Rently is a self-touring solution for multifamily and single family properties. Along with self-touring, Rently also offers smart home automation and resident screening.
While Rently was a pioneer of self-touring technology for rental properties, Rently’s underdeveloped smart home automation and non-existent property management capabilities could leave you looking for an alternative.
If you’re looking for an enterprise self-guided tour provider, Rently could work for you. However, if you need device flexibility or robust smart home automation functionality, Rently isn’t the best fit for you.
The good news is you’re in the right place to find the best Rently alternatives. We’ll cover the top 8 Rently alternatives. And, how to choose the right one for your properties. Before we dive into alternatives, let’s take a look at what Rently does (and doesn’t) do well.
Table of Contents:
- What is Rently good at?
- Where does Rently fall short?
- Alternatives
- Important features to consider when choosing a Rently alternative
Choosing the Best Alternative to Rently for Self-Touring and Smart Home Automation
To choose the right Rently alternative, you need to know where Rently excels. And, where it falls short.
What Is Rently Good At?
Founded in 2011, Rently is one of the original providers of self-touring technology. Prospective renters can self-tour single family or multifamily properties with Rently’s software and proprietary hardware. Rently offers limited integration with other self-touring hardware.
Along with self-touring, Rently also offers enterprise smart home automation. In addition to controlling devices like lights and thermostats, Rently’s smart home automation includes access control, damage prevention, energy management, and sensor monitoring.
And, Rently has lead management tools for multifamily and single family properties. Rently’s lead management tools include applicant screening, matching applicants to the right property, a call center to manage prospect calls, and agent scheduling.
Where Does Rently Fall Short?
Although Rently has branched out from self-touring technology, it remains Rently’s focus. So, its other offerings (like smart home automation) are much less robust. If you need a full-featured smart home automation platform for your portfolio, you might want to look for an alternative to Rently.
While Rently has some smart home automation features, it has no property management capabilities. If you choose Rently, you’ll need another solution to help you manage things like tenant communications, vendors, HVAC analytics, and more. Rently likely won’t work for you if you need end-to-end property management capabilities.
Plus, Rently doesn’t offer middleware property management functionality. So, Rently can’t improve the function of your legacy systems or add additional functionality. If you want a solution that adds to your legacy systems, Rently isn’t the right choice for you.
Another Rently shortcoming is device flexibility. For its self-touring solution, Rently only offers proprietary hardware or integration with a few lockboxes. And, for smart home automation, Rently only integrates with Z-Wave devices. So, if you have devices with other protocols (like Zigbee), you’ll need to replace them to use Rently. If you want the freedom to use any device, Rently won’t work for you.
Finding the Right Alternative to Rently in 2021
If Rently’s shortcomings leave you needing an alternative, we’ve got you covered with the top 8 Rently alternatives.
1. BeHome247
BeHome247 is an enterprise smart home automation and property management platform. It’s designed for multifamily, single family, vacation rental, and hospitality properties. With BeHome247’s comprehensive platform, you can manage every aspect of operations, guest management, and communication from one single application. As a device agnostic platform, BeHome247 also provides device flexibility.
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 Rently, BeHome247 provides self-guided tours and smart home automation. Unlike Rently, BeHome247 works with your existing hardware. So, you can use your current locks, lights, thermostats, and other smart devices with BeHome247 – regardless of their protocol.
Also differing from Rently, BeHome247 has everything you need to manage your property. Along with self-guided tours and smart home automation, BeHome247 also provides a property management platform. 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.
On top of end-to-end property management capabilities, you can also use BeHome247 with existing legacy tech. As a middleware solution, BeHome247 can help you get the most out of your existing tech. And, it can add new features (like EV charging stations), without having to replace systems you already have. Plus, BeHome247 provides enterprise reporting to help you find opportunities to save time and money while increasing revenue streams.
Final word: BeHome247 is the best Rently alternative because it provides more smart home automation and property management capabilities on a device agnostic platform.
2. ButterflyMX
ButterflyMX is an access system for rental and commercial properties. Along with access control, ButterflyMX provides self-guided tours, resident management, proprietary hardware, and a tenant app.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
- Student housing
- CRE
Top Features:
- Tenant app
- Access control
- Self-guided tours
Similar to Rently, ButterflyMX offers access control and self-guided tours. ButterflyMX also has proprietary hardware like intercoms and keypads. But, ButterflyMX offers few device integrations. Differing from Rently, ButterflyMX is primarily an access control system. So, ButterflyMX doesn’t provide smart home automation or property management capabilities. Instead, ButterflyMX offers solutions like video intercoms, elevator controls, front desk stations, and more.
Final word: If you’re looking for an access control only solution without device integration, ButterflyMX could be a good alternative.
3. Dwelo
Dwelo is a smart device management platform for multifamily properties. In addition to smart device management, Dwelo also offers solutions like access control, self-guided tours, and utility management.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
Top Features:
- Tenant app
- Access control
- Installation support
Like Rently, Dwelo offers self-guided tours and smart home automation – without property management capabilities. Unlike Rently, Dwelo focuses on smart home automation, with self-guided tours as an add-on. Dwelo also doesn’t offer proprietary hardware. Instead, Dwelo relies on integration with Z-Wave devices. Along with managing smart devices (like thermostats, locks, and lights), Dwelo also offers access control, utility optimization, and professional installation.
Final word: If you’re looking for a multifamily-specific smart home automation platform without wide device integration, Dwelo could be a good alternative.
4. IOTAS
IOTAS is an enterprise smart home automation solution for multifamily properties. With additional functionality like building-wide automation and property alerts, IOTAS aims to increase efficiency and tenant satisfaction.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
Top Features:
- Property alerts
- Tenant app
- Self-guided tours
IOTAS is another multifamily-specific smart home automation platform. Similar to Rently, IOTAS provides self-guided tours and smart home automation. And, IOTAs doesn’t have property management functionality. However, IOTAS focuses mainly on smart home automation. So, in addition to controlling smart devices like thermostats and locks, IOTAS also provides access control, leak detection, vacant unit temperature control, and more. And, IOTAS doesn’t have proprietary hardware, so it relies on device integration.
Final word: If you’re looking for a multifamily smart home automation and self-guided tour solution without proprietary hardware, IOTAS could work for you.
5. Latch
Latch is a smart home automation provider. Through recent integration partnerships, Latch now offers self-guided tours. With its proprietary hardware, Latch aims to offer a vertically integrated building operating system.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Office
Top Features:
- Proprietary hardware
- LatchOS
- Self-guided tour integration
Aiming to create an Apple-like smart home automation ecosystem for multifamily and office buildings, Latch focuses on providing everything from proprietary hardware to software to support. In terms of software, Latch provides solutions for access control, guest and delivery management, sensors, and more. Because of the emphasis on a closed ecosystem, Latch does not integrate with third-party smart devices. Unlike Rently, Latch doesn’t offer its own self-guided tour solution. Instead, it relies on partnerships to provide this service.
Final word: If you’re looking for a smart home automation solution with proprietary hardware and no device integration, Latch could be a good alternative
6. PointCentral
PointCentral is a smart home automation provider for multifamily, single family, and vacation rental properties. As an Alarm.com company, PointCentral focuses on security for its enterprise smart home automation solution.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
- Vacation rentals
Top Features:
- Tenant app
- Cellular connectivity
- Self-tours
Similar to Rently, PointCentral is a smart home automation and self-tour provider. However, PointCentral doesn’t provide property management capabilities. Differing from Rently, PointCentral provides solutions for multifamily, single family, and vacation rental properties. And, PointCentral doesn’t manufacture its own hardware. Instead, it relies on integrations. Along with device control and self-tours, PointCentral provides access control, property alerts, HVAC management, and more.
Final word: If you’re looking for a security-focused smart home automation and self-tour solution without wide integration, PointCentral could work for you.
7. SmartRent
SmartRent is a smart home automation provider focusing on multifamily properties. While it has solutions for single family and student housing properties, SmartRent’s main focus is on providing smart apartment technology for multifamily properties.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
- Student housing
Top Features:
- Asset protection
- Self-guided tours
- Parking management
Like Rently, SmartRent is also a smart home automation and self-guided tour solution. With the acquisition of a hardware manufacture, SmartRent now has some proprietary hardware (like locks). However, SmartRent has wider device integration than Rently. While SmartRent doesn’t have property management capabilities, it has more robust smart home automation features than Rently. Along with device control, SmartRent has access control, parking management, community WiFi, asset protection, and more.
Final word: SmartRent provides more robust smart home automation features than Rently, making it a potential alternative. And, its integration is wider (although not best in class).
8. TenantTurner
Differing from the other alternatives, TenantTurner is a lead scheduling solution for residential properties. Along with self-touring, TenantTurner also qualifies leads and has a call center for prospects.
Use Cases:
- Multifamily
- Single family
Top Features:
- Centralized leasing dashboard
- Automated prospect follow up
- Self-tours
TenantTurner focuses on the leasing process instead of smart devices. Along with self-tours, TenantTurner has a leasing dashboard, tenant pre-qualification, call center, lead tracking, reporting, and more. Unlike Rently, TenantTurner doesn’t have proprietary hardware. However, it has limited integration with third-party self-tour hardware. Since it focuses on the leasing process, TenantTurner also doesn’t have property management capabilities.
Final word: If you’re looking for a lead scheduling solution without smart home automation or property management functionality, TenantTurner could be the right alternative.
Important Features to Consider When Choosing a Rently Alternative
You now know the top 8 alternatives to Rently. Before you choose an alternative, here are some important features to consider:
Flexibility
One of Rently’s shortcomings is a lack of device flexibility. You can only use Z-Wave devices with Rently’s platform. So, if you already have devices with a different protocol (like Zigbee), you have to switch them out to use Rently. Changing devices throughout your portfolio is a huge expense – not to mention time extremely time-consuming.
So, you need a platform that has device flexibility. It should integrate with a variety of device protocols and connectivity. That way, you can use any device that works for your property – saving you time and money.
Relevant
Rently also falls short with its smart home automation offerings. Because Rently was originally a self-tour provider, its self-tour capabilities are much more robust than its smart home automation offerings. If you need a smart home automation platform, Rently’s offerings will likely leave you disappointed.
To fix this, you need a solution that’s designed to do what you need. If you need a smart home automation and self-touring, look for a solution that has robust offerings in both areas. The right alterative should have appropriate features to meet your needs.
Comprehensive
Along with weak smart home automation offerings, Rently also doesn’t have property management functionality. So, you’ll need separate software to manage your day-to-day property operations. Adding more software is more expensive. And, it can be hard for your team to use – leading to low adoption.
Instead of having multiple tech solutions, you should look for a comprehensive platform that does everything you need. That way, you can manage your property, self-tours, and smart devices from one solution. This will help you maximize efficiency and save money.
Responsive Human Support
Smart home and self-touring tech can be complicated. Because of this complexity, you’ll likely encounter tech problems and frustrations. And these technology challenges aren’t just frustrating for you. They can create a negative tenant experience
To minimize tenant impact, 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
Rently is a self-tour and smart home automation solution for multifamily and single family properties. However, Rently’s heavy focus on self-touring at the expense of smart home automation functionality may leave you frustrated. Combined with a lack of device flexibility, Rently’s shortcomings may leave you looking for an alternative.
All 8 Rently alternatives can some of your needs. But, BeHome247 is the only alternative that solves all of Rently’s shortcomings. BeHome247 has robust smart home automation and property management functionality. With BeHome247’s comprehensive platform, you have everything you need to manage your properties – not just conduct self-tours. And, BeHome247 is a device agnostic platform that’s compatible with nearly every device.
Sign up for your BeHome247 demo today to see how the best Rently alternative can help you manage your devices and property better.
