Comparison
Feb 20, 202610 min read

Latch vs Landlord Vision for MTD: Which Keeps You Compliant for Less?

Both Latch and Landlord Vision are UK platforms with MTD compliance. But one includes core MTD features free and the other charges from day one. Full MTD feature and pricing comparison.

L

The Latch Team

Editorial

Latch vs Landlord Vision for MTD: Which Keeps You Compliant for Less?

Latch and Landlord Vision are both UK-built platforms serving British landlords, and both support Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment. But when it comes to MTD specifically, the two platforms take very different approaches to pricing, access, and automation.

Landlord Vision is an established platform with deep accounting roots and MTD compliance baked into its paid plans from £10 per month. Latch includes all core MTD features on its free plan for up to 3 leases, with AI-powered automation available on paid tiers. The question is not whether either platform can handle MTD. It is how much you will pay for the privilege.

This comparison focuses exclusively on MTD compliance: digital record keeping, quarterly submissions, HMRC integration, and the cost of staying compliant.

Quick MTD Comparison: Latch vs Landlord Vision

FeatureLatchLandlord Vision
Free MTD AccessYes — all core MTD features free for up to 3 leasesNo — no free tier, paid plans from £10/month
Digital Record KeepingYes — HMRC-compliant digital recordsYes — full double-entry bookkeeping
Quarterly SubmissionsYes — generates quarterly summaries for HMRCYes — quarterly update generation
HMRC API IntegrationYes — direct submission to HMRCYes — direct HMRC API connection
Bank Feed IntegrationYes — Open Banking with AI reconciliationYes — Open Banking with manual reconciliation
AI CategorisationYes — Matt the AI agent (paid plan)No — manual categorisation with saved rules
Receipt ScanningYes — AI-powered extraction (paid plan)Basic receipt attachment
Compliance RemindersYes — automatic quarterly deadline alertsYes — calendar-based reminders
Accountant AccessClient view with export optionsDedicated accountant portal
Property-Level TrackingYes — per-property income and expensesYes — per-property with advanced accounting

MTD Pricing Comparison

Latch Free

£0

forever

Up to 3 leases, all core MTD features included

Latch Pro

£20

per month

Up to 8 leases, Matt AI agent, auto-categorisation

Latch Enterprise

£40

per month

Unlimited properties, priority support, advanced reporting

Landlord Vision Standard

£10

per month

Up to 10 properties, basic MTD features

Landlord Vision Professional

£20

per month

Up to 25 properties, advanced reporting, accountant access

Landlord Vision Portfolio

£30

per month

Up to 50 properties

Landlord Vision Enterprise

£40

per month

Unlimited properties

The pricing gap is most significant for smaller landlords. A landlord with 1 to 3 properties pays nothing with Latch but a minimum of £120 per year with Landlord Vision. Over five years of MTD compliance, that is £600 saved before you even consider the time savings from AI automation.

At larger portfolio sizes, the pricing converges. Both platforms charge £40 per month at the enterprise level. The difference is what you get for that price: Latch adds AI automation via Matt, while Landlord Vision offers deeper accounting tools and HMO specialisation.

The key difference: Landlord Vision charges from the first property for MTD access. Latch includes core MTD compliance free for up to 3 leases. For everyday landlords, that is the entire cost of compliance eliminated.

MTD Feature Deep Dive

Digital Record Keeping

Both platforms maintain HMRC-compliant digital records. Landlord Vision uses a full double-entry bookkeeping system with journal entries, trial balances, and traditional accounting reports. This depth is excellent for accountants but can be overwhelming for self-managing landlords who just need compliant records.

Latch takes a simpler approach: property-level income and expense tracking with automatic categorisation into HMRC-required categories. The interface is designed for landlords, not accountants. Both approaches satisfy HMRC's digital record requirements.

Quarterly Submissions

Both platforms generate quarterly update summaries in the format HMRC requires. Landlord Vision provides detailed accounting reports alongside the submission data. Latch generates focused quarterly summaries with clear breakdowns of income and expenses by category.

On Latch's paid plan, Matt the AI agent can prepare your quarterly submission automatically from your categorised transactions, flagging any gaps or anomalies before you review and submit.

HMRC API Integration

Both platforms connect directly to HMRC's MTD API for submission. Neither requires bridging software or manual data export. You prepare your quarterly update within the software and submit it directly to HMRC.

Bank Feed and Categorisation

Both platforms connect to UK banks via Open Banking to import transactions automatically. The difference is in categorisation:

Landlord Vision

Manual categorisation with the ability to save rules for recurring transactions. Traditional accounting approach with granular control. Accountants appreciate the precision.

Latch (Free Plan)

Manual categorisation with guided workflows that walk you through assigning each transaction to the correct tax category.

Latch (Paid Plan)

Matt the AI agent automatically categorises transactions based on learned patterns. The AI improves over time and flags uncertain categorisations for your review.

Free Plan Comparison

This is where the platforms diverge most sharply. Landlord Vision has no free tier. Every user pays from day one, starting at £10 per month. For a landlord with one buy-to-let property, that is £120 per year just to meet a government mandate.

Latch's free plan includes all core MTD features for up to 3 leases: digital record keeping, bank feed imports, manual categorisation, quarterly summary generation, and compliance deadline reminders. No credit card required, no trial period, no feature gates on MTD compliance.

For landlords with 1 to 3 properties: Latch is the clear winner on MTD cost. You get full compliance for free versus a minimum of £120 per year with Landlord Vision.

Landlord Vision MTD Pros and Cons

Landlord Vision MTD

Pros

  • Deep accounting features with double-entry bookkeeping
  • Dedicated accountant portal for professional collaboration
  • Direct HMRC API integration for quarterly submissions
  • Established platform with years of MTD track record
  • HMO-specific accounting and compliance features
  • Customisable categorisation rules for recurring transactions

Cons

  • No free tier — minimum £10 per month from day one
  • No AI categorisation or automation
  • Traditional accounting interface can overwhelm non-accountants
  • Manual categorisation required for all transactions
  • Desktop-oriented design with limited mobile optimisation

Latch MTD Pros and Cons

Latch MTD

Pros

  • Free MTD compliance for up to 3 leases — no paywall
  • AI-powered categorisation via Matt on paid plans
  • Modern, intuitive interface designed for landlords
  • Direct HMRC API integration
  • Automatic compliance deadline reminders
  • Full property management alongside MTD (compliance tracking, tenant management, maintenance)

Cons

  • Free tier capped at 3 leases
  • AI features require paid plan upgrade
  • Less accounting depth than Landlord Vision (no double-entry, no journal entries)
  • No dedicated accountant portal (client view with exports instead)
  • Newer platform with shorter track record

The Latch Approach: Why We Made MTD Free

MTD is a government mandate, not a premium feature. We built Latch with a simple principle: the tools to meet a legal requirement should be accessible to every landlord, regardless of portfolio size or budget.

Our free plan includes all core MTD features because everyday landlords with 1 to 3 properties should not have to pay a monthly subscription just to follow the rules. If your portfolio grows beyond 3 leases or you want AI automation to save time, our paid plans are there. But the choice is yours.

Landlords didn't ask for MTD. Everyday investors shouldn't have to pay a toll just to comply with it. — The Latch Team

Verdict

Latch vs Landlord Vision for MTD

For landlords with 1 to 3 properties, Latch is the clear choice — full MTD compliance at zero cost. For larger portfolios where you value deep accounting features, double-entry bookkeeping, and an established accountant portal, Landlord Vision remains a strong option. For landlords who want AI automation to handle categorisation and submission preparation, Latch's paid plans offer capabilities Landlord Vision does not match.

Best for: Latch is best for cost-conscious landlords and those wanting AI automation. Landlord Vision is best for accountant-managed portfolios requiring traditional accounting depth.

Start Your Free MTD Compliance with Latch

Get MTD-ready in minutes with Latch. Core MTD features included free for up to 3 leases. No credit card required. Upgrade to unlock Matt the AI agent for automatic categorisation and more leases.

Rent received
£14,200
Paid on time
Upcoming rent
£3,275
7 scheduled
Rent overdue
£0
All clear
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Disclaimer: This article provides general information about MTD software options and pricing. It does not constitute tax advice. Software pricing is based on published rates as of February 2026 and may change. Latch is designed to meet HMRC MTD requirements for Income Tax Self Assessment. Consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.

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