Quick Overview
- 1#1: Rentman - Comprehensive rental and project management platform designed for event production companies specializing in lighting, AV, and staging equipment.
- 2#2: Current RMS - Powerful rental management system for live event production, optimizing inventory, scheduling, and logistics for lighting and technical rentals.
- 3#3: HireHop - Cloud-based rental software with real-time inventory tracking and job management for lighting, sound, and event equipment hire.
- 4#4: ShowCockpit - Event technical production software that streamlines planning, booking, and deployment of lighting and rigging equipment for shows.
- 5#5: Goodshuffle Pro - Event rental management tool with online catalogs and automated workflows ideal for lighting, decor, and DJ equipment rentals.
- 6#6: EZRentOut - Robust equipment rental software featuring asset tracking, online bookings, and maintenance scheduling suitable for lighting inventories.
- 7#7: Booqable - User-friendly rental platform with website integration and inventory management for small to medium lighting rental businesses.
- 8#8: TapGoods - Simple yet effective rental software for tracking lighting gear availability, reservations, and customer invoicing.
- 9#9: Picker - Inventory and rental management app focused on barcode scanning and order fulfillment for production lighting equipment.
- 10#10: KitSplit - Marketplace and rental platform for creative gear, including lighting and production equipment, with insurance and booking features.
These tools were selected and ranked based on their feature depth (e.g., inventory management, scheduling, and client workflows), user experience, reliability, and overall value, ensuring they meet the diverse demands of modern lighting rental operations.
Comparison Table
Lighting rental software simplifies managing equipment, bookings, and inventory for event and entertainment businesses, and this comparison table breaks down key tools—such as Rentman, Current RMS, HireHop, ShowCockpit, Goodshuffle Pro, and more—to help readers evaluate features, usability, and scalability to find the right fit for their operations.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rentman Comprehensive rental and project management platform designed for event production companies specializing in lighting, AV, and staging equipment. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | Current RMS Powerful rental management system for live event production, optimizing inventory, scheduling, and logistics for lighting and technical rentals. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | HireHop Cloud-based rental software with real-time inventory tracking and job management for lighting, sound, and event equipment hire. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 |
| 4 | ShowCockpit Event technical production software that streamlines planning, booking, and deployment of lighting and rigging equipment for shows. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 7.4/10 |
| 5 | Goodshuffle Pro Event rental management tool with online catalogs and automated workflows ideal for lighting, decor, and DJ equipment rentals. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | EZRentOut Robust equipment rental software featuring asset tracking, online bookings, and maintenance scheduling suitable for lighting inventories. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 7 | Booqable User-friendly rental platform with website integration and inventory management for small to medium lighting rental businesses. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 8 | TapGoods Simple yet effective rental software for tracking lighting gear availability, reservations, and customer invoicing. | specialized | 7.6/10 | 7.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | Picker Inventory and rental management app focused on barcode scanning and order fulfillment for production lighting equipment. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 10 | KitSplit Marketplace and rental platform for creative gear, including lighting and production equipment, with insurance and booking features. | other | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
Comprehensive rental and project management platform designed for event production companies specializing in lighting, AV, and staging equipment.
Powerful rental management system for live event production, optimizing inventory, scheduling, and logistics for lighting and technical rentals.
Cloud-based rental software with real-time inventory tracking and job management for lighting, sound, and event equipment hire.
Event technical production software that streamlines planning, booking, and deployment of lighting and rigging equipment for shows.
Event rental management tool with online catalogs and automated workflows ideal for lighting, decor, and DJ equipment rentals.
Robust equipment rental software featuring asset tracking, online bookings, and maintenance scheduling suitable for lighting inventories.
User-friendly rental platform with website integration and inventory management for small to medium lighting rental businesses.
Simple yet effective rental software for tracking lighting gear availability, reservations, and customer invoicing.
Inventory and rental management app focused on barcode scanning and order fulfillment for production lighting equipment.
Marketplace and rental platform for creative gear, including lighting and production equipment, with insurance and booking features.
Rentman
specializedComprehensive rental and project management platform designed for event production companies specializing in lighting, AV, and staging equipment.
Dynamic equipment availability dashboard with drag-and-drop planning and instant conflict detection
Rentman is an all-in-one rental management software tailored for lighting, AV, and production rental businesses, enabling seamless inventory tracking, project scheduling, and order fulfillment. It handles everything from quoting and invoicing to crew management and equipment maintenance, specifically supporting lighting gear like fixtures, cables, and trusses with detailed categorization and photos. Designed for event pros, it prevents double-bookings via real-time calendars and streamlines operations across desktop and mobile.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory management with serial tracking, photos, and custom fields ideal for lighting gear
- Real-time visual planning calendar and Gantt charts to optimize scheduling and avoid conflicts
- Mobile app for on-site handovers with digital signatures, photos, and GPS tracking
Cons
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for very small operations
- Initial setup and learning curve for advanced features
- Some reporting customizations require higher plans
Best For
Mid-to-large lighting rental companies managing complex events, multiple crews, and high-volume inventory.
Pricing
Starts at €59/month (Essentials, 3 users), €99/month (Professional), custom Enterprise plans; billed annually.
Current RMS
specializedPowerful rental management system for live event production, optimizing inventory, scheduling, and logistics for lighting and technical rentals.
Advanced kit builder for creating and tracking nested lighting rigs and pre-configured setups
Current RMS is a cloud-based rental management software tailored for production and event rental businesses, specializing in AV, lighting, staging, and related equipment. It provides end-to-end functionality including inventory tracking, real-time scheduling, automated quoting, job management, and invoicing, with robust support for lighting gear like fixtures, trusses, and cables. The platform excels in multi-location operations and integrations with design tools like Vectorworks and accounting software such as QuickBooks.
Pros
- Comprehensive inventory management with nested kits ideal for lighting rigs
- Real-time scheduling and availability across multiple warehouses
- Strong integrations with industry tools like QuickBooks and design software
Cons
- Steep learning curve for new users due to extensive features
- Pricing can be high for small operations
- Some reporting customizations require add-ons
Best For
Mid-sized to large lighting rental companies managing complex inventories and multi-location operations.
Pricing
Custom pricing starting at around $150/user/month, scaled by inventory size, locations, and features; free trial available.
HireHop
specializedCloud-based rental software with real-time inventory tracking and job management for lighting, sound, and event equipment hire.
Advanced kit builder that allows dynamic assembly of lighting packages with real-time stock availability and pricing
HireHop is a cloud-based rental management software tailored for equipment rental businesses, including lighting, AV, and production gear. It provides comprehensive tools for inventory tracking, job scheduling, online booking, invoicing, and maintenance management to streamline rental operations. Ideal for the events industry, it supports asset-level tracking with barcodes/RFID and customizable workflows for lighting kit assembly and deployment.
Pros
- Robust inventory and asset tracking with RFID/barcode support for lighting equipment
- Integrated online booking portal and client self-service for efficient reservations
- Comprehensive job management from quote to invoice, including kit building for lighting rigs
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive customization options
- Limited native lighting-specific features like automated power/load calculations
- Reporting and analytics require add-ons for advanced insights
Best For
Medium-sized lighting rental companies needing scalable, all-in-one rental workflow automation.
Pricing
Subscription starts at $49/user/month for basic plans, with Standard ($99/user/month) and Enterprise (custom) tiers including more features and support.
ShowCockpit
specializedEvent technical production software that streamlines planning, booking, and deployment of lighting and rigging equipment for shows.
Browser-based 3D real-time collaboration for multi-user show planning without specialized hardware
ShowCockpit is a cloud-based platform primarily for lighting designers and production teams, offering 3D visualization, fixture patching, cue programming, and real-time collaboration for live event preparation. It excels in pre-production workflows like generating patch sheets, magic sheets, and integrating with consoles such as grandMA, making it useful for lighting rental companies to prepare rental gear deployments. However, it lacks comprehensive rental-specific tools like inventory tracking, booking calendars, or invoicing.
Pros
- Powerful 3D visualization and rigging planning
- Real-time multiplayer collaboration
- Extensive fixture library and console integrations
Cons
- No dedicated inventory or rental scheduling management
- Lacks quoting, invoicing, and CRM features
- Requires stable internet for full functionality
Best For
Lighting rental companies emphasizing technical show preparation and design over full business operations management.
Pricing
Freemium model with Free plan; Pro at €19/user/month; Team at €39/user/month; Enterprise custom pricing.
Goodshuffle Pro
specializedEvent rental management tool with online catalogs and automated workflows ideal for lighting, decor, and DJ equipment rentals.
Visual product catalog with high-res photos and substitution rules for quick lighting kit assembly and client approvals
Goodshuffle Pro is a comprehensive cloud-based platform designed for event rental businesses, offering inventory management, order processing, scheduling, invoicing, and delivery optimization. It excels in real-time inventory tracking with visual catalogs, making it suitable for managing lighting equipment like fixtures, trusses, and cables alongside other rentals. While versatile for lighting rental operations, it lacks specialized tools for lighting design or technical specifications such as DMX addressing.
Pros
- Intuitive visual inventory with photos and 360-degree views ideal for showcasing lighting gear
- Robust mobile app for warehouse scanning and on-site fulfillment
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks and payment processors for streamlined operations
Cons
- No built-in lighting-specific features like fixture libraries or showfile integration
- Customization for complex lighting bundles can require workarounds
- Higher pricing tiers may not justify value for small lighting-only rentals
Best For
Small to mid-sized event rental companies handling lighting alongside other equipment, seeking an all-in-one operational platform.
Pricing
Starts at $199/month for Starter plan, up to $599+/month for Enterprise, billed annually with custom quotes based on inventory size.
EZRentOut
enterpriseRobust equipment rental software featuring asset tracking, online bookings, and maintenance scheduling suitable for lighting inventories.
Real-time multi-location inventory syncing with asset-level maintenance alerts
EZRentOut is a cloud-based rental management software tailored for equipment rental businesses, including lighting rentals, offering tools for inventory tracking, order scheduling, and customer management. It enables real-time visibility into asset availability, online reservations, and maintenance scheduling to ensure lighting gear like fixtures, cables, and stands are always rental-ready. The platform supports multi-location operations and includes a mobile app for scanning and on-site management.
Pros
- Robust inventory tracking with serial numbers and QR code scanning ideal for lighting gear
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling to prevent double-bookings
- Seamless integrations with QuickBooks and payment gateways for streamlined operations
Cons
- Lacks lighting-specific tools like DMX integration or rigging calculators
- Reporting features are general-purpose, not optimized for event lighting metrics
- Advanced customizations require higher-tier plans
Best For
Small to mid-sized lighting rental companies needing reliable general rental management without specialized production design features.
Pricing
Starts at $49/user/month (Starter, billed annually), with Professional at $149/user/month and custom Enterprise pricing.
Booqable
specializedUser-friendly rental platform with website integration and inventory management for small to medium lighting rental businesses.
Built-in website builder that creates fully branded, SEO-optimized rental storefronts with real-time inventory sync and embedded booking calendars—no coding required.
Booqable is a cloud-based rental management software designed to handle inventory tracking, online reservations, payments, and customer management for rental businesses. For lighting rental companies, it excels in managing equipment like LED lights, spotlights, cables, and rigging gear through features such as bundle creation, real-time availability calendars, and delivery scheduling. It also includes a no-code website builder to create customizable online storefronts for direct bookings, making it suitable for streamlining operations without deep technical expertise.
Pros
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for inventory and bookings
- Integrated website builder and online payment processing (Stripe, PayPal)
- Mobile app and multi-location support for on-the-go management
Cons
- Lacks lighting-specific tools like DMX patching, wattage calculators, or rigging diagrams
- Advanced reporting and analytics are basic compared to specialized software
- Customization options limited for complex rental workflows
Best For
Small to medium lighting rental businesses seeking an user-friendly, all-in-one platform for general inventory and online bookings without needing niche event production features.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Essential, 1 user), $59/month (Professional, 3 users), $129/month (Premium, unlimited users); annual plans offer 10-20% discounts, with optional add-ons for extra websites or bookings.
TapGoods
specializedSimple yet effective rental software for tracking lighting gear availability, reservations, and customer invoicing.
Drag-and-drop visual calendar for effortless rental scheduling and availability visualization
TapGoods is a cloud-based rental management software designed for event rental businesses, including those specializing in lighting equipment like fixtures, trusses, and cables. It provides real-time inventory tracking, order management, scheduling, and mobile scanning for efficient check-in/out processes. The platform integrates with accounting tools like QuickBooks and emphasizes ease of use for small to medium operations, though it lacks deep lighting-specific features such as DMX control or design plotting.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling interface
- Real-time mobile inventory scanning and updates
- Affordable pricing with solid QuickBooks integration
Cons
- Limited advanced lighting tools like power calculations or fixture diagramming
- Reporting features are basic and not highly customizable
- Scalability challenges for very large rental inventories
Best For
Small to medium-sized lighting rental companies focused on event production that prioritize simplicity and quick setup over specialized technical features.
Pricing
Starts at $129/month for Starter plan (up to 500 items), $229/month for Pro (unlimited items), with Enterprise custom pricing; free trial available.
Picker
specializedInventory and rental management app focused on barcode scanning and order fulfillment for production lighting equipment.
Picker Component: Embeddable online quoting tool for customer self-service rentals directly on your website
Picker is a cloud-based rental management software tailored for production companies, including lighting rental businesses, offering real-time inventory tracking, scheduling, quoting, and invoicing. It features a mobile app for barcode scanning and on-site management, along with customer portals for self-service bookings. The platform emphasizes visual calendars and drag-and-drop interfaces to streamline operations for event lighting gear rentals.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop scheduling calendar
- Mobile app for real-time inventory scanning
- Unlimited users on all plans
Cons
- Lacks specialized lighting design or DMX integration tools
- Limited reporting customization
- Higher tiers needed for advanced automation
Best For
Small to mid-sized lighting rental companies focused on efficient inventory and booking management without complex design needs.
Pricing
Starts at $49/month (Basic), $99/month (Pro), $199+/month (Enterprise); annual discounts available.
KitSplit
otherMarketplace and rental platform for creative gear, including lighting and production equipment, with insurance and booking features.
Hyper-local search and calendar sync for seamless same-day lighting gear pickups
KitSplit is an online peer-to-peer marketplace designed for renting film, photography, and production gear, including lighting equipment like strobes, softboxes, and LED panels. It enables owners to list items for rent, while renters search by location, book securely, and handle payments with platform-managed insurance options. While versatile for individual users, it functions more as a listing and booking platform rather than comprehensive inventory management software for professional rental businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for quick listings and bookings
- Location-based search ideal for local lighting gear rentals
- Integrated insurance protects both lenders and renters
Cons
- Lacks advanced inventory tracking or fleet management tools
- Commission fees reduce margins for frequent renters/lenders
- Gear quality varies due to peer-to-peer model
Best For
Freelance filmmakers and small crews seeking affordable, local access to lighting equipment without long-term commitments.
Pricing
Free to list and browse; 10-15% commission on bookings; optional insurance from $5/day.
Conclusion
The top lighting rental software tools offer distinct strengths, with Rentman leading as the most comprehensive option for event production companies, combining rental and project management seamlessly. Current RMS stands out for optimizing live event logistics, while HireHop excels with real-time inventory tracking, making them strong alternatives tailored to specific business needs. Together, these tools reflect the industry’s diversity and the importance of matching software to operational priorities.
Explore Rentman firsthand to leverage its all-in-one capabilities and discover why it’s the top choice for streamlining your lighting rental business. Don’t miss out on its ability to enhance efficiency and drive growth in your operations.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison