Managing just a few rental units may seem simple—until you’re chasing late payments, handling maintenance requests at midnight, or misplacing lease agreements. Small landlords often juggle everything themselves, which makes reliable property management software not just helpful—but essential.
Whether you own one duplex or a handful of rental homes, the right software can save hours each week, improve tenant relationships, and help you stay compliant. In this guide, we’ll compare the best property management software options for small landlords in 2025 and highlight the must-have features to look for—especially if you’re seeking simplicity, affordability, scalability, and outstanding support.
What Is the Best Property Management Software for Small Landlords?
Many small landlords don’t need complex tools designed for enterprise property managers. But that doesn’t mean you should settle for spreadsheets or outdated systems. Here’s what you should expect from modern property management software:
Essential Features Small Landlords Should Look For
Look for software that covers the core tasks every landlord faces:
- Online rent collection with auto-payment options
- Lease tracking and digital document storage
- Tenant screening built into the application workflow
- Automated reminders for rent due dates and renewals
- Maintenance request tracking from tenants
SimplifyEm, for example, includes all of these essential tools in its base plan—without requiring complicated setup or expensive add-ons. And if you’re a small landlord planning to grow your portfolio, SimplifyEm can scale with you by offering full accounting and a robust CRM to manage more properties and tenants efficiently.
Why Customer Support Matters for Small Landlords
Support often gets overlooked—until you’re stuck trying to figure something out on your own.
Unlike many platforms that rely on bots or email-only support, SimplifyEm provides live phone, email, and chat support as part of its commitment to delivering a WOW customer experience. Their support team is known for going above and beyond to help landlords resolve issues quickly.
This level of support is especially valuable for small landlords who don’t have in-house staff or IT teams—and it’s even more important if you’re expanding your rental business and need fast answers while onboarding new units.
Best Pricing Models for Property Management Software
Small landlords should avoid tools that charge per unit or hide fees behind “premium” features. Look for software that offers:
- Flat-rate pricing
- No setup fees
- Free trials or demos
SimplifyEm’s pricing starts at just $25/month with flat-tiered pricing and no per-unit charges, making it one of the most affordable options for growing landlords. If you expand beyond a few properties, you can stay on the same platform and unlock advanced features like GL-level accounting and multi-user CRM tools as needed.
Ease of Use and Setup Time: What to Expect
Time is money, and you shouldn’t need weeks of training to use your software. The best platforms offer:
- Intuitive dashboards
- Mobile-friendly design
- Easy import of existing data
- Onboarding support when needed
SimplifyEm is consistently rated as one of the easiest-to-use property management tools for small landlords. And when you’re ready to grow, its scalable architecture allows you to add features without switching software.
7 Best Property Management Software Options for Small Landlords in 2025
Here are the best tools for landlords managing between 1–50 units. Each has strengths, but only a few are truly designed with small landlords in mind.
Is SimplifyEm the Best Property Management Software for Small Landlords?
Best for: Small landlords who want full functionality, top-tier support, and the ability to scale
Pros:
- Flat-rate pricing as low as $25/month
- Includes rent tracking, accounting, lease management, CRM
- Full accounting and CRM tools available for growing portfolios
- Phone, email, and chat support
- No hidden fees or contracts
Cons:
- Marketing syndication limited (not typically needed for small landlords)
🔗 Explore all SimplifyEm features »
TurboTenant Review: Free Property Management Software for Landlords
Best for: Landlords who want a free tool with basic features
Pros:
- Free basic plan
- Lease templates and tenant screening
Cons:
- No accounting or full CRM
- Email-only support
- Monetized through tenant charges
Is Avail a Good Property Management Software for DIY Landlords?
Best for: Independent landlords who want state-specific lease templates
Pros:
- Free tier available
- Local lease builder
- Rent tracking
Cons:
- Limited support
- Not scalable beyond a few units
TenantCloud Review: Property Management Tools for Small Portfolios
Best for: DIY landlords who want accounting and automation
Pros:
- Cloud-based dashboard
- Maintenance tracking and rent payments
Cons:
- Requires technical confidence
- Inconsistent user experience
RentRedi: Mobile-First Property Management Software for Landlords
Best for: Mobile-first landlords
Pros:
- Clean mobile interface
- ACH and credit card rent collection
Cons:
- Pricing higher than average
- Fewer support channels
Is DoorLoop a Good Fit for Growing Rental Property Owners?
Best for: Landlords scaling into midsize portfolios
Pros:
- Accounting, CRM, and reporting included
- Good UI and performance
Cons:
- Higher starting price
- Per-unit pricing adds up
Buildium for Small Landlords: Is It Worth the Cost?
Best for: Tech-savvy landlords aiming to scale
Pros:
- Enterprise-grade features
- Integration options
Cons:
- Requires training
- Per-unit pricing and annual contract
How to Choose the Right Property Management Software for Your Portfolio
Ask yourself:
- How many units am I managing now—and in a year?
- Do I need built-in rent tracking and accounting?
- How important is live support?
- Do I plan to grow into a small portfolio?
If you’re looking for a simple, powerful, and well-supported platform—without worrying about per-unit charges—SimplifyEm is the clear choice. And when you grow from 3 to 30+ units, you’ll still be in the right place—SimplifyEm supports your expansion with full CRM and accounting tools built-in.
Why SimplifyEm Is the Best Property Management Software for Growing Landlords
SimplifyEm is built specifically for landlords managing fewer units—but it doesn’t stop there. It’s one of the few tools that scales from one unit to hundreds, offering more advanced tools only when you need them.
- Transparent flat pricing
- Full general ledger accounting (optional as you grow)
- Multi-user CRM and lead tracking
- Rent reminders, reports, and late fee automation
- Best-in-class customer support
🌟 Start your free trial or schedule a demo »
FAQs About Property Management Software for Small Landlords
- What is the easiest property management software for small landlords?
SimplifyEm is highly rated for ease of use and minimal setup time.
- Can I use property management software with just one rental?
Yes. SimplifyEm and TurboTenant both work well for single-unit landlords.
- Is there free software for small landlords?
TurboTenant and Avail offer free versions, though they lack advanced tools or support.
- What software is better than QuickBooks for landlords?
SimplifyEm includes property-specific accounting tools, rent roll reports, and lease tracking—none of which QuickBooks offers natively.
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