RentalBux vs. MTD for macOS
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 macOS (mtd.tax) is a focused, HMRC-recognised bridging app built by Dappological Ltd. for Mac users who want to keep their existing spreadsheets and submit quarterly updates and a final declaration from their Mac — without switching to full accounting software. For Mac users who already maintain organised spreadsheet records and want the most friction-free, low-cost path to MTD compliance, it is a clean and well-built option. For anyone who needs property management, bank feeds, tenant tracking, or bookkeeping built into their MTD platform, RentalBux is the unambiguous choice.
At-a-Glance MTD Software Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and MTD for macOS across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | Bridging App (spreadsheet to HMRC) |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Mac 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) | No |
| 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 | macOS, iOS/iPadOS |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
What Is RentalBux? What Is MTD for macOS?
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 macOS?
MTD for macOS is a native Mac application built by Dappological Ltd. and available on the Mac App Store. It is HMRC-recognised for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and is listed on HMRC's Software Choices page under Product ID 3237 (macOS). The app was built to solve a specific problem: Mac users who already keep their accounts in Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or OpenDocument spreadsheets need a way to submit their MTD quarterly updates and final declaration to HMRC without abandoning their existing workflow or paying for full accounting software they do not need.
The app communicates directly with HMRC's APIs. Dappological Ltd. does not run an intermediate server or store any user data — financial information goes from the Mac directly to HMRC and nowhere else. The macOS app is part of the same universal application as the iPhone and iPad versions, meaning a single purchase covers the full Apple ecosystem.
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 — live and listed on HMRC Software Choices (Product ID 3237)
- Native Mac app — not a browser tab; integrates with Numbers natively
- Keep your existing spreadsheet untouched — zero workflow change
- Numbers magic link — click to send totals straight into the app
- Supports Excel, Google Sheets, and OpenDocument as well as Numbers
- Free for 2025–26 tax year; ~£30–£40/year from 2026–27
- No intermediate server — data goes directly from Mac to HMRC
- Multi-client agent support with saved mappings per client
- Proven developer — VAT MTD app has long, strong Mac App Store track record
- Dark Mode support
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
- macOS and Apple ecosystem only — no Android, no web browser access
- No digital record-keeping, bank feeds, or bookkeeping within the app
- No property management, tenancy, or compliance features
- No invoicing or automated expense categorisation
- Very new ITSA app — Mac version has no public App Store ratings yet (April 2026)
- Android and Windows-only users cannot use this app
- Spreadsheet records must be maintained by the user — no automation
- Final declaration income type coverage still expanding
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 macOS Handles MTD Compliance
MTD for macOS 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 income and expense totals from your spreadsheet and transmit them to HMRC in the correct MTD format. Quarterly updates are cumulative — if your figures change mid-year, simply submit again and the latest totals replace the previous ones. The app supports self-employment, UK property, and foreign property income. Foreign property is currently submitted per country in line with HMRC's current requirements, with per-property reporting planned by HMRC for the future. At the year end, the final declaration allows additional income sources — such as employment, dividends, and savings — to be added before the year-end submission is confirmed.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 depth. RentalBux creates and maintains your digital records from scratch within its platform. It also bridges records you already keep in a spreadsheet. The right choice is RentalBux regardless of whether you need a full accounting platform or simply a compliant submission layer on top of your existing workflow.
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 macOS: No Property Management Features
The mtd.tax macOS app does not offer property portfolio management, tenancy management, rent tracking, compliance reminders, HMO support, or any other landlord-specific features. Its purpose is purely submission. For landlords who are comfortable managing all property admin in their spreadsheet and simply need a compliant route to send those totals to HMRC, this is by design. For landlords who want a single integrated platform, it is not sufficient on its own.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Property Portfolio Management | Yes | No |
| Tenant Management | Yes | No |
| Rent Tracking | Yes | No |
| Property Expense Allocation | Yes | No |
| 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 — MTD for macOS does not provide any property management functionality. For landlords who want one platform covering portfolio management and MTD compliance, RentalBux is the only viable option between the two.
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 macOS: Native Mac Bridging with Apple Numbers Integration
MTD for macOS takes a deliberately minimal approach to accounting. You keep your financial records in whichever spreadsheet application you prefer — Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or an OpenDocument format. The Mac app reads your income and expense totals (summary figures, not individual transactions) and submits them to HMRC. The import process is particularly seamless for Numbers users: the mtd.tax starter template includes a magic link that, when clicked from within Numbers on a Mac, sends your totals directly into the MTD app. No copy-and-paste, no re-entry. For Excel and Google Sheets users on Mac, the same magic link mechanism works through those applications. The app maps your spreadsheet columns to the correct HMRC categories once, and that mapping is saved and reused every quarter.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 and for those who want to keep their spreadsheet. RentalBux creates and manages records for you from within the platform but also trusts you to manage records in your spreadsheet and handles the compliant 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 macOS: Totals Only — No In-App Expense Management
MTD for macOS receives the totals you have already calculated in your spreadsheet and submits them to HMRC. It does not categorise, track, or evidence expenses within the app itself. The app also does not support CSV export of working papers, though submission references and HMRC confirmation data can be exported for agent filing records.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 macOS is intentionally a submission tool only. For Mac-based 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 macOS: HMRC Tax Estimate Only
MTD for macOS does not generate accounting reports. After each quarterly submission, the app displays the HMRC-returned estimated tax calculation, giving users a running sense of their likely tax position. All financial analysis — profit and loss, cash flow, yields, and forecasting — remains the responsibility of the user and their spreadsheet. The app's role ends at the HMRC submission confirmation screen.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| 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 macOS shows only the HMRC-returned tax estimate after submission. For landlords who need 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 macOS: Apple-Ecosystem Agent Workflow
MTD for macOS supports multi-client agent access with a client list showing per-client obligations, submission history, and HMRC references. Agents 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 the initial setup is complete. Submission data and HMRC references can be exported for working paper files. The app runs only on Apple devices — agents using Android phones or Windows PCs cannot use the mtd.tax app.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Integration | Yes | No |
| Platform | iOS, Android | macOS, iOS/iPadOS |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | No |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux on platform breadth. RentalBux works on any device for any user as it has web browser access, iOS as well as Android app. It is also FCA regulated
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 macOS's Ease of Use
MTD for macOS is built by Dappological Ltd., which has a well-established track record in Mac-native MTD software. Its VAT Making Tax Digital app for Mac has accumulated consistently positive reviews on the Mac App Store, with users praising its simplicity, its status as the only native macOS MTD VAT app supporting Apple Numbers, and above all the developer's email support responsiveness — reviewers specifically name Darren Jones and note responses outside business hours. For the ITSA app, the macOS version does not yet have enough ratings to display an App Store overview as of 1 April 2026, though the companion iOS version holds a 5.0/5 rating from early users. Support is via email only (info@mtd.tax) with no phone support.
| Feature | RentalBux | MTD for macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | No |
| Chat Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | FAQ page + free spreadsheet templates |
| 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 macOS
Native Mac Application with Apple Numbers Integration
MTD for macOS is a proper native Mac app — installed via the Mac App Store and built specifically for macOS 13 Ventura and later. It integrates natively with Apple Numbers, including the magic link template feature that sends totals directly from Numbers into the app with a single click. This level of Numbers integration is not available in any other HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA tool and makes it the natural choice for Mac users who rely on Apple's native spreadsheet.
Zero Data Retention — Direct Device-to-HMRC Architecture
Dappological Ltd. does not run an intermediate server. The app communicates directly with HMRC's APIs from the Mac. For users with privacy concerns about financial data being stored in cloud accounting platforms, this is a substantive distinction from every cloud-based accounting or MTD platform.
Keep Your Existing Spreadsheet Entirely Unchanged
This is the most important differentiator for many users. MTD for macOS requires absolutely no change to how you currently keep your records. If you have been tracking income and expenses in Apple Numbers or Excel for years, you continue doing exactly that. The app simply reads your totals when you need to submit. No migration, no data re-entry, no learning a new system.
Dark Mode Support
The mtd.tax app supports macOS Dark Mode natively, reflecting its design as a first-class Mac citizen rather than a ported mobile or web application.
Free for the 2025–26 Tax Year
The app is completely free to use for the entire 2025–26 tax year during Dappological Ltd.'s live testing phase. From the 2026–27 tax year onward, pricing is expected to be approximately £30–£40 per year — making it one of the lowest-cost HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA options for Mac users who already maintain spreadsheet records.
Universal Purchase — Mac, iPhone, and iPad
A single App Store purchase covers the app across the full Apple ecosystem. Mac users who also want to submit from their iPhone or iPad during travel or away from their desk are covered under the same app without any additional cost.
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 macOS?
MTD for macOS is the better choice for:
Mac Users Who Already Keep Organised Spreadsheet Records
If you have been tracking your rental income and expenses carefully in Apple Numbers, Excel for Mac, or Google Sheets for years and simply need a compliant way to submit those totals to HMRC, MTD for macOS offers that — natively, without disruption to your existing workflow.
Apple Numbers Users in Particular
The magic link integration between the mtd.tax Numbers template and the Mac app is the smoothest import experience available for any HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA tool. If your records already live in Numbers, the submission process is as close to frictionless as currently exists in the market.
Landlords and Sole Traders Who Want the Lowest-Cost Mac MTD Solution
At approximately £30–£40 per year from 2026–27 (and free in 2025–26), MTD for macOS is one of the cheapest HMRC-recognised MTD ITSA options available for Mac users. For landlords comfortable managing their own records, it represents strong value.
Users Who Prioritise Data Privacy
Dappological Ltd. does not run an intermediate server or retain any data. The app communicates directly with HMRC from the Mac. For users who are uncomfortable with financial data being stored in cloud accounting platforms, the direct device-to-HMRC model is a meaningful distinction.
Mac-Centric Apple Ecosystem Users
Users who work primarily on Mac, with iPhones and iPads for mobile, benefit from the universal purchase covering all Apple devices and from a native app experience — Dark Mode, macOS menu bar integration, standard Mac UI conventions — that a web-based tool cannot replicate.