Hemlane vs Rentec Direct: which fits your rentals in 2026?
Pricing and features verified from vendor pricing pages on 2026-07-04.
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On pure cost, Hemlane wins: it has a genuinely usable free plan while Rentec Direct starts at $55/mo. For a landlord with one or two units, that difference compounds to $660+ a year. Rentec Direct counters with landlord mobile app, missing from Hemlane. Who each fits: Remote or hands-off landlords who want human backup (repairs, leasing agents) without hiring a full property manager. Landlords and small property-management companies who value live US-based support and cheap screening over a modern interface.
Pricing, side by side
| Starting price | Free tier | $55/mo |
| Pricing model | per unit + $28/mo base fee | per unit |
| Plans | Starter — $0/mo Free forever, no credit card; core advertising, screening, rent collection basics Basic — $30/mo $2/unit + $28 base fee (= $30/mo for 1 unit); full advertising, screening, $0-ACH rent collection, accounting, lease e-sign Essential — $48/mo $20/unit + $28 base fee (= $48/mo for 1 unit); adds end-to-end repair coordination with 24/7 emergency support and work orders Complete — $86/mo $58/unit + $28 base fee (= $86/mo for 1 unit); adds complete management/leasing assistance with local agents | Rentec Pro — $55/mo $55/mo base for landlords/investors; price scales with unit count up to 2,500+ (contact for more) Rentec PM — $65/mo $65/mo base for property managers; adds trust account management/reporting and owner portal |
| Annual discount | Save up to 20% with annual billing; 14-day free trial on paid tiers | Save 10% with annual subscription |
| Tenant screening | $40 total, paid by the tenant (national credit, criminal, eviction, and income reporting) | $10 basic, $13 enhanced, $18 premium per report at discounted landlord rates; cost can be passed to applicant |
Feature checklist
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Tenant screening | ✓ | ✓ |
| Online rent collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Accounting & reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maintenance tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Listing syndication | ✓ | ✓ |
| Leases & e-sign | ✓ | ✓ |
| Integrated banking | — | — |
| Landlord mobile app | — | ✓ |
Strengths and trade-offs
Hemlane
For- Unique hybrid model: software plus human repair coordination and local leasing agents
- 24/7 emergency maintenance coordination on Essential and above
- $0 ACH rent collection fees on all tiers
- Free Starter tier and syndication to Apartments.com, Zillow, and 7 more sites
- Full rental accounting with bank sync included from Basic up
- $28/mo base fee makes it expensive for 1-2 units vs flat-fee rivals
- No landlord mobile app — only a tenant app; owners use mobile web
- Repair coordination requires Essential ($48+/mo for one unit); Complete approaches traditional PM pricing
- Add-ons stack up: tenant placement from $695, inspections from $300, premium listings $89
Rentec Direct
For- Free unlimited US-based phone support, training, and personalized setup
- Free online rent payments — no ACH fees advertised for landlords
- Cheapest screening in this group ($10-$18 per report)
- Trust accounting and owner portal on the PM tier; unlimited properties and users
- Interface feels dated next to newer rivals like Azibo or Stessa
- Pricing scales per unit, so costs grow steadily with portfolio size
- No integrated banking product
- Only a two-week free trial, no free tier
Frequently asked questions
Is Hemlane cheaper than Rentec Direct?
Hemlane has a free plan; paid tiers start at $30/mo (per unit + $28/mo base fee). Rentec Direct starts at $55/mo (per unit); save 10% with annual subscription. Subscription price isn't the whole story — compare tenant-side ACH and screening fees too. Screening: Hemlane $40 total, paid by the tenant (national credit, criminal, eviction, and income reporting); Rentec Direct $10 basic, $13 enhanced, $18 premium per report at discounted landlord rates; cost can be passed to applicant.
What does Hemlane have that Rentec Direct doesn't?
Hemlane: nothing at the checklist level. Rentec Direct: Landlord mobile app.
Which is better for a small landlord with 1–5 units?
Remote or hands-off landlords who want human backup (repairs, leasing agents) without hiring a full property manager. Landlords and small property-management companies who value live US-based support and cheap screening over a modern interface. If you're still unsure, start with whichever has the free tier — you can export your data and switch later.