The days of relying solely on traditional property managers are behind us. With modern technology, self-managing your rental property has never been easier or more financially savvy. Many independent landlords are choosing to pocket that 5 to 10 percent management fee and take full control of their investments using intuitive property management software.
Whether you are managing one unit or scaling up to dozens, these digital platforms offer everything you need to market your listings, screen tenants, handle maintenance, and collect rent, often more efficiently than a property manager could. But which software is best?
At Domu, we’ve worked with thousands of landlords across Chicago and have seen firsthand which tools deliver results. Below are three of the most reliable property management software solutions available in 2025, ranked by value, usability, and scalability.
1. TurboTenant: Best All-in-One Platform for Independent Landlords
TurboTenant is a full-featured property management solution designed for landlords managing individual condos, small multi-units, or medium-sized portfolios. The platform is easy to use, affordable, and built to streamline rental operations from end to end.
Key Features
- Advertise your listing on more than 25 top websites including Apartments.com, Craigslist, and Redfin
- Run tenant screening reports including credit, criminal, and eviction history
- Generate customizable, state-specific leases with e-signature capabilities
- Automate rent collection and set up reminders
- Log maintenance requests and store condition reports
- Track income and expenses to simplify tax prep
- Access landlord and tenant apps with 4.9+ star ratings
Pros
- Free plan available with unlimited properties
- Paid plans under 200 dollars per year
- Customer support available seven days a week
- Simple onboarding for new landlords
- Strong mobile experience for tenants and owners
Cons
- No phone support included in the free plan
- Two-day rent deposit timeline
- Full accounting features require a paid add-on
Additional tools include a free lease audit tool to check the legality and completeness of your current lease and a rent estimate report to help you price competitively. You can also use this cash flow calculator to run financial projections before you list.
2. AppFolio: Best for Owners with 500 or More Units
AppFolio is designed for professional property managers and institutional investors who oversee large portfolios. The platform offers powerful automation, collaboration tools, and team-based workflows for managing hundreds of units or more.
Key Features
- CRM system for leasing agents and communication tracking
- Bulk listing updates, rent processing, and reporting
- Maintenance task automation and assignment workflows
- Integrated financial dashboards and rent collection tools
- Multi-user access with tiered permission settings
Pros
- Advanced tools for large and commercial portfolios
- Scalable features for teams and departments
- Centralized control over multiple properties
Cons
- Requires a minimum of 50 units to get started
- Base pricing begins at $298 per month
- Top-tier plans can exceed 7,500 dollars monthly
- Pricing structure is per unit
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Mixed reviews on customer service responsiveness
If you are not quite at the enterprise level, browse our property management resources for tools and guides suited to independent landlords.
3. TenantCloud: Best for Landlords Planning to Scale
TenantCloud is a versatile platform designed for growth-minded landlords. With flat-rate pricing and a full range of rental management tools, it is ideal for property owners looking to expand their portfolio without being penalized by per-unit pricing models.
Key Features
- All-in-one rental management including listings, applications, leasing, rent collection, and maintenance
- Flat-rate pricing across all tiers
- Integrations with bookkeeping software and service vendors
- Optional business-tier plans for property managers and teams
Pros
- No per-unit pricing model
- Wide feature set for portfolio expansion
- Available business plans for team-based workflows
Cons
- No forever-free version
- More expensive than TurboTenant for landlords managing a small number of units
- Onboarding may take longer due to the depth of features
Conclusion
Self-managing a rental property gives you more control, greater flexibility, and significant cost savings. With modern software tools and free resources available, independent landlords now have the ability to manage their properties as effectively as professional firms.
TurboTenant is the most well-rounded option for individual landlords. AppFolio is the clear choice for large portfolios. TenantCloud offers a flexible platform for landlords ready to grow.
