Best Bookkeeping Software for Airbnb

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Running an Airbnb business comes with its own unique set of bookkeeping challenges. From tracking rental income and expenses to managing taxes, cleaning fees, and even occupancy taxes, it can be overwhelming if you don’t have a system in place. I’ve seen Airbnb hosts struggle to juggle spreadsheets and receipts before discovering how much bookkeeping software can streamline their process. The right tool can help you track income, manage property-related expenses, and make tax season a lot smoother.

Here’s a breakdown of the best bookkeeping software for Airbnb hosts, designed to make managing your property easier and help you stay organized.

Best Bookkeeping Software for Airbnb Hosts

1. FreshBooks

Why It’s Great for Airbnb Hosts

  • Expense Tracking: FreshBooks makes it easy to categorize and track your Airbnb-related expenses like maintenance, cleaning, and property management fees.
  • Client Invoicing: While invoicing may not be a core need for Airbnb hosts, FreshBooks allows you to bill for extra services like long-term stays or custom guest requests.
  • Mobile App: You can track expenses and income on the go with the FreshBooks mobile app, which is perfect for Airbnb hosts managing multiple properties.
  • Third-Party Integration: FreshBooks can integrate with Airbnb through tools like Zapier or A2X, automating the process of importing your booking data.

Pros

  • Simple to use and intuitive for hosts new to bookkeeping.
  • Great for tracking Airbnb-specific expenses like cleaning, maintenance, and repairs.
  • Mobile app allows you to track your income and expenses while on the go.

Cons

  • Requires third-party integration to sync directly with Airbnb bookings.
  • Limited for managing multiple properties without integrations.

Best For: Airbnb hosts who need a simple, easy-to-use bookkeeping solution and don’t want to spend a lot of time managing their books.

2. QuickBooks Online

Why It’s a Powerhouse for Airbnb Hosts

  • Income and Expense Tracking: QuickBooks Online offers advanced features to track rental income, Airbnb fees, property maintenance costs, and other hosting expenses.
  • Property-Specific Tracking: You can track income and expenses by property, making it easier to see which properties are the most profitable.
  • Mileage Tracking: If you travel between properties for maintenance or guest check-ins, QuickBooks offers a built-in mileage tracker for tax deductions.
  • Tax-Ready: QuickBooks automatically categorizes your Airbnb income and expenses, making tax preparation easier, including tracking sales and occupancy taxes.
  • Third-Party Integration: You can connect QuickBooks directly with Airbnb through apps like A2X or Bnbtally to automatically import your transactions.

Pros

  • Comprehensive bookkeeping features, including property-specific expense tracking.
  • Direct integration with Airbnb through third-party apps.
  • Great for hosts with multiple properties or those scaling their Airbnb business.

Cons

  • More expensive than simpler solutions, starting at $25/month.
  • Has a learning curve for users unfamiliar with bookkeeping software.

Best For: Airbnb hosts who manage multiple properties or have complex financial needs, like advanced reporting or tax planning.

3. Xero

Why It’s a Great Option for Airbnb Hosts

  • Property Tracking: Xero allows you to categorize expenses and track income by property, which is especially helpful for Airbnb hosts with multiple listings.
  • Multi-Currency Transactions: For Airbnb hosts managing international properties or guests, Xero handles multi-currency transactions seamlessly.
  • Expense and Invoice Management: Xero makes it easy to track property-related expenses and send invoices for long-term stays or additional services (if needed).
  • Third-Party Integrations: Like QuickBooks, Xero can connect to Airbnb through apps like A2X, automatically pulling in your Airbnb data.

Pros

  • Strong property-based tracking and financial reporting.
  • Excellent multi-currency support for hosts managing international properties.
  • Scalable and ideal for growing Airbnb businesses.

Cons

  • Requires third-party tools to sync directly with Airbnb.
  • A bit complex for hosts with only one or two properties.

Best For: Airbnb hosts managing multiple properties, especially those with international guests or rentals.

4. Hostfully (With QuickBooks or Xero Integration)

Why It’s Tailored for Airbnb Hosts

  • Property Management & Bookkeeping Combined: Hostfully is a property management system specifically designed for vacation rentals and integrates with QuickBooks or Xero to manage your bookkeeping seamlessly.
  • Commission & Fee Tracking: Hostfully helps track Airbnb fees, cleaning costs, and commission payments, then syncs that data with QuickBooks or Xero.
  • Custom Reporting: You can generate detailed financial reports for each property, allowing you to see profitability and track expenses in real time.

Pros

  • Built specifically for short-term rental hosts and property managers.
  • Integrates with QuickBooks or Xero for full financial reporting and bookkeeping.
  • Automates fee tracking and guest payments.

Cons

  • Requires integration with accounting software for full bookkeeping.
  • Pricing can be steep, depending on the number of properties you manage.

Best For: Airbnb hosts or property managers looking for an all-in-one solution for property management and bookkeeping.

5. Wave

Why It’s a Solid Free Option for Airbnb Hosts

  • Free Bookkeeping: Wave offers free accounting software, making it ideal for Airbnb hosts on a budget or those just starting out with a small number of properties.
  • Expense Tracking: You can manually track income and expenses related to your Airbnb listings and categorize them for easy tax preparation.
  • Invoicing: If you offer extra services like extended stays or charge fees outside of Airbnb’s platform, Wave allows you to create invoices for free.

Pros

  • Completely free for basic bookkeeping, invoicing, and receipt tracking.
  • User-friendly interface, even for hosts new to bookkeeping.
  • Allows you to track property-related expenses for tax purposes.

Cons

  • No direct Airbnb integration (requires manual data entry).
  • Lacks advanced features like property-specific tracking or automated booking imports.

Best For: Airbnb hosts with a smaller budget who need basic bookkeeping without a monthly subscription.

6. Bnbtally (Works with QuickBooks and Xero)

Why It’s Built for Airbnb Hosts

  • Airbnb-Specific Features: Bnbtally is designed specifically for Airbnb hosts and integrates directly with QuickBooks and Xero to automate your Airbnb bookkeeping.
  • Automated Airbnb Data Sync: Bnbtally imports your Airbnb transactions—such as rental income, cleaning fees, and platform fees—into your accounting software automatically.
  • Property and Fee Tracking: It automatically categorizes your Airbnb-related income and expenses, tracking things like management fees, taxes, and commissions for each property.

Pros

  • Tailored specifically for Airbnb hosts, making it easy to track income and expenses.
  • Seamlessly integrates with QuickBooks and Xero.
  • Eliminates manual data entry by syncing directly with Airbnb.

Cons

  • Requires an existing QuickBooks or Xero subscription for full functionality.
  • Designed mainly for Airbnb; not ideal for hosts with non-Airbnb properties.

Best For: Airbnb hosts who want automated bookkeeping for their rental income and already use QuickBooks or Xero.

How to Choose the Right Bookkeeping Software for Your Airbnb Business

When selecting bookkeeping software for your Airbnb business, consider the following factors:

  • Airbnb Integration: Look for software that can directly or indirectly integrate with Airbnb to save time by automatically importing transactions.
  • Expense Tracking: The software should easily track Airbnb-specific expenses like cleaning, repairs, and management fees.
  • Property Management: If you manage multiple properties, you’ll need software that can track income and expenses by property for detailed reporting.
  • Tax Preparation: Ensure the software can handle tax deductions for short-term rental properties, including sales tax, occupancy tax, and income tax tracking.
  • Ease of Use: Choose a solution that fits your level of comfort with bookkeeping. Some software options, like FreshBooks and Wave, are more user-friendly for beginners, while others like QuickBooks offer more advanced features for experienced hosts.

Conclusion: FreshBooks is the Top Choice

For most Airbnb hosts, FreshBooks strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and powerful features. It’s easy to use, great for tracking Airbnb-related expenses, and allows you to automate many aspects of your business with third-party integrations. QuickBooks Online is also a top contender, especially for hosts with multiple properties or those needing more robust features like property-specific tracking and tax automation.

If you’re on a tight budget or just starting out, Wave offers a fantastic free option that covers all the basics of Airbnb bookkeeping without any subscription fees. And if you’re managing multiple listings and want something built specifically for Airbnb, Bnbtally offers a powerful integration with QuickBooks and Xero, automating your Airbnb income and expense tracking entirely.

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