RentalBux vs. MTD for iPhone/iPad
Which MTD Software Is Better for UK Landlords and Sole Traders?
Overall Winner: RentalBux
RentalBux is the more complete MTD solution for landlords and sole traders. It is fully HMRC-recognised for MTD for Income Tax across all three qualifying income types — UK property, foreign property, and self-employment — and combines that compliance with comprehensive property management, automated bookkeeping, bank feed integration, and a permanently free plan for single-property landlords until March 2028. MTD for iPhone/iPad (mtd.tax) is a genuinely useful HMRC-recognised bridging app built by Dappological Ltd., designed exclusively for Apple users who want to keep their existing spreadsheets and submit quarterly updates and a final declaration from iPhone, iPad, or Mac — without switching to full accounting software. For landlords who want to keep working in a spreadsheet and already use Apple devices, it is a clean, low-friction option. For anyone who needs property management, bank feeds, tenant tracking, or bookkeeping alongside MTD compliance, RentalBux is the unambiguous choice.
At-a-Glance MTD Software Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and MTD for iPhone/iPad across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | Bridging App (spreadsheet to HMRC) |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Apple users keeping spreadsheet records |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property | UK Property, Foreign Property, Self-Employment |
| Free MTD Software Plan | Free until March 2028 (1 property) | Free for 2025–26 tax year (testing); ~£30–£40/year from 2026–27 |
| MTD Quarterly Updates to HMRC | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android | iPhone, iPad (Apple only) |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
What Is RentalBux? What Is MTD for iPhone/iPad?
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 MTD for iPhone/iPad?
MTD for iPhone/iPad is a bridging app built by Dappological Ltd. and available on the Apple App Store. It is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and is listed on HMRC's Software Choices page under both its macOS and iOS product entries. The app was built with a clear, singular purpose: to let people who already keep their accounts in spreadsheets — whether on Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or OpenDocument — submit their MTD quarterly updates and final declaration to HMRC directly from an iPhone, iPad, or Mac, without needing to change anything about their existing records.
The bridging workflow is straightforward. You keep your existing spreadsheet exactly as it is on whatever computer you use, including Windows. You map your income and expense totals to the relevant HMRC categories once in the app. Each quarter, you import those totals — via a QR code scan for Windows spreadsheets, or via a direct link for Apple devices — and submit to HMRC with a tap. The app communicates directly with HMRC's APIs; Dappological Ltd. does not run an intermediate server or store any client data.
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
- HMRC-recognised bridging app — live and submitting
- Keep your existing spreadsheet untouched — no workflow change
- Works with Excel, Numbers, Google Sheets, and OpenDocument
- Windows spreadsheets supported via QR code scan workflow
- Free for 2025–26 tax year; ~£30–£40/year from 2026–27
- No intermediate server — data goes directly to HMRC
- Multi-client agent support built in
- 5.0 stars on UK App Store (4 ratings, April 2026)
- Mac, iPhone, and iPad all supported natively
- Built by Dappological Ltd. — proven MTD VAT app track record
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
- Apple devices only — no Android, no web browser
- No digital record-keeping, bank feeds, or bookkeeping
- No property management, tenancy, or compliance features
- No invoicing or expense categorisation
- Very new app — limited public review history
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 MTD for iPhone/iPad Handles MTD Compliance
MTD for iPhone/iPad is bridging software. It does not create your digital records — you do that in your own spreadsheet, exactly as you do today. The app's role is to read your summary income and expense totals from your spreadsheet and transmit them to HMRC in the correct MTD format. Updates are cumulative — if you revise your figures mid-year, simply submit again and the latest totals replace the previous ones. The app supports self-employment, UK property, and foreign property income for quarterly updates. Foreign property is currently reported per country in line with HMRC's current requirements, with per-property reporting planned by HMRC in future. The final declaration allows for other income sources such as employment, dividends, and savings to be added before year-end submission.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 on breadth and is confirmed HMRC-recognised and live for quarterly submissions. RentalBux creates and maintains your digital records from scratch. It also bridges records you already keep in a spreadsheet. RentalBux is a better choice regardless of whether you need a full accounting platform or simply a compliant submission 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.
MTD for iPhone/iPad: No Property Management Features
The mtd.tax app does not offer any property management functionality. There are no property records, no tenancy management, no rent tracking, no compliance reminders, and no maintenance logging. The app is a submission tool only. For landlords who want to keep their property admin in a spreadsheet and simply need a compliant way to submit those totals to HMRC, this is by design. For landlords who want a single platform covering both property management and MTD compliance, it is not the right tool.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 — MTD for iPhone/iPad is a submission tool, not a property management platform. For landlords who want one system to handle property admin alongside MTD compliance, RentalBux is unambiguously the better choice.
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.
MTD for iPhone/iPad: Bridging Your Existing Spreadsheet to HMRC
MTD for iPhone/iPad takes a deliberately minimal approach to bookkeeping. You keep your financial records exactly as you do today — in Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or an OpenDocument spreadsheet. The app reads your income and expense totals (not individual transactions) and submits the summary figures to HMRC. You map your spreadsheet columns to the correct HMRC categories once, and reuse that mapping every quarter. Free starter templates are available for landlords and the self-employed from the mtd.tax website to simplify the mapping process. The app does not check your figures, categorise transactions, or offer any bookkeeping functionality — those responsibilities remain entirely with the user and their spreadsheet.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Basis Accounting | Yes | Yes |
| Chart of Accounts (Pre-built, Landlord-Tailored) | Yes (pre-built + custom) | No |
| Journal Entries | Yes | No |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | No |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes (Major UK banks) | No |
| Open Banking Integration | Yes | No |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | Yes | No |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | Yes |
| Xero Integration | No | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes | No |
Winner: RentalBux for those who want a full bookkeeping platform as well as for those who want to keep their spreadsheet It satisfies HMRC's digital record-keeping requirement through different means. RentalBux creates and manages records for you and trusts you to manage records in your spreadsheet and handles only the submission.
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.
MTD for iPhone/iPad: Totals Only — No In-App Expense Management
MTD for iPhone/iPad does not manage expenses or invoices within the app. It submits the summary totals you have already calculated in your spreadsheet. How you track, categorise, and evidence your allowable deductions is entirely up to you and your spreadsheet setup. The app also does not support CSV export of working papers, though submission data and HMRC references can be exported for agent filing records.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | Yes | No |
| 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 | No |
Winner: RentalBux — MTD for iPhone/iPad is intentionally a submission tool only. For landlords who want invoicing, expense tracking, receipt capture, and payment reminders within their MTD platform, RentalBux is the clear choice.
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.
MTD for iPhone/iPad: HMRC Tax Estimate After Each Submission
MTD for iPhone/iPad does not produce accounting reports. After each quarterly submission, the app displays the estimated tax calculation returned by HMRC based on the figures submitted. This gives users a running indication of their likely tax position. There is no profit and loss report, balance sheet, dashboard, or financial analysis within the app — these are the responsibility of the user's spreadsheet.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Profit & Loss Report | Yes (formal) | No |
| Balance Sheet | Yes | No |
| Trial Balance | Yes | No |
| Dashboard/Overview | Yes | No |
| Real-Time Financial Data | Yes | No |
| Cash Flow Reporting | No | No |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | Yes | Yes |
| AI-Powered Features | Coming soon | No |
Winner: RentalBux — RentalBux provides a full suite of accounting reports. MTD for iPhone/iPad shows only the HMRC tax estimate after submission. For landlords who want financial insight beyond the submission itself, RentalBux is the stronger option.
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.
MTD for iPhone/iPad: Apple-Only Agent Workflow
MTD for iPhone/iPad supports agent access with a client list showing per-client obligations, submission history, and HMRC references. Agents can authorise clients via HMRC's Agent Services Account or through the app's built-in authorisation request feature. Saved spreadsheet mappings per client make repeat quarterly submissions fast once set up. Agents can export submission data and HMRC references for their working papers. The app is Apple-only — agents using Android or Windows devices cannot use this app.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Integration | Yes | No |
| Platform | iOS, Android | iPhone, iPad (Apple only) |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | No |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux on platform breadth. RentalBux works on any device as its browser based and has designated iOS and Android apps as well. It also provides agent filing and is FCA regulated and GDPR compliant.
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.
MTD for iPhone/iPad: Ease of Use
MTD for iPhone/iPad is built by Dappological Ltd., which has a proven track record with Apple MTD software — its VAT Making Tax Digital app has been used by UK businesses for VAT submissions since the MTD for VAT rollout and holds strong ratings on the App Store. The ITSA app is newer, currently rated 5.0 out of 5 stars on the UK App Store based on 4 early reviews (as of late March 2026). Reviewers highlight its simplicity, the ease of the import workflow, and the quality of email support from the developer — specifically naming Darren Jones as highly responsive. Support is via email (info@mtd.tax). There is no phone support.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for iPhone/iPad |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Chat Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | No |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| 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 MTD for iPhone/iPad (mtd.tax) Offers
Keep Your Existing Spreadsheet Untouched
This is the single most important differentiator. MTD for iPhone/iPad requires absolutely no change to how you currently keep your financial records. If you have been tracking income and expenses in Excel or Numbers for years, you continue doing exactly that. The app simply reads your totals and submits them. No migration, no re-entering data, no learning a new system.
Windows Spreadsheet QR Code Workflow
For landlords and sole traders whose main spreadsheet lives on a Windows PC, the app provides a unique QR code import workflow: the import link on Windows displays a QR code, which you scan with your iPhone or iPad to instantly pull your totals into the app for submission. This bridges the Apple-submission experience to a Windows record-keeping workflow.
Native Mac App
MTD for iPhone/iPad is available as a native macOS application (macOS 13 Ventura or later), alongside its iPhone and iPad versions. Mac users who prefer to submit from their desktop rather than a mobile device have a native, purpose-built experience — not a browser tab.
Zero Data Retention — No Intermediate Server
Dappological Ltd. does not run an intermediate server or store any data. The app communicates directly with HMRC's APIs from the user's device. For users with privacy concerns about their financial data being held in cloud platforms, this is a meaningful distinction.
Free for the 2025–26 Tax Year
The app is completely free to use for the 2025–26 tax year as part of Dappological Ltd.'s testing phase. From 2026–27, pricing is expected to be approximately £30–£40 per year — one of the lowest price points among HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA tools.
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 MTD for iPhone/iPad (mtd.tax)?
MTD for iPhone/iPad is the better choice for:
Apple Users Who Already Keep Organised Spreadsheet Records
If you already track your rental income and expenses carefully in Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets and simply need a compliant way to submit those figures to HMRC, MTD for iPhone/iPad offers exactly that — with zero disruption to your existing workflow.
Landlords and Sole Traders Who Want the Lowest-Cost MTD Solution
At approximately £30–£40 per year from 2026–27 (and free in 2025–26), MTD for iPhone/iPad is one of the cheapest HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA options available. For landlords or sole traders who are comfortable managing their own records and simply need the submission piece, this represents excellent value.
Mac-First Users Who Want a Native App
The mtd.tax app is available as a native macOS application for Mac users who prefer to work at their desktop. There is no equivalent native Mac app from most landlord MTD platforms.
Users Who Prioritise Data Privacy
Dappological Ltd. does not run an intermediate server or retain any data. For users who are uncomfortable with financial data being stored in cloud accounting platforms, the direct device-to-HMRC model is a meaningful distinction.
Sole Traders With Simple Records Who Are Reluctant to Change Their Workflow
For a sole trader who has been using the same Excel spreadsheet for years and is not ready to migrate to full accounting software, MTD for iPhone/iPad provides the most minimal, low-friction path to MTD compliance — without touching anything about how they currently work.