When it comes to handling accounting for rental properties, the software you choose can either simplify your life or add extra work during tax season. In this post, we’ll take an in-depth look at two popular platforms—REI Hub and QuickBooks—and compare their features, pricing structures, ease of use, and overall value for real estate investors and landlords. If you’ve ever wondered, "rei hub vs quickbooks," read on for a detailed analysis that highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each solution.

Introduction

Managing the finances of a rental property portfolio is no easy task. Landlords must track income and expenses, manage multiple bank accounts, handle depreciation of fixed assets, reconcile transactions, and prepare tax-related reports like the Schedule E. While many landlords turn to general-purpose software solutions such as QuickBooks, a growing number are opting for systems specifically designed for real estate accounting—like REI Hub.

This blog post will help you determine whether REI Hub’s rental property–focused features can outweigh the versatility of a widely used system like QuickBooks for your investment needs. We will compare the two in terms of functionality, user experience, cost, and specialized features that matter most to rental property owners.

Overview of REI Hub

REI Hub is an accounting software platform built specifically for real estate investors and rental property owners. The software is designed to simplify the unique challenges associated with managing a property portfolio. From a property-by-property level to a portfolio-wide view, REI Hub streamlines bookkeeping so that you can focus on growing your investments.

Key Features

• Property-Specific Reporting:
  REI Hub tracks transactions on a property and even unit level. This allows landlords to quickly view a profit and loss statement, cash flow, and balance sheet for each property in their portfolio.
• Automated Mortgage Accounting:
  The software can automatically split mortgage payments into principal, interest, and escrow contributions—saving you manual data entry and potential errors.
• Tax-Ready Reporting:
  Featuring one-click Schedule E export options and tax package reports, REI Hub makes tax season much less stressful.
• Fixed Asset and Depreciation Tracking:
  Landlords can easily manage buildings, land, and other capital expenditures with fixed asset schedules and automated depreciation calculations.
• Integrated Lease and Mileage Tracking:
  REI Hub includes tools to store leases, track tenant information, and even log mileage for business-related travel.
• Effortless Onboarding:
  With free, friendly onboarding support, getting started with REI Hub is designed to be as simple as possible—even if you’re switching from another accounting system.

These features are developed with the needs of real estate investors in mind. REI Hub understands that rental income isn’t just another revenue stream; it’s the lifeblood of your investment strategy.

Overview of QuickBooks

QuickBooks is an industry-leading, general-purpose accounting software solution that has served millions of small business owners for decades. Its strength lies in its robust financial tracking, comprehensive reporting, and extensive integration options with other business tools. However, QuickBooks was never designed exclusively for the nuances of property management accounting.

Key Features

• General Income and Expense Tracking:
  QuickBooks provides strong capabilities to capture, categorize, and reconcile income and expenses from multiple bank accounts.
• Robust Financial Reporting:
  With features for generating balance sheets, profit and loss statements, cash flow reports, and more, QuickBooks is well-suited for a wide range of financial reporting needs.
• Customizable Chart of Accounts:
  Users can create a chart of accounts tailored to their business, though modifications are often needed for specific rental property needs.
• Extensive Third-Party Integrations:
  QuickBooks integrates with many other apps—ranging from payroll to inventory management—which can be a benefit if your business requires these additional features.
• User Access for Accountants:
  QuickBooks makes it easy for CPAs or bookkeepers to access your records, which can streamline the tax preparation process.

While QuickBooks is powerful, its generic design means landlords might need to manually tweak or build additional reports to reflect the unique dynamics of rental property accounting. This may require more time or technical know-how compared to systems that already have those features built in.

Core Comparison: REI Hub vs QuickBooks

Below is a side-by-side comparison of the most important features for rental property accounting.

FeatureREI HubQuickBooksIncome & Expense Tracking✓ Designed specifically for rental income and unique expense categories✓ General tracking with customizable categoriesBank Account Integration✓ Automatically imports transactions, with secure connectivity✓ Connects with bank accounts; integration requires setupProperty & Unit Level Reporting✓ Provides detailed property and unit-level performance reports✗ Requires extra customization; does not offer dedicated property viewsAutomated Mortgage Accounting✓ Splits mortgage payments into principal, interest, and escrow✗ Lacks dedicated automation for mortgagesFixed Asset & Depreciation Schedules✓ Built-in tools for tracking fixed assets and depreciation✗ Available with additional setup but not tailored to real estateTax-Ready Reports (Schedule E)✓ One-click Schedule E export and tax-ready reporting✗ General reports; additional customization needed for rental tax purposesLease & Mileage Tracking✓ Integrated lease tracking and mileage log✗ Requires add-ons or manual entryEase of Use for Rental Owners✓ User-friendly, property-centric interface✗ Steeper learning curve for rental-specific needsCustomer Onboarding & Support✓ Free and friendly onboarding support tailored for landlords✗ Standard support; not specialized for rental property needs

This table summarizes how REI Hub offers numerous rental-specific features out-of-the-box that QuickBooks does not include automatically. If you handle complex scenarios such as detailed property reporting, mortgage accounting, and tax packaging based on rental performance, REI Hub is built to meet those needs.

Pros and Cons

REI Hub Pros

• Tailored for Real Estate:
  Every feature in REI Hub is designed with property management in mind, from the default chart of accounts to the automated mortgage splits and property-level KPIs.
• Streamlined Reporting:
  With pre-built reports for Schedule E, net operating income, cash flow, and more, landlords can quickly obtain the insights they need without prolonged customization.
• Ease of Transition:
  REI Hub offers onboarding assistance and guides for landlords transitioning from other systems like QuickBooks or spreadsheets.
• Affordable Pricing:
  With plans starting at $15/month (for a few units) and scaling with portfolio size, REI Hub is cost-effective specifically for rental property accounting.

REI Hub Cons

• Limited Integration with Property Management Software:
  Although it integrates with certain platforms like RentRedi, REI Hub may have fewer property management integrations compared to broader software solutions.
• Less Familiar to Some CPAs:
  Because it is a niche product, some accounting professionals may be more accustomed to QuickBooks, which is widely recognized and used across industries.
• No Mobile App:
  For on-the-go expense management, the lack of a dedicated mobile app may require users to access the platform through a mobile browser.

QuickBooks Pros

• Broad Functionality:
  QuickBooks handles a wide range of accounting tasks and is versatile enough for many types of businesses beyond real estate.
• Extensive Integrations:
  It integrates with numerous third-party applications, making it a powerful hub for overall business management.
• User Familiarity:
  With its long history and widespread use, many accountants and business owners are already familiar with QuickBooks’ interface and tools.

QuickBooks Cons

• Generic Design:
  The general-purpose nature of QuickBooks means that rental property investors often have to invest time to tailor the software to suit specific needs such as property-level reporting and mortgage splits.
• Higher Cost for Extras:
  Depending on the plan and additional integrations, the cost of QuickBooks can quickly add up—especially if you need advanced features on top of the base subscription.
• Learning Curve:
  For landlords who are not well-versed in accounting, the configuration and customization required to use QuickBooks for rental properties can be challenging.

Cost and Pricing Considerations

When it comes to pricing, one of the biggest draws for rental property owners is cost efficiency based on portfolio size:

• REI Hub Pricing:
  Plans are tiered based on the number of rental units you have. For example, you might start with a plan at approximately $15/month for 1-3 units, then scale up to $25/month for up to 10 units, $45/month for up to 20 units, and $80/month for larger portfolios. This structure means that as you acquire more properties, you only pay for the extra capacity you need, making it a lean solution for real estate investors.
• QuickBooks Pricing:
  QuickBooks offers several online pricing plans starting around $35/month for the basic plan, then $65/month for the Essentials plan, and higher for more advanced offerings. Additionally, there are extra fees for add-on features such as online payment processing or payroll integration. While the software offers a wide range of functionalities, many of which are not needed for rental accounting, the cost can be higher when you consider the need for additional customization or third-party integrations to tailor it for rental properties.

Choosing between the two will largely depend on your budget and whether you value a system built specifically for rental property management versus a more generic but robust accounting solution.

Ease of Use and Onboarding

For many landlords, simplicity is key. REI Hub is built on a property-centric model, meaning that when you sign up, the screens, reports, and account structures are optimized for real estate accounting. The straightforward onboarding process helps you set up your portfolio quickly by entering properties, linking various bank and mortgage accounts, and importing relevant transactions.

In contrast, QuickBooks is a powerful tool for small business accounting, but its generic nature means you may need to invest significant time customizing the chart of accounts, building custom reports, and setting up rules to mimic the property-specific tracking that REI Hub delivers by default.

The choice between a steep initial learning curve and a tailored user experience is critical for busy landlords—especially during tax season when every minute counts.

User Testimonials and Real-World Experience

Many real estate investors who switched from QuickBooks to REI Hub express strong satisfaction with the specialized setup. One investor noted, “I tried the ‘quick’ alternative, but it was too hard to figure out. REI Hub is set up for my rental business. They know what I need to keep my books.” Another mentioned that using REI Hub saved countless hours during tax season and significantly reduced last-minute stress.

QuickBooks, on the other hand, is lauded for its broad functionality and is favored by landlords who may manage their rental side as just one part of their overall business. However, those who require dedicated rental property functionalities often have to spend additional time configuring it to match their specific needs.

Which is Right for You?

When comparing “rei hub vs quickbooks,” consider the following questions:

• Do you primarily manage rental properties, and is your primary concern real estate-specific accounting?
  If so, REI Hub’s focus on property-by-property reporting, mortgage accounting, and tax-ready reports can save you a lot of hassle.
• Do you already use QuickBooks for your other business accounting needs, and are you comfortable customizing its features for rental properties?
  If you are well-versed in QuickBooks and need a solution that integrates with other aspects of your business, it might still be a good choice—even though it may require extra setup.
• How many properties do you manage?
  For those with a handful of rental units, the affordable tiered pricing of REI Hub might provide significant value. For larger portfolios where additional property management features are necessary, a more comprehensive solution like QuickBooks combined with specialized add-ons (or even a full property management system like Buildium or Rent Manager) might be more appropriate.
• What is your tolerance for a steeper learning curve?
  REI Hub generally offers a simpler, more intuitive platform for rental property accounting, while QuickBooks demands customization and setup to match the complexity of rental property finances.

Deciding between these two often comes down to whether you want a system that “just works” for rental properties (REI Hub) or you’re willing to put in extra effort to customize a general accounting solution (QuickBooks).

Conclusion

Both REI Hub and QuickBooks have their merits, but their suitability depends on your unique needs as a landlord or real estate investor. REI Hub is a dedicated rental property accounting tool that offers a highly tailored experience for tracking property-level income, automating mortgage splits, and generating tax-ready reports with minimal setup. It is ideal for independent landlords seeking to streamline the often-complex world of rental property finances without the need for cumbersome customization.

QuickBooks, with its powerful and versatile features, excels as a general-purpose accounting platform. However, its generic nature means that landlords may need to invest time in customizing settings and reports to suit the specific demands of rental property management. For those already familiar with QuickBooks or managing a broader range of business activities, it remains a robust choice, provided you’re willing to manage the extra setup required.

Ultimately, if your focus is on real estate investment and you want a software solution that gets straight to the heart of rental property accounting—from property-level reporting to automated mortgage accounting and tax preparation—REI Hub may be the better solution. On the other hand, if you need an all-encompassing accounting platform that supports multiple business functions and you have the resources to customize it for rental-specific needs, QuickBooks can still be a viable option.

Choosing the right accounting system is critical to maintaining clear, precise financial records, reducing tax season stress, and ultimately optimizing the performance of your rental properties. Consider your portfolio size, budget, and how much time you’re willing to invest in setup and customization when weighing “rei hub vs quickbooks.”

With REI Hub, the promise is a dedicated, user-friendly, and efficient solution tailored explicitly for real estate investors—a focus that can translate into less time spent on bookkeeping and more time growing your portfolio. If you value ease of use and rental-specific features, REI Hub is worth a closer look.

Final Thoughts

Accounting is the backbone of any successful rental business. While both REI Hub and QuickBooks offer robust solutions, the best choice depends on whether you need a niche, property-focused platform or a flexible, general-purpose accounting tool. Investigate your specific needs, evaluate the pricing plans, and consider the future growth of your portfolio. Either way, investing in the right software will save you time, reduce errors, and provide peace of mind knowing your financial data is accurate and tax compliant.

We hope this detailed comparison of “rei hub vs quickbooks” has provided you with valuable insights to help you make an informed decision about your rental property accounting software. Happy investing and here’s to streamlined bookkeeping and a stress-free tax season!

Feel free to leave comments or share your own experiences below. Have you switched from QuickBooks to REI Hub? What differences have you noticed in managing your rental properties? We’d love to hear from you!