Becoming a landlord for the first time? Whether you’re picking a rental price, listing your rental, or screening your first tenant, there’s a lot to manage. The good news? You don't have to do it all manually.
Property management software can help you automate the tough stuff, like collecting rent and communicating with tenants. But with so many platforms out there, how do you know which one's right for you?
Choosing the right property management software for your portfolio depends on factors like:
- How many properties you own
- Whether you plan to scale up your rental business
- Your budget
We reviewed the top 10 best property management platforms for new landlords in 2026, so you can find the right one for you.
TL;DR
- Property management software helps automate tasks like rent collection, tenant screening, rental listing, and accounting. The specific tools available vary from platform to platform.
- Pricing depends on a variety of factors. Property management software typically ranges from free basic options to $50+ for monthly solutions and $200+ for business accounts. Keep in mind the size of your portfolio and whether the software charges additional fees per unit.
- Premium features like tenant screenings, listings, and rent reporting may require additional fees, so it’s important to consider your needs and what’s included in the total package.
- Platforms like TenantCloud make it easy to start small and expand as you go, so you can focus on only the features you need while growing your portfolio.
What is Property Management Software?
Property management software is a digital tool that helps landlords manage their rentals efficiently. While it's possible to handle your rentals using spreadsheets and tracking things manually, a property management software can keep everything organized and in one place. Some solutions also include features like listing syndication and advanced communication systems, making it easier to cross more tasks off your to-do list in much less time.
Why Property Management Software?
Property management software platforms aren’t just for large scale property management companies. They’re strategically designed to help landlords consolidate all their tasks into one place. This comprehensive suite of tools can be a huge benefit for small portfolios and landlords just starting a business.
A property management software can help with a variety of tasks, including:
- Online rent collection
- Tenant screening
- Digital lease forms and e-signing
- Financial accounting
- Maintenance management
- Rental listings
- Tenant communication
When you're juggling tenants, even simple tasks like collecting rent can get complex. Software can streamline your tasks by adding late fees, sending rent reminders, and connecting landlord banking information. With 77% of renters expecting online payments, new landlords should consider investing in high-quality software.
Best Property Management Software for New Landlords
TenantCloud
TenantCloud is a cloud-based property management software designed for both new landlords and seasoned property managers. With a wide range of rental and team management tools like online rent collection and listing automation, it’s among the best software for new landlords.
Features:
- Online rent collection and invoicing
- Online rental applications and lease management
- Flexible tenant screenings with background and credit checks
- Tenant screening tools
Pros:
- Free 14-day trial
- Premium property management software starting at $16.50/month
- Simple interface with Help Center hub
- Unlimited units/rental properties
- Comprehensive financial reporting
- Free mobile apps for tenants and landlords
Cons:
- No free plan
Best for: New property managers wanting a robust, full-scale solution at a budget-friendly price. With flexible property management plans, it can be an ideal choice for growing portfolios.
AppFolio
AppFolio is a property management software designed for property managers with medium to large rental portfolios. With built-in leasing automation, accounting tracking, and maintenance requests, it can be a solid solution for roomier budgets.
Features:
- Advanced rental marketing
- Online rent collection
- Workflow management
- Maintenance management
- Mobile app
Pros:
- Built-in financial reporting
- Scalable plans
- Automated leasing
Cons:
- Some features like accounting can be complex for new users
- Limited features for lower plans
- Custom pricing with per-unit charging may be costly for new landlords
Best for: Landlords with medium to large portfolios (50+ rental properties) ready for more advanced tools like custom reporting, maintenance requests, and digital leasing.
Avail
Avail is a rental property management platform for DIY landlords. It provides basic tools like rent collection, lease templates, and tenant screening.
Features:
- Advertise rentals with one click
- Rental lease agreements (lawyer-reviewed)
- Property tour automation
- Income and expense tracking
- Background checks and applications
Pros:
- Online rent collection
- Free basic plan
- Simple interface and large educational hub
Cons:
- May be pricey for small portfolios wanting more than the free plan
- No mobile app
- Limited features on basic and free plans
Best for: Independent landlords with less than 50 rental properties looking for a simple property management platform.
Related: TenantCloud vs. Avail: What Landlords Need to Know
Hemlane
Hemlane is a rental property management software for landlords with small to medium-sized portfolios. It promises a wide range of features such as online payments and maintenance requests. However, it may be pricier than other platforms in the same ballpark.
Features:
- Online rent collection
- Marketing syndication and tenant placement
- Tenant communication
- Maintenance management
- Automated booking
Pros:
- Strong customer support for higher-tier plans
- Great for small portfolios
- Easy to use
- Free basic plan
Cons:
- Limited accounting features
- No mobile app
- Customer service not available on weekends
- Per-unit fees on top of monthly subscription
Best for: New property managers looking for a simple, breezy interface with a handful of advanced features.
Landlord Studio
Landlord Studio is a rental property management software built for small portfolios and DIY landlords. An affordable starting point for new landlords, Landlord Studio is promising, although limited in its offerings.
Features:
- Online rent payments
- Expense tracking
- Basic accounting tools, such as document storage
- Tenant screening
- Maintenance requests management
Pros:
- Desktop and mobile apps
- Free plan and pro plan starting at $12/month
- Ease-of-use
Cons:
- Lacks premium features like maintenance management requests
- Upgrading from a free plan to a higher plan is difficult
Best for: First-time landlords who want a no-frills platform to manage rent payments and maintenance requests without worrying about scaling.
Related: TenantCloud vs. Landlord Studio: What to Expect for the Price
Stessa
Stessa is a rental property management software tailored for DIY landlords. It offers a small range of features at affordable pricing.
Features:
- Financial reports
- Online rent collection
- Tenant screening
- Vacancy marketing
Pros:
- Unlimited properties
- Free plan with affordable upgraded pricing
- Accelerated rent payments for intro and pro plans
- Priority chat support for intro and pro plans
Cons:
- No tenant communication
- Limited customer support
- Less automation, which means more manual data entry
Best for: Property managers in search of a basic platform to collect rent payments and screen tenants—with a few more options on the side.
DoorLoop
DoorLoop is a powerful rental software that supports small and large portfolios alike. With features like online rent payments, lease management, and maintenance requests, it offers a complete package for new property managers.
Features:
- Digital lease creation and e-signatures
- Comprehensive background and credit checks
- Automated rent collection
- Financial management reports and cash flow tracking
- Maintenance management
Pros:
- Scalability for growing portfolios
- Customer support and knowledge hub
- Advanced integration tools
Cons:
- Limited listings partners
- Slight learning curve
- Basic accounting features
- Costly compared to others
Best for: Property managers with medium to large portfolios looking for a turn-key platform. May be a small learning curve for newer software users, but DoorLoop offers a wide range of features.
Related: TenantCloud: Top DoorLoop Alternative for Property Managers
Buildium
Buildium is a property management software designed for all portfolio sizes. Its all-in-one platform offers a wide range of benefits, from online rent payments and maintenance requests to multi-family and community association management.
Features:
- Rental listings
- Tenant screenings
- Lease management
- Rent collection and accounting
- Maintenance and tenant tools
Pros:
- Scalable platform to accommodate small to large landlords
- Powerful automation workflows
- Detailed financial reports
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve for landlords and tenants
- Workflow task feature is limited
- No bulk messaging feature for tenants
Best for: New landlords working with commercial or multi-family properties.
RentRedi
RentRedi is a simple-to-use platform designed for independent landlords. It offers cost-effective features like rent payments and maintenance requests, making it a great option for new property managers.
Features:
- Online rent collection
- Tenant screening
- Lease management
- Maintenance tracking
- Accounting
Pros:
- Customer service support
- Affordable pricing at $29/month
- Simple to navigate
Cons:
- Payment processing setup is lengthy
- Mobile app lacks functionality
- Accounting features cost extra
Best for: New landlords looking for an affordable and no-stress platform to get started managing rental properties.
Related: TenantCloud: Landlord-Friendly RentRedi Alternative
Innago
Innago is a free property management software made for small landlords and property owners. Its affordability and simplicity make it accessible for new property managers.
Features:
- Rental listing syndication
- Tenant screening and applications
- Online rent collection
- Lease management
- Basic accounting
- Maintenance management
Pros:
- Free plan
- Easy to navigate
Cons:
- Tenants are charged fees for online payments
- Limited accounting features
- Not as comprehensive or robust compared to others
Best for: Property managers seeking a budget-friendly option for handling rent payments for their small to medium-sized portfolio.
Related: TenantCloud: A Powerful Innago Alternative for Landlords
Keep in mind that many landlord software options include free or limited trials to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Online Rent Collection: A Must-Have for Property Management Software
One of the most important features to look for in your property management software is online rent collection. In the age of smart devices, paying rent by paper checks or money orders is becoming more and more rare. Online payments provide a clear paper trail and minimize risks for both landlords and tenants.
How Does Rent Collection Work in Property Management Software?
Most platforms include an online portal for your tenant. They can log on with their computer, and many property management software options have a mobile app. Tenant portals show the rent amount due and the tenant’s payment history.
Tenants can also submit secure payments on their portal. Here’s how rent collection works:
- Multiple payment methods: Most softwares allow tenants to pay by ACH transfer, credit card, or debit.
- Automated payments: Rather than logging in to manually pay rent, property management software has the option to automate payments so they come out on the due date each month.
- Late fees: If your tenant pays rent late, a property management software can automatically apply a fee so you don’t have to charge a separate payment.
Best Rent Payment Methods
Here are the top rent payment methods for property managers:
- ACH transfer: Also called direct deposit, ACH transfers route funds from one bank account to another. The process usually takes 1-3 business days, and doesn’t charge a fee.
- Debit or credit card payment: Card payments are instant and secure, but usually charge a transaction fee of around 3%, potentially adding hundreds or thousands of dollars to the tenant’s rent payments each year.
- Check or money order: Paper methods like checks are secure and traceable, but can get lost in the mail and take longer to process. Money orders are also risky because if you lose them, the funds are impossible to recover.
What About Money Transfer Apps?
Money transfer apps like Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo seem like a convenient option for rent collection. Payments are instant, and many apps don’t make tenants pay fees for transactions.
Money transfer apps are usually an acceptable option for landlords with only a few properties. However, collecting rent on these platforms can open you up to security risks, and they don’t offer as much support as a dedicated rent collection software if something goes wrong.
Some of the issues you can run into when you collect rent online with money transfer apps include:
- Wrong recipient: In many cases, it’s easy for tenants to accidentally send rent payments to the wrong account. Some apps require a phone number or email account for confirmation, but it is possible to bypass these safeguards. Transfers are instant, and there’s no way to get a payment back once it’s sent.
- Transaction limits: Many apps have a daily transaction limit, which can complicate rent collection and require multiple transfers for higher rent amounts.
- No recordkeeping: Since they aren’t designed specifically for rent payments, money transfer apps can make accounting difficult for property managers. Payments through Zelle or Venmo don’t provide official records or 1099-K forms for tax filing.
- Partial rent payments: Since there’s no way to block payments on money transfer apps, tenants are able to send partial rent payments. In many states, partial rent payments can prolong the eviction process and create legal loopholes for tenants to contest pay-or-quit notices.
If you plan to use an app like Zelle for rent collection despite the risks, be sure to include a clause in your lease agreement that addresses partial payments. You should also require the tenant to include the property address in the notes of each transfer.
Tips for New Landlords Managing Multiple Rental Properties
For new landlords, it’s easy enough to handle one or two properties with a more “hands-on” style: texting tenants, collecting rent payments manually each month, keeping paper records. However, when your property management business crosses the threshold of three or more properties, your software needs to scale with your rental portfolio.
Here are some things for new landlords managing multiple properties to keep in mind:
Automate Your Processes
With each rental property you add to your portfolio comes more tasks. More properties means more tenant maintenance requests, more rent collection tracking, and more tax paperwork. Once you get to the stage where you’re managing multiple properties, look for a property management software that can help automate tasks like:
- Rent collection
- Late fees and deposits
- Expense tracking
- Maintenance requests
- Syncing property listings
- Lease renewals
- Scheduling tours
- Generating tax paperwork and invoices
- Utility billing, if applicable
Streamline Your Communication
It’s easy enough to have communication with one or two tenants spread across text messages, phone calls, and email. Maintaining a good landlord-tenant relationship is easier with only a few rentals. However, as you rent more properties, it becomes easier for communications to slip through the cracks.
Keeping all your tenant communication in one place helps ensure you don’t miss things like maintenance requests and late rent notices. Having a written record of all your tenant communication also helps protect you in the event of legal issues.
Many property management software platforms offer text communication right in the app. Not only does in-app messaging provide a written record, but it keeps all communication streamlined in one central place.
Screen Tenants Carefully
The absolute best thing a new landlord can do to make it easier to manage rental properties is finding a great tenant. With each new real estate investment, legal issues with tenants become more of a complication. Knowing how to screen tenants effectively can help you avoid late payments and eviction proceedings.
Here are some tips for finding the right tenant:
- Consistent criteria: As you scale your business, you have less room for making exceptions with your tenants. Set clear criteria for credit score, income, and rental history, and stick to them.
- Confirm information: Once you have a shortlist of applicants, call employers and rental references to confirm the applicant’s work and rental history.
- Use automatic screening software: Platforms like TenantCloud can automate tenant credit checks, background screening, and rental history all in one place, making the screening process faster and easier.
- Avoid discrimination: While you want to find the right tenant, it’s important to comply with the Fair Housing Act. Never ask for information related to race, religion, nationality, disabilities, or familial status. Discriminatory screening practices can open you up to civil charges and lawsuits.
When to Hire a Property Manager
Just like the mortgage on your rental properties, property management fees are an expense that costs a portion of your rental income. However, the more properties you own, the more you stand to benefit from hiring a team to manage them.
Property managers handle the day-to-day operations of your rental property, so landlords can take a more “hands-off” property management approach. They field tenant complaints and inquiries, and respond when tenants submit maintenance requests. Property managers can also help you fill vacant properties more quickly.
Here are some signs that it might be time to hire a property manager or property management company:
- More than 2-3 properties: In general, a property manager is worth it for landlords who own many properties.
- Property management takes up too much of your time: If managing your property has become a full-time job, it may be time to hire out some of your day-to-day tasks.
- You live far away from your properties: A property manager can act as a proxy local leasing agent for issues that you can’t handle over a long distance.
- Legal complications: If you aren’t comfortable navigating Fair Housing Act regulations or your property is subject to affordable housing laws, a property manager can ensure your rental arrangement complies with the relevant laws.
Keep Detailed Records
Rental properties aren’t passive income. They’re investments that you have to maintain and operate, which comes with recordkeeping obligations. Store everything from lease agreements to the serial numbers of the appliances in an organized, digital space.
While paper records are useful, they can be cumbersome and difficult to organize, especially as you acquire more properties. Choose a property management software that can automate document storage online.
Robust Features Your Property Management Software Should Have
Here are some essential features for a property management software:
- Online rent collection: Tenants should be able to submit rent payments securely on your property management software.
- Tenant screening: Choosing a software with built-in credit, rental, and criminal history checks can greatly simplify the screening process and reduce the time it takes to fill vacancies.
- Mobile app: Look for property management software with a dedicated app for smart phones and tablets.
- In-app communication: Having a direct line of communication between the tenant and landlord or property manager prevents missed communications and provides a record of every interaction.
- Documents: Your software should give tenants access to their lease agreement, as well as generating documents like financial reports, automated expense categorization, and tax forms like Schedule E 1040.
How to Find the Best Property Management Software
With so many platforms to choose from, narrowing down the right property management software depends on your portfolio size, budget, and comfort level with property management tasks. Here are some things to consider before you take the plunge:
How many properties do you manage?
Some property management platforms are built for large portfolios, with a full suite of automated features and workflow management tools. Other software options, on the other hand, are better suited for limited units and smaller portfolios.
Keep in mind also that property management software costs vary depending on the number of units. When deciding which platform is right for you, factor in the per-unit cost if the subscription price doesn’t include certain features.
What features are most important?
Make a list of your biggest pain points as a landlord or property manager. If online rent collection or screening prospective tenants is your top priority, focus on property management software that specializes in those tools. If you need more advanced features like financial tracking and maintenance automation, you may want to spring for a more robust platform.
What’s your budget?
A high-quality property management software can save you time on day-to-day tasks, but it’s still a financial investment. It’s best to have a rough idea of how much you’re willing to spend each month.
Free landlord software or low-cost plans may be ideal for new landlords, while more robust options might be a bigger upfront investment that pays for itself over time as your business scales.
Do you want to scale?
Some landlords may be content to keep their operation and costs small, while others look to expand their portfolio. If you plan to invest in additional properties, you need a platform that can grow with you. Choose a property management software that will support your rental business goals long-term.
Manage Properties More Easily with TenantCloud
If you’re looking for an easy way to manage your rentals, TenantCloud offers the flexibility and tools you need to get started—easy on the learning curve. From tenant screening to online payments to automated reminders, you’ll find everything you need in one place.
Want to see if TenantCloud is the right property management software for you? Try TenantCloud's all-in-one software free for 14 days.
FAQs
What is property management software?
Property management software is an online program or app that allows landlords to collect rent and handle the day-to-day processes associated with owning a rental property. Using property management software can help landlords save time and maximize the return on their real estate investments.
What features should landlords look for in property management software?
Some of the key features your property management software should include are:
- Online rent collection
- Tenant screening
- Digital document sharing and e-signing
- Mobile app
- Tenant portal
- Maintenance requests
- Financial tracking
- Tax form generation
What property management software is best for new landlords?
TenantCloud is a full-service rental property management software with plan tiers starting at just $15/month billed annually. The Starter plan is ideal for DIY landlords who want to automate simple tasks like rent collection and maintenance management. More robust plans give landlords the option to scale up their software as they invest in more rental properties.
What are the benefits of using property management software?
Property management software allows landlords to monitor their rental properties, collect rent online, and manage communications like maintenance requests and lease agreements.
Benefits for landlords include:
- Automation: Setting an automatic schedule for day-to-day operations can save landlords time and money by streamlining tasks in one easy-to-navigate portal.
- Financial tracking: Having all your rental documents in one place allows you to make informed financial decisions and simplify tax filing and expense reports
- Listing and screening: Property management software makes it easy to list properties and screen applicants all in one place.
How much does property management software cost?
Property management software comes in a wide range of service levels and pricing tiers. Some platforms offer free software plans, while paid plans start around $15/month. More robust software built for large property management companies can cost hundreds of dollars a month.
Is property management software worth it for small landlords?
Yes, even with a smaller portfolio of only a few rental properties, having a dedicated property management software can save landlords hours of work each month. Being able to collect rent online is one of the biggest benefits, but property management software can also help you process maintenance requests and track finances. Best of all, your financial records and documents are all in one place
What’s the best payment method for collecting rent?
ACH transfer (direct deposit) is generally considered the safest, most reliable method for collecting rent. Most professional property management software platforms have an integrated payment portal that uses ACH transfers to collect rent and transfer it to the landlord.
Credit card and debit card payments are also secure and dependable, but charge the tenant a transaction fee for each payment.
