Dwelo is a smart home automation provider for multifamily properties. Focused on owners and operators, Dwelo aims to provide smart apartment solutions that increase value and returns.
While Dwelo can help with smart device management, access control, utility management, and self-guided tours, it has several frustrations that may cause you to look for alternatives. These include a lack of integration with many smart devices and no end-to-end property management capabilities.
If you’re looking for a smart apartment solution, Dwelo could work for you. However, if you need device flexibility or property management capabilities, you should consider alternatives.
The good news is that you’re in the right place to find the best Dwelo alternatives. In this post, we’ll cover the top 8 Dwelo alternatives. And, how to choose the right one for your portfolio. Before we discuss alternatives, let’s take a deeper look at what Dwelo is (and isn’t) good at.
Table of Contents:
- What is Dwelo good at?
- Where does Dwelo fall short?
- Alternatives
- Important features to consider when choosing a Dwelo alternative
Choosing the Best Alternative to Dwelo for Smart Apartment Automation
Before choosing Dwelo or an alternative, you need to know at what Dwelo excels. And, where it falls short.
What Is Dwelo Good At?
Dwelo is a smart device management platform that was designed by and for multifamily owners and operators.
As a smart device management system, Dwelo helps owners, operators, and residents control a variety of smart devices (like lights, thermostats, and locks). Focusing only on device management software, Dwelo doesn’t manufacture its own hardware. Instead, it relies on integrations with smart devices made by other companies.
Along with smart device management, Dwelo offers access control, utility management, and self-guided tours. With Dwelo’s tenant app, residents can control devices, utilities, access, and more from their smart device. Dwelo also has support to help with installation, management, and resolution of any issues.
Where Does Dwelo Fall Short?
Dwelo’s range of device integration is one shortcoming. While Dwelo relies heavily on device integration to operate, it can only integrate with devices that use Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It doesn’t integrate with devices that have protocols like Zigbee. So, if you want to use Dwelo, you need devices that work with its platform. If you have devices that use unsupported protocols, you’ll have to replace all devices across your portfolio, which is costly.
If you want a platform to work with every device you have, you should consider an alternative.
Along with integration, Dwelo also doesn’t offer what you need to manage your property. Dwelo is a smart device management system – not a property management platform. If you choose Dwelo, you’ll need additional point solutions to manage your property (like HVAC analytics and invoicing).
And, Dwelo isn’t a middleware solution that improves the function of your legacy property management tech. If you want an end-to-end or middleware property management solution, Dwelo isn’t the way to go.
Lastly, Dwelo focuses on providing value to owners and operators at the expense of tenant experience. With few features that address the tenant experience, Dwelo does little to improve the tenant experience and promote retention. If you want a solution that brings a hospitality mindset to multifamily, you should look elsewhere.
Finding the Right Alternative to Dwelo in 2021
If Dwelo’s shortcomings lead you to consider other options, we’ve got you covered with the top 8 Dwelo alternatives.
1. BeHome247
BeHome247 is a smart home automation and property management platform. It’s designed for multifamily, single family, vacation, and hospitality properties. As a device agnostic platform, BeHome247 integrates with your existing devices. And, BeHome247’s comprehensive platform has everything you need to manage operations, guest experience, and communications from one application. Created with a hospitality mindset that prioritizes tenant experience, BeHome247 solves Dwelo’s shortcomings.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
- Vacation rentals
- Hospitality
Top Features:
- Device agnostic smart home automation
- End-to-end platform
- Middleware for legacy tech
- Responsive human support
- Tenant communications app
Like Dwelo, BeHome247 helps you manage smart devices across your properties. Unlike Dwelo, BeHome247 works with your existing locks, thermostats, lights, and other smart devices – regardless of protocol.
Whereas Dwelo only helps you with smart home automation, BeHome247 offers everything you need to manage your property. From a single, cloud-based software solution, BeHome247 automates all of your day-to-day operations – like inspections, maintenance, vendor invoicing, housekeeping, guest/tenant app, message center, digital rental/guest agreements, and more.
Along with end-to-end capabilities, BeHome247 also works with legacy tech. As a middleware solution, BeHome247 can help you get the most out of your tech. And, it can add new features (like EV charging stations), without you having to replace your current systems. Plus, BeHome247 provides enterprise reporting to help you find opportunities to save time and money while increasing revenue streams.
With BeHome247’s tenant communication app, you can also enhance the tenant experience. This app allows tenants to control their smart devices, access common areas, communicate work order needs, pay rent, receive important property communications, and more. That way, your tenants are just as happy with your tech as you are.
Final word: BeHome247 is the best Dwelo alternative because it solves Dwelo’s shortcomings with a flexible, robust, and hospitality-minded platform that can meet all your needs.
2. Brilliant
Brilliant is a smart home automation platform for consumers and multifamily properties. And, Brilliant provides software and manufactures devices for energy management, asset control, damage detection, and more.
Use Cases:
- Homeowners
- Multifamily
- Home builders
Top Features:
- Proprietary hardware
- Access control
- Tenant app
Like Dwelo, Brilliant focuses only on smart home automation. Unlike Dwelo, Brilliant manufactures its own hardware (like panels and light switches). Although Brilliant manufactures some hardware, they also integrate with other hardware provides. And, diverging from Dwelo, Brilliant also serves consumers directly, not just multifamily owners and operators. Along with smart device management, Brilliant also offers access control, energy management, asset protection, risk management, and a tenant app.
Final word: If you’re looking for smart home automation for your own home or want a company that offers software and proprietary hardware, Brilliant could be a good alternative.
3. Homebase
Homebase is a smart home automation platform for multifamily. Along with smart home automation, Homebase offers access control, energy management, security, community Wi-Fi, and more.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
Top Features:
- Hubless smart apartment
- Digital payments
- Access control
Similar to Dwelo, Homebase focuses on smart home automation by managing devices like locks, lights, and thermostats. And, Homebase does not manufacture its own hardware. Unlike Dwelo, Homebase also offers digital payments, security, maintenance management, and community Wi-Fi. Homebase offers additional services like in-home delivery by partnering with companies like Walmart InHome. While its offerings are more comprehensive than Dwelo, Homebase does not offer end-to-end property management capabilities.
Final word: If you’re looking for a smart home automation provider with a few extras (like digital payments), Homebase could work for you.
4. IOTAS
IOTAS is a smart home automation platform for multifamily properties. With a tenant app, residents can manage their smart devices. For owners and operators, IOTAS aims to increase efficiency and tenant satisfaction through energy management, property alerts, access control, and more.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
Top Features:
- Tenant app
- Leak detection
- Property alerts
Like Dwelo, IOTAS is a smart apartment solution. IOTAS does not manufacture hardware. Its software focuses on smart device management, access control, and self-guided tours. While IOTAS does not offer a comprehensive property management solution, it does provide automation tools to help property teams be more efficient. And, leak detection and property alerts help property teams get in front of issues.
Final word: If you’re looking for a smart home automation solution with property alerts, IOTAS could work for your property.
5. Latch
Latch is a vertically integrated smart home automation platform. Along with smart home automation software, Latch also manufactures its own hardware. Latch’s goal is to create a streamlined experience reminiscent of the Apple ecosystem.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Office
Top Features:
- Proprietary hardware
- Access control
- Guest and delivery management
While Latch initially served only multifamily properties, it has recently expanded to office spaces as well. Similar to Dwelo, Latch focuses only on smart home automation, without any property management capabilities. Unlike Dwelo, Latch manufactures its own hardware. And, Latch focuses on making hardware, not providing integration with your existing hardware. In addition to smart device management, Latch also offers access control, guest/delivery management, and connectivity. With LatchID, residents can access everything they need in one app.
Final word: Latch provides smart home automation software. If you’re looking for a company that also manufactures hardware and doesn’t interface with other devices, Latch could work for your portfolio.
6. PointCentral
PointCentral is an Alarm.com company providing smart home automation with a focus on security. As an enterprise solution, PointCentral only serves larger portfolios of 25 units or more.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
- Vacation rentals
Top Features:
- Cellular reliability
- Tenant app
- Business intelligence
Similar to Dwelo, PointCentral is a smart home automation provider. With PointCentral, you can manage your devices over cellular instead of Wi-Fi. However, PointCentral only integrates with some devices. Whereas Dwelo only serves multifamily properties, PointCentral also serves single family and vacation rental properties. Along with smart home automation, PointCentral offers access control, property alerts, and monitoring. PointCentral does not have property management capabilities. But, PointCentral does attempt to differentiate itself from competitors like Dwelo by emphasizing its security company backing and data integrity and security.
Final word: If you want smart home automation with an emphasis on security for your mixed portfolio, PointCentral could be a good fit.
7. Rently
Rently began as a self-guided touring solution. Now, Rently offers smart home automation and some hardware as well. All of Rently’s solutions are available for both multifamily and single family properties.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
Top Features:
- Self-guided tours
- Access control
- Damage prevention
While Rently provides smart home automation (but not property management capabilities), its primary focus is on self-guided tour solutions. Dwelo offers self-guided tours, but it’s a new product. Diverging from Dwelo, Rently makes hardware for its self-guided tour solution, such as lockboxes. Along with smart home automation, Rently offers access control, energy management, and damage prevention. Like Dwelo, Rently’s platform only integrates with some devices.
Final word: If you’re looking for a robust self-guided tour solution with some smart home automation features, Rently could work for you.
8. SmartRent
SmartRent is a smart home automation provider for multifamily properties, with some solutions for single family and student housing. After acquiring a device manufacturer, SmartRent also produces proprietary hardware.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
- Student housing
Top Features:
- Access control
- Asset protection
- Self-guided tours
Like Dwelo, SmartRent is a smart home automation platform without property management capabilities. Differing from Dwelo, SmartRent manufactures proprietary hardware. However, SmartRent does still offer integration with third-party hardware. While SmartRent claims to serve single family and student housing, its offerings for these asset classes are incomplete. As such, multifamily is SmartRent’s main focus. Along with smart home automation, SmartRent also offers access control, parking management, community Wi-Fi, asset protection, parking management, and self-guided tours.
Final word: If you’re looking for a smart home automation platform with some proprietary hardware, SmartRent could work for you.
Important Features to Consider When Choosing a Dwelo Alternative
You now know some alternatives to Dwelo. So, it’s time to choose the right one for you. But, before you make a choice, here are some important features to look for in an alternative:
Flexibility
One of Dwelo’s drawbacks is limited device integration. To use Dwelo, your smart devices have to use protocols Dwelo supports (like Z-Wave). So, if you have devices with unsupported protocols (like Zigbee), you can’t use Dwelo. Or, you have to switch out every smart device. Switching all your devices can be extremely expensive – not to mention a waste of time.
You likely want the freedom to use any device with your smart home automation software. So, you should choose a provider with device flexibility, also known as being device agnostic. That way, you can choose devices that work best for your property – not your software provider.
Tenant Experience Focus
Because Dwelo focuses only on driving value for owners and operators, it has few features to enhance the tenant experience. While focusing on owners/operators sounds nice in theory, it’s nearly impossible to have a high NOI if tenants are so unhappy they leave your property.
To drive the most value, you need smart home automation that creates a great tenant experience. This could include a tenant app, EV charging stations, easy online payments, and more. By creating a great tenant experience, your smart home automation software not only increases retention. It also makes tenants willing to pay more for your property and amenities – increasing revenue.
Comprehensive
You need tech to manage all your day-to-day operations, not just smart devices. If you choose tech that only manages one aspect (like smart devices), you’ll end up with a large and unmanageable tech stack. Instead of increasing efficiency, this large tech stack will slow your team down. Not to mention the costs of so many tech solutions.
So, you need a comprehensive platform that helps you manage more than just smart devices. That way, you’ll maximize efficiency gains and get the most bang for your buck.
Responsive Human Support
You should choose a smart home automation solution that’s easy to implement and use. However, even the easiest software still has the occasional issue. Any tech service interruption not only throws your whole day off track. It also creates a negative tenant experience.
To reduce any impact on guests/tenants, you need responsive human support. This support should prioritize your needs if something happens. That way, you can resolve any issues as soon as possible.
Wrapping It Up
Dwelo is a smart home automation provider for multifamily properties. However, Dwelo only integrates with some devices. And, Dwelo doesn’t offer a comprehensive property management solution that prioritizes tenant experience. Both of these issues could cause you to look for an alternative.
Each of the 8 alternatives in this guide can meet some of your needs. But, if you want the best alternative that solves all Dwelo’s shortcomings, BeHome247 is the right choice. BeHome247 is a device agnostic platform. And, it offers comprehensive property management solutions for multifamily, single family, vacation rentals, and hospitality properties. Plus, BeHome247 brings a hospitality mindset to other asset classes to create an outstanding tenant experience.
Snag your BeHome247 demo today to see how the best Dwelo alternative can help you manage your smart devices and property better.
