Being a self-managing landlord is demanding. You’re the marketer, real estate agent, customer support, administrator, maintenance personnel, and accountant. If you’re looking for an online property management solution, it can be tough to know which one is right for you and your rental business. Importantly, you want to ensure that it can make all of your jobs easier, saving you time, while also not being a budget burden, saving you money.
If you’re invested in figuring out the perfect landlord-tenant software for your business, see below what RentRedi vs Buildium looks like. We’ve charted out the key features for both RentRedi and Buildium, so you can see how the online rent payment services compare against each other.
RentRedi vs Buildium: Comparison
| RentRedi | Buildium | |
| Tenant App | Yes | Yes |
| Property-Specific Merchant Accounts | Yes, free and unlimited | $99 set up fee for each bank account |
| Rent Payment Fees | $1 for ACH, 3.1% + .50 for Cards (tenant-paid, landlords have option to pay if desired). | $1 per incoming EFT transaction; $0.50 per outgoing EFT transaction; 2.95% per credit card transaction |
| Listings | Realtor.Com, Zillow, RentRedi (sharable link for social media, websites, etc) | Apartments.com, Apartment List, Lovely, and the Zillow Group |
| In-App Notifications | Yes + email notifications | No, but text notifications |
| Tenant Auto-Payments | Yes | Not listed |
| Prequalifications | Yes | Set up with a subscription |
| Applications | Yes, mobile-submitted and free | Customized online rental application, application fee to offset the cost of screening |
| Tenant Screening | Tenant-paid. Full credit, criminal, and eviction report with customized leasing recommendation from TransUnion. | Basic: $15 for credit, criminal, eviction report. Premium: $18 for credit, criminal, eviction report, with customizations (only available with Pro plan). |
| Maintenance Request Management | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Emergency & Full Premium Maintenance | Yes, hands-off premium maintenance with insight into requests every step of the way | No |
| Payment Blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Calendar Sync | Yes | No |
| Task Management | Yes | Yes |
| Renters Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| Lease Signing | Yes | Yes |
| Document Storage | Yes | Yes, $5/per lease |
| Contract | No | No |
| Support | Unlimited support, no additional cost. Live, human support team. Chat, email, phone, available 7 days a week. Help center, onboarding videos, tenant support, 1-on-1 sessions, all included. | Ticket support. Phone support – available for purchase Available Monday-Friday. Help section. Priority support available for purchase. |
| Membership Perks | Yes | Only with Premium starting at $460/mo |
| Pricing | Monthly: $29.95/mo 6-Month: $20/mo Annual: $12/mo No minimums. One flat pricing plan with unlimited units and tenants. | Essential: $50/month Growth: $160/month Premium: $460/month |
Tenant and Lease Management
Both RentRedi and Buildium offer a suite of tools designed to simplify tenant and lease management, but their approaches and feature sets differ in meaningful ways.
Lease Management and Tracking
Buildium provides robust lease management tools that allow users to create, store, and manage lease agreements digitally. Landlords can set up templates, collect tenant signatures, and securely store documents within the platform. The system tracks lease expiration dates, sends renewal reminders, and allows for easy scheduling of future charges or renewals. RentRedi offers essential lease tracking capabilities, including uploading agreements, collecting e-signatures, and notifying tenants about upcoming renewals.
Rent Collection and Payment Processing
Both platforms support online rent collection, offering tenants multiple payment methods such as ACH transfers and credit cards. Buildium’s integrated system enables tenants to set up recurring payments. RentRedi also supports recurring payments and gives landlords the flexibility to pass transaction fees to tenants or absorb them. Additionally, RentRedi features a unique credit-boosting option that rewards tenants for timely payments, providing an extra incentive for on-time rent.
Tenant Communication Tools
Effective communication is key to maintaining positive landlord-tenant relationships. Buildium offers a centralized resident portal enabling landlords to communicate with tenants via text, email, and direct messaging, and even broadcast announcements to groups. RentRedi provides in-app notifications and email alerts to keep tenants informed about payments, maintenance, and lease updates. While both platforms facilitate essential communication.
Pricing Structures and Subscription Options
RentRedi offers a straightforward, flat-rate pricing model with three subscription options: $29.95 per month, $20 per month for a 6-month plan, and $12 per month when billed annually. All plans include unlimited properties and tenants, along with core features such as rent collection, tenant screening, listings, and support. Optional add-ons, such as premium maintenance or advanced accounting, are available for an extra fee. Buildium, in contrast, uses a tiered pricing structure, Essentials starts at $50/month, Growth at $160/month, and Premium at $460/month. Higher tiers unlock advanced features like premium support, unlimited eSignatures, and enhanced screening, but additional fees may apply for services like bank account setup and online payments. These pricing structures and subscription options for RentRedi and Buildium include details on different tiers and what is included at each price point.
Maintenance and Request Handling
When it comes to handling maintenance requests, both RentRedi and Buildium provide landlords with digital tools to streamline the process, but their approaches and included features differ. Maintenance requests are managed within each software platform, with features for tracking and resolving issues reported by tenants.
RentRedi’s Approach
They offer a tenant maintenance request portal where tenants can easily submit issues directly through the app. Landlords receive real-time notifications, can track the status of each request, and communicate updates to tenants within the platform. For those seeking additional support, RentRedi partners with a third-party provider to offer premium maintenance coordination, including 24/7 emergency response and full coordination services, available as optional add-ons for an extra fee. This means landlords can choose between managing requests themselves or outsourcing for a more hands-off experience.
Buildium’s Approach
Buildium, on the other hand, incorporates maintenance management as a standard feature in all its plans. Tenants can submit maintenance requests through a dedicated resident portal, which property managers can then track, prioritize, and assign to vendors.
Each platform handles tenant and lease tracking, including tools for managing leases, rent collection, and communication with tenants.
Rental Listing and Tenant Screening
Being able to efficiently list rental properties and screen tenants is crucial for landlords and property managers seeking to minimize vacancies and select reliable renters. Below is a structured overview comparing how RentRedi and Buildium approach these essential tasks, helping you decide which platform best suits your rental business needs.
- Rental Listing Syndication and Reach: RentRedi enables landlords to syndicate listings to Realtor.com and Zillow and generate a shareable marketing page for social media and websites. Buildium syndicates listings to Apartments.com and the Zillow Rental Network, helping maximize exposure to prospective tenants across multiple channels.
- Listing Management and Customization: Landlords using RentRedi can create and manage property listings directly from their dashboard, including options for virtual tours and customizable marketing pages. Buildium also supports direct listing management and provides a free, customizable property management website to further showcase available rentals.
- Application Process and Prequalification: RentRedi offers a mobile-friendly, free rental application process with built-in prequalification questions, allowing landlords to invite applicants and quickly assess suitability. Buildium provides customizable online rental applications, with landlords able to set up prequalification requirements as part of their subscription.
- Tenant Screening Depth and Provider: Tenant screening in RentRedi is powered by TransUnion, delivering comprehensive credit, criminal, and eviction reports, along with a leasing recommendation. Buildium also offers tenant screening with full credit, criminal, and eviction data, and allows landlords to set custom credit requirements for each property.
- Screening Process and Fees: RentRedi’s screening process is tenant-paid, with reports costing $39.99 per application. Buildium offers basic screening for $15 and premium screening for $18, depending on the plan, and applicants are prompted to verify their identity and pay the screening fee before reports are generated.
- Integration with Leasing Workflow: Both platforms integrate screening results directly into the leasing workflow. RentRedi notifies landlords of application status and screening results within the dashboard, while Buildium manages the process through its Resident Center, streamlining selection and lease signing.
- Automation and Communication Tools: RentRedi provides in-app notifications and email alerts for updates on listings and screening progress. Buildium supports multi-channel communication, including text, email, and direct messaging through its resident portal, keeping both landlords and applicants informed throughout the process.
In understanding these differences, landlords can choose the platform that best aligns with their workflow and tenant acquisition strategy.
Factors to Consider When Choosing
Being a landlord or property manager means finding the right tools to streamline your business, save time, and stay within budget. There are key considerations landlords and property managers should keep in mind when deciding between RentRedi and Buildium. Below are key considerations to help guide your decision between these two property management platforms.
- Budget and Total Cost of Ownership: Evaluate not just the upfront subscription price but also all associated costs, such as transaction fees, add-ons, and support charges. RentRedi offers lower entry pricing and unlimited units at a flat rate, which can be particularly attractive for landlords with growing portfolios. Buildium, on the other hand, has higher starting costs and additional fees for certain features or services. Carefully weigh which pricing model aligns best with your current needs and future expansion plans.
- Portfolio Size and Scalability: Consider how each platform supports your current portfolio and accommodates future growth. RentRedi’s unlimited units per plan make it a flexible option for landlords with multiple properties or those planning to expand. Buildium is often better suited to medium- to large-scale portfolios, offering robust tools for more complex property management needs.
- Desired Level of Automation and Hands-On Involvement: Reflect on how much time you want to personally invest in day-to-day management. Buildium provides more built-in automation for maintenance, accounting, and communication, reducing manual tasks for property managers who prefer a hands-off approach. RentRedi requires add-ons for certain advanced automation features, which may require more hands-on involvement unless you opt for premium upgrades. Decide which balance of automation and control best fits your management style and operational preferences.
- Support, Onboarding, and Ease of Use: The quality of customer support and the learning curve can significantly affect your experience. RentRedi offers unlimited support at no extra cost, including chat, email, phone, and onboarding resources, which can be a major advantage for new users or those who value responsive assistance. Buildium provides ticket-based and phone support, with priority options available for an additional fee.
By carefully weighing these key considerations, you’ll be better equipped to select the property management software that aligns with your goals and helps your rental business thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Choosing the right property management software means understanding what each platform offers. Below, we answer common questions about the core features of RentRedi and Buildium, highlighting where they align and where they differ.
What accounting features do RentRedi and Buildium offer?
Both platforms provide property accounting tools, but Buildium includes more advanced features like auto bank reconciliation and 1099 e-filing, while RentRedi offers receipt scanning and P&L statements.
How do RentRedi and Buildium handle rent collection?
Both allow online rent collection with multiple payment options. RentRedi offers ACH, card, and cash payments; Buildium provides EFTs and credit card payments, with recurring payment options on both platforms.
Are tenant screening services available on both platforms?
Yes, both offer tenant screening with credit, criminal, and eviction reports. Buildium allows custom credit requirements per property, while RentRedi uses TransUnion reports and provides a leasing recommendation.
Do both platforms support rental listing syndication?
Yes, RentRedi syndicates to Zillow and Realtor.com, while Buildium syndicates to Apartments.com and the Zillow Rental Network, helping landlords reach a wider audience.
What communication tools are included in RentRedi and Buildium?
RentRedi provides in-app and email notifications, while Buildium supports text notifications and multi-channel communication through its resident portal.
Is mobile access available for both RentRedi and Buildium?
Both platforms offer mobile apps, but Buildium’s app supports more devices and has higher ratings, whereas RentRedi’s app is iOS-only and has mixed reviews.
How do RentRedi and Buildium differ in document management?
Both platforms support document storage and lease signing. RentRedi includes these features in all plans, while Buildium may charge extra for eSignatures and document storage.
Are maintenance request features included in both platforms?
Yes, both offer maintenance request management. Buildium includes a 24/7 maintenance contact center; RentRedi provides a tenant portal and optional premium maintenance coordination as an add-on.
Do RentRedi and Buildium offer support and onboarding assistance?
RentRedi includes unlimited support via chat, email, and phone at no extra cost. Buildium offers ticket and phone support, with priority options available for an additional fee.
Are there differences in pricing structure for features?
Yes. RentRedi offers a flat rate with unlimited units, but some advanced features require add-ons. Buildium’s higher entry price includes more built-in features, but some services incur extra fees.
Clearly, RentRedi and Buildium share a lot of the same awesome features. That means, fundamentally, the true difference comes down to the price point. All our features are included in every standard plan. The only difference is how often you pay (monthly, every 6 months, or annually). Each plan has a single flat rate, and there are no hidden fees. The best part? Our standard 6-month and annual plans save you more in the long run (save $120-$215 a year)! Landlords often opt for these plans: not only does it save money, but they can also explore our features.
Several prospective landlords indicated they thought Buildium’s $50 minimum was too high for online rental payment software and didn’t want to be charged to add more properties. So, that’s where RentRedi comes in. We work with you to manage your rental properties and grow your business.
No more wasted money on property management services that don’t give you exactly what you need. With RentRedi, you get an intuitive, simple platform and a customer success team committed to helping you succeed. Other property management software options for comparison are Stessa or TurboTenant.
Of course, we love what we do, the product we build, and think RentRedi is 5-stars and so do a lot of landlords. User experiences and reviews for both RentRedi and Buildium provide insights into customer satisfaction and common feedback. But you can watch for yourself in our demo video to see how we can make all those jobs (marketer, real estate agent, customer support, administrator, maintenance personnel, and accountant) easier with just one app.
All our features are included in every standard plan—the only difference is how frequently you pay (monthly, 6-month, or annually). Each plan is one flat rate, and there are zero hidden fees. The best part? Our standard 6-month and annual plans save you more in the long run (save $120-$215 a year)! Landlords often opt for these plans: not only does it save money, but they can explore our features.
Several prospective landlords indicated they thought Buildium’s $50 minimum was too expensive for an online rental payment software and didn’t want to be charged for adding more properties.
So, that’s where RentRedi comes in. We work with you to manage your rental properties and grow your business.
No more wasted money on property management services that don’t give you exactly what you need. With RentRedi, you get an intuitive, simple platform to use and a customer success team driven to help you succeed.
Of course, we love what we do, the product we build, and think RentRedi is 5-stars. (I mean…so do a lot of landlords, to be fair!)
But you can watch for yourself by checking out our demo video and seeing how we can make all those jobs (marketer, real estate agent, customer support, administrator, maintenance personnel, and accountant) easier with just one app.