Prices checked on October 15, 2026 Prices change. Confirm on the vendor's site before you buy.
To collect rent online for free, start with TurboTenant, Baselane Core or Stessa Essentials: all three include online rent collection on a $0 plan. Baselane publishes its fees: ACH is $2 (the landlord can cover it or pass it on) and cards are 3.49% paid by the tenant. Faster deposits are a paid perk on Baselane Smart ($20/month annual, 2-day deposits) and Stessa Manage ($12/month annual, accelerated rent payments).
Steps
- Pick a platform. Free options: TurboTenant, Baselane Core or Stessa Essentials. Flat-price all-in-one: RentRedi from $12/month annual.
- Connect a payout account. Baselane can pay into its own checking accounts (via Thread Bank, Member FDIC). Other tools connect to your bank.
- Create the lease and rent schedule. Set amount, due date, late fees and reminders.
- Invite the tenant. They pay by ACH or card through a tenant portal. Baselane and Stessa list tenant autopay.
- Reconcile. Match deposits to each unit. Baselane Core and Stessa include bookkeeping; REI Hub is bookkeeping-only.
Platform Snapshot
| App | Free online rent? | Published payment fees | Faster payouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurboTenant | Yes | Renter ACH $2 on Free/Essentials, free on Pro; cards 3.49% | “Collect rent faster” on paid tiers |
| RentRedi | Included (from $12/mo annual) | Not listed on the pricing page | Not listed |
| Baselane | Yes (Core) | ACH $2; debit/credit card 3.49% | 2-day deposits on Smart ($20/mo annual) |
| Stessa | Yes (Essentials) | Not listed | Accelerated rent on Manage ($12/mo annual) |
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More detail: best rent collection apps. First rental? See landlord software for first-time landlords.
Detailed Setup Walkthrough
1. Decide Who Pays Fees
Before you invite tenants, decide whether you'll absorb payment fees. Write it into the lease or a rent-payment addendum. On Baselane the ACH fee can be covered by the landlord or passed on, and it's waived for rent deposited to Baselane. On TurboTenant, renters pay $2 per ACH payment unless you're on Pro. Card fees (3.49% on both) are normally tenant-paid.
2. Set the Rent Schedule
Enter the rent amount, due date, grace period and late-fee rule exactly as the lease says. Most platforms automate late fees. Stessa lets you charge them automatically, manually or not at all. Check your state's late-fee rules before switching them on.
3. Add Move-In Charges
Create separate line items for the security deposit, prorated first month and any pet deposit, so your books show what's refundable. RentRedi lists security deposit collection as a feature.
4. Invite Tenants and Push Autopay
Send the invite, then follow up personally. Explain autopay in one sentence: "it pays on the due date, and you can see every receipt." Recurring payments are listed by Baselane, Stessa, RentRedi and TurboTenant.
5. Reconcile Monthly
On the 5th of each month (or after your grace period), check the rent roll. Mark anything unpaid, send a reminder and apply the late fee per your lease.
Timeline and Cost for 1, 4 and 10 Units
| 1 unit | 4 units | 10 units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setup time (our estimate) | About 30 minutes | About 1–2 hours | Half a day |
| Free option, landlord cost | $0 (TurboTenant Free, Baselane Core or Stessa Essentials) | $0 | $0 |
| Faster deposits | Baselane Smart $240/yr or Stessa Manage $144/yr | Same | Same |
| Renter ACH fees on TurboTenant Free | $24/yr | $96/yr in total | $240/yr in total |
| Renter ACH fees on TurboTenant Pro ($199/yr landlord) | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Gotchas
- Deposit timing: Baselane Core deposits rent in 5 business days, Smart in 2. Plan bill payments (like the mortgage) around the slower timeline.
- Connected accounts: TurboTenant Free and Essentials allow one connected bank account. With several properties in separate accounts, you'll need Pro or another app.
- Returned payments: Baselane says it doesn't charge for returned payments, but your external bank may.
- Mixed payment methods: if one tenant still pays by check, record it in the same app so your ledger stays complete.
Template Message to Tenants
"Starting next month, rent can be paid online through [app]. You'll get an email invite. Bank transfer (ACH) is [free / $X]. Card payments include a processing fee. Autopay is the easiest option and you'll get a receipt each month. Reply with any questions."
Comparing apps first? See best rent collection apps. Picking full software? Start at best landlord software.
Rollout Plans by Portfolio Size
1 Unit
Set it up in one sitting, then send the invite with a personal note. Ask the tenant to make the first payment a few days early so you can confirm it reaches your account before the real due date.
4 Units
Roll out to all tenants on the same day, right after a rent due date. Offer a short call to anyone hesitant. Track who has enabled autopay and follow up with the rest before next month.
10 Units
Send the announcement 30 days ahead with the template above. Switch on reminders and late fees only after the first full cycle, once you've seen every tenant can pay without issues.
How We Checked
We read each vendor's own pricing and feature pages on October 15, 2026: TurboTenant pricing, RentRedi pricing, Baselane pricing, Stessa pricing and rent collection pages. We only state prices and features shown there. Where a vendor doesn't publish a number, we say "check vendor" rather than guess. Worked examples use the listed prices and simple, stated assumptions; your totals will depend on your plan, billing term and how tenants pay.
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Can I collect rent online for free?
Yes. TurboTenant, Baselane Core and Stessa Essentials all include online rent collection at $0. Payment fees may still apply.
Who pays the ACH fee on Baselane?
Baselane charges $2 for rent paid by ACH. The landlord can cover it or pass it to the tenant. Card payments carry a 3.49% fee paid by the tenant.
How do I get rent deposited faster?
Baselane Smart offers 2-day deposits instead of 5. Stessa Manage includes accelerated rent payments.
Should I charge tenants the ACH fee?
It's your choice, but write it into the lease. Many landlords absorb ACH fees to encourage autopay and pass card fees to tenants.
Can I require tenants to pay online?
Rules vary by state and city, and some require offering a non-electronic option. Check your local law.
How do late fees work online?
You set the rule once and the app applies it after the grace period. Stessa allows automatic, manual or no late fees. Baselane and RentRedi list automatic late fees.
What if a payment bounces?
Baselane says it doesn't charge for returned payments, though your bank may. Follow up with the tenant and record the reversal in your ledger.
Do I need a separate bank account for rent?
It isn't required, but it makes bookkeeping and taxes easier. Baselane offers free property-specific accounts.
What do tenants need to pay online?
Usually an email address, the app or portal, and a bank account or card. RentRedi also lists a cash option.
Can I collect partial payments?
RentRedi lists payment controls to pause or block payments. Baselane lists split rent through Livble. For partial-payment settings on other apps, check vendor.
Sources
- TurboTenant pricing: https://www.turbotenant.com/pricing/
- RentRedi pricing: https://rentredi.com/pricing/
- Baselane pricing: https://www.baselane.com/pricing
- Stessa pricing: https://www.stessa.com/pricing/
All prices and features above come from these vendor pages, checked on October 15, 2026. Details we couldn't confirm there are left out.