Landlords have a lot of responsibilities. One of the most important—and time-consuming—tasks is rent collection. These days, many landlords are trading in their checkbooks for mobile apps to collect rent payments. It’s easy to understand why.

With a mobile app that helps you collect rent, there’s no more waiting for checks in the mail or making physical runs to the bank. There also tends to be fewer late payments. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can now automate many of your day-to-day tasks, track payment status in real time, and improve communication with your tenants.

This article guides you through 11 of the best mobile apps we believe empower landlords to collect rent efficiently. We’ve carefully chosen these apps based on their functionality, user reviews, and cost-effectiveness:

1. Stessa
2. Buildium
3. PayYourRent
4. TenantCloud
5. TurboTenant
6. Rentec Direct
7. Zillow Rental Manager
8. RentRedi
9. Zelle
10. PayPal
11. Venmo

Each app has unique features, but they all share the common goal of simplifying the rent collection process. So, whether you’re managing a single property or a vast portfolio, there’s probably an app on this list that caters to your particular needs.

 

What to look for in a good rent collection app 

After talking to thousands of landlords, we’ve learned what features matter most to them. Here are some essential features that a top-notch rent collection app should possess:

• Automated rent reminders: Sending automatic reminders to tenants when rent is due reduces the chance of late or forgotten payments.
• Recurring ACH deposits: A crucial feature is the ability to set up recurring ACH deposits for rent collection, ensuring a steady flow of income without manual effort.
• Late fee controls: Flexibility in charging late fees—whether they’re applied automatically, manually, or not at all—helps maintain a fair and transparent relationship with tenants.
• Integrated accounting tools: Having built-in accounting tools to track and log every rent payment simplifies financial management and recordkeeping.
• Tenant-friendly payment options: Making it easy for tenants to pay on time by offering recurring ACH payments can significantly improve the rent collection process.
• Real-time updates: Landlords should be able to receive real-time updates on rent deposits, check tenant ledgers, and run financial reports for seamless property management.
• Safety and security: Last but certainly not least, the app should have robust security features, such as multi-layer encryption and strong access controls, designed to protect landlord and tenant information.

 

11 top mobile apps for collecting rent

1. Stessa

Stessa is a comprehensive property management platform designed to simplify and streamline multiple routine landlord tasks. The platform offers a range of features, including online rent collection, accounting automation, report generation, vacancy marketing, leases and landlord forms, tenant screening, and landlord banking. Its intuitive, user-friendly interface is easy to navigate, even for those who aren’t particularly tech-savvy. 

Stessa customers benefit from real-time dashboards and reports, legal templates for leases with eSigning capabilities, and a high-yield bank account for each property. With Stessa’s mobile app, you can manage your portfolio on the go, making it a one-stop solution for maximizing returns while saving time and money.

Features

• Automated rent reminders: Stessa’s automated rent reminders ensure tenants are notified about upcoming payments, reducing the possibility of late or missed payments.
  
  
• Recurring ACH deposits: Tenants can set up recurring ACH payments, eliminating the need for manual rent payments each month and adding convenience for both parties.
• Tenant ledger updates: Stessa’s system automatically updates tenant ledgers after each transaction, providing a transparent record of all payments made and due.
• Bookkeeping automation: Every rent payment is automatically assigned to the correct property in Stessa’s accounting tools, simplifying your bookkeeping.
• Automatic late fees: Landlords have the flexibility to turn on automatic late fees, which can motivate tenants to pay rent on time. You can also charge late fees manually or not at all.
• Rent collection dashboard: The dashboard provides an overview of the rent collection process so you can monitor and manage rent payments.
• Security measures: With partners Plaid and Yodlee, Stessa delivers multi-layer encryption, strong access controls, and robust security audits, protecting landlord and tenant information.

Landlord banking

Stessa’s landlord banking features are the foundation of a more efficient way to manage rental property finances. A suite of tools integrated into the platform provides a comprehensive view of your financial picture and streamlines many of the tasks associated with property management, including rent collection. Here are the primary features of Stessa’s Cash Management services: 

• Opening accounts: Open as many personal and business accounts as you need. There are no minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees. You can also establish separate bank accounts for each rental property or portfolio of assets, which makes tracking income and expenses for individual properties much easier.
• Rent collection: With an automated rent collection option, you can set reminders for rent payments, and the rent is deposited directly into your Stessa Cash Management account.
• High APY: You can earn interest on your balances, providing an additional source of income. These accounts offer a high annual percentage yield (APY) compared to traditional checking accounts. 
• Debit cards: Stessa Cash Management accounts come with the option to have virtual or physical debit cards. You can link each card to a specific property, which ensures that expenses get assigned to the correct property automatically. Use them wherever Visa cards are accepted, offering flexibility for online payments and real-world transactions.
• Integration with accounting features: With all these features seamlessly integrated with Stessa’s accounting tools, you can sync your accounts with banks, lenders, credit cards, and property managers. You get a comprehensive overview of your financial data in one place, eliminating manual data entry and reducing the risk of missing or incomplete information.

Pricing

Stessa’s tiered pricing structure can accommodate the unique requirements and budgets of different owners of residential rental properties:

You can always start with the Essentials plan and upgrade to a paid plan as your portfolio expands and your needs evolve.

App Store rating

4.8 stars/4,400 reviews from the Apple App Store as of February 2024.

*Stessa is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Blue Ridge Bank, N.A., member FDIC. The national rate is the average of rates paid by all insured depository institutions and credit unions for which data is available to the FDIC, with rates weighted by each institution’s share of domestic deposits. 

 

2. Buildium

Buildium is comprehensive property management software offering a wide array of features, from property accounting to tenant background checks and leasing process management. 

The rent collection feature gives tenants multiple payment options like ACH transfers, credit/debit card payments, electronic checks, and even cash payments at certain retail locations.

Pricing

Buildium offers 3 pricing plans:

• Essential: Starting at $55/month, this plan is best for smaller landlords who wish to automate routine property management tasks like rent collection.
• Growth: Starting at $174/month, this plan has all the Essential plan features and includes additional support and insights for improved performance.
• Premium: Starting at $375/month, this plan includes all the Growth plan features plus offers open API and insights-to-action capabilities.

Each incoming EFT transaction costs $1.25, though these fees are waived on the Growth or Premium plans. Outgoing EFT transactions are $0.50 per transaction on all plans. Additionally, for payments processed by credit card, there is a fee of 2.99% per transaction.

Bank account setup costs $99 per bank account for the Essentials Plan. However, the Growth and Premium plans offer a limited number of free bank accounts before this fee applies.

Buildium offers a free 14-day trial with sample data and custom pricing for community associations or portfolios with over 5,000 units.

Pros:

• Conveniently receive resident payments through the app
• Detailed access to property, tenant, owner, and vendor information
• Faster, sleeker, and easier to navigate than previous versions
• Manage tasks and work orders on the go
• Call, text, or email contacts directly, simplifying communication

Cons:

• Missing certain features, like viewing the total tenant balance due and the amount collected
• Lacks the ability to set a default sort for the payments screen
• Issues reported with the cancellation and refund process
• Important information sometimes hidden behind menus and difficult to find
• Reports of a lack of responsiveness when using the app on mobile devices

App Store rating

4.7 stars/3,000 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

3. PayYourRent

PayYourRent is a versatile online and mobile rent payment software for property managers and landlords. It streamlines the process of collecting rent, offering same-day processing and swift deposits into the property’s bank account. 

Beyond rent collection, PayYourRent is a property management tool with features for handling maintenance requests, rental applications, resident screening, and announcements.

Pricing

The PayYourRent app offers 3 pricing plans:

• Rental Plan: Priced at $9.95/month for 1 to 5 units, this plan includes one ACH transaction every month. Additional ACH transactions are $2.50 each. Credit card payment fees are 2.95% plus $0.20 for each transaction, while Amex payments incur slightly higher fees at 3.25% plus $0.20 per transaction. 
• Landlord Plan: Priced at $19.95/month for those managing 6 to 50 units, this plan includes 10 monthly ACH transactions while maintaining the same additional transaction and credit card payment fees as the Rental Plan.
• Corporate Plan: For portfolios with more than 50 units, this plan has no monthly cost plus no setup or PCI compliance fees. The ACH fee varies and requires contacting PayYourRent directly for more details. The fees for credit card payments are the same as the other plans.

Pros:

• Reliable software for rent collection, earning trust from users
• Offers the convenience of paying rent on the go
• Invoice and payment history available for tenants
• Supports both one-time and recurring payments
• Includes features like maintenance request submission and manager announcements

Cons:

• Capabilities may be limited for some users
• App is somewhat less user-friendly than the mobile website version
• Users have reported formatting issues, leading to a less-than-optimal user experience
• Users have reported inaccuracies in invoices and difficulty when trying to flag incorrect invoices for correction

App Store rating

2.5 stars/20 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

4. TenantCloud

TenantCloud assists with online rent collection, tenant screening, vacancy marketing, and maintenance request management. The app’s rent collection feature enables seamless online transactions, offering direct bank transfers, mobile payments, and the convenience of setting up automatic monthly payments.

Pricing

There are 4 pricing plans, ranging from $17/month to $55/month when paying monthly, for unlimited properties and units, and discounts are available for annual billing. ACH rent payments vary from $1.25 to $1.95, depending on the plan selected. Rent paid with a credit card costs the tenant $0.30 plus 3.5% of the amount paid.

Pros:

• Ability to collect rent online and receive rental applications
• Excellent cloud-based platform, accessible from any device at any time
• Offers solid customer support
• Extensive property management system, covering tenant screening to maintenance requests
• Provides a customizable marketing website for advertising vacancies

Cons:

• Slow payment processing times and bank account connections  
• Limited payment methods, doesn’t include popular apps like Cash App
• Reports of delays in rent payments getting deposited
• Interface for connecting with banks could use improvement
• Processing times for ACH payments can take 5–7 business days

App Store rating

3.8 stars/687 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

5. TurboTenant

TurboTenant offers an array of features, from advertising and tenant screening to lease agreements and accounting. The rent collection feature has multiple payment options, the capability for partial payments, automatic late fees, and a dedicated dashboard for tracking payments, all accessible from any device.

Pricing

TurboTenant offers a free plan, which includes online rent collection with an ACH rent payment option for $2 per transaction. The Premium plan is $8.25/month, billed annually, with ACH fees waived. Rent paid with a credit or debit card incurs a fee of 3.49% with each plan. 

Pros:

• User-friendly interface that simplifies managing tenant applications, lease agreements, rent collection, and communications
• Comprehensive tools for finding and managing good tenants, including push notifications, in-app messaging, rental marketing, and screening reports
• Expanded maintenance requests feature in the mobile app
• Partnership with Lula for end-to-end support in finding contractors and resolving issues

Cons:

• Reports of account suspension without proper information and a requirement to provide documents via email
• Some complaints about a lack of professionalism in locking users out and holding their data
• Some claims of issues with the payments feature, indicating possible problems with the rent collection functionality
• Privacy practices may vary based on the features used or the user’s age, causing concerns among certain users

App Store rating

4.8 stars/1,400 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

6. Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct offers a full suite of features, including accounting tools, leasing and management capabilities, tenant screening, and vacancy syndication. Tenants can make online rent payments via ACH, credit card, or electronic cash payments, which are then automatically tracked and recorded in the software.

Pricing

The Rentec Pro plan starts at $45/month for up to 10 units, providing a thorough suite of property management tools. ACH transactions are free for online rent payments, and credit/debit card transactions incur a 2.95% fee.

Rentec Direct also offers an electronic cash payment option. This feature has a setup cost of $200 and a monthly cost of $3.99 (paid by tenant), with a minimum of 10 transactions monthly.

Pros:

• Features like viewing payment status, paying rent online, scheduling automatic monthly payments, and seeing rental billing history provide users with full control over their financial transactions
• Offers instant access to property and rental data on the go

Cons:

• Some user reports of glitches and issues with the app, including problems with the login function
• User reported challenges with customer service representatives, indicating potential issues with support
• A few users mentioned their funds were placed on hold until they provided additional documentation and opened a new bank account, which they found inconvenient

App Store rating

2.6 stars/31 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

7. Zillow Rental Manager

Zillow Rental Manager provides an efficient method for landlords to collect rent online. The app deposits rent payments directly into your account, eliminating the need for physical checks or cash transactions. For added convenience, renters can set up autopay for recurring payments, making rent payments more predictable and timely.

Pricing

The online payment feature is free for landlords and tenants can make ACH payments at no extra cost. In partnership with Stripe™ and Plaid™, Zillow works to deliver secure transactions that protect both landlords’ and tenants’ financial information.

Setting up online payments is straightforward, requiring only a few steps by the landlord, including inviting tenants to pay rent online using ACH, credit, or debit. If tenants pay via credit card, they incur a 2.95% fee, while a $9.95 convenience fee applies for debit payments.

Pros:

• Supports the entire rental process, from listing to communication, along with rental paperwork support, making it a comprehensive tool for landlords
• User-friendly and easy to navigate, enhancing the overall user experience

Cons:

• Some users report money missing or not properly recorded with payments made using the app
• There are complaints that the app doesn’t allow landlords to charge an application fee to prospective tenants.

App Store rating

4.6 stars/10,100 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

8. RentRedi

RentRedi is a comprehensive landlord-tenant app that simplifies rental management, from screening applicants to handling maintenance requests. The app’s rent collection feature allows landlords to receive payments directly into their accounts within 4–5 business days. It supports various payment methods, including ACH, bank transfers, credit cards, and cash.

Pricing

RentRedi offers 3 pricing plans, from $9/month to $19/month for unlimited tenants and units. Each plan includes key features such as rent collection, listing tools, lease signing, document storage, and maintenance request management.

Online ACH or cash rent payments via Chime deposit are charged $1 per payment. Credit card payments carry a processing fee of 3.1% plus $0.30.

Pros:

• Excellent customer service, often exceeding user expectations
• Allows for remote management of properties, an invaluable feature for landlords operating from outside the state

Cons:

• Users report setting up properties within the app isn’t straightforward
• Some users point out issues with notifications, leading to missed rent payments

App Store rating

• RentRedi owner app: 4.0 stars/180 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024
• RentRedi tenant app: 4.7 stars/5,200 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

9. Zelle

Zelle is a fast, mostly safe, and relatively easy-to-use app for sending and receiving money with friends, family, and others you trust, including those who bank at different institutions. It’s integrated into many banking apps, and you can set it up with your mobile number and Visa® or Mastercard® debit card.

As a landlord, you can use Zelle to request rent from tenants. To do this, both parties must have a bank account compatible with Zelle. Your tenant needs your email address or the mobile number linked to your Zelle account, and you can then send a request for funds to the tenant through the app.

Pricing

When using Zelle for rent payments, one of the main advantages is that there are typically no fees incurred by either the landlord or the tenant. That’s because Zelle transfers funds directly between bank accounts and does not charge transaction fees. However, individual banks may have their own fees associated with transferring or receiving money.

Pros of using Zelle for rent payments:

• Zero transaction fees, making it cost-effective for both landlords and tenants
• Funds available within minutes for quick access to rent payments 
• Offered by banks and credit unions, providing high-level security for transactions

Cons of using Zelle for rent payments:

• No features like rent reminders, lease agreement tools, maintenance request tracking, or tenant screening
• Lacks support for automatic recurring payments, potentially making rent collection less convenient
• Designed for personal transactions, Zelle lacks a rent payment ledger or receipt system, which makes recordkeeping more challenging
• It’s difficult, if not impossible, to recover funds mistakenly sent to the wrong recipient

App Store rating

4.8 stars/507,200 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

10. PayPal

The PayPal app is an all-in-one digital wallet. It enables payments between parties through online money transfers, making it a versatile tool for individuals and businesses.

For rent collection, landlords can use the PayPal app to request payment from tenants. The tenant simply clicks on the payment request notification and follows the prompts to complete the transaction. PayPal makes it easy to track payments and provides both parties with a record of each transaction.

Pricing

When using PayPal for rent payments, the landlord typically incurs a fee of about 2.9% plus a fixed fee based on the currency received. For tenants, there are usually no fees involved when paying rent if they send money from their PayPal balance or linked bank account. However, tenants may incur a fee if they use a credit or debit card to pay rent.

Pros:

• Widely accepted and used, convenient for both landlords and tenants
• Offers payment protection, providing some level of security and dispute resolution
• Detailed receipts with transactions, helping to maintain a clear record of all rent payments

Cons:

• Landlords charged a fee for receiving money as payment for goods and services
• No features specific to rental management, such as lease agreement tools, tenant screening, or maintenance request tracking
• Known to freeze accounts for suspicious activity, potentially delaying access to funds

App Store rating

4.8 stars/6,300,000 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

11. Venmo 

Venmo is a popular peer-to-peer payment app owned by PayPal that allows for quick and easy money transfers between users. Known for its social timeline feed, it offers a unique, social way to manage transactions.

Landlords can request rent payments directly from their tenants using the Venmo app. Once the tenant receives the request, they approve the payment to complete the transaction. Venmo provides a convenient, low-cost solution for rent collection and maintains a log of transactions for future reference.

Pricing

When used for rent payments, Venmo typically charges landlords a fee of 1.9% plus an additional $0.10 charge. That’s because rent is considered a business transaction. Additionally, if landlords opt for instant transfers on Venmo, they may face a fee of 1.5% (with a minimum fee of $0.25 and a maximum fee of $15).

For tenants, there are usually no fees for sending money via Venmo from a linked bank account, debit card, or Venmo balance. However, a fee is applied when sending money from a credit card.

Pros:

• Widely used and accepted, making it easy for tenants to pay rent without needing to set up a new account on another platform
• Payments are typically instant, meaning landlords can access rent payments quickly
• “Send payment” requests can serve as a digital reminder for rent due dates

Cons:

• Business transactions, such as rent, may incur a fee of 1.9% + $0.10 per transaction, adding up over time 
• No features like tenant screening, maintenance request tracking, or lease agreement tools
• Transactions not encrypted like bank transfers, which may pose potential security risks
• Lacks option for automatic recurring payments, meaning landlords or tenants must remember to send or request rent each month

App Store rating

4.9 stars/15,400,000 reviews from the Apple App Store as of January 11, 2024

 

Next step: Accelerate your rent collection with the Stessa mobile app

The days of chasing checks and manual recordkeeping are over. These top-tier apps each offer features to facilitate rent collection. 

Among them, Stessa stands out with advanced features like accounting, tenant screening, landlord banking, and automated rent reminders. 

Plus, the convenience of setting up recurring ACH deposits and tracking every rent payment makes Stessa a powerful tool for landlords. Its robust security measures protect your data, while the integrated accounting system ensures accurate financial records.

Embrace the digital revolution and transform your rent collection process with the help of these versatile mobile apps. Ready to make rent collection a breeze? Sign up for a free Stessa account and download the mobile app today.

 

All pricing reflected in this article is current as of the date of publication and is subject to change.  Please visit the app provider’s website for current pricing and features.