RentalBux vs. VT Software
Which MTD Software Is Better for UK Landlords and Sole Traders?
Overall Winner: RentalBux
RentalBux is the more complete solution for landlords who need property management and MTD compliance together. It combines full Making Tax Digital compliance across UK property income, foreign property income, and self-employment income with comprehensive property management tools, cloud access from any device, automated bank feeds, AI-driven expense categorisation, joint ownership profit-splitting, and a free plan for single-property landlords until March 2028. VT Software — operated by VT Software Limited and in business for over 25 years — is a very different product with a very different purpose. It is a low-cost, Windows-only desktop bookkeeping and accounting suite widely used by UK accountants and bookkeepers. Its MTD for Income Tax support — available in VT Transaction+, VT Cash Book, VT Report, and VT MTD for Excel — covers quarterly submissions for self-employment, UK property, and foreign property income at no additional charge above the existing subscription. However, VT Software explicitly does not submit the final declaration under MTD, is not cloud-based, has no mobile app, no browser access, no automated bank feeds, no property management features, and is Windows-only. VT Software is most suited to accountants and bookkeepers already embedded in the VT ecosystem, and to landlords or sole traders who prefer a familiar desktop workflow and are comfortable using separate tax software for the year-end final declaration. For anyone seeking a landlord-specific all-in-one cloud platform with full MTD compliance from quarterly updates through to final declaration, RentalBux is the clear choice.
At-a-Glance MTD Software Comparison
Key differences between RentalBux and VT Software across MTD compliance, property management, bookkeeping, pricing, and landlord-specific features.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| Software Type | Property/Landlord Platform | Desktop Bookkeeping & Accounting Suite |
| Target Users | Landlords, Sole Traders, Letting Agents | Accountants, Bookkeepers, Small Businesses |
| Income Sources Supported | Sole Trader + UK Property + Foreign Property | Self Employment & UK Property |
| Free MTD Software Plan | Free until March 2028 (1 property) | No |
| MTD Quarterly Updates to HMRC | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | No |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes | No |
| Invoice Creation | Yes | Yes |
| 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 | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Platform | Web, iOS, Android | Windows desktop only |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
What Is RentalBux? What Is VT Software?
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 VT Software?
VT Software Limited has been providing low-cost, easy-to-use desktop accounting software for over 25 years. Its products are widely used by smaller accounting practices, bookkeepers, and small businesses across the UK. The VT suite is a Windows-only desktop application — VT Software explicitly confirms it does not produce cloud or browser-based software and has no plans to do so. VT's programs do not run on Macs or mobile devices.
The VT product range relevant to MTD for Income Tax comprises four programs: VT Transaction+ (fully featured desktop bookkeeping with double-entry ledger, customer and supplier ledgers, invoicing, VAT, and from April 2026, MTD Income Tax quarterly submissions); VT Cash Book (a free, simplified cash accounting program, also capable of MTD quarterly submissions with a VT Transaction+ licence); VT Report (a simple standalone spreadsheet program and MTD bridging tool); and VT MTD for Excel (an Excel add-in for submitting MTD returns from any Excel spreadsheet). The VT Accounts Suite adds VT Final Accounts (an Excel add-in for producing FRS 102/105 financial statements and iXBRL filings to Companies House) and VT Filer/VT Fact Viewer.
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
- Over 25 years in business — proven, trusted, and widely used by UK accountants
- MTD quarterly submissions included in existing subscriptions at no extra charge
- Very low cost: VT Transaction+ at £90 + VAT/year for unlimited businesses
- VT Cash Book free (MTD features require VT Transaction+ licence)
- Full double-entry bookkeeping with customer and supplier ledgers
- Covers self-employment, UK property, and foreign property income in one file
- Both cash basis and accruals basis accounting supported
- Can be used as bridging software (VT Report, VT MTD for Excel)
- Accounts production and iXBRL filing (VT Final Accounts, VT Accounts Suite)
- MTD for VAT and Income Tax from the same file for VAT-registered clients
- 60-day free trial for VT Transaction+ and VT Accounts Suite
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
- Windows desktop only — no Mac, no mobile app, no browser access
- Does not submit the final declaration — separate MTD tax software required
- Not cloud-based — data stored on PC; remote access requires file sharing
- No automated bank feeds — bank statement import only
- No AI expense categorisation or OCR receipt capture
- No property management features — no tenant management, rent tracking, or compliance tools
- No free trial for MTD final declaration — separate software purchase required
- Very small Trustpilot review base (5 reviews)
- Requires 32-bit desktop Excel for VT Final Accounts and VT MTD for Excel
- No joint ownership automated profit-splitting
- Cannot be used on ARM-based PCs with VT Final Accounts
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 VT Software Handles MTD for Income Tax
VT Software's MTD for Income Tax quarterly submission capability is available in VT Transaction+, VT Cash Book, VT Report, and VT MTD for Excel as of April 2026, at no additional cost to existing subscribers. The same VT file can be used to submit quarterly updates for all of an individual's income types — self-employment, UK property, and foreign property — as well as VAT returns if the client is VAT-registered.
Quarterly submissions in VT work by submitting cumulative year-to-date totals of income and expense categories to HMRC. These categories align with those on the Self-Assessment tax return. If a taxpayer's income from self-employment or UK property is below £90,000, they can elect to report simplified expense categories. Both cash basis and accruals basis accounting are supported; accruals basis is confirmed at year-end by a simple setting change in the software or in the year-end tax software.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| HMRC Recognised (MTD ITSA) | Yes | Yes |
| MTD Quarterly Updates | Yes | Yes |
| Final Declaration | Yes | No |
| Digital Record Keeping | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Links Compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Sole Trader Income | Yes | Yes |
| UK Property Income | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Property Income | Yes | Yes (from 2026/27) |
| Multiple Income Streams | Yes | Yes |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux — RentalBux covers the complete MTD cycle including the final declaration in a single platform. VT Software's quarterly submission capability is strong and covers all three income types, but the final declaration must be handled by a separate program — creating a two-software workflow for the full MTD obligation.
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.
VT Software: Bookkeeping and Accounting Only — No Property Management
VT Software does not include any property management tools. It is a bookkeeping and accounting platform. Tenant management, rent tracking, compliance certificate reminders, HMO unit management, joint ownership automated profit-splitting, and tenancy document generation are completely outside the scope of VT Software's products.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| 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 — clear — RentalBux provides a comprehensive, confirmed property management feature set. VT Software is a bookkeeping platform and includes no property management tools. Landlords who need operational property management must use a separate platform alongside VT Software.
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.
VT Software: Full-Featured Desktop Bookkeeping with Deep Excel Integration
VT Transaction+ is a fully featured desktop bookkeeping program built on double-entry principles, with an integrated ledger structure including a cashbook, customer and supplier ledgers. It can handle an unlimited number of accounts and transactions, from simple incomplete-records jobs to companies with hundreds of thousands of transactions. Data entry is notably fast — a quality consistently praised by long-term users.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| Cash Basis Accounting | Yes | Yes |
| Chart of Accounts (Pre-built, Landlord-Tailored) | Yes (pre-built + custom) | No |
| Journal Entries | Yes | Yes |
| Bank Reconciliation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Bank Feeds | Yes (Major UK banks) | No |
| Open Banking Integration | Yes | No |
| Double-Entry Bookkeeping | Yes | Yes |
| HMRC Box Pre-Mapping | Yes | No |
| Xero Integration | No | No |
| Spreadsheet Import/Export | Yes | Yes |
| Digital Record Storage | Yes | No |
Winner: RentalBux leads on cloud access, automated bank feeds, categorisation, and OCR receipt capture. It also has open banking integration, HMRC box pre-mapping and pre-built Chart of Accounts and digital record storage.
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.
VT Software: Fast Desktop Data Entry with Unlimited Invoicing
VT Transaction+ supports unlimited invoice creation with no restrictions on the number of invoices or transactions. Data entry is consistently noted for its speed by long-term users — one of the most frequently cited advantages of the desktop-based workflow. Bank statement files can be imported in bulk to populate records. However, VT Software has no automated bank feeds via open banking, no AI-powered expense categorisation, and no OCR receipt capture. Expense management is a manual data entry and categorisation process.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| Invoice Creation & Sending | Yes | Yes |
| Invoice Customisation/Branding | Yes | No |
| Online Payment Collection | Yes | No |
| Payment Tracking/Reminders | Yes | No |
| Expense Tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Receipt Capture (OCR/Photo) | Yes | No |
| Expense Categorisation | Yes | Yes |
| Automated Transaction Matching | Yes | No |
| Mileage Tracking | No | No |
| AI Auto-Categorisation | Coming soon | No |
Winner: RentalBux — OCR receipt capture, automated bank feeds, and automated expense categorisation give RentalBux a significant automation advantage for landlords who want to minimise manual data entry. VT Software's strength is in the speed and flexibility of its traditional desktop data entry, which suits accountants already comfortable with its workflow.
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.
VT Software: Comprehensive Reporting and Accounts Production
VT Transaction+ generates profit & loss accounts and balance sheets, which can be displayed in tax return format and exported to other systems, including Microsoft Office. VT Final Accounts (included in the VT Accounts Suite) is an Excel add-in that produces a full set of financial statements under FRS 102 and FRS 105, including balance sheets and income statements, from which iXBRL files can be generated and submitted to Companies House. VT Fact Viewer is an iXBRL file viewer. This full accounts production capability is well beyond what RentalBux currently offers, making VT Software a more complete solution for accountants who also need to produce and file statutory accounts for their clients. Tax forecasting is not a confirmed VT feature.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| Profit & Loss Report | Yes (formal) | Yes |
| Balance Sheet | Yes | Yes |
| Trial Balance | Yes | Yes |
| Dashboard/Overview | Yes | No |
| Real-Time Financial Data | Yes | No |
| Cash Flow Reporting | No | Yes |
| Tax Estimate/Forecast | Yes | No |
| AI-Powered Features | Coming soon | No |
Winner: RentalBux's confirmed reporting and designated dashboard/overview is a great feature. For landlords who need a dashboard and property-specific reporting, 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.
VT Software's Collaborative Features
VT Software is a desktop program. Data files are stored on the user's PC. Multi-user access is not a native feature in the same sense as cloud software — VT's FAQ confirms that to give an accountant access to VT data, the data file must be shared (for example, via a shared network drive or file transfer). VT Transaction+ does support agent submissions via Agent Services Account (on the VT Accounts Suite plan), which allows accountants to submit MTD quarterly updates for clients. However, the software does not run in a browser and there is no mobile app — accountants and clients cannot both log in remotely to the same live records as they would with a cloud platform.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant/Advisor Portal | Yes | No |
| Multi-User Access | Yes | No |
| Agent Filing on Behalf | Yes | No |
| Bank Integration | Yes | No |
| Platform | iOS, Android | Windows desktop only |
| Web Browser Access | Yes | No |
| FCA Regulated | Yes | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes | Yes |
Winner: RentalBux — Cloud access from any device, native iOS and Android apps, and a dedicated agent filing portal make RentalBux significantly more flexible for remote working, accountant collaboration, and on-the-go property management. VT Software's desktop-only, file-based model requires a different workflow for multi-user access, though it suits accountants who prefer a local, fast desktop environment.
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.
VT Software's Ease of Use
VT Software's products have a 25+ year reputation for speed, simplicity, and reliability. Long-term users on Trustpilot and AccountingWEB consistently describe the software as fast, flexible, and excellent value. One Trustpilot reviewer described VT as superior to Xero, QuickBooks, and FreeAgent for data entry speed and workflow. Another noted it as "way ahead of its time" at launch. Customer support is provided by phone (020 8995 1142) and email, with comprehensive user guides, video guides, and an FAQ library on the website. VT has only 5 Trustpilot reviews — a reflection of its primarily accountant-focused user base rather than an indicator of quality.
| Feature | RentalBux | VT Software |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Support | Yes | Yes |
| Chat Support | Yes | No |
| Email Support | Yes | Yes |
| Help Centre/Knowledge Base | Yes | Yes |
| 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 VT Software Offers
Quarterly MTD Submissions at No Additional Cost
MTD for Income Tax functionality is included in VT's existing subscription prices with no additional charge. For accountants already paying for VT Transaction+ (£90 + VAT/year), MTD quarterly submissions are available at no increase in cost.
No Final Declaration Scope — Clear Two-Software Workflow
VT Software's explicit position that final declarations are out of scope allows accountants to use their preferred established tax software for year-end work while using VT for quarterly submissions. HMRC's own guidance confirms that quarterly update software and final declaration software do not have to be the same product.
VT Cash Book — Free Cash Accounting Program
VT Cash Book is available free of charge for cash basis accounting without MTD features. For landlords who are content to enter records manually and do not require bank feeds, OCR, or cloud access, VT Cash Book at no cost (plus a VT Transaction+ licence for MTD submissions) is one of the lowest-cost routes to MTD quarterly compliance.
Full Accounts Production for Accountants (VT Final Accounts)
VT Final Accounts is an Excel add-in included in the VT Accounts Suite (£175 + VAT/year) that produces FRS 102 and FRS 105 financial statements, iXBRL files for Companies House, and supports trial balance import from VT Transaction+. This makes VT Accounts Suite a comprehensive practice tool that goes well beyond MTD.
Bridging Software for Spreadsheet Users (VT Report and VT MTD for Excel)
VT Report is a free, standalone spreadsheet program with built-in MTD templates for VAT and Income Tax, usable as bridging software for users who keep records in third-party programs or spreadsheets. VT MTD for Excel is an Excel add-in allowing MTD submissions directly from any Excel workbook. These tools support the large number of accountants and landlords who prefer to continue working in spreadsheets while remaining MTD-compliant.
Offline Operation
VT Software's programs run entirely locally on a Windows PC. No internet connection is required for daily bookkeeping only for installation and HMRC/Companies House submissions. This makes VT very fast for data entry and ensures it works reliably in environments without consistent connectivity.
Unlimited Businesses at a Single Licence Price
VT Transaction+ at £90 + VAT/year for a single user supports bookkeeping and MTD quarterly submissions for an unlimited number of businesses. For accountants managing a large number of clients, this per-user (not per-client) pricing model offers outstanding value.
Over 25 Years of Track Record
VT Software Limited has been developing and supporting its accounting software for over 25 years. Its user base includes accounting practices that have relied on VT products for a decade or more, citing its speed, reliability, and value as key reasons to remain with the platform.
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 VT Software?
VT Software is good choice for:
Accountants and Bookkeepers Already in the VT Ecosystem
If your practice already uses VT Transaction+ for bookkeeping and VAT, adding MTD for Income Tax quarterly submissions costs nothing extra and requires no new software installation or workflow change.
Practitioners Who Want Unlimited Clients at a Fixed Annual Price
VT Transaction+ at £90 + VAT/year for a single user covering unlimited businesses makes it one of the most cost-effective options in the market for accountants managing a large number of small business and landlord clients.
Accountants Who Also Need Statutory Accounts Production
The VT Accounts Suite (£175 + VAT/year) covers bookkeeping, MTD quarterly submissions, accounts production under FRS 102/105, iXBRL generation, and Companies House filing — a comprehensive suite for small practices.
Users Who Prefer Spreadsheets and Desktop Workflows
VT Report (free) and VT MTD for Excel allow MTD quarterly submissions from Excel spreadsheets without abandoning existing record-keeping workflows. For clients who will never move to cloud software, VT's bridging tools provide a compliant solution.
Users Who Need Offline Capability and Fast Data Entry
VT's desktop programs work without an internet connection for day-to-day operation. For high-volume data entry, VT Transaction+'s speed is a genuine differentiator compared to cloud platforms.
VAT-Registered Property Management Companies
VT Software is confirmed HMRC-recognised for both MTD for VAT and MTD for Income Tax, and a single file can handle all income types and VAT returns simultaneously.