Prices checked on October 15, 2026 Prices change. Confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
If you just bought your first rental, start free: TurboTenant for listings, screening ($45, usually renter-paid) and online rent; Baselane Core for banking, rent and Schedule E; or Stessa Essentials for unlimited properties with bank feeds and rent. Add REI Hub if you want dedicated books without banking. Upgrade later only if you need e-sign leases, faster payouts or automation.
What first-time landlords need
- Fill the vacancy. List the unit and screen applicants. TurboTenant includes both on its free plan.
- Collect rent. Online ACH/card with reminders. Free on TurboTenant, Baselane Core and Stessa Essentials.
- Keep simple books. Track income and expenses by property and produce a Schedule E. Baselane Core and REI Hub's free plan both include Schedule E reports. Stessa's Schedule E starts on Manage ($12/mo annual).
- Stay organized. One place for the lease, payments and maintenance notes.
Starter stack (free plans)
| Need | Free option | Paid upgrade when… |
|---|---|---|
| List + screen + rent | TurboTenant ($0; screening $45 renter-paid) | You want online leases/e-sign, income verification or free ACH (paid tiers from $12.42/mo) |
| Banking + rent + Schedule E | Baselane Core ($0) | You want 2-day deposits or auto-tagging (Smart $20/mo annual) |
| Accounting, unlimited properties | Stessa Essentials ($0) | You need Schedule E or legal forms (Manage $12/mo annual) |
| Bookkeeping only | REI Hub free (no auto import) | You want automatic bank import ($9/mo annual for up to 3 units) |
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Next reads: how to collect rent online, tenant screening checklist, and free vs paid landlord software.
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Do I need paid software for one rental?
Often no. Free plans from TurboTenant, Baselane and Stessa cover listing or banking, screening or rent collection, and basic books.
What should I set up first?
Listing and screening so you can fill the unit, then online rent collection, then bookkeeping before tax season.
Who pays for tenant screening?
On TurboTenant and RentRedi the applicant normally pays: TurboTenant lists $45, and RentRedi lists $39.99, or $49.99 with income verification. TurboTenant says landlords can choose to pay it themselves. Baselane lists tenant screening from $24.99.
General information, not tax advice. Ask a tax professional about your situation.
Sources
- TurboTenant pricing: https://www.turbotenant.com/pricing/
- Baselane pricing: https://www.baselane.com/pricing
- Stessa pricing: https://www.stessa.com/pricing/
- REI Hub pricing: https://www.reihub.net/pricing/
- RentRedi pricing: https://rentredi.com/pricing/
All prices and features above come from these vendor pages, checked on October 15, 2026. Details we couldn't confirm there are left out.