It’s no secret that investing in real estate can be extremely rewarding. However, whether on a large- or small-scale, overseeing a portfolio of rental properties can quickly become overwhelming without the right strategy and tools in place.
The good news is there are numerous tools available on the market today for multifamily property managers to help streamline some of the tedious daily tasks associated with managing rental properties. And they aim to simplify the job, allowing you to run your business more efficiently and effectively.
What is Rental Property Management Software?
In the property rental world, landlords and managers must secure and vet tenants, ensure timely payments, deal with maintenance issues, and stay on top of expenses. One of the most valuable technologies – rental property management software – is designed to enhance and streamline the property management process.
For starters, it can make tracking property income and expenses easier for those in charge. It also provides users with a broad range of helpful features that span the screening and applicant process, marketing properties, maintenance, and reporting.
Additionally, the software features owner and tenant portals that significantly improve communication between the two parties, including useful messaging tools that send out automated rent reminders and the ability to collect rent online easily.
However, before you hit “purchase” on the first option you find online, it’s essential to understand that rental property management software can vary significantly in scale, features, and cost.
For example, some software packages are designed for large-scale firms that manage hundreds – or even thousands – of units, while other technology is aimed at smaller operations, such as individual landlords that may have just a couple of rental properties.
The key is to choose the best property management software that suits the size of your specific needs.
Types of Property Management Software & Their Key Features
If you’re unfamiliar with the technology, property management software can be desktop- or cloud-based.
The benefits of desktop, an on-premise property management software option, include complete ownership and control of the hardware and credible data security, which is a critical consideration for any business. In addition, desktop software delivers customization opportunities depending on your business needs.
An increasingly popular option, cloud-based property management software, allows users to access crucial information remotely from different devices, making it possible to oversee various tasks on the go.
Best Property Management Software – Our Top Picks
As noted above, there are numerous software solutions available for property management companies and landlords that vary in scale, functionality, and price tag.
Here’s a peek at just some of the many offerings available today and what type of users may benefit from each option.
Yardi Voyager
Yardi Voyager is a comprehensive platform that centralizes operations, leasing, accounting, maintenance, and analytics in a single database. Designed for larger portfolios and enterprise users, it streamlines workflows and provides real‑time insight into property performance across residential, commercial, affordable, and specialty property types.
Pros
- All‑in‑one platformÂ
- Robust reporting & analytics: offers strong financial management and customizable dashboards.
- Supports diverse property types and portfolios, from multifamily to specialty housing.
Cons
- Steep learning curve. Complexity can require longer onboarding and training.
- Higher cost. Licensing and implementation may be expensive for smaller portfolios.
RealPage OneSite
RealPage OneSite is a property management platform designed to give large multifamily operators and enterprise teams a centralized command center for their portfolios. It combines AI-driven automation, predictive analytics, and robust operational tools to not only manage properties but also proactively optimize leasing, financials, and resident engagement. Its strength lies in turning complex, portfolio-wide data into actionable insights, helping teams make smarter decisions faster.
Pros
- Automated workflows and predictive analytics reduce manual tasks and help teams forecast property needs
- Centralized dashboards and real-time reporting
- Built to support large portfolios with diverse property types
Cons
- Features can be overwhelming for teams without dedicated training or experience on enterprise platforms
- Some users report that navigation and task flows can feel cumbersome, particularly for day-to-day operational tasks
Entrata
Entrata is another versatile property management software platform designed to centralize leasing, accounting, maintenance, resident services, marketing, and reporting within a single cloud‑based system. It aims to streamline day‑to‑day operations for property managers of multifamily, student housing, and other types of portfolios, while offering resident portals and automation tools to improve tenant experience and operational efficiency.
Pros
- User-friendly interface, both for property managers and residentsÂ
- Accessible for a multitude of property typesÂ
- Comprehensive platform with customizable workflowsÂ
Cons
- Implementation can be time-consuming for smaller teams, due to the platform’s robust nature
Buildium
One of the most comprehensive cloud-based programs, Buildium offers tools to manage all aspects of a rental property through a mobile portal. It also provides top-rated customer support, analytics, and insights to give you an in-depth perspective on your business performance. Flexible pricing also allows users to pay for only what they need.
Buildium is ideal for a wide range of portfolios, including single- and multifamily properties, commercial properties, community associations, and more, and you can easily customize your subscription based on what you need for your business.
Pros
- User-friendly interface
- All-in-one suite
- Various subscription plan options allow a customizable fit for diverse portfolio sizes
- Self-guided online training program
Cons
- Ticket-based system for customer service
- May not be ideal for single-unit property owners
- Depending on the budget, tiered subscription plans may not be affordable (depending on desired services/features)
TurboTenant
Pros
- Automated listing syndication to major rental sites
- Built-in tenant screening (credit, criminal, eviction)
- Online rent collection with reminders and tracking
- Simple, landlord-friendly interface
Cons
- Not built for large or complex portfolios
- Priority support requires paid plans
Yardi Breeze
Yardi Breeze is known in the industry as an easy-to-learn, straightforward rental property software – and its easy to learn how to use. It offers tools and features to maintain and manage numerous rental properties, from residential to commercial, self-storage, and affordable housing.
With a web-based suite of tools that enables property management companies and landlords to transform how they manage their properties, this technology can improve how you run your business and increase efficiency for daily tasks.
Pros
- Intuitive, user-friendly software
- Responsive, helpful customer support
- Seamless third-party integration
Cons
- Compared with enterprise tools like Voyager, Breeze lacks deeper customization or advanced accounting controls
- Limited mobile experienceÂ
How Much Does Property Management Software Cost?
Pricing for rental property management software varies from free to costing several thousand dollars. Sound confusing?
To better understand, the cost often depends on the pricing model and the number of units. Typically, the three different pricing models in property management software include:
- Per unit, per month: Charges a flat rate for each unit monthly, typically anywhere from $1-5
- Feature-based tiers: A hybrid per unit, per month mode that uses base pricing tiers based on collections of features
- Per square foot, per month: Often seen in commercial property management software, instead of per unit, per month, this model charges a set amount monthly per X number of square feet
To Sum Up
Software solutions that enable property management companies and landlords to track tenant information have been around for many years. However, an increased desire for valuable data analytics and lowering overhead costs is driving rental property owners to take a more digital approach. Many are shifting from antiquated business methods to adopting more efficient, streamlined approaches.
With the support of property management software, you can more easily manage your rental portfolio, save headaches, time, and money, and, most importantly, get back to focusing on what’s most important – growing your business.
Chat with our sales team to learn about our comprehensive fraud solution
