Top 12 Rent Collection Apps for Landlords

To stay ahead of the competition in this digital-first world, landlords are turning to rent collection apps to streamline payments, improve cash flow, and reduce administrative tasks. These platforms offer benefits like automated tracking, seamless tenant communication, and secure, contactless transactions, making them essential tools for managing rental properties in a post-pandemic era.

In this post, we’ll explore 12 different rent collection apps that landlords use today, helping you decide which one best fits your property management needs.

Key Rent Collection App Features

Choosing the right rent collection app can streamline property management and improve cash flow. With many options available, it’s important to evaluate each app based on factors like ease of use, payment security, integration, and fees. Here’s what to look for.

Ease of use:

• Intuitive interface: Both landlords and tenants should find the app easy to navigate and understand.
• Mobile-friendly: Android and iOS users should find the app in their app stores.
• Clear instructions: The application must provide clear and concise instructions for landlords and tenants.

Payment security:

• Robust encryption: Ensure the app utilizes strong encryption to protect sensitive financial data.
• Fraud prevention measures: Look for features like fraud monitoring to minimize security risks.
• Compliance: Verify that the app complies with relevant data security and privacy regulations.

Integration options:

• Accounting software integration: Seamlessly sync rent payments with your integrated accounting software for accurate books.
• Maintenance tracking integration: Integrate with property management tools to streamline maintenance requests and track work orders.

Fee transparency:

• Clear pricing: Understand the app’s fee structure upfront. Look for transparent pricing models with no hidden fees or confusing charges.
• Compare pricing: Research different apps and compare their pricing plans to find the most cost-effective option.
• Free trials: Use free trials to test the app and ensure it meets your needs before committing.

Credit reporting:

• Boost tenant credit scores: Several comprehensive property management software solutions allow tenants to enhance their credit score through timely rent payments. This benefits both parties: tenants improve their credit scores, while landlords attract financially responsible tenants.

All-in-One Rent Collection Apps

Below is our list of the top rent collection apps landlords can use to automate rent payments using an app. This list of features is not exhaustive, but it covers the basics of what landlords can expect when they choose a rent collection app. In this section, we cover full-service property management software platforms.

Vendors in this space offer property management functions like:

• Rent collection
• Lease agreement management
• Rental advertising
• Online applications
• Tenant screening
• Communication
• Accounting and financial tracking

With that in mind, let’s dive into these all-in-one solutions and see what they can do for you.

1. TurboTenant

As a free rent collection service, TurboTenant’s mobile app simplifies paying and collecting rent while keeping costs down. Landlords don’t pay anything to use the service; instead, tenants pay a $2 ACH or 3.49% debit/credit card fee.

Simply signing up costs nothing, though. The free tier has no monthly subscription fees, and you can get started managing your property right away. In addition to rent collection, landlords gain access to rental applications, property advertising, and tenant screening — for free.

If you do choose the Premium tier ($149/year), ACH fees are waived, and you gain full access to the entire platform. Let’s check out the rent collection features.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Automatic payment reminders: Constantly reminding tenants to pay rent is a drag. Automatic payment reminders gently nudge them for you, so you don’t have to.
• Autopay: Tenants who put their rent payments on autopay give you peace of mind and them one less thing to worry about.
• Late fees: Rather than counting the days and tallying up late fees, let the app do it for you so you always charge the correct amount.
• Automated rent receipts: In many areas, landlords are legally required to give their tenants a receipt for each rent payment. Rather than writing it out yourself, send it digitally without ever looking for your pen. 
• Payment tracking: From your dashboard, quickly see who has, and who hasn’t made their rent payment.

All in all, with a free TurboTenant account, collecting rent is just the start.

2. Zillow Rental Manager

Zillow Rental Manager is a comprehensive platform designed to streamline the rental process for landlords and property managers while providing tenants an easy-to-use system for managing payments, applications, and lease agreements.

The main feature we’re here to talk about is its online rent payment system, which benefits landlords and tenants with its convenience, security, and integration into the larger Zillow ecosystem.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Online rent payments: Zillow Rental Manager allows tenants to pay directly through the platform. Tenants can set up one-time or recurring monthly payments using their bank accounts or credit cards. The result is seamless, paperless transactions.
• Multiple payment methods: Tenants can use ACH transfers to their bank accounts and pay rent. These payments are typically free of charge for both landlords and tenants. Credit and debit cards incur a fee.
• Automatic payment reminders: Tenants receive reminders via email to ensure timely payments. Landlords can also track when payments are due and when tenants make them via their dashboards.
• Late fees & grace periods: Landlords can set up late fees for overdue payments. The platform automatically calculates and adds late fees based on the terms set in the lease agreement. Additionally, landlords can specify a grace period.

Zillow Rental Manager is an integrated platform that makes the rental process more efficient by providing landlords with a seamless way to manage payments, leases, and applications.

The cost for landlords to use the platform depends on the selected plan, with the Premium Plan offering the most comprehensive features, including online rent collection. By tying the rental management process into Zillow’s property listing platform, Zillow Rental Manager ensures a user-friendly experience for property owners and tenants.

3. Buildium

Buildium is a leading property management software for property managers overseeing large portfolios. With its robust set of tools, Buildium makes it easy to handle the complexities of managing multiple properties, tenants, and financials in one centralized platform.

Whether you’re managing residential or commercial properties, Buildium’s tailor-made features simplify day-to-day operations and increase efficiency for property management professionals.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Online rent collection: Buildium enables tenants to pay their rent online through ACH payments or credit/debit cards. The platform also supports recurring payments for automated monthly rent collections. This feature is particularly beneficial for large portfolios, as it reduces the risk of late payments and simplifies cash flow management. Automated reminders and late fee configurations help ensure timely rent collection and decrease administrative work.
• Accounting and financial reporting: Buildium offers robust accounting tools for large property managers. You can track rental income and expenses and generate financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, and tax reports. With multi-property accounting features, Buildium simplifies budgeting, invoicing, and reconciliation and offers an overview of your financial performance.
• Cash payments: Tenants who prefer to pay in cash can leverage Buildium’s partnership with PayNearMe to pay rent with cash.
• Payment scheduling: Like with a credit card, tenants can schedule a rent payment to ensure rent is paid on time.
• Automatic late fees: Landlords can automatically apply late fees so they don’t have to calculate the totals themselves.

Buildium is a good property management software solution for large-scale property managers. It offers an all-in-one platform for efficiently handling property management, rent collection, financial reporting, and maintenance across a broad portfolio. Its robust tools save time, reduce errors, and enhance operational efficiency.

4. Rentec Direct

Rentec Direct caters primarily to professional property managers and landlords with multiple properties. It offers a robust set of tools that help streamline the day-to-day operations of property management while also providing an efficient rent collection app.

Rentec Direct stands out for its ability to integrate property management functions with secure and reliable rent collection features, making it a good solution for landlords who need both a management system and a payment platform.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Online rent payments: Rentec Direct enables tenants to pay rent online via ACH transfers or credit/debit card payments. The platform offers no-cost ACH payments for landlords and tenants. When tenants opt to pay with a credit or debit card, Rentec Direct charges a processing fee of 2.95% per transaction. This fee is typically passed onto the tenant, but landlords can cover it if they prefer.
• Recurring payments: Tenants can set up recurring payments, ensuring that rent is paid automatically each month without needing manual input from either party. This feature helps prevent late payments.
• Payment tracking: Rentec Direct offers a comprehensive system so landlords can easily monitor whether tenants have paid rent on time or if outstanding balances exist. The system tracks payment history, provides detailed reports, and helps landlords manage their cash flow.
• Late fees and payment reminders: Rentec Direct allows landlords to configure late fees and send automated payment reminders to tenants when rent is due or overdue. This reduces manual follow-ups and encourages tenants to pay on time.
• Customizable payment options: In addition to ACH and card payments, Rentec Direct allows landlords to accept rent payments through other channels, like checks, and manually input those payments when needed. Landlords can set up the app for one-time or recurring charges, allowing landlords to meet specific rent collection app needs.

Rentec Direct successfully balances property management and rent collection by offering an integrated platform that combines comprehensive property management tools with a robust rent collection app.

Landlords can manage tenant information, leases, maintenance, and finances in one place while benefiting from flexible, secure rent collection options like ACH and credit/debit card payments. The service costs $45/month when billed annually for up to 20 units.

5. Avail

Avail is a well-known rent collection app. Known for its user-friendly tools, Avail offers a seamless experience for managing rent collection, leases, maintenance requests, and more.

One of its key features is its integration with Realtor.com, which makes it easy for landlords to list their properties and attract a wider pool of potential tenants. Here’s a closer look at Avail’s rent collection features and how they enhance property management.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Online rent payments: Avail allows tenants to pay rent securely online through ACH payments (bank transfers), credit/debit cards, or Apple Pay. This flexibility helps tenants choose their preferred payment method. The online rent payment system is free for landlords, and tenants typically cover processing fees associated with card payments (around 2.75% per transaction).
• Recurring payments: To ensure consistent and timely payments, Avail offers recurring rent payments, allowing tenants to set up automated payments each month. This feature reduces the risk of missed payments and provides landlords peace of mind, ensuring predictable cash flow.
• Late fees and payment reminders: Avail allows landlords to set late fees automatically when rent becomes overdue. The platform also sends tenant payment reminders, helping them stay on top of due dates and minimizing late payments.
• Payment tracking and reporting: Avail allows landlords to track rent payments in detail. It also allows them to view payment histories, check for overdue balances, and download payment reports. This built-in accounting tool simplifies financial management and ensures landlords keep accurate tax reporting and financial planning records.
• FastPay: For landlords who want to collect rent fast, Avail offers FastPay. This service can speed up payment times and deliver payments within the next business day.

Whether you’re managing one property or an extensive portfolio, Avail’s integrated system offers efficiency, ease of use, and cost-effective property management solutions, making it an excellent choice for landlords.

6. Innago

Innago is a rent collection app designed for small landlords. Its easy-to-use interface and affordable pricing simplify property management and rent collection, making it a good choice for landlords who manage a few properties.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Free online rent payments: One of Innago’s most appealing features is its free online rent payment service for landlords. Landlords don’t have to pay to sign up, and they can begin collecting rent. Their tenants pay 2.99% per debit/credit card transaction or $2 per ACH transfer.
• Recurring payments: Innago allows landlords to set up recurring rent payments, meaning tenants can automate their payments monthly.
• Automatic payment reminders: The platform automatically sends payment reminders to tenants before the due date, helping to ensure timely rent collection. If a payment is overdue, Innago also sends out notifications, prompting tenants to make payments without needing landlords to follow up manually.
• Payment tracking: Innago provides a system that allows landlords to view the status of rent payments at a glance. Landlords can easily see which payments tenants have made and which are pending. They can also track late or missed payments from a centralized dashboard.
• Late fees and customizable payment terms: Innago lets landlords set up late fees for overdue rent and customize payment terms according to their preferences. This helps encourage timely payments and ensures landlords are compensated for any delays.

Whether you’re managing one unit or several, Innago’s affordability and simplicity make it a compelling choice for landlords who want a streamlined rent collection app and property management tool.

7. Apartments.com (Cozy)

Apartments.com, a leading rental listing platform, acquired Cozy (a property management and rent payment platform) to offer a seamless solution for both landlords and tenants.

Cozy’s integration with Apartments.com provides a one-stop platform for property listings, tenant management, and rent collection. The system allows landlords to handle multiple aspects of property management efficiently, from posting rental listings to tracking rent payments.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Online rent payment: Like many of the other choices on this list, Apartments.com offers ACH and debit card transactions. ACH payments are free, and tenants can make payments with debit, credit, or Google Pay for a 2.75% fee.
• Recurring payments: One of Cozy’s most useful features is the ability to set up recurring payments. Tenants can pay rent automatically each month, ensuring they make payments on time without manual input.
• Tenant payment tracking: The platform allows landlords to track all tenant payments. Cozy provides a transparent history of payments, including date, amount, and status (e.g., paid, overdue, etc.).
• Automatic payment reminders: Cozy automatically sends reminders to tenants when rent is due, reducing the likelihood of missed payments. This feature also alerts tenants when payments are late or if a payment fails, making it easier for landlords to manage outstanding balances.

Apartments.com (through its integration with Cozy) provides powerful tools that combine property listings with comprehensive rent collection and management features.

Rent-Payment-Only Apps

Maybe you’ve got a system in place for managing properties already and are just looking for a rent payment app. You’ll find those here.

8. ClearNow

ClearNow is a no-frills rent collection app designed for landlords who prefer a straightforward, easy-to-use platform without the complexity of additional features. This service is particularly well-suited for landlords who prioritize simplicity and want a cost-effective way to collect rent via ACH transfers without the added overhead of credit card payments or advanced tools.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• ACH-only payments: ClearNow’s rent collection app is ACH-only, which exclusively supports bank-to-bank transfers. It’s perfect for landlords who want to eliminate the complexities of processing credit card payments or dealing with other payment methods. With ACH payments, funds are securely transferred directly from the tenant’s bank account to the landlord’s account, simplifying the process and avoiding transaction fees typically associated with credit card payments.
• Simple, automated rent collection: Landlords can set up automated rent collection on a monthly basis. Tenants can authorize payments directly from their bank account, and ClearNow handles the entire process. This automation ensures that payments are made on time, without landlords needing to chase down overdue rent.
• Automated payment reminders: ClearNow automatically sends payment reminders to tenants a few days before the rent is due to minimize late payments. This helps keep tenants on track and reduces the administrative burden for landlords, ensuring they don’t have to follow up manually.
• Rent payment tracking: ClearNow lets landlords easily track rent payments through a simple dashboard. Through this dashboard, landlords can view when tenants make payments, check pending payments, and view payment histories for each tenant. Transparency makes record-keeping straightforward and helps ensure landlords stay organized.
• No processing fees for ACH payments: Since ClearNow focuses exclusively on ACH payments, landlords do not pay processing fees when tenants pay via ACH. This makes it ideal for landlords who want to avoid extra charges for each transaction, keeping costs low and predictable.

ClearNow is a good choice for landlords who prioritize simplicity and want a straightforward ACH-only rent collection solution. The platform’s no-frills approach, coupled with automated payments, payment reminders, and free ACH transactions, makes it easy to manage rent collection without the complexities of other systems.

9. PayRent

PayRent is designed specifically for rent collection. It helps landlords simplify the payment process for themselves and their tenants. With its customizable payment schedules and automated late fee management, PayRent offers a streamlined and efficient way to manage rent payments.

It also has a transparent and competitive pricing structure, making it a solid choice for landlords with various portfolio sizes.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Customizable payment schedules: PayRent allows landlords to set up customizable payment schedules for their tenants. Whether you prefer weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly rent payments, PayRent gives you the flexibility to structure payments that work best for both parties. This feature helps ensure that tenants’ payment preferences are met while keeping landlords’ cash flow predictable and on track.
• Automated late fee management: PayRent automatically applies late fees to overdue rent payments according to the landlord’s rules. This eliminates the need for landlords to enforce late fees manually, saving time and ensuring consistency in payment terms. Additionally, automated reminders notify tenants of the fees, which helps reduce delays and encourage timely payments.
• Recurring payments: PayRent supports recurring rent payments, allowing tenants to set up automatic payments regularly. This decreases the likelihood of missed payments, giving landlords peace of mind.
• Payment tracking and notifications: Landlords can track all rent payments, both pending and completed, directly from the PayRent platform. Automated notifications alert landlords and tenants when payments are due, completed, or overdue, streamlining communication and reducing the need for follow-up.
• Multiple payment methods: PayRent supports a range of payment options, including credit/debit cards and ACH bank transfers, making it easy for tenants to pay however they prefer. This variety of payment methods ensures convenience and increases the likelihood of timely payments.

PayRent offers a monthly subscription fee for landlords. The pricing typically starts at around $24 per month for basic services, including rent collection, automated reminders, and customizable payment schedules. Pricing may increase slightly for more advanced features or larger portfolios, but it remains affordable compared to some of the more robust all-in-one property management software solutions. If tenants pay by credit or debit card, PayRent charges a small processing fee (usually around 2.75% per transaction). This fee is typically passed on to tenants, although landlords can absorb it if desired.

Peer-to-Peer Payment Apps

In this section, you’ll find well-known payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and PayPal. Because of their ubiquity, you may already use them, but we’ll cover each in more detail here. And while we know landlords and tenants can use PayPal for more than peer-to-peer payments, it fits this category better than any others.

10. Venmo

Venmo is a well-known mobile payment app that allows users to send money quickly and easily. It is convenient for casual transactions, including rent collection. Its social features, like adding notes and sharing payments, make it feel more like a social experience than a traditional payment platform. However, while Venmo offers simplicity and instant payments, several drawbacks for landlords can make it less suitable for professional rent collection.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Instant payments: Venmo enables instant money transfers between bank accounts, allowing tenants to send rent payments quickly. Once a tenant makes a payment, the funds are typically available in the landlord’s account within minutes, which helps landlords avoid delays and maintain positive cash flow.
• Social features: One of Venmo’s most distinctive features is its social feed, where users can add notes or emojis to their payments. This feature can add a fun, casual aspect to rent payments, and landlords can use it to track payments or communicate directly with tenants. However, this social aspect is informal and may not be ideal for a more professional property management environment.

Venmo Limitations 

• Lack of automation: Unlike dedicated rent collection apps, Venmo does not offer automation for recurring rent payments. Tenants cannot set up automatic payments, meaning they must manually send payments each month.
• No rent tracking or reports: Venmo does not provide rent tracking, payment history, or financial reports tailored to property management. While landlords can see transaction records in the app, these records are not organized to allow for easy tracking of rent payments, late fees, or tenant balances.
• Potentially informal: Venmo’s casual nature and social features may make it feel less professional for rent collection. The lack of clear, organized payment documentation could be problematic, especially if issues arise that need to be addressed formally or legally.
• Account limits and restrictions: Venmo has transaction limits for unverified accounts, which could be an issue if the rent amount exceeds the limit. This may require tenants to complete additional steps to verify their account, potentially causing payment delays.
• Bank transfer fees: Venmo charges a 1.9% business fee per transaction.
• Delayed eviction: Like Zelle, a partial payment could halt evictions.

While Venmo is fine for landlords managing only a few tenants who prioritize simplicity, Venmo falls short for property owners who need more comprehensive features such as automated payments, invoicing, and reliable payment tracking.

11. Zelle

Zelle is a popular peer-to-peer payment service that allows instant money transfers directly between bank accounts. It is an attractive option for landlords who need a simple and fast way to collect rent payments.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Instant Payments: One of Zelle’s standout features is its instant payment transfers. Rent payments via Zelle are typically processed in minutes, allowing landlords to receive funds quickly, often on the same day. This instant payment process eliminates delays in rent collection, helping landlords maintain consistent cash flow.
• Ease of Use: Zelle is very simple and easy to use. Tenants can send payments directly from their bank app or Zelle’s app using the landlord’s email address or phone number. No complicated setups or specialized payment systems make it especially convenient for landlords who want a straightforward way to receive rent.
• No transaction fees: Zelle does not charge transaction fees for landlords or tenants, making it an attractive option for landlords who want to avoid the extra costs associated with credit card processing fees or subscription-based rent collection apps.

Zelle Limitations 

• No rent tracking: Unlike dedicated property management platforms, Zelle does not offer rent tracking or a built-in payment history for landlords. It also does not generate reports or provide features for tracking rent payments.
• No tenant invoicing: Zelle lacks a feature for tenant invoicing, meaning landlords cannot automatically generate or send rent invoices through the platform. Tenants will not receive a formal bill or reminder tied to the amount due, which could lead to confusion or missed payments.
• Limited dispute resolution: Zelle does not offer a robust dispute resolution process for transaction issues. If a tenant disputes a payment or claims that the transaction didn’t go through, Zelle’s support is limited compared to rent collection apps designed specifically for landlords.
• Limited bank availability: Zelle is only available to banks that support its service. While it has partnerships with many major banks, tenants who do not use participating banks may need a third-party app to access it, creating potential barriers for some renters. This limitation may reduce the platform’s convenience in areas where it is not widely supported.
• Payment limitations: One key disadvantage of using Zelle is its daily and monthly limits. If your tenant’s bank doesn’t support Zelle, the weekly limit can be as low as $500. With rent easily exceeding that total in most areas, using Zelle for rent collection could be problematic.
• Delayed evictions: Tenants could thwart your attempts at eviction by sending a $1 payment.

Zelle offers instant payments and ease of use, making it a quick and cost-effective solution for landlords who want a simple method for rent collection. However, its lack of rent tracking, tenant invoicing, and dispute resolution features makes it less suitable for landlords looking for an all-in-one property management system. While Zelle can be a good choice for some landlords, we’d be remiss if we didn’t warn you of its risks.

12. PayPal

PayPal is the most widely used online payment platform, known for its secure payment processing and broad global reach. While PayPal provides a reliable and trusted solution for money transfers, its use as a rent collection app has a few advantages and drawbacks for landlords.

Standout Rent Collection App Features

• Secure payment processing: PayPal is known for its secure payment features. All transactions are encrypted, providing a high level of security for both landlords and tenants. PayPal uses fraud detection tools to monitor transactions, offering additional protection against fraudulent activities.
• Wide range of payment methods: Through PayPal, tenants can pay rent using various methods, including credit cards, debit cards, their PayPal balance, and linked bank accounts. This variety of payment options gives tenants flexibility in how they choose to pay, which can help ensure timely payments from different types of renters.
• Instant transfers: PayPal offers instant transfers for landlords who need quick access to funds. Tenants can make rent payments, and landlords can transfer the money directly to their bank accounts. However, instant transfers come with a fee, so landlords need to decide whether the speed is worth the cost.

PayPal Limitations

1. Lack of landlord-specific features: PayPal is a general payment platform that is not tailored for property management or rent collection. It lacks essential landlord-specific features such as automated rent reminders, payment tracking, late fee management, and tenant invoicing.
2. No rent tracking or reporting: Unlike specialized rent collection apps, PayPal does not offer rent tracking or financial reporting tools specific to property management. While landlords can see transaction histories, the app doesn’t categorize this information to make it easy to track rent payments or manage multiple tenants’ accounts.
3. Risk of Chargebacks: Like other payment processors, chargebacks can be a concern. If a tenant disputes a payment, PayPal may initiate a chargeback process, delaying access to funds or even a payment reversal. This is particularly risky with credit card payments, where tenants might dispute charges more easily.

PayPal is best suited for landlords with only a few tenants or those prioritizing simplicity over more specialized property management tools. A dedicated rent collection app would likely provide a more comprehensive solution for landlords managing multiple properties or seeking more robust features.

Use TurboTenant for Rent Collection

Managing rent payments doesn’t have to be a hassle. TurboTenant offers a free, easy-to-use rent collection app that allows you to streamline your payment process and ensure timely rent payments, all while keeping costs low. With TurboTenant, you can accept online rent payments via ACH transfers ($2 tenant-paid ACH cos) or credit/debit cards (3.49%), set up recurring payments, apply late fees, and automatically track tenant payments.

TurboTenant’s system provides automated reminders, customizable payment options, and transparent payment tracking, all in one place, helping you save time and reduce administrative work.

Ready to simplify your rent collection process? Sign up for a free TurboTenant account today and take control of property management.