Best Real Estate Accounting Software of 2024

Why we picked it: Zoho Books takes our top spot for real estate accounting software for a number of reasons. First is that it offers a variety of reasonably priced monthly plan options ranging from a free option (designed for small businesses with less than $50,000 of annual revenue and requiring access for only one user) to an option suited for well-established businesses that require access for more than a dozen users. In this way, Zoho is a solution that can evolve with you from a solo real estate agent to a midsize brokerage firm.

Zoho’s core accounting software is packed with standard features such as automated transaction reconciliation (including bank feeds and the ability to set transaction categorization rules), invoicing and billing capabilities, a customizable chart of accounts and more. It also includes a wealth of reporting and tax features. Additionally, real estate agents will find Zoho Books’ document management and collaboration tools, including a customer portal available in all plan tiers, particularly useful.

Why we picked it: Propertybase is a complete software solution designed specifically for real estate businesses. Tools within the platform include those for CRM, marketing and sales. With Propertybase, you can build a website to showcase your brand, automate the marketing process to generate meaningful leads, manage client relationships and gather rich business insights.

The software handles all the unique needs of a real estate business apart from accounting. For that function, Propertybase has a direct integration with QuickBooks Online.

Why we picked it: Xero includes several features built directly in to its accounting software that real estate businesses will find useful. The software’s contact management tool will enable you to keep detailed records of client communications and keep contact information at the ready. You and your team can also photograph and upload receipts for convenient expense tracking, organize and share documents, and track the financial health of your business. You can also do all of this and more from Xero’s highly rated mobile app.

Plus, Xero receives a full 5-star rating from NerdWallet. It stands out among competitors for its simplicity and ease of use. We typically recommend it as an excellent alternative to QuickBooks Online, as it carries nearly all the same features but at a more affordable price.

» MORE: Xero vs. QuickBooks Online

Why we picked it: QuickBooks Online is one of the best known and widest used accounting software products on the market. As such, it’s a smart choice for a brokerage firm looking for an out-of-the box accounting solution that any bookkeeper or accountant is sure to be well-versed in.

With four plan options, QuickBooks is an accounting software solution that can grow with your real estate business. Many of the product’s best and most useful features — such as advanced financial planning and tracking, comprehensive reporting and 24/7 support — are packaged in the Plus and Advanced plans, which come at a higher price point than many others on this list. This is why we believe QuickBooks Online is better suited for brokerage firms rather than solo agents.

Why we picked it: FreshBooks is NerdWallet’s pick for best overall freelance accounting software. It comes with all the standard accounting features you would need and expect, but its low-cost monthly plan options make it especially desirable for self-employed real estate agents (or even vacation rental hosts who wish to carefully track and report their rental income). Alongside its accounting features, FreshBooks includes tools for generating and customizing invoices, collecting online payments, tracking time and expenses, managing projects and generating reports.

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