Best Property Management App for Solo Landlords: Features and Pricing

As a solo landlord, you're doing it all yourself. You don't have a property management team or administrative staff. You need software that works for you, not against you. Here's what to look for in a property management app for solo landlords.

What Makes a Good Solo Landlord App

1. Easy to Use

You don't have time for complex training. The app should be:

• Intuitive interface
• Quick to learn
• Minimal setup time
• Clear navigation

2. Affordable

Solo landlords typically have 1-10 units. You need:

• Transparent pricing
• No hidden fees
• Pay only for what you use
• Completely free to use

3. Mobile-First

You're managing properties on the go. The app should:

• Work well on mobile devices
• Have a mobile app (iOS/Android)
• Allow quick actions
• Send push notifications

4. Comprehensive Features

You need everything in one place:

• Rent collection
• Tenant management
• Maintenance tracking
• Financial reporting
• Document storage

5. Real-Time Updates

See changes immediately:

• When rent is paid
• When maintenance requests come in
• When messages are sent
• No page refreshes needed

Essential Features for Solo Landlords

Online Rent Collection

• Accept payments online
• Automated reminders
• Late fee calculation
• Payment history

Why it matters: Saves 2-3 hours per month chasing rent.

Tenant Portal

• Tenants pay rent themselves
• Submit maintenance requests
• Access documents
• Message you directly

Why it matters: Reduces phone calls and emails by 60-70%.

Maintenance Management

• Photo uploads from tenants
• Priority assignment
• Status tracking
• Vendor coordination

Why it matters: Better organization, faster response times.

Financial Reporting

• Income and expense reports
• Property profitability
• Tax-ready exports
• Year-over-year comparisons

Why it matters: Makes tax season manageable.

Document Management

• Cloud storage
• Organized folders
• Easy access
• Automatic backups

Why it matters: Never lose important documents.

Pricing Comparison for Solo Landlords

Free Options

Pros:

• No monthly cost
• Good for testing

Cons:

• Limited features
• Often ad-supported
• Data ownership concerns
• Limited support

Best for: Very small portfolios (1-2 units), tight budgets

Low-Cost Options ($10-30/month)

Pros:

• Affordable
• Good feature set
• Designed for small landlords
• Completely free available

Cons:

• May have unit limits
• Fewer integrations
• Basic support

Best for: Most solo landlords (1-10 units)

Mid-Range Options ($30-100/month)

Pros:

• More features
• Better support
• More integrations

Cons:

• May be overkill for solo landlords
• Higher cost
• More complex

Best for: Growing portfolios (10-20 units)

Enterprise Options ($100+/month)

Pros:

• Comprehensive features
• Excellent support
• Many integrations

Cons:

• Too expensive for solo landlords
• Too complex
• Designed for teams

Best for: Not recommended for solo landlords

What Solo Landlords Should Avoid

1. Overly Complex Software

Enterprise solutions designed for large teams:

• Too many features you don't need
• Steep learning curve
• Expensive
• Requires training

2. Spreadsheet-Based Systems

While free, spreadsheets:

• Don't scale
• Prone to errors
• No automation
• Time-consuming

3. Software Requiring Teams

Some platforms assume multiple users:

• Complex permissions
• Team collaboration features
• Higher pricing
• Unnecessary complexity

4. Hidden Fees

Watch out for:

• Setup fees
• Per-transaction fees
• Per-tenant fees
• Feature unlock fees

Recommended Features by Portfolio Size

1-3 Units

Essential:

• Online rent collection
• Basic tenant management
• Simple reporting
• Document storage

Nice to have:

• Maintenance tracking
• Tenant portal
• Mobile app

4-10 Units

Essential:

• All features for 1-3 units
• Maintenance management
• Tenant portal
• Financial reporting
• Mobile app

Nice to have:

• Advanced reporting
• Integrations
• Automated workflows

10+ Units

Essential:

• All features for 4-10 units
• Advanced reporting
• Multi-property management
• Integrations

Nice to have:

• API access
• Custom workflows
• Advanced analytics

Making Your Decision

Step 1: Identify Your Pain Points

What takes the most time?

• Rent collection
• Maintenance coordination
• Tenant communication
• Financial tracking

Step 2: List Must-Have Features

Based on pain points, list:

• Must-have features
• Nice-to-have features
• Features to avoid

Step 3: Set Your Budget

Determine:

• Maximum monthly cost
• Willingness to pay per unit
• Need for free access
• Value of time saved

Step 4: Test Multiple Options

Try 2-3 platforms:

• Use free platforms
• Test with real properties
• Evaluate ease of use
• Check mobile experience

Step 5: Make Your Choice

Choose based on:

• Feature fit
• Ease of use
• Price value
• Support quality

Why Property Peace Works for Solo Landlords

Designed for Your Scale

• Built for 1-50 units
• No enterprise bloat
• Affordable pricing
• Easy to use

Comprehensive Features

• All essential features included
• Real-time updates
• Mobile-friendly
• Good support

Transparent Pricing

• Unit-based pricing
• No hidden fees
• Completely free
• No credit card required

Solo Landlord Focus

• No team features you don't need
• Intuitive interface
• Quick setup
• Helpful documentation

Getting Started

1. Sign up free: No credit card required

2. Add your properties: Set up your rental units

3. Import tenant data: Add current tenants

4. Test features: Try rent collection, maintenance, reporting

5. Evaluate: Does it solve your pain points?

6. Go live: Start using for real operations

The Bottom Line

The best property management app for solo landlords:

• Solves your specific problems
• Fits your budget
• Saves you time
• Easy to use
• Works on mobile

Don't overthink it. Get started free, test with your actual properties, and see if it makes your life easier.

Explore our complete feature list designed for solo landlords and see how we compare in our property management software reviews. Check our pricing and learn about choosing property management software. Get started with Property Peace free and discover why it's the best choice for solo landlords.