Online rental application software helps property managers collect, review, and approve tenant applications digitally, a critical function considering that close to 90 percent of landlords review a combination of a tenant’s income, rental history, and criminal background. This technology streamlines your leasing process and saves time on administrative tasks.
The right software can help you eliminate manual leasing tasks, lower application costs, and improve tenant screening. In this post (and video), we’ll review seven of the best platforms available and help you choose the right one for your business.
But before we do that, let’s break down what rental application software is and what features you should be looking for.
What Is Online Rental Application Software?
Although each platform will offer some unique features, most online rental application software serves a similar purpose.
Comprehensive online rental application software helps streamline the tenant application process by collecting applicant information in one dashboard. From there, property managers can review applications, run screenings, check references, accept or reject applications, and send out lease agreements.
Key Features of Online Rental Application Software
Every online rental application software program will be slightly different. However, as a rule of thumb, whichever program you choose should include the following features:
Customizable Fields
First and foremost, you should be able to customize an application to suit your needs. After all, no two landlords look for identical qualifications from their tenants. If your application is static, you may find yourself unable to collect the information that’s most important to you.
With that in mind, look for a platform that provides customizable fields on its online rental application. The right software will allow you to add, edit, reorder, or change sections of your rental application as you see fit.
Sharable Application
Next, the application should be easy to share with potential tenants, no matter what form they’re requesting it in. Some applicants will prefer to receive a link to the application, others will ask to be sent an email, and some will want to fill out a paper copy.
As the landlord or property manager, you need to be able to easily fulfill each of these requests. To that end, your online rental application software should allow you to review, edit, and share copies of your application with just the push of a few buttons.
Mobile-Friendly Interface
Today’s rental applicants are increasingly tech-savvy. According to Buildium’s 2026 Property Management Industry Report, 91 percent of renters would prefer to complete at least some of the leasing process online.
Given those numbers, property managers should meet today’s on-the-go renters where they are and choose a software platform that works just as well on mobile as it does on desktop.
Website Integration
By the same token, any software program you choose needs to integrate easily with your website. At its core, integration is all about smoothly aggregating information from multiple sources into a single hub.
Your property management software ought to be that hub. Any information you collect – from leads to applications and background checks – should flow smoothly between the two platforms.
Application Management
Once you’ve collected all of your applications, you need to be able to keep track of how they’re moving through your pipeline. The right online rental software should allow you to quickly view the status of each application in the running,
However, beyond that, it should also give you the option to perform a manual edit on the application and to add or change information as needed. Having this ability at your fingertips will enable you to more effectively manage your application workflow.
Tenant Screening and Approval
Lastly, there’s no underestimating the importance of the tenant screening process when filling vacancies In order to make this process as easy as possible, you’ll want to choose a platform that has integrated background check capabilities.
Doing so will allow you to cut out the hassle of having to rely on a third-party provider for this service, as well as having to manually input the results of each background check into your property management software platform.
Why Use Online Rental Application Software?
There are many benefits to using online rental application software. However, the main one is that it can help improve efficiency for landlords and property managers. Put simply, if you select a platform that integrates well with your existing property management software, you can automate many of the laborious tasks that come along with filling vacancies in your property or community.
Once these tasks are automated, you’ll not only save time and energy, but you’ll also improve your efficiency. When your energy is no longer wasted on administrative tasks, you can turn your attention to your larger goals, such as growing your door counts, improving the tenant or resident experience, and increasing ROI.
How to Choose the Right Online Rental Application Software
Assess Your Portfolio’s Needs
Start by mapping your current leasing process to identify bottlenecks. Are you spending too much time on data entry or chasing applicants?
Consider these factors:
- Portfolio size: Small operations need different tools than large managers
- Complexity: Simple workflows vs. advanced reporting needs
- Pain points: Manual tasks that consume the most time
Create a list ranking must-have features against nice-to-haves before evaluating options.
Prioritize Ease of Use
A powerful system is only useful if your team actually uses it. During demos or trials, pay close attention to the user interface. Is it intuitive? Can your team complete basic tasks without a lot of guidance? The software should feel like it’s helping, not adding another layer of complexity to your day.
Look Beyond the Price Tag
The monthly subscription fee is just one part of the total cost. Ask about any setup fees, training costs, or charges for integrations. Some platforms charge per unit, while others have tiered pricing based on features. Calculate the total cost over a year to get a clearer picture and avoid surprises.
Plan for Future Growth
Your business won’t stay the same forever. Choose a platform that can scale with you as you add more doors or team members. Check if you can easily upgrade your plan or add new features down the road. You want a partner for the long haul, not a temporary fix.
Quick Selection Framework
| Portfolio Size | Recommended Focus | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1-20 units | Simplicity | Basic applications, online payments |
| 21-100 units | Efficiency | Screening integration, automated workflows |
| 100+ units | Scalability | Advanced reporting, API access, customization |
The Best Online Rental Application Software in 2026
If you’re ready to choose the right online rental application software for your property management business, we’ve curated a list of the seven best platforms that the industry has to offer. When choosing our picks, we looked at a variety of criteria, including available features, capacity for task automation, and overall ease of us.
1. Buildium: Great All-in-One Property Management Software
Buildium is a compressive property management software solution that is well-suited for property managers of all sizes, from individual landlords to community managers. It also has the capacity to handle commercial properties, as well as affordable and student housing arrangements.
Features
Buildium has a robust lineup of available features. In particular, the following are uniquely suited for managing the rental application process:
- Lease Management: Buildium offers a digital-first process from lead to lease that will make bringing in new tenants and renewing contracts a breeze:
- Rental Applications: The rental application software is easily customizable and can be shared with tenants with the click of a button.
- Tenant Screening: Powered by TransUnion, the integrated tenant screening software allows you to access full credit, crime, and eviction data, so that you can quickly fill vacancies with the most qualified applicants.
- PetScreening®: Buildium’s marketplace partner makes it easy to screen pets for housing-related risks and to review applications for animal accommodation requests, like ESAs.
Beyond rental application tools, Buildium also includes an impressive lineup of property management solutions, such as:
- Property Accounting: This tool gives you the ability to reconcile bank accounts, manage accounts payable, and record payments.
- Resident Portals: Each resident has access to a portal that allows you to track communications and maintenance requests, as well as collect payments.
- Maintenance Request Management: Both residents and owners can submit maintenance requests and any necessary supporting documentation.
- Maintenance Contact Center: The Maintenance Contact Center will help you answer maintenance calls 24/7, log requests in Buildium, and dispatch preferred vendors during emergencies.
- Open API: Our open API helps you integrate software solutions more efficiently.
Pricing
Buildium offers three pricing tiers, and all plans include these capabilities:
- Accounting
- Maintenance
- Task Management
- Violations
- Online Portals
- Resident & Board Member Communications
The pricing tiers are designed to grow with your business, allowing you to choose the size that suits your needs
- Essential: Starts at $62/month and includes Buildium’s core features, including a property management website and tenant screening tools
- Growth: Starts at $192/month and includes unlimited e-signatures, performance and business analytics, as well as live phone support
- Premium: Starts at $400/month for property managers who are focused on growth, including access to the open API, onboarding support, and assistance from a dedicated growth consultant
2. Propertyware: Fully-Customizable Property Management Software
Propertyware® may be best suited for property managers whose portfolios consist mainly of single-family homes. The platform is almost completely customizable, allowing property managers to tailor their software to meet the needs of their business at every level. This is perfect for property managers with a large number of properties with unique needs.
If your portfolio includes a smaller number of doors, or you’re looking for something more out-of-the box, however, Propertyway may not meet your needs.
Features
This software’s strongest application-oriented features include:
- Listing Widget and Syndication: Use its listing widget to create and customize listing ads based on the criteria your prospects are searching for.
- Lead Tracking: Track every prospect from the moment the lead comes into the day the lease is signed.
- Application Portals: Better manage your applicant pool and streamline the listing process by taking advantage of its application portals.
- Tenant Screening: Paired with AI technology, its comprehensive credit and background checks can help you lease with confidence.
- Leasing Contact Center: Let the leasing call center handle the hassle of fielding calls, scheduling showings, and answering tenant questions.
In addition to application-specific features, Propertyware® includes tools meant to assist owners through every step of the rental process, including:
- Property Management: This software offers owner and tenant portals and rent collection capabilities among other features to allow existing owner-tenant relations to operate smoothly.
- Maintenance: The software’s call center can field calls and dispatch vendors for you, while its integrated tracking features make it easy to keep work orders organized.
- Accounting: Propertyware comes with tailored-to-you dashboards and unlimited custom reports, so that you can stay on top of the information that matters most.
Pricing
Propertyware also offers three pricing options, starting with a flat fee per unit and a minimum monthly spend.
Each tier comes with the following, among other features:
- Custom reporting
- Marketing
- Property management
- Online portals
Its pricing tiers look like this:
- Basic: At $1.00 per unit, per month, the Basic plan maintenance and accounting features, tenant screening and rent collection capabilities, plus unlimited training and support.
- Plus: At $1.50 per unit/month (with a monthly minimum) and includes two‑way texting, e‑signatures, and inspections among other features.
- Premium: At $2.00 per unit, per month, the Premium plan includes all of the features in the other two plans in addition to maintenance project organization and online vendor portals.
3. RentSpree: Budget-Friendly Online Rental Application Software
If you’re on a budget and you’re only looking for online rental application software capabilities, RentSpree® could be a good fit. This rental application and tenant screening program is free for property managers and landlords because it passes its fee on to your applicants.
That said, if you’re looking for more robust property management software, you’ll need to look elsewhere, as RentSpree’s features are very limited.
Features
RentSpree focuses solely on the rental application process, offering features for:
- The application itself
- Credit and background checks
- Rental history
- Reference requests
- Invoice estimate
- Document uploads
Pricing
RentSpree also has three pricing tiers, Standard, Premium, and Application Only.
RentSpree’s standard screening (applicant-paid $39.99) includes the application, TransUnion credit, criminal background, and eviction history reports, Premium includes everything from Standard plus income estimate, automated reference requests, and document uploads. Applicants are charged $49.99.
Application Only is free for property managers and applicants, and includes just the application.
The PRO plan costs $19.99 per month for the property manager and includes the features listed above.
Finally, RentSpree currently charges a $3 processing fee per recurring payment to the landlord (ACH), while renters pay a 3% fee when paying by card.
4. RentRedi: On-the-Go Online Rental Application Software
RentRedi® has separate landlord and tenant apps; the landlord app supports listings/marketing, screening, e‑signing leases, rent collection, maintenance, and core accounting tasks.
While these features may be ideal for the property manager who’s always on the go, this software lacks some accounting features and may not be as useful to those who are looking for an all–in-one property management software solution.
Features
RentRedi’s features can be broken down into two categories: the features offered by the owner app and the features offered by the tenant app.
For its part, the owner app enables owners to list and market properties, conduct tenant screenings, e-sign leases, collect and cash rent payments, manage maintenance requests, and complete some accounting tasks.
Meanwhile, the tenant app allows them to submit rental applications and maintenance requests, make mobile payments, and manage their rental insurance. The tenant app comes with a credit boost feature, as well, that’s aimed at helping tenants improve their credit scores.
Pricing
RentRedi charges a flat monthly fee for its services in three distinct payment plans: a monthly plan, a six-month plan, and an annual plan. The further in advance you pay, the more you can save.
Here’s how the pricing breaks down:
- Start Plan: $5/month
- Growth Plan: $29.95 / month when billed monthly. $12/month when billed annually.
- Pro Plan: Custom pricing (reach out to their sales team for a quote)
5. TurboTenant: Online Rental Application Software with Rent Collection
TurboTenant® is another software platform that’s focused mainly on the rental application process. It offers an online application and the ability to market listings—plus tenant screening and rent collection capabilities. However, it lacks robust accounting tools and maintenance request administration. It’s likely a better fit for owners with smaller door counts, who may not need a truly comprehensive software solution.
Features
The feature that sets TurboTenant apart from other platforms on this list is its documentation offerings. The platform boasts two distinct purchase options: a ready-made forms package or a state-specific lease drawn up by a local lawyer to help ensure compliance.
Beyond that, although its reporting features are not as built-out as other software programs, TurboTenant does allow owners to sync their rent payments, expenses, and bank accounts, making it easy to keep track of your finances at a glance.
Pricing
TurboTenant offers a free base plan and a paid premium option.
TurboTenant’s free plan includes listings, applications/screening, online rent collection, and maintenance requests; state‑specific leases are $59 per lease or included on paid tiers.
The premium plan, which costs $9.92/month includes everything in the free plan, plus:
- Priority listing review
- Lower screening fees for tenants
- Unlimited lease agreements
- Expedited rent payouts
6. TenantCloud: Online Rental Application Software for DIY Landlords
Of all the software platforms on this list, TenantCloud® takes the most DIY approach and may be an ideal solution for hands-on owners who manage their own properties. Property managers, on the other hand, may want a platform that allows for more automation.
Features
Like most of the other platforms highlighted, TenantCloud offers similar accounting, tenant screening, rent collection, and maintenance tracking features. It also has some unique offerings.
For example, TenantCloud’s Roommates features support separate invoicing and individual rent collection for each roommate within the same lease or a combined lease scenario. TenantCloud’s Rentability Report provides market pricing insights to help set rent competitively (priced at $19.95 per report). Finally, it also offers a maintenance bidding feature, which lets you put your maintenance tasks out to bid with ease.
Pricing
TenantCloud has four pricing tiers: Starter $18/mo ($16.50/mo billed annually), Growth $35/mo ($32.10 annually), Pro $60/mo ($55 annually), and Business (custom).The features you’ll have access to will vary depending on which plan you choose.
The tiers scale from Starter (rent payments, maintenance, listings/applications) to Growth (adds inspections, enhanced reporting, message board), to Pro (adds tax reports, bank reconciliation, owner portal), to Business (adds team/task management and UI customization)
7. SimplifyEm: Online Rental Applications Software with Day-to-Day Management Features
SimplifyEm® can help you streamline some of your day-to-day operations as an owner or property manager and gain more efficiency. However, its suite of features is less built out than other software solutions, so individuals with larger portfolios or those who are growth-minded may need to look elsewhere.
Features
SimplifyEm has some essential features yo, including tenant applications and screening, financial reporting, maintenance request tracking, tenant and owner portals, and integrations with QuickBooks® and Excel®.
It also has a built-in library of state-specific leases, as well as other property management forms, such as rental inspection and eviction notices. It allows owners to check tenant balances, generate invoices and statements, and collect rental payments securely with just a few clicks,
Pricing
SimplifyEm’s pricing is based on door count. You’ll pay a flat monthly fee based on the number of units you manage. The tiers range from less than ten units, which starts at just $40/month, up to 2,000 units, which will cost you $2,015/month.
The features that are included in your plan will vary based on your door count. Every plan includes the following:
- Email, text, and live support
- Income and expense tracking
- Report generation
- Managing tenant and lease information
- Managing vendors and year-end tax reporting
- Renters insurance
- Document storage
As your door count grows, you’ll gain access to more included features. If you need access to a specific feature that’s not included in your plan, you can still add it for an additional fee.
Which Online Rental Application Software Is Right for You?
As you can see, when you want to enhance your application process, there’s no shortage of platforms to choose from. The best software is the one that helps you vet applicants thoroughly in a way that’s fast enough to capture your ideal tenants. To achieve this, the software should be efficient and simple to use, something you can only really be sure of by testing it out yourself. That’s why Buildium offers a no-risk, 14-day free trial.
Comprehensive software such as Buildium gives you another important benefit: a seamless connection between your application process to the rest of your lease and property management tools. That level of efficiency makes quality property management software well worth the investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information is gathered in an online rental application?
Most applications collect tenant identification, rental history, income verification, and references. The specific fields vary by property manager preferences.
How long does it take to set up an online rental application?
Online rental applications can be set up quickly using pre‑built templates, though exact setup time varies by platform and customization needs.
How can online rental application software integrate with other software tools?
Most platforms use APIs to connect with accounting software, screening services, and other property management tools. This eliminates duplicate data entry across systems.
How can online rental application software be scaled when managing multiple properties?
Most software scales through tiered pricing plans that add features as your portfolio grows. Core functions like applications and screening remain available at all levels.
How does online rental application software ensure compliance with local rental laws and regulations?
Using online rental application software helps you comply with local rental laws and regulations because it helps you develop a consistent process for screening each tenant, which can help guard against Fair Housing complaints.
