Managing a few rental units might sound like a walk in the park, that is, until late rent payments, unreturned maintenance calls, and heaps of paperwork start to pile up. That’s exactly why using property management software for small landlords has become more than just a convenience; it’s a necessity.
From rent collection and lease tracking to maintenance requests and tenant screening, these tools help save time, reduce unnecessary stress, and keep your business running smoothly, even if it’s just you and a few doors to manage.
Whether you’re juggling duplexes or a dozen single-family homes, this list walks you through the best property management software options available for small landlords.
Affordable Landlord Software Solutions
If you’re just starting out, managing rentals as a side hustle, or operating at a small scale, you should avoid tools with complex interfaces or high monthly fees. The platforms listed below offer all the features you need at little to no cost. These tools are perfect for small landlords who want simplicity without sacrificing functionality.
1- Yardi Breeze
If you’ve heard of Yardi commercial property management software but found Voyager too complex, Breeze is a great way to access Yardi’s ecosystem without the overhead.
It is a more streamlined sibling of Yardi Voyager. Yardi Breeze is designed for smaller landlords. It trims out some of the heavy enterprise features and focuses on being easy to use, quick to set up, and ideal for portfolios under 100 units.
Being a part of the property management solutions offered by Yardi, Breeze is perfect for small landlords to scale up. Yardi Breeze also offers a mobile app that allows users to manage property maintenance, inspections, and tasks through their phones.
Pricing for Yardi Breeze starts at around $100/month and offers features like tenant communication, rent collection, marketing, and reporting.
2- TurboTenant
TurboTenant is free for landlords, with tenants covering the cost of application and screening fees. It’s designed with first-time landlords in mind and makes marketing your rental and collecting rent easy.
There’s no subscription fee, and you get access to screening, digital leases, and rent reminders. For anyone testing the waters or managing under 10 units, this is one of the most affordable landlord software solutions available on the market.
3- Innago
Innago also offers a free experience for landlords, supported by tenant-paid services. It covers core features like rent collection, maintenance tracking, and lease signing. It is ideal for landlords who want to keep things light but reliable; this platform checks all the right boxes.
It’s one of the better-known small landlord SaaS platforms, and the no-cost setup makes it easy to dive in.
4- TenantCloud
TenantCloud is another great option with a generous free tier. It includes maintenance management, rent collection, and a built-in accounting module. If you decide to grow your portfolio, it scales up nicely with paid plans starting at $16.50/month.
For landlords curious about starter plans for rental property software, this one keeps things flexible. Plus, it offers one of the best property software free trial offers on the market.
5- Stessa
More of a finance tracker than a full management system, Stessa excels at helping landlords track income, expenses, and tax data. It’s a perfect companion tool if your main concern is the books.
Owned by Roofstock, it’s completely free and built specifically for rental property owners. If you’re looking for reliable accounting tools for property managers, this one belongs on your shortlist.
6- Buildium
Buildium has long been a top contender in the small-to-mid-size property management space. Starting at $58/month, it’s not the cheapest, but it delivers a lot: accounting, leasing, rent collection, and more.
7- DoorLoop
DoorLoop is newer to the scene but already popular among landlords for its excellent customer support and clean layout. It starts at $69/month for 20 units and includes rent tracking, maintenance tools, and financial reports.
It integrates with QuickBooks and works well for landlords who want something that’s easy to set up but flexible enough to grow with them.
8- Rentec Direct
Rentec Direct combines in-depth accounting features with marketing and tenant tools. It’s geared toward independent landlords who want more customization without going fully enterprise.
Starting at $45/month for 10 units, it’s a solid middle-tier option. With features like credit screening, portals, and automated reporting, it offers a full suite of real estate management software features.
9- RentRedi
RentRedi is a mobile-first platform that allows landlords and tenants to do everything from their phones. From video-based maintenance requests to credit-building rent payments, it’s geared toward landlords on the go.
Pricing starts at $29.95/month with discounts for annual plans. If you’re looking to sign up for rental management software that doesn’t tie you to a desktop, RentRedi is a strong pick.
10- Avail
Backed by Realtor.com, Avail offers a clean interface, banking integrations, and solid tenant management tools. The free version is great, but the $9/unit/month Unlimited Plus plan unlocks automatic payments, waived ACH fees, and more customization options.
Great for landlords who want something that’s simple, scalable, and supported by a recognizable real estate brand. Avail also fits the bill for those looking into pricing for small property managers.
11- Hemlane
Hemlane offers a bit more of a hybrid approach, combining software tools with leasing and maintenance support from actual humans. Think of it as software with part-time help included.
Pricing starts at $30/month plus $2 per unit, making it a bit more expensive. For landlords tired of coordinating vendors and contractors, it could be a lifesaver.
12- AppFolio
AppFolio is better known among larger portfolios, but small landlords planning to grow often start here to avoid platform switching later. It includes everything from smart lease summaries to robust accounting tools.
Plans start at $1.49/unit/month with a $250 minimum, so it’s not suited for landlords with under 10 units. But if you’re aiming to grow quickly, it justifies the cost. It’s often compared to other property management tools like Yardi and Buildium (AppFolio vs Buildium vs Yardi). It is a favorite among those looking for long-term ROI.
13- Propertyware
Although geared more toward single-family portfolios, Propertyware works well for scattered-site rentals or landlords juggling properties in different markets. Pricing starts at $1/unit/month, but there’s a $250 monthly minimum.
If you’re okay with the minimum spend, it’s one of the most customizable platforms out there. For landlords with slightly more complex needs, it’s a powerful platform that covers marketing, maintenance, and reporting all in one place.
A Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the 13 best property management software for small landlords.
|
Software |
Pricing | Free Version | Key Features |
Best For |
| Yardi Breeze | Starts at $100/month |
No |
Rent collection, tenant communication, maintenance, reporting | Small landlords with plans to scale |
| TurboTenant | Free for landlords (tenant pays for screening) |
Yes |
Rent collection, marketing, screening, digital leases | First-time landlords, small units |
| Innago | Free for landlords (tenant pays for services) |
Yes |
Rent collection, lease signing, maintenance tracking | Small landlords who need simple tools |
| TenantCloud | Free tier, paid plans start at $16.50/month |
Yes |
Maintenance, rent collection, accounting, flexible paid plans | Small landlords, flexible growth options |
| Stessa | Free |
Yes |
Income/expense tracking, tax data, reporting | Landlords focusing on accounting |
| Buildium | Starts at $58/month |
No |
Accounting, leasing, rent collection, maintenance | Small-to-mid size landlords |
| DoorLoop | Starts at $69/month for 20 units |
No |
Rent tracking, maintenance, financial reporting, QuickBooks sync | Landlords needing an easy-to-use platform |
| Rentec Direct | Starts at $45/month for 10 units |
No |
Accounting, marketing, credit screening, portals | Independent landlords, customizable needs |
| RentRedi | Starts at $29.95/month |
No |
Mobile-first, video maintenance, credit-building rent payments | On-the-go landlords, mobile-focused users |
| Avail | Free version, Unlimited Plus $9/unit/month |
Yes |
Banking integrations, tenant management, ACH fee waivers | Simple, scalable platform for landlords |
| Hemlane | Starts at $30/month + $2/unit |
No |
Leasing support, vendor coordination, maintenance tracking | Landlords needing hybrid support |
| AppFolio | Starts at $1.49/unit/month (min $250/month) |
No |
Lease summaries, smart reporting, robust accounting tools | Small landlords planning for growth |
| Propertyware | Starts at $1/unit/month (min $250/month) |
No |
Customization, marketing, maintenance, reporting | Landlords with scattered-site portfolios |
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right property management software for small landlords doesn’t mean picking the flashiest platform. It means finding what fits your current workflow and budget.
Take advantage of property software free trial offers, weigh your must-have features, and don’t get stuck paying for more than you need. Whether you’re using it to collect rent, run background checks, or just stay organized, the best tool is the one that makes your life easier consistently.
Try a few. Trust your instincts. And when you find the one that clicks, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.
Looking to integrate Yardi into your current workflows? ND Consulting can help.
