |
| Xero Integration | No | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes | No |
| Chart of Accounts (pre-built) | No |
Winner: RentalBux — RentalBux provides a complete bookkeeping system with a landlord-tailored chart of accounts, automated bank feeds, and full digital record keeping. #GoFile provides no bookkeeping whatsoever — it is a submission tool only. For MTD compliance, landlords using #GoFile must maintain their digital records separately.
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.
#GoFile: No Invoicing Features
#GoFile does not include any expense tracking, receipt capture, invoice creation, or auto-categorisation tools. Landlords must track their expenses in their existing records system and import the totals into #GoFile at the end of each quarter for submission. For landlords who already have disciplined expense records, this is not an obstacle. For landlords who want their receipts captured, expenses auto-categorised, and invoices sent from within their MTD platform, #GoFile is not designed for this.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | Yes | |
| Invoice Customisation/Branding | Yes | No |
| Online Payment Collection | Yes | No |
| Payment Tracking/Reminders | Yes | No |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | No |
| Receipt Capture (OCR/Photo) | Yes | No |
| Expense Categorisation | Yes | No |
| Automated Transaction Matching | Yes | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | No |
| AI Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | Yes |
| Invoice Creation and Sending | No |
Winner: RentalBux — #GoFile has no expense tracking, receipt capture, or invoicing features of any kind. RentalBux's AI-powered OCR receipt capture and landlord-specific auto-categorisation are significant time-savers that directly support maximising allowable deductions under MTD.
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.
#GoFile: Real-Time Tax Position Dashboard
#GoFile provides a tax position view — a summary of what HMRC sees based on submitted figures — which is useful for understanding your running tax picture as quarters are filed. However, #GoFile does not produce formal financial reports: no profit and loss, no balance sheet, no trial balance, no per-property profitability analysis, and no cashflow forecast. The platform is a filing tool, not a reporting tool.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| Profit & Loss Report | Yes (formal) | |
| Balance Sheet | Yes | No |
| Trial Balance | Yes | No |
| Dashboard/Overview | Yes | |
| Real-Time Financial Data | Yes | Partial (tax position view only) |
| Cash Flow Reporting | No | No |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | No | No |
| AI-Powered Features | Coming soon | No |
| Profit and Loss Report (formal) | No | |
| Dashboard / Overview | Partial (tax position view only) |
Winner: RentalBux — RentalBux produces formal accounting reports that give landlords a full financial picture. #GoFile offers a tax position view based on submitted figures but no formal reporting of any kind.
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. It also offers a dedicated iOS as well as an Android app.
#GoFile: Agent Mode and Mobile-Accessible Web
#GoFile's agent infrastructure has been built and tested across five years of MTD VAT practice management, making it a well-worn tool for accountancy practices filing across large client books. . #GoFile's agent mode is particularly well-developed, given its long history as an MTD VAT platform used by over 50,000 businesses and thousands of accountants.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | iOS, Android | Web Browser only |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | Yes (mobile-optimised) |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Accountant / Advisor Portal | Yes |
Winner: Tie — depends on need — RentalBux wins on dedicated mobile apps and full property management collaboration. #GoFile wins on agent pricing for accountants managing multiple clients at volume, where its from £4.95/client/year rate is highly competitive.
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.
#GoFile'S Ease of Use
#GoFile is designed around a single design goal: file in as few clicks as possible. The interface is deliberately minimal and guides users through three steps: authorise with HMRC, import or enter figures, and submit. Most users complete their first submission within minutes of signing up. It works on any device via a web browser --- Mac, Windows, Chromebook, iPad, tablet, or mobile phone.
| Feature | RentalBux | #Gofile |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Chat Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise-Grade Security | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre / Knowledge Base | 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.
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.
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.
Branded Invoice Creation
Invoice creation with customisable branding for service charges and commercial landlords.
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.
Formal Accounting Reports
Balance sheet, trial balance, ledger reports, and journal reports.
Free Plan Including MTD Submissions Until March 2028
RentalBux's free single-property plan includes MTD quarterly submissions until March 2028.
Unique Features Only #GoFile Offers
Ultra-Low Annual Pricing — £24.98/Year
For landlords who only need the MTD submission layer on top of their existing records, #GoFile's annual cost is a fraction of full accounting platforms. No monthly commitment, no long contract.
Dividends, Interest, Pensions, and Capital Gains — Free Forever
These income types are free to file with #GoFile, permanently. For landlords with complex final declarations including investment income, this is a meaningful saving compared to platforms that charge for all income types.
Broadest Income Type Coverage at Filing Level
#GoFile supports self-employment, UK property, foreign income, dividends, interest, pensions, and capital gains in a single MTD submission. RentalBux is focused on property and sole trader income.
Works With Any Existing Software — No Migration Required
#GoFile's bridging model means landlords do not need to move their records anywhere. Keep using Excel, Sage, QuickBooks, Google Sheets, or any other system, and import figures into #GoFile for submission. There is zero disruption to existing workflows.
Highly Competitive Agent Pricing — From £4.95 Per Client Per Year
For accountancy practices managing large volumes of landlord clients who only need the MTD submission layer, #GoFile's per-client pricing is one of the lowest in the market.
MTD for VAT — Already Live
#GoFile has offered MTD VAT bridging since 2019 and is trusted by over 50,000 businesses for VAT filing.
4.9/5 Trustpilot Rating
198+ verified Trustpilot reviews with a 4.9/5 rating makes #GoFile one of the highest-rated MTD tools in the UK market by user satisfaction.
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 #GoFile?
#GoFile is the better choice for:
Landlords Who Already Have Their Records in Order
If you have a well-maintained spreadsheet or accounting system and only need to submit quarterly updates to HMRC, #GoFile is the cheapest and simplest way to do that. At £24.98/year, it adds a minimal cost on top of your existing workflow.
Landlords Who Do Not Want to Switch Existing Software
#GoFile's bridging model requires zero migration. Keep your existing records system exactly as it is — #GoFile just handles the HMRC submission step.
Landlords with Complex Final Declarations Including Investment Income
If your final declaration includes dividends, interest, pensions, or capital gains alongside property income, #GoFile supports all of these income types — and files dividends, interest, pensions, and capital gains free forever.
Accountants Filing for Many Landlord Clients at Low Cost
#GoFile's from £4.95/client/year agent pricing makes it one of the lowest-cost MTD submission tools available for practices managing volume.
VAT-Registered Landlords Who Need a Single Tool for Both VAT and Income Tax MTD
#GoFile supports both MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Landlords Who Want the Fastest Possible Filing Experience
Quarterly updates can be filed in minutes. If speed and simplicity of the submission step is the priority, #GoFile's minimal interface delivers exactly that.
Shreya Bhattarai
Shreya Bhattarai is a digital marketer specialising in content strategy, digital advertising, and website development. She focuses on enhancing brand visibility, engaging target audiences, and delivering data-driven marketing solutions.