7 Best Accounting Software for Airbnb Hosts (Tested in 2025)
- Hoozzee
- 2 days ago
- 12 min read
Tax season can feel like a nightmare when you're trying to manage your Airbnb accounting software. I know the feeling - sitting there with receipts everywhere, scratching my head about deductions and wondering if I'm missing out on tax savings.
I've tested tons of platforms and found that picking the right accounting software can make a huge difference for Airbnb hosts. The best part? You could save about 20% of your rental income through Qualified Business Income deductions if you run an official short-term rental business. The right bookkeeping system also makes it easy to track deductions for rental insurance, utility bills, property taxes, and day-to-day expenses.
Running a vacation rental business comes with its own money challenges, especially dealing with changing costs and payments from different booking sites. But the right tools can turn this mess into something manageable. Wave gives you completely free plans, while Stessa (a favorite among 200,000 U.S. landlords) offers both free and premium options from $12 monthly.
I've spent time testing the top accounting software options to help Airbnb business owners find their perfect match. You might want something user-friendly like FreshBooks or need multi-currency support from Xero. This piece covers the seven best options you can get in 2025.
QuickBooks Online leads the financial software market as the most popular choice, especially when you have Bnbtally for Airbnb hosts. The software's cloud-based structure lets property managers access their financial data from anywhere. This makes it perfect for managing multiple properties remotely.
QuickBooks Online key features
The platform's valuable features make Airbnb accounting easier:
Detailed invoicing and bills - Bnbtally integration gets complete invoices for each reservation
Class tracking categories - You can track multiple listings separately and get P&L reports for each property
Real-time collaboration - Team members can access and update financial data at the same time
Mobile accessibility - A strong mobile app gives you up-to-the-minute data access while on the go
Historical data import - Bnbtally helps you import several years of reservation data
QuickBooks Online pros and cons
Pros:
Bnbtally helps create detailed invoices for each reservation
Chart of accounts templates are specifically designed for Airbnb businesses
Automatic exchange rates work great for international hosts
More than 750 integrations with eCommerce and point-of-sale systems
Cons:
Advanced plan allows only 25 concurrent users
Users need some accounting knowledge to work effectively
Bnbtally integration supports only Airbnb and Vrbo
Advanced inventory features are limited
QuickBooks Online pricing
The platform's tiered pricing works like this:
Simple Start: $37/month for single-user access
Essentials: $70/month for up to 3 users
Plus: $115/month for up to 5 users
Advanced: $265/month for up to 25 users
Bnbtally integration starts at $32 for the first two listings and goes up to $711 for 99 listings.
QuickBooks Online best use case
QuickBooks Online works best for small to mid-sized Airbnb operations, especially when you have Bnbtally and need improved bookkeeping capabilities. Property owners who need trust accounting find it excellent to track collections, commissions, and fee allocations. Service-based vacation rental businesses without complex inventory needs get the most value from this platform.
The platform's strong mobile features and customized chart of accounts templates make it worth the investment. Airbnb entrepreneurs managing multiple properties will find great value here, even with the initial learning curve.
Ximplifi stands out from other Airbnb host accounting software by providing specialized solutions for vacation rental businesses.
Ximplifi key features
VRPlatform, Ximplifi's proprietary integration software, connects property management systems with accounting software through these capabilities:
Automated data syncing - Data transfers naturally from vacation rental platforms into cloud accounting software
Trust accounting automation - Records fees, payments, guest invoices, and management commissions automatically
Owner portal - Publishes monthly owner statements through a secure online portal
Detailed integrations - Works with Guesty, Hostaway, Hostfully, Hospitable, and Track for property management; QuickBooks Online and Sage Intacct for accounting; and Stripe for payments
Ximplifi's VRAccounting services go beyond software to include trust accounting, AP management, bank reconciliations, sales tax compliance, and financial reporting.
Ximplifi pros and cons
Pros:
This solution saves time and lets property managers concentrate on other business areas
API data capture provides more reliable information than manual processes
Software selection and setup consulting services are available
One client saved 30 hours weekly and over $100,000 yearly
Cons:
Support is limited to QuickBooks and Sage Intacct, which restricts options for users of other accounting platforms
Individual owners with smaller portfolios may find it unsuitable
Single-property hosts might find this enterprise-level solution excessive
Ximplifi pricing
Service needs and active units managed determine the custom pricing. VRConsult's onboarding consultation includes a one-time fee based on accounting complexity and number of listings.
Ximplifi best use case
Ximplifi proves most effective for vacation rental property managers who handle multiple properties rather than individual hosts. Businesses that need automation to grow beyond simple accounting solutions will find it ideal.
Property management companies facing challenges with complex trust accounting and owner reporting gain the most value, according to client testimonials. One client stated, "We have peace of mind that we can focus on other things besides accounting". Ximplifi serves companies that want to optimize operations by outsourcing their accounting functions.
Wave delivers free financial management tools that have earned a 4.4/5 rating in a variety of review platforms. Unlike its competitors, Wave's core accounting features come without subscription fees, making it perfect for hosts watching their budget.
Wave key features
Wave's free platform has several tools you need for Airbnb bookkeeping:
Unlimited expense and income tracking - Monitor all your rental property transactions without restrictions[113]
Professional invoicing - Create customizable invoices with your branding and set up recurring billing for repeat clients[113]
Bank connectivity - Connect unlimited bank and credit card accounts to optimize financial management
Financial reporting - Access key reports including Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, and Overdue Invoices[113]
Multi-platform access - Use Wave through web browsers or mobile apps (iOS and Android)[113]
Wave pros and cons
Pros:
Core accounting features are completely free without subscription costs[142]
Accessible interface that works great for hosts without accounting experience[143]
Immediate bank connectivity keeps financial information current
Knowing how to manage multiple properties under one account
Cons:
Limited direct integrations with vacation rental platforms[142]
Payment processing and payroll features cost extra[113]
No built-in trust accounting for property managers
Properties need separate company setups within Wave for individual tracking
Wave pricing
Wave's core accounting platform stays completely free. In spite of that, several add-on services come with fees:
Wave Starter Plan: $0/month - Has unlimited invoicing, estimates, and bookkeeping
Wave Pro Plan: $16/month - Adds auto-importing bank transactions and receipt scanning
Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.60 per credit card transaction (1% for bank transfers)[131]
Payroll services: $20-$35/month base fee plus $6 per employee or contractor
Wave best use case
Wave works best for small-scale Airbnb operations with simple financial needs. The platform is perfect for:
Individual hosts managing 1-5 properties who need simple expense tracking[141]
New Airbnb entrepreneurs trying to keep startup costs low[143]
Hosts who don't need complex trust accounting or property management features[142]
Solopreneurs handling their own bookkeeping instead of working with accountants
Hosts with simple requirements will find great value in Wave's free platform. Growing operations might need more flexible solutions as they expand[141].
Xero stands out as a sleek, cloud-based accounting solution and ranks among the best choices for Airbnb hosts who manage multiple properties. The easy-to-use interface makes financial management a lot more available compared to its competitors.
Xero key features
Xero comes with complete accounting tools made for short-term rental owners:
Property-specific tracking - Assign expenses to individual properties for detailed financial oversight
One-click reconciliation - Resolve all income and expenses instantly
Interactive financial reports - Access profit and loss statements with clickable entries that give deeper analysis
Multi-property management - Use tracking codes to monitor multiple listings separately
Airbnb integration - Connect directly with Airbnb and Vrbo platforms
Mobile accessibility - Manage finances through desktop or mobile app
Xero paired with Tallybreeze (formerly Bnbtally) improves capabilities for Airbnb co-hosts. You get automated invoicing and detailed tracking of every transaction.
Xero pros and cons
Pros:
Unlimited users on all subscription plans
User-friendly interface that's easy to navigate
Strong integration with vacation rental platforms
Better pricing than alternatives like QuickBooks
Reliable custom financial reporting that's easy to access
Cons:
Premium plan is needed for multi-currency support
You'll need third-party apps for some features
Support team can take time to respond
Starter plan gives you only 20 quotes and invoices monthly
Xero pricing
Xero comes with three main subscription tiers:
Early: $20 per month - Limited to 20 invoices and 5 bills
Growing: $47 per month - Unlimited invoices and bills
Established: $80 per month - Adds multi-currency support, project tracking, and expense claims
New subscribers can get 90% off for the first three months right now. Plans cost between $2 to $8 monthly during this time.
Xero best use case
Xero works great for Airbnb hosts who manage multiple properties and need detailed financial oversight and reporting. The tracking codes let you create separate financial reports for each property, which helps hosts with properties of all types.
The software works really well for international hosts who handle payments in multiple currencies through the Established plan. Xero performs best with vacation rental management platforms, but you might need some third-party apps to get all features working.
Xero gives you the perfect mix of good pricing and reliable features. This makes it ideal for growing short-term rental businesses that need detailed financial management across their properties.
Stessa stands out as a specialized accounting tool crafted for real estate investors. The platform has become incredibly popular with Airbnb hosts who want to simplify their financial management. Users can choose between free and premium options based on their hosting requirements.
Stessa key features
The platform provides several tools optimized for short-term rental accounting:
Airbnb integration - Import transaction history directly from Airbnb using the file importer
Automated tracking - Automatically categorize income and expenses through connected bank accounts
Property-specific reporting - Generate financial reports at both property and portfolio levels
Mobile receipt scanning - Capture expenses on-the-go with the mobile app
Tax preparation - Access the Stessa Tax Center to simplify tax filing
Cash management - Earn up to 3.98% APY on cash balances in the Pro plan
Stessa pros and cons
Pros:
Every plan lets you add unlimited properties, even the free tier
Built specifically for rental property accounting
Seamless Airbnb transaction importing
Free version packs substantial features
Makes Schedule E tax preparation easier
Cons:
You'll need a paid subscription for advanced features
Some sophisticated accounting features are missing
Lower tiers limit premium receipt scanning to 5/month
Pro subscribers get exclusive access to higher APY rates
Stessa pricing
Stessa comes with three distinct pricing tiers:
Essentials: Free - Has unlimited properties, automatic bank feeds, simple reporting, and online rent collection with 2.31% APY on cash balances
Manage: $12/month (annual billing) or $15/month (monthly billing) - Adds maintenance tracking, Schedule E reports, legal templates, and priority support
Pro: $28/month (annual billing) or $35/month (monthly billing) - Gives you unlimited portfolios, advanced reporting, budgeting tools, unlimited receipt scanning, and 3.98% APY on cash balances
Stessa best use case
Stessa shines brightest when Airbnb hosts managing multiple properties need unified financial tracking. Property owners who want to automate their short-term rental accounting without complex setup will find the platform extremely useful.
The platform really shows its value when hosts struggle to organize their rental finances during tax season. You can save countless hours with direct Airbnb import feature that helps categorize historical transactions. The free tier serves as a perfect starting point for hosts moving away from spreadsheets to proper accounting software, without any financial commitment.
Sage Accounting serves small businesses that need simple financial management tools. Airbnb hosts will find it a great affordable yet complete bookkeeping solution.
Sage Accounting key features
Short-term rental operators benefit from several Sage Accounting capabilities:
Mobile expense tracking - The mobile app lets you record property expenses anywhere
Up-to-the-minute financial dashboards - You can track cash flow and performance instantly
Automated bank reconciliation - Bank accounts connect for automatic transaction imports
Customized invoicing - You can create custom or recurring guest invoices
Tax management - The system simplifies VAT/tax calculations and rental income filing
Property owners get clear visibility of their money movements. This helps separate rental finances from personal accounts effectively.
Sage Accounting pros and cons
Pros:
User-friendly interface scores 4.2/5 for ease of use
Excellent support quality and quick setup process
Automated calculations minimize math errors
Built-in checks flag any discrepancies
Rich customization options for financial reports
Cons:
Original setup needs careful configuration
New users unfamiliar with accounting face a learning curve
Traditional installations limit mobility
Third-party vacation rental tools may have compatibility issues
Monthly subscriptions add up over time
Sage Accounting pricing
Sage provides flexible pricing options:
Sage Accounting Start: £12 per month (excludes VAT) - First month free
Sage Accounting: £33 per month (excludes VAT) - First month free
US plans range from $10 to $25 monthly.
Sage Accounting best use case
VAT-registered Airbnb landlords who work with accountants will find Sage Accounting most useful. The software excels at keeping rental property books separate from personal accounts and maintains detailed expense records.
Small-scale hosts with up to 10 employees can get great value from Sage. Property managers need automated rent tracking, secure bank reconciliation, and instant financial data access. Sage delivers all these capabilities effectively.
Higher-tier plans allow unlimited users, which makes Sage Accounting perfect for rental businesses where multiple team members handle finances.
FreshBooks provides cloud-based accounting solutions that combine smoothly with automation and accessible interfaces to help vacation rental owners manage their finances.
FreshBooks key features
FreshBooks has several tools that are a great way to get value for Airbnb hosts:
Automated guest invoicing - Create professional invoices in seconds and enable clients to pay with credit cards or bank transfers
Income and expense tracking - Monitor rental income and property expenses with automated categorization
Tax preparation tools - Generate automated reports that simplify tax filing and reduce manual data entry
Multiple property management - Capture detailed financial information for each rental property
Receipt scanning - Digitize and organize expense receipts through the mobile app
Automation features - Set up recurring invoices, automatic payment reminders, and tax calculations
FreshBooks pros and cons
Pros:
Accessible interface rated 4.5/5 for ease of use
Excellent customer support with phone, live chat, and email options
Time-saving automation can save up to 553 hours annually
Users can save up to $700,000 in billable hours yearly
Works with over 100 business applications
Cons:
Base plans limit you to one user with additional users costing $11 monthly
The simple setup doesn't let you attribute expenses to specific properties
The software wasn't designed for property management
Lease tracking capabilities aren't built in
You'll need third-party tools for some specialized vacation rental features
FreshBooks pricing
FreshBooks subscription options include:
Lite: $21/month - For freelancers (5 billable clients)
Plus: $38/month - For self-employed (50 billable clients)
Premium: $65/month - For small businesses with contractors (unlimited clients)
Select: Custom pricing - For businesses with employees
New users get a free 30-day trial with unlimited access.
FreshBooks best use case
FreshBooks works best for individual Airbnb hosts who manage a limited portfolio of properties. The software shines when hosts need efficient invoicing and smooth payment collection.
Small-scale vacation rental owners who need straightforward expense tracking will find FreshBooks helpful. The platform suits hosts who want to move from spreadsheets to proper accounting software, especially when complex platforms like QuickBooks seem overwhelming.
The software's excellent customer support and accessible interface make it ideal for most small-scale Airbnb operations. With over 30 million users worldwide, FreshBooks delivers the simple financial management tools most hosts need.
Comparison Table
Software | Starting Price | Key Features | Main Pros | Main Cons | Best Use Case |
QuickBooks Online | $37/month | • Detailed invoicing with Bnbtally integration• Class tracking categories• Live collaboration• Mobile accessibility | • Detailed invoicing for reservations• Chart of accounts for Airbnb• Automatic exchange rates | • All but one of these users limited to 25• Requires accounting knowledge• Limited platform integration | Small to mid-sized Airbnb operations needing improved bookkeeping |
Ximplifi | Custom pricing | • Automated data syncing• Trust accounting automation• Owner portal• Detailed integrations | • Time savings• Rich API data capture• Consulting services available | • Limited accounting platform support• Not for individual owners• Enterprise-level solution | Large-scale property managers needing automation and trust accounting |
Wave | Free | • Unlimited expense tracking• Professional invoicing• Bank connectivity• Multi-platform access | • Free core features• Easy-to-use• Live bank connectivity | • Limited rental platform integrations• Paid payment processing• No trust accounting | Small-scale operations (1-5 properties) with simple needs |
Xero | $20/month | • Property-specific tracking• One-click reconciliation• Multi-property management• Airbnb integration | • Unlimited users• Easy-to-use• Strong integration capabilities | • Multi-currency on premium only• Slow customer support• Limited starter plan | Hosts managing multiple properties needing detailed oversight |
Stessa | Free | • Airbnb integration• Automated tracking• Property-specific reporting• Mobile receipt scanning | • Unlimited properties• Purpose-built for rentals• Direct Airbnb importing | • Advanced features need subscription• Limited receipt scanning• Simple accounting capabilities | Multi-property hosts needing unified financial tracking |
Sage Accounting | £12/month | • Mobile expense tracking• Live dashboards• Automated reconciliation• Tax management | • Simplified interface• Strong support• Automated calculations | • Complex setup• Steep learning curve• Limited mobility | VAT-registered landlords needing accountant collaboration |
FreshBooks | $21/month | • Automated guest invoicing• Income/expense tracking• Tax preparation tools• Receipt scanning | • Easy-to-use• Excellent support• Time-saving automation | • Limited users in base plan• Simple property management• No lease tracking | Individual hosts with limited portfolios prioritizing ease of use |
Conclusion
Your Airbnb business's specific needs, budget, and size will determine the best accounting software choice. My tests of these seven platforms revealed that Wave or Stessa's Essentials plan works great for smaller operations that need simple financial tracking. Hosts with multiple properties would do better with Xero or QuickBooks Online combined with Bnbtally integration.
Ximplifi stands out as a great option for property managers who handle listings on different platforms. It saves hours through automated data syncing. The setup process might take some time, but you'll find the long-term advantages worth the initial effort.
Good accounting software goes beyond expense tracking. It helps you maximize tax deductions, makes financial reporting easier, and shows exactly how your rental business performs. You'll find it much easier to claim that 20% Qualified Business Income deduction when you have proper financial records.
My testing experience suggests starting with a free trial whenever possible. This lets you see if the platform fits your workflow before you commit. Your growth plans should also shape your software choice. What works now might not be enough as your portfolio grows, so platforms like Stessa or QuickBooks that offer expandable plans give your business room to evolve.
