Best Real Estate Accounting Software for Brokers & Realtors

You can't afford to make mistakes if you run a real estate business. You'll need foolproof accounting software to ensure your finances are always in order. 

But how do you know which solution is the best option for you? 

This article will review the ten best real estate accounting software options for estate agents, realtors, and brokers. We’ll see what each software is best for and analyze its pros and cons. 

Real estate accounts software comparison chart (top 10 highest rated)

^{*Prices start at}

What is the best real estate accounting software? Here’s our top 10 list:

Whether you’re a team of property managers or a solo realtor, there’s an ideal solution for your needs—and no, it’s not complex spreadsheets like Excel. 

In the following section, we’ll go over the top ten best real estate accounting software that can take your business to the next level.
 

1. Quickbooks Online: best real estate accounting software overall

QuickBooks Online might not be a dedicated real estate accounting software, but it's one of the best full-featured accounting software on the market. You can use it for everything from creating estimates that can be converted into invoices to receiving online payments for your rental property without even leaving the system. 

You'll be able to set up unlimited locations to see which of your rentals or buildings bring you the most profit. If you're working with contractors, you can send them 1099, so they can report their income when tax time comes around. 

Another perk of the software is that it is only one of many QuickBooks products in the QuickBooks universe. Other products include QuickBooks Online Accountant, QuickBooks Online Payroll, QuickBooks Payments, and more. All work seamlessly with each other.

Also, it’s cloud-based and has all the functionality of QuickBooks desktop. So if you prefer SaaS to an on-premises, locally installed business accounting app, this is the way to go. 

Pros:

• There are many monthly plans to choose from

• You can start small, then scale up as needed

• It works seamlessly with other QuickBooks products

• Real-time visualization of all of your finances

• There’s a discount for the first three months 

• You can give your accountant access to the software so they can track your books

• There’s a solid mobile app with mileage tracking and receipt capture

• Comprehensive reporting tools

Cons:

• The Simple Start plan is limited to only one user 

• The Simple Start plan lacks features like inventory management, time tracking, and bill pay

• There’s a slight learning curve

• It might be too pricey for companies with tight budgets 

Pricing:

• Simple Start: $30 /month

• Essentials: $55 /month 

• Plus: $85 /month

• Advanced: $200 /month 

• Self-employed for freelancers: $15/month

Visit Quickbooks

QuickBooks Online review
 

2. Xero: top real estate brokerage accounting software for growing businesses 

Xero stands out from the crowd from other real estate broker accounting software on this list because it offers unlimited users on all subscription plans. This is a feature you won't find anywhere else; most software gives you more users as you subscribe to a higher-priced plan. 

Aside from this perk, Xero is also a very scalable software, making it a top pick for simple and more complex accounting needs. If your business is currently small, you can start with the most basic plan and then scale up as you grow—if this is something you strive for. 

All the accounting features you would want from accounting software, Xero offers. You'll find features like invoices, expenses, inventory management, projects, sales tax, and multi-currency accounting. 

You'll be able to connect your credit card and bank accounts directly to the software, receive online payments, and pay bills. 

And if you want to add functionality to the software, you definitely can, as Xero integrates with over 800 third-party apps. Xero also integrates seamlessly with Gusto, one of the most competent payroll management software to help you run and manage your payroll online. 

Pros:

• The software is very user-friendly and intuitive

• There’s an extensive knowledge base with resources

• The monthly plans are affordable

• Each plan comes with unlimited users

• There’s a 30-day free trial

• Integrates with 800+ apps

Cons:

• Some of the more advanced features are reserved for the most expensive plan

• Payroll is only available as an add-on (an additional $40 per month)

• No phone support 

Pricing:

• Early: $12/month

• Growing: $34/month

• Established: $65/month

Visit Xero

Xero review
 

3. Freshbooks: good real estate bookkeeping software for small businesses

FreshBooks is one of the best bookkeeping software for realtors. The app is well-known for its user-friendly interface, generous set of features, and exceptional customer service. You can track receivables and payables and easily run detailed reports on where your money is coming from and going. 

The software lets you create and send professional-looking invoices, manage projects, and accept online payments. Additional software features include balance sheets, client management, and general ledger tools. 

In addition, FreshBooks integrates with 100+ third-party apps so that you can add functionality to your business. Some of the integrations include Gusto, Hubspot CRM, Zapier, Slack, and Gmail. 

Pros:

• Intuitive interface that’s easy to navigate

• Affordable monthly plans

• Time tracking and unlimited invoices are included in all plans

• 10% discount for an annual subscription

• Payment reminders 

• Supports all leading payment methods

Cons:

• No free plan

• Not suitable for larger businesses 

• All plans support one user

• Adding additional users can get expensive ($10/user/month)

Pricing:

• Lite: $13.50 /month billed annually 

• Plus: $22.50 /month billed annually 

• Premium: $45 /month billed annually 

• Select: contact vendor for pricing

Visit Freshbooks

Freshbooks review
 

4. Buildium: best dedicated realtor accounting software

Buildium is a cloud-based property management solution with accounting features. This might be the best choice if you're looking for a dedicated real estate accounting system. Buildium comes with real estate-specific features such as tenant screening and evaluation that helps you screen tenants during the application process. 

There's another feature called property inspections that lets you perform inspections, create reports, and sync all of your data. The software also lets you accept online payments from renters, create invoices, set up automatic expense allocation, use e-signatures, and more.

Pros:

• Designated real estate software

• Online rent payments

• Bill pay and payment tracking

• Decent reporting tools

• Expense tracking

• Leasing tools to streamline rental workflows

Cons:

• Expensive monthly plans

Pricing:

• Essential: $50 / month

• Growth: $160 / month 

• Premium: $460 /month 

Visit Buildium
 

5. Realtyzam: best accounting software for real estate agents for tracking expenses 

Realtyzam is another dedicated real estate accounting software created for real estate agents. This means the software contains all the essential features a real estate agent would need in an accounting solution without overwhelming you with unnecessary complexities. 

Realtyzam comes with advanced automation capabilities such as auto-categorization that speed up data entry. You can set up data feeds from over 15,000 banks and credit cards or download statements from your bank or credit card's website and upload the files manually. 

If you download the mobile app, you'll be able to upload receipts from any expense. Realtyzam will automatically scan the digital copy of the receipt and link it to the expense.

Pros:

• 30-day free trial

• Dedicated real estate accounting software 

• Great features for tracking expenses 

• Generates sales tax reports

• Includes a client relationship management (CRM) module

Cons:

• Lacks accounting functions such as invoicing, online payments, inventory, and time tracking

Pricing:

• $9.95/month billed annually

• $12/month billed monthly 

Visit Realtyzam
 

6. Zoho Books: affordable accounting software for real estate brokers

What sets Zoho Books apart is that it offers more payment gateway options than other accounting tools. It works with all the popular payment gateways, such as Paypal and Stripe, but also with Square, Worldpay, Forte, and WePay. 

This means your clients will have more options for sending you online payments. Like QuickBooks, Zoho Books works seamlessly with other Zoho products, like Zoho Projects and Zoho CRM. The software can generate reports like Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow Statement any time you want them. 

The Zoho Analytics add-on gives you access to more advanced reporting. There's a generous free plan that's great for small business owners with tight budgets. The best plan, Premium, offers all the best features and is only $60 per month. 

Pros:

• It can integrate seamlessly with other Zoho products

• Accountant access 

• Free trial of the full-featured Premium plan

• There’s a generous free plan and affordable monthly plans

• You’ll find a good deal of automation features

Cons:

• There’s a learning curve 

• The most affordable plan supports only one user

Pricing:

• Free

• Standard: $15 /month billed annually 

• Professional: $40 /month billed annually

• Premium: $60 /month billed annually

• Elite: $120 /month billed annually

• Ultimate: $240 /month billed annually

Visit Zoho Books

Zoho Books review
 

7. ZipBooks: user-friendly accounting software for realtors 

ZipBooks made our list of the best accounting software for realtors as it comes with all the accounting features realtors would need to run a successful business. 

You can send unlimited invoices, set up automated payment reminders so that clients never forget to pay you, and track your transactions to see what you owe and who owes you. 

Even if you're not tech-savvy, the software is incredibly intuitive and easy to use. You'll be able to set up your business and start working with the software in a little time. 

Other useful features include smart insights and reports that can help you retain your most profitable clients, receive payments on time, and see how your business compares to those of your competitors. 

Pros:

• A generous free plan

• Incredible ease of use

• Affordable monthly plans

• Expense tracking and financial reporting

• Recurring invoices

Cons:

• Lacks mobile app for iOS and Android

• Some features are only available in North America

Pricing:

• Free

• Smarter: $15 /month

• Sophisticated: $35 /month

• Accountant: Contact vendor

Visit ZipBooks

ZipBooks review
 

8. Kashoo: great lightweight real estate financial software

If you need user-friendly accounting software that's suitable even for beginners, look no further than Kashoo. The perk of this software is that it doesn't overwhelm you with unnecessary features but still gets the job done. 

Although there's no free plan, you can take advantage of the free 14-day trial to see if the software is a good fit for your real estate business. The pricing is also very straightforward; there's only one monthly plan that includes all the features and comes at $30 per month. 

With that said, Kashoo lets you do all kinds of things, like send invoices, track expenses, do end-of-the-year accounting, and get a view of your cash flow. 

Pros:

• 14-day free trial

• Great ease of use

• Fantastic customer service

• Extensive knowledge base

• A decent selection of features 

• Unlimited users 

• Mobile app 

Cons:

• No free plan

• Only one monthly plan 

• Not suitable for larger businesses

• It lacks features like paying bills, recurring invoices, and time tracking 

• Integrations are also limited

Pricing:

• $30/month 

Visit Kashoo

Kashoo review
 

9. Wave: best free real estate accounting software 

Wave is most widely known as the best free accounting software. If you're wondering, “is this software really free,” the answer is yes. Wave’s invoicing, accounting, and US-only banking software is 100% free; there are no trials, subscriptions, or hidden fees. 

But now you’re asking, “so how does the company make money?” Well, Wave has optional, paid-for money management products, including payroll, 1:1 advisors, and online payment processing. 

With that said, Wave is a fantastic accounting tool for micro businesses and small business owners who just need the essentials. You can even give your accountant access to the software and designate their user role. 

Pros:

• Ideal for micro and small businesses

• The software is user-friendly and intuitive 

• You can use the invoicing, accounting, and banking software for free

• Dedicated invoicing mobile app 

• Unlimited invoicing with customizable templates

• Track income and expenses

Cons:

• Not suitable for growing or large businesses 

• Limited customer support

Pricing:

• Free 

Visit WaveApps

Wave review
 

10. Sage Accounting: top real estate accounting software for micro businesses

Sage Accounting is a product developed by the Sage Group, which is a multinational business software company from the UK. Although the providers of the software might be big, this app is actually ideal for micro and small businesses that want an easy-to-use solution to manage their finances. 

You can quickly and easily create invoices, track cash flow, accept payments, capture expenses, record transactions, and more. 

You can use Sage Accounting on your own or with collaborators. Simply invite other users to join the software via email, including your accountant, if you have one. 

The best thing is you don't need any previous knowledge of accounting software, as Sage Accounting is highly intuitive. Currently, Sage Accounting offers 70% off for the first six months. 

Pros:

• Highly intuitive

• Affordable monthly plans

• Great for micro and small businesses

• There’s a free trial

Cons:

• Lacks advanced features 

Pricing:

• Sage Accounting Start: $10/month 

• Sage Accounting: $25/month 

Visit Sage Accounting

Sage Accounting Review

Which real estate bookkeeping software is best for me? Key takeaways

The bottom line is that every real estate bookkeeping software on this list has something to offer. 

For example, if you need a dedicated real estate accounting software, go with Buildium. If you have a limited budget and would prefer a free accounting software, Wave and ZipBooks have a great free plan. Finally, if you prefer full-featured accounting software that's easy to use, QuickBooks Online is the best pick. 

At the end of the day, the best real estate accounting software for you would depend on your specific needs, the size of your business, and your budget. 

Sorry for the “it depends” answer, but it’s true. You want the “best” for your specific context. 

Depending on your needs, you may actually want the best lease accounting software over everything else, as you’re principally managing rentals. Or you may be on the lookout for the best property management software for commercial real estate, short-term rentals, or other business use contexts.

Didn’t find anything you like here? Read our best small business software for accounting post, which lists 15 of the best online accounting SaaS on the market today. Or, feel free to check out our best CRM for real estate article for more options!