Quick Overview
- 1#1: Buildium - All-in-one property management platform handling accounting, leasing, maintenance, and tenant communications for small portfolios.
- 2#2: AppFolio - User-friendly property management software with online rent collection, screening, and automated maintenance for small managers.
- 3#3: DoorLoop - Modern all-in-one tool for small property owners offering leasing, payments, and syndication at competitive pricing.
- 4#4: Yardi Breeze - Cloud-based solution for small firms providing accounting, tenant portals, and reporting tailored to residential properties.
- 5#5: Rentec Direct - Affordable property management software with tenant screening, rent payments, and work order management for landlords.
- 6#6: TenantCloud - Cloud platform for small landlords featuring online applications, payments, and maintenance requests.
- 7#7: RentRedi - Mobile-first app for property management with fast rent collection, tenant screening, and e-signing for small-scale use.
- 8#8: TurboTenant - Free rental management tools including listing syndication, applications, and basic accounting for individual landlords.
- 9#9: Avail - Free DIY property management software from Realtor.com for advertising, screening, and rent collection on small rentals.
- 10#10: Hemlane - End-to-end platform for small investors with automated rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance tools.
Tools were selected based on rigorous evaluation of features (rent collection, screening, reporting), user experience, reliability, and value, prioritizing those that balance functionality with accessibility for landlords and property managers.
Comparison Table
For small property managers aiming to streamline operations, a comparison of top tools like Buildium, AppFolio, DoorLoop, Yardi Breeze, Rentec Direct and more clarifies their strengths. This table outlines key features, pricing, and usability, helping readers find the best fit for their unique needs to enhance productivity and management efficiency.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Buildium All-in-one property management platform handling accounting, leasing, maintenance, and tenant communications for small portfolios. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 2 | AppFolio User-friendly property management software with online rent collection, screening, and automated maintenance for small managers. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 3 | DoorLoop Modern all-in-one tool for small property owners offering leasing, payments, and syndication at competitive pricing. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | Yardi Breeze Cloud-based solution for small firms providing accounting, tenant portals, and reporting tailored to residential properties. | enterprise | 8.6/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 5 | Rentec Direct Affordable property management software with tenant screening, rent payments, and work order management for landlords. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 6 | TenantCloud Cloud platform for small landlords featuring online applications, payments, and maintenance requests. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 7 | RentRedi Mobile-first app for property management with fast rent collection, tenant screening, and e-signing for small-scale use. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 7.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 8 | TurboTenant Free rental management tools including listing syndication, applications, and basic accounting for individual landlords. | other | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 9 | Avail Free DIY property management software from Realtor.com for advertising, screening, and rent collection on small rentals. | other | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Hemlane End-to-end platform for small investors with automated rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance tools. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.8/10 |
All-in-one property management platform handling accounting, leasing, maintenance, and tenant communications for small portfolios.
User-friendly property management software with online rent collection, screening, and automated maintenance for small managers.
Modern all-in-one tool for small property owners offering leasing, payments, and syndication at competitive pricing.
Cloud-based solution for small firms providing accounting, tenant portals, and reporting tailored to residential properties.
Affordable property management software with tenant screening, rent payments, and work order management for landlords.
Cloud platform for small landlords featuring online applications, payments, and maintenance requests.
Mobile-first app for property management with fast rent collection, tenant screening, and e-signing for small-scale use.
Free rental management tools including listing syndication, applications, and basic accounting for individual landlords.
Free DIY property management software from Realtor.com for advertising, screening, and rent collection on small rentals.
End-to-end platform for small investors with automated rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance tools.
Buildium
specializedAll-in-one property management platform handling accounting, leasing, maintenance, and tenant communications for small portfolios.
Integrated accounting with automated bank reconciliation and 1099 filing, eliminating the need for separate bookkeeping software
Buildium is a comprehensive cloud-based property management software designed specifically for small to mid-sized residential property portfolios. It automates key tasks like online rent collection, tenant screening, maintenance tracking, lease management, and accounting with robust reporting. The platform also includes a resident portal for self-service tenant interactions, making it efficient for owners and managers handling dozens to hundreds of units.
Pros
- All-in-one solution covering leasing, accounting, and maintenance in one platform
- Intuitive resident portal and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Excellent tenant screening and automated rent collection tools
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with portfolio size, less ideal for single-unit owners
- Steep learning curve for advanced accounting features
- Limited customization options for reports and workflows
Best For
Small property managers and landlords overseeing 10-150 residential units who need an integrated platform for daily operations.
Pricing
Starts at $58/month for up to 20 units (Essential plan), with Growth ($173/mo for 50 units) and Premium ($348/mo for 100 units); additional fees per unit beyond base.
AppFolio
specializedUser-friendly property management software with online rent collection, screening, and automated maintenance for small managers.
Integrated property marketing suite that auto-builds websites and syndicates listings to 100+ sites
AppFolio is a comprehensive cloud-based property management software tailored for residential portfolios, offering tools for leasing, rent collection, maintenance tracking, accounting, and owner/tenant portals. It streamlines operations for small to mid-sized managers with automation features like online applications, marketing syndication, and mobile accessibility. Designed to scale with growing portfolios, it emphasizes efficiency and real-time reporting to help managers focus on growth rather than admin tasks.
Pros
- All-in-one platform with robust accounting, leasing, and maintenance tools
- Excellent mobile app and tenant/owner portals for seamless communication
- Advanced automation for marketing, screening, and rent payments
Cons
- Higher pricing structure less ideal for portfolios under 50 units
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Limited customization options compared to more modular competitors
Best For
Small residential property managers with 20-200 units seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform to automate operations and improve tenant retention.
Pricing
Starts at ~$1.49 per unit/month for 50+ units (higher for smaller portfolios), plus add-ons for premium features like inspections or capital management.
DoorLoop
specializedModern all-in-one tool for small property owners offering leasing, payments, and syndication at competitive pricing.
DoorLoop Pay with instant ACH transfers and built-in fraud protection for faster, more secure rent collection
DoorLoop is an all-in-one property management software tailored for small to mid-sized landlords and managers, offering tools for tenant screening, online leasing, rent collection, maintenance tracking, and accounting. It features a user-friendly cloud-based dashboard and mobile app, enabling efficient portfolio management from anywhere. The platform emphasizes automation to reduce manual tasks and improve cash flow for small operations.
Pros
- Comprehensive all-in-one toolkit covering leasing, payments, and maintenance
- Strong automation for rent collection and tenant screening
- Responsive customer support and mobile accessibility
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with portfolio size
- Steeper learning curve for non-tech-savvy users
- Some integrations and advanced reporting locked behind higher plans
Best For
Small property managers with 10-50 units seeking an integrated platform to streamline operations without needing multiple tools.
Pricing
Starts at $59/month for up to 25 units (Basic), $99/month for 50 units (Pro), $199/month for 150 units (Premium); custom enterprise pricing available.
Yardi Breeze
enterpriseCloud-based solution for small firms providing accounting, tenant portals, and reporting tailored to residential properties.
Real-time interactive dashboards for instant portfolio performance insights
Yardi Breeze is a cloud-based property management software designed for small to mid-sized residential portfolios, offering tools for leasing, rent collection, maintenance requests, and accounting. It provides a mobile-first interface with real-time dashboards for performance insights and resident portals for self-service. Ideal for streamlining operations without the complexity of enterprise-level systems, it scales well for growing businesses.
Pros
- Intuitive mobile app for on-the-go management
- Comprehensive suite including accounting and tenant portals
- Real-time reporting and dashboards
Cons
- Pricing higher for very small portfolios under 50 units
- Limited customization without add-ons
- Support response can be inconsistent
Best For
Small property managers handling 50-500 residential units who need a scalable, mobile-friendly all-in-one platform.
Pricing
Quote-based, starting at $1 per unit per month with tiered plans and minimum fees for additional features.
Rentec Direct
specializedAffordable property management software with tenant screening, rent payments, and work order management for landlords.
Seamless integration of tenant screening with criminal, credit, and eviction checks directly in the platform
Rentec Direct is a cloud-based property management software tailored for small landlords and property managers handling residential rentals. It provides essential tools for tenant screening, online rent payments, maintenance tracking, lease management, and basic accounting. The platform supports portfolio growth with scalable features and integrates advertising on major listing sites.
Pros
- Affordable tiered pricing ideal for small portfolios
- User-friendly interface with mobile app support
- Strong customer service and free setup assistance
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and customization options
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise competitors
- Interface feels slightly dated in some areas
Best For
Small landlords and independent property managers overseeing 1-50 units who need straightforward, cost-effective tools without complexity.
Pricing
Starts at $35/month for up to 10 units, scaling to $165/month for 101+ units; free trial available.
TenantCloud
specializedCloud platform for small landlords featuring online applications, payments, and maintenance requests.
Free forever plan with full rent collection, tenant screening, and marketing tools for small portfolios
TenantCloud is a cloud-based property management software tailored for landlords and small property managers handling residential rentals. It provides essential tools like online rent collection, tenant screening, maintenance requests, lease signing, accounting, and vacancy marketing via syndication to major listing sites. The platform supports portfolios of all sizes but shines with its free plan for up to 75 units, making it accessible for beginners.
Pros
- Generous free plan for up to 75 units with core features like rent payments and tenant portals
- Comprehensive all-in-one tools including automated marketing and tenant screening
- Mobile app for on-the-go management of properties and communications
Cons
- Customer support can be slow and inconsistent for free users
- Interface feels dated with occasional bugs and a learning curve
- Advanced reporting and customizations locked behind higher-tier plans
Best For
Small landlords or independent property managers with 1-75 units seeking an affordable, feature-rich solution without upfront costs.
Pricing
Free for up to 75 units; Pro at $18/unit/month (76+ units); Elite at $45/unit/month; custom enterprise pricing available.
RentRedi
specializedMobile-first app for property management with fast rent collection, tenant screening, and e-signing for small-scale use.
Free unlimited e-signing of state-specific leases directly in the app
RentRedi is a mobile-first property management software tailored for small landlords and property managers handling single-family homes or small multifamily portfolios. It offers essential tools like online rent collection via ACH, credit and background tenant screening, e-signature leases, maintenance request tracking, and basic accounting. The platform emphasizes simplicity and affordability, with a user-friendly app that allows management on the go.
Pros
- Highly affordable pricing model with free tier and low per-unit costs
- Intuitive mobile app for quick rent collection and communication
- Fast and comprehensive tenant screening included at no extra cost
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and analytics compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer third-party integrations than larger competitors
- Customer support can be slower during peak times
Best For
Ideal for DIY landlords or small property managers with 1-50 units seeking simple, cost-effective tools for rent payments and tenant management.
Pricing
Free plan for basic features; Premium at $1/unit/month (min. $12/mo for up to 25 units), Pro at $1.50/unit/month, Enterprise custom.
TurboTenant
otherFree rental management tools including listing syndication, applications, and basic accounting for individual landlords.
100% free property management for unlimited properties with no hidden fees on essentials
TurboTenant is a user-friendly property management platform tailored for landlords and small property owners, offering free tools for tenant screening, online applications, rent collection, lease signing, and maintenance requests. It simplifies property management tasks with automated listing syndication to major sites and basic accounting features. While ideal for cost-conscious users, it relies on paid add-ons for advanced screening and support.
Pros
- Completely free core platform for unlimited units and tenants
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for everyday tasks
- Robust free tenant screening and application management
Cons
- Limited advanced reporting and accounting tools
- Paid add-ons required for premium features like credit reports
- Fewer integrations compared to enterprise-level competitors
Best For
Solo landlords or small property managers handling 1-20 units who prioritize free, straightforward tools over advanced customization.
Pricing
Free core platform; paid add-ons include tenant screening reports ($35-$55 each) and premium support ($10+/month).
Avail
otherFree DIY property management software from Realtor.com for advertising, screening, and rent collection on small rentals.
Completely free online rent collection via ACH with no platform fees, making it exceptionally cost-effective for small landlords.
Avail is a user-friendly property management platform tailored for individual landlords and small-scale property owners, offering tools for tenant screening, online rent collection, lease creation with e-signatures, maintenance tracking, and basic financial reporting. It emphasizes simplicity and affordability, allowing users to manage their rentals without the complexity of enterprise software. The platform integrates state-specific lease templates and automated reminders to streamline daily operations for DIY landlords.
Pros
- Generous free plan with core features like rent collection and lease signing
- Intuitive mobile app and dashboard for quick access
- Comprehensive tenant screening with credit, eviction, and criminal checks
Cons
- Limited advanced accounting and reporting capabilities
- Transaction fees apply to some payment methods despite free ACH
- Less scalable for portfolios exceeding 20 units
Best For
Solo landlords or small investors managing 1-10 residential properties who want simple, low-cost tools without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free core plan for unlimited properties; premium Avail Professional at $7/unit/month (billed annually) or $11/month for advanced features like custom leases and bulk operations.
Hemlane
specializedEnd-to-end platform for small investors with automated rent collection, maintenance, and legal compliance tools.
Rent Collection Guarantee: Hemlane pays owners on time even if tenants pay late, then recovers from tenants.
Hemlane is a streamlined property management platform designed for small landlords and property managers handling rental properties. It offers automated rent collection via ACH and credit cards, tenant screening, maintenance request tracking, lease management, and basic accounting tools. The software emphasizes ease of use with a mobile app and owner dashboard, making it suitable for portfolios of 1-50 units.
Pros
- Highly automated rent collection with multiple payment options
- User-friendly interface and mobile app for on-the-go management
- Affordable pricing with a free tier for single-property owners
Cons
- Reporting and analytics are basic, lacking advanced customization
- Customer support primarily ticket-based with limited live options
- Scales less effectively for portfolios over 50 units
Best For
Individual landlords or small property managers with 1-20 rental units seeking simple, cost-effective automation.
Pricing
Free for 1 property; Essential ($29/month for up to 10 units), Pro ($59/month for up to 50 units), custom Enterprise plans.
Conclusion
The review of top small property management software highlights Buildium as the standout choice, offering an all-in-one platform for accounting, leasing, maintenance, and tenant communications. AppFolio and DoorLoop follow, with AppFolio’s user-friendly design and DoorLoop’s modern, competitive pricing catering to different small manager needs. Ultimately, these tools simplify operations, but Buildium leads with its comprehensive feature set.
Explore Buildium to streamline your small property portfolio management—its all-in-one approach makes it a top pick for efficiency and functionality.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison