Hospitable Pricing & Hidden Fees: The Honest 2026 Breakdown

⚡ Quick Verdict

• Best For: Landlords with 1-50 units looking for straightforward pricing.
• Pricing Reality: Ranges from $0 to $99/month plus transaction fees.
• Key Killer Feature: Automated ACH rent collection across multiple platforms.
• The Operational Catch: Hidden fees can significantly inflate total costs.
• Editor's Rating: 4.2 / 5.0

Quick Comparison Matrix

The Hidden ACH Fee Trap

Hidden fees in property management software can erode your profits.

Many platforms advertise free tiers or low starting prices, but it's essential to scrutinize the transaction fees and add-on costs.

• TurboTenant: Starts free, but tenants incur a $35 screening fee. This is a transaction cost that can impact your ROI.

• Baselane: Monthly fees plus banking service charges. While you might save on bookkeeping, those banking fees can accumulate quickly.

• TenantCloud: The base fee doesn’t include contractor bidding or lead tracking; expect to pay more for additional functionality.

• Buildium: Starts at $50/month, but it’s per-unit for anything over 50. This can become costly as you scale.

• PriceLabs: No revenue cut but charges a flat fee per listing. It appears straightforward until you encounter configuration challenges.

Always assess your effective fee structure before committing to a platform.

Why Solo Landlords Abandon Enterprise Tools

Enterprise platforms like Buildium cater to large property managers.

If you own a few units, paying for unnecessary features is not practical.

• High Starting Cost: Many platforms require a minimum monthly payment, often with additional costs per unit. This can be a significant burden for those managing only a handful of properties.

• Complex Features: Features like GAAP compliance or 1099-MISC filing are unnecessary for simply collecting rent.

• Steep Learning Curve: Features such as client trust accounts or electronic tax filing require time to learn, which may not yield immediate value.

Select tools that align with your scale. Simplicity is key for solo landlords.

Live Speed-to-Lead Test

In today's fast-paced environment, how quickly can your software respond to tenant inquiries?

• TurboTenant: Instant tenant applications via links. Speedy—applicants can apply before viewing the property.

• Baselane: Slower to respond to tenant inquiries due to its banking focus.

• TenantCloud: Offers automated responses but can lag due to additional features requiring setup.

• Buildium: Fast once configured, but initial setup takes time; early leads may go cold.

• PriceLabs: Not applicable here, as they focus on pricing strategies rather than tenant interactions.

Speed is crucial. Delayed responses can lead to missed opportunities.

The “Hidden Transaction Costs” Audit

Every platform has transaction costs that can catch you off guard. Here’s how they break down:

ACH Fees

• TurboTenant: Charges $1.50 per transaction on the free tier. While monthly fees are waived, transaction costs can accumulate with multiple tenants.

• Baselane: No ACH fees for rent payments, but charges for bank transfers—these can vary.

• TenantCloud: Offers free ACH for basic services, but expect fees on advanced features.

• Buildium: No specific ACH fees, but setup costs can add up if not monitored.

• PriceLabs: No ACH features—focuses on pricing rather than payment processing.

Credit Card Pass-through

• TurboTenant: Accepts credit cards with a 3.5% fee—this can add up when tenants pay via card.

• Baselane: No credit card fees, but check for hidden fees in banking services.

• TenantCloud: Credit card payments incur an additional cost, typically around 2.75%.

• Buildium: Similar structure—credit card payments come with a fee.

• PriceLabs: No credit card processing; strictly focused on pricing tools.

Unit Escalators

• TurboTenant: No escalation—flat fees.

• Baselane: Fees can escalate if banking services exceed certain limits.

• TenantCloud: Higher tiers require add-ons, which can turn your flat monthly fee into a costly affair.

• Buildium: Per-unit escalators can significantly increase your monthly bill.

• PriceLabs: Flat fee per listing; no escalators.

Direct Answers to “People Also Ask” Queries

What are the hidden fees and transaction costs?

Hidden fees vary widely:

• Transaction fees for ACH payments can range from $1.50 to $3 per transaction.
• Credit card processing fees typically range from 2.75% to 3.5%.
• Additional feature costs can arise through premium tiers.

Is this suitable for landlords with fewer than 10 units?

Yes, but proceed with caution. TurboTenant offers a free tier, making it low-risk. Avoid platforms like Buildium unless you’re prepared for significant investment.

How does ACH rent processing speed compare between platforms?

Processing speeds differ:

• TurboTenant is generally the fastest due to its focused design.
• Baselane can be slower, tied to banking protocols.
• Buildium requires setup time, while TenantCloud automates responses but may lag due to complexity.

Can tenants make partial payments?

Generally, yes, but it depends on the platform:

• TurboTenant and Buildium allow partial payments.
• TenantCloud may block this if eviction is in process.
• Baselane doesn’t explicitly state partial payment functionality.

Clear Decision Framework

Choose TurboTenant if:

• You manage 1-10 units.
• You want no-cost solutions for vacancy and screening.
• You need quick ACH processing without hidden fees.

Choose Baselane if:

• You want integrated banking and bookkeeping.
• You handle a moderate number of units and can absorb some fees.
• You're looking for automated tax categorization.

Choose TenantCloud if:

• You manage 10-50 units.
• You need comprehensive features but are willing to pay for add-ons.
• Speed isn't your top priority.

Choose Buildium if:

• You manage 50+ units.
• You're comfortable with high upfront costs for better accounting.
• You need robust features and can handle the learning curve.

Choose PriceLabs if:

• You focus on short-term rentals.
• You need dynamic pricing tools without transaction fees.
• You can manage a steeper configuration process.

Navigating the software landscape requires careful consideration. Choose wisely; your cash flow depends on it.

Originally published on DoorVerdict — Independent Real Estate Software Index.