RentalBux vs. Kletta
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. Kletta is a polished, mobile-first bookkeeping and MTD compliance app primarily designed for sole traders — not landlords. Its Duo plan does add property income and expense tracking, making it usable for simple landlord scenarios, but it lacks the landlord-specific depth that most property investors need: no portfolio management, no tenant tracking, no HMO support, no joint ownership automation, and no foreign property MTD support. For straightforward sole traders who want AI-powered bookkeeping in a clean mobile app with human bookkeeper support, Kletta is an excellent and affordable option. For landlords, RentalBux is the clear choice.
At-a-Glance MTD Software Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and Kletta across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | Mobile-First Sole Trader Bookkeeping App |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Sole Traders, Freelancers, CIS Subcontractors, Landlords (Duo/Care plans) |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property | Sole Trader + UK Property (Duo & Care plans) |
| Free MTD Software Plan | Free until March 2028 (1 property) | 14-day free trial only |
| 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 | No |
| HMO Unit-Level Tracking | Yes | No |
| HMRC SA105 Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | No |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android | iOS, Android (mobile-first; web also available) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
What Is RentalBux? What Is Kletta?
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 Kletta?
The easiest accounting app for sole traders
Kletta is a mobile-first bookkeeping and MTD compliance application developed by Kletta Limited (Company Number: 13604802), a UK-registered company. Kletta acts as an agent of Plaid Financial Ltd (FRN: 804718), an FCA-authorised payment institution regulated under the Payment Services Regulations 2017, which underpins its secure open banking connections.
Originally built for the Finnish market and expanded to the UK ahead of the 2026 MTD deadline, Kletta targets UK sole traders, self-employed professionals, CIS subcontractors, and landlords who want simple, AI-powered bookkeeping from their phone — without needing an accounting background. The platform is structured around three tiered sole-trader plans: Kletta Solo (£19/month) for core bookkeeping and MTD compliance; Kletta Duo (£29/month), which adds property income tracking, asset depreciation, and access to a UK-based bookkeeper; and Kletta Care (£49/month), which adds automated bank connection, a bookkeeper review and reconciliation service, and a self-assessment review.
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
- Polished, genuinely mobile-first app (iOS and Android, App Store & Google Play)
- AI receipt scanning with error detection (duplicate, incorrect VAT rate flags)
- Human bookkeeper support included on Duo and Care plans
- Offline receipt capture with sync on reconnection
- Mileage tracking on all plans
- CIS support for tradespeople who also have property income
- Unlimited clients for accountants at one flat price (£99/month)
- In-app client-accountant chat feed
- 14-day free trial
- Offline capability for remote receipt capture
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
- Property income only available on Duo plan (£29/month) and above — no free tier
- No landlord-specific features: no portfolio management, tenant tracking, or HMO support
- No joint ownership or automatic profit-splitting
- Foreign property income MTD support not listed
- No open banking bank connection on Solo or Duo plans
- No formal accounting reports (P&L, balance sheet, trial balance)
- No compliance document alerts, mortgage tracking, or arrears tracking
- Accountant plan pricing increased to £99/month in 2026 (was £49/month in 2025)
- No chart of accounts or landlord-specific expense categories
- No invoice branding/customisation confirmed
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 Kletta Handles MTD Compliance for Sole Traders and Landlords
Kletta is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and supports quarterly updates and the final declaration for sole trader income and UK property income. The platform's MTD workflow is designed to be as frictionless as possible: income, invoices, and receipts entered throughout the quarter flow automatically into MTD ITSA-ready quarterly submissions, which are prepared and submitted to HMRC on time. Accountants can use the Kletta portal to manage submissions on behalf of clients, with the client's UTR and National Insurance number required to connect to HMRC.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Multiple Income Streams | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux — Confirmed foreign property income support, property MTD included on the free plan, pre-mapped SA boxes, and a broader landlord-specific compliance workflow give RentalBux the clear advantage. Kletta's MTD compliance is solid for sole traders, but landlords need the Duo plan to access property income tracking, and foreign property support is unconfirmed.
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.
Kletta: Property Income Tracking, No Property Management
Kletta's Duo plan adds a property income and expenses module, allowing sole traders who also receive rental income to track rent received, maintenance costs, and related expenses alongside their business income within the same app. This satisfies the MTD digital record-keeping requirement for property income. However, Kletta does not offer property portfolio management, tenant records, rent roll tracking, HMO unit management, compliance document alerts (gas safety, EPC), mortgage tracking, arrears management, or joint ownership profit-splitting.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Rent Tracking | Yes | No |
| Property Expense Allocation | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple Property Support | Yes | Yes |
| 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 — Kletta's property module covers basic income and expense recording for landlords. RentalBux wins outright on portfolio management, tenant management, HMO support, joint ownership automation, mortgage tracking, and compliance alerts.
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.
Kletta: AI-Automated Bookkeeping for Sole Traders
Kletta's bookkeeping approach is built around simplicity and automation. Receipts and invoices flow automatically from the mobile app into the bookkeeping system, with AI extracting date, amount, VAT rate, and category. Bank transactions are automatically imported and reconciled on the Care plan (£49/month). The platform uses AI to flag errors — incorrect VAT rates, duplicate entries, suspicious data — before they reach the accountant. On the Duo plan, a UK-based bookkeeper is available to provide support, and on the Care plan, the bookkeeper actively reviews and reconciles the books.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | Yes | No |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| Xero Integration | No | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | No |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux on accounting depth; Kletta on accessibility and human support — RentalBux provides a full double-entry bookkeeping system with formal reports and a landlord-tailored chart of accounts. Kletta offers a more automated, accessible experience with AI error detection, mileage tracking, and optional human bookkeeper oversight — better suited to sole traders who want bookkeeping handled for them rather than a structured accounting system.
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.
Kletta: Mobile-First AI Bookkeeping with Mileage and Human Support
Kletta's AI automation is centred on the everyday bookkeeping needs of sole traders. Clients snap a photo of a receipt from their phone; Kletta's AI OCR reads the document, applies the correct VAT rate, and categorises the expense — flagging errors instantly. Invoices can be created and sent directly from the mobile app. Business mileage is tracked via the built-in mileage tracker, with per-mile rates applied and mileage summaries generated for tax deductions. On the Duo plan, a UK-based bookkeeper is available via the app for questions and guidance. On the Care plan, the bookkeeper actively reviews and reconciles all records, providing an additional layer of accuracy assurance that no software-only solution can match.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | Yes | Yes |
| Invoice Customisation/Branding | Yes | Yes |
| Online Payment Collection | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| AI Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | Yes |
Winner: Tie — different strengths — RentalBux wins on landlord-specific expense categories, invoice branding, and payment tracking. Kletta wins on mileage tracking, AI error detection, human bookkeeper support, offline capture, and asset depreciation. For landlords, RentalBux's landlord-tailored categories are more relevant. For sole traders — especially tradespeople or mobile professionals — Kletta's mileage tracking and bookkeeper access add significant everyday value.
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.
Kletta: Real-Time Dashboard Overview
Kletta's reporting is centred on a real-time financial dashboard that shows income, expenses, and an overview of the business's financial position as data is entered. It is designed to give sole traders a clear picture of their finances without accounting jargon. Kletta does not produce formal accounting reports — no profit & loss statement, balance sheet, or trial balance. The platform does not offer tax forecasting or investment analytics. The Self-Assessment review available on the Care plan provides accountant-level oversight of the records before filing, acting as a quality check rather than a reporting function.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | Yes | No |
| AI-Powered Features | Coming soon | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux — RentalBux leads significantly on formal accounting outputs. Kletta's dashboard provides a useful overview but does not replace formal financial reporting. The Care plan's human self-assessment review partially compensates, but is not equivalent to structured financial reports.
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.
Kletta's Collaborative Features
Kletta's accountant offering is built around a central practice dashboard through which accountants manage all their sole trader clients in one place. Accountants invite clients to the Kletta app via the portal; clients follow simple onboarding steps and begin recording receipts, income, and mileage. Data syncs to the accountant dashboard in real time. A unique differentiator is Kletta's in-app chat: each client has a secure message feed directly with their accountant, enabling faster communication, document requests, and confirmations without email. Kletta also offers a Partner Pack with resources and guides to support accountants onboarding their clients.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Integration | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | iOS, Android | iOS, Android, Web |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | Yes |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Winner: Tie — audience-dependent — RentalBux wins for accountants managing landlord portfolios, with agent filing, property-level access, and landlord-specific views. Kletta wins for practices managing large numbers of sole trader clients, with unlimited clients at a flat price, in-app chat, and a purpose-built client mobile experience.
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.
Kletta's Ease of Use
Kletta is designed to be the easiest bookkeeping app for UK sole traders — no accounting jargon, mobile-first, and heavily automated. The onboarding process is simple, and clients are guided through receipt capture, invoicing, and mileage tracking with minimal friction. AI handles categorisation, error detection, and (on the Care plan) reconciliation — meaning sole traders spend very little time on bookkeeping. The in-app chat with a UK-based bookkeeper provides human support when needed.
| Feature | RentalBux | Kletta |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Chat Support | Yes | Yes |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | Yes |
| Enterprise-Grade Security | Yes | No |
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 Kletta Offers
Mileage Tracking (All Plans)
A built-in mileage tracker allows sole traders to log business trips manually or via GPS, set per-mile rates, and generate mileage summaries for tax deductions. This is particularly valuable for tradespeople, mobile professionals, and visiting landlords who travel between properties.
Human Bookkeeper Support (Duo & Care Plans)
On the Duo plan, a UK-based bookkeeper is available via the app to answer questions and provide guidance. On the Care plan, the bookkeeper actively reviews and reconciles records. Kletta is better suited to sole traders who want professional bookkeeping support without hiring a full-time accountant.
AI Error Detection on Receipt Data
Kletta's AI flags incorrect VAT rates, duplicate entries, and suspicious data in real time as receipts are processed — before errors reach the accountant's desk. This proactive error detection reduces correction cycles and improves data quality.
Offline Receipt Capture
Receipts can be snapped in areas without mobile data or Wi-Fi, with data syncing once connectivity is restored. This is a practical advantage for landlords or tradespeople working in remote locations.
CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) Support
Kletta supports CIS deductions at the correct rate (0%, 20%, or 30%) for subcontractors — a feature relevant to landlords who also work in the construction industry.
Asset & Equipment Depreciation (Duo & Care Plans)
Automatic capital allowance calculations with depreciation handling allow sole traders to correctly account for business assets. This is particularly relevant for tradespeople with tools and equipment.
In-App Client-Accountant Chat
A secure, built-in message feed allows clients and accountants to communicate directly within the app — requesting documents, confirming figures, and answering questions without email. This streamlines the accountant workflow significantly.
Flat-Fee Unlimited Client Plan for Accountants (£99/month)
Practices can onboard an unlimited number of sole trader clients at one flat monthly price, making Kletta highly scalable for accounting firms with large sole trader client bases.
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 Kletta?
Kletta is the better MTD software choice for:
Sole Traders Who Want Maximum Bookkeeping Automation
If your priority is spending as little time as possible on bookkeeping — snapping receipts, logging mileage, and having the app handle the rest — Kletta's mobile-first, AI-powered workflow is purpose-built for this. No other platform in this comparison series offers human bookkeeper support at the Duo price point (£29/month).
Self-Employed Professionals Who Travel Frequently
Kletta's mileage tracker, offline receipt capture, and mobile-first design make it particularly well-suited to tradespeople, mobile professionals, consultants, and anyone whose work takes them away from a desk. The ability to snap a receipt in a rural location and have it sync later is a genuine practical advantage.
CIS Subcontractors and Tradespeople
Kletta's built-in CIS module supports correct CIS deduction rates (0%, 20%, 30%). Tradespeople who also have small rental income can manage both on the Duo plan.
Simple Landlords Who Already Have a Sole Trade
For a plumber or electrician who rents out a single property alongside their main trade, Kletta's Duo plan (£29/month) provides everything they need: sole trader bookkeeping, CIS support, mileage tracking, property income recording, and a UK-based bookkeeper — all in one app.
Accountants Managing Large Numbers of Sole Trader Clients
The flat £99/month unlimited-client model makes Kletta very cost-effective for practices with 15 or more sole trader clients. The in-app chat and dedicated dashboard streamline day-to-day client management without per-client licence costs.
Sole Traders Who Want Professional Bookkeeping Support Without Hiring an Accountant
The Duo plan's UK-based bookkeeper and the Care plan's full bookkeeper review service fill the gap for self-employed individuals who want professional oversight of their accounts but can't justify a full accountancy practice fee.