Landlory
Rentec Direct vs Stessa
In short.
Pick Rentec Direct if you run property management companies;
pick Stessa if you run DIY & small landlords.
Rentec Direct starts at $45/mo,
Stessa free.
Established, no-contract PM software with strong trust accounting.
- Best forProperty management companies
- Starts at$45/mo
- Free optionFree trial
- Mobile appYes
Free asset-management and accounting platform for rental investors.
- Best forDIY & small landlords
- Starts atFree
- Free optionFree plan
- Mobile appYes
Feature comparison
Rentec Direct |
Stessa |
|
|---|---|---|
| Online rent collection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Tenant screening | ✓ | Partial |
| Listing syndication | ✓ | ✕ |
| Online applications | ✓ | ✕ |
| Lease management | ✓ | ✕ |
| Maintenance requests | ✓ | ✕ |
| Accounting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Expense tracking | ✓ | ✓ |
| Owner portal | ✓ | ✕ |
| Tenant portal | ✓ | ✕ |
| Document storage | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reporting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bank integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Renters insurance | ✕ | ✕ |
| AI features | ✕ | Partial |
| Mobile app | ✓ | ✓ |
Pricing
Rentec Direct
| Rentec Profor landlords · billed annually ($50/mo monthly) · scales with units | $45/mo |
|---|---|
| Rentec PMfor property managers · usage-based · scales with units | $50/mo |
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Stessa
| Essentialsunlimited properties, free forever | Free |
|---|---|
| Managepaid annually | $12/mo |
| Propaid annually | $28/mo |
Starting prices — vendors may add per-unit or transaction fees.
Pros & cons
Rentec Direct
Pros
- Strong trust accounting for PM companies
- No contracts or setup fees; responsive US-based support
- Recurring affiliate (25% for 12 months)
Cons
- Dated UI versus DoorLoop/AppFolio
- Fewer modern AI features
Stessa
Pros
- Best-in-class free financial tracking and dashboards for investors
- Automated bookkeeping and tax-ready reports
- Affiliate with a 2-year earning window
Cons
- Not a full PM tool (limited leasing/maintenance/tenant portal)
- Rent collection less robust than dedicated PM apps
FAQ
What is the difference between Rentec Direct and Stessa?
Rentec Direct is best for property management companies, while Stessa is best for DIY & small landlords.
Is Rentec Direct or Stessa cheaper?
Rentec Direct is the cheaper option — it starts at $45/mo.
Which is better for property management companies?
For property management companies, Rentec Direct rates slightly higher (4.5★ on Capterra).