Managing rental properties is a juggling act. That’s why many landlords turn to property management software. It streamlines tasks, saves time, and boosts efficiency by handling common hangups like rent collection. However, choosing the right platform can be tricky because of the number of competitors on the market.
To make the selection process easier, this comprehensive comparison explores two well-known options: Stessa vs. DoorLoop. We’ll go over their features, pricing, and target audiences to help you find the perfect fit.
Whether you prioritize price, capabilities, customer service, or another feature, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to decide which solution is right for you.
Key Insights and Findings
You should always do plenty of research before choosing the right property management software, but here are some helpful insights if you’re looking for a quick summary:
- Both companies offer a three-tiered pricing model, so you can choose the features that are most important to you while only paying for what you need.
- Stessa is an older company than DoorLoop and receives generally higher reviews across review sites. However, there have been complaints about synching bank accounts, and some key features, including maintenance request management, are missing.
- Stessa’s pricing is cheaper overall than DoorLoop’s. Plus, it also offers a free option that you can sign up for right away.
- Depending on your budget and overall needs, choosing another property management software could be the best option when comparing Stessa and DoorLoop.
Introduction to Stessa
Stessa was founded in 2016 by Heath Silverman and Jonah Schwartz and acquired by Roofstock in March 2021. The key focus of Stessa’s product is rental property accounting, with property management features like tenant screening, leasing, and rent collection.
While it can be used for more extensive portfolios, Stessa’s property management platform caters well to individual landlords who manage a few properties and value financial reporting capabilities.
The company offers a free plan with a good range of features, making it accessible to smaller-scale investors and landlords. Two upgrade options (Manage and Pro) offer more features and functionality for an added cost. These plans can be purchased on both an annual and monthly billing cycle.
Introduction to DoorLoop
Founded in 2019, DoorLoop is a platform newer to the market than Stessa, but it’s established a solid reputation and accumulated respectable user feedback.
DoorLoop is designed to help landlords manage properties by screening tenants, creating digital rental applications, collecting rent payments, organizing accounting, and other features relevant to small-to-medium-sized landlords and organizations.
Their pricing structure is similar to Stessa’s but slightly more expensive. DoorLoop charges based on a three-tiered scale (Starter, Pro, Premium), with monthly costs increasing after every 20 units. We’ll compare pricing between the two companies in further detail below.
In-Depth Comparison: Stessa vs. DoorLoop
User Interface and Experience
User experience is a critical factor of property management software. When choosing the right solution, you need something user-friendly and straightforward for both landlords and tenants.
Stessa users report that the platform is intuitive and very easy to use. One user mentioned in a recent Stessa review that they could easily import Excel spreadsheets, and the company provided clear instructions on how to convert them to CSV files.
DoorLoop customers have also reported that the software is one of the easiest-to-use tools on the market. DoorLoop reviews mention that the user interface is intuitive and that the software is user-friendly overall.
Tenant and Lease Tracking
Tenant and lease tracking keeps rent on time, maintenance on track, and communication clear, making this feature a win-win for both landlords and tenants.
Stessa allows landlords to list vacancies, review applications, screen tenants, and sign leases in one place.
DoorLoop similarly offers various features to streamline the leasing process, including managing listings, attracting tenants, screening tenants, processing applications, collecting rent, and managing leases. Landlords can also track lease progress and store lease agreements electronically.
Maintenance and Repair Management
Managing maintenance requests and repairs can be extremely time consuming for property managers, especially when managing multiple properties.
Stessa currently lacks a maintenance and repair management tool. Although this is a heavily requested feature among its user base, it’s not clear whether the company plans to release it soon.
DoorLoop allows tenants to submit maintenance requests through an online portal. Landlords can create work orders, assign them to vendors, and track their progress. DoorLoop also offers automated workflows that automatically assign work orders to team members.
If you need an all-in-one solution, this is one of the biggest downsides to implementing Stessa. Landlords that need maintenance management might need to look elsewhere.
Communication Tools
Smooth and organized communication between property managers, tenants, and vendors is crucial. The right tools should make communication seamless so that no one misses a message and nothing is lost due to poor communication.
Stessa has limited communication features and doesn’t offer tenant communication capabilities. Like maintenance requests, Stessa users have requested this feature, but it’s unclear if it will be added in the future.
DoorLoop does offer communication tools. With DoorLoop, property managers can communicate directly with residents, send mass announcements, craft automated email campaigns, customize messaging features, access past communication records, and more.
Financial Management and Reporting
Financial management and reporting are crucial features for landlords and property managers. Part of the job is tracking income and expenses, ensuring timely rent collection and identifying areas to maximize profitability.
Stessa’s cash management features utilize real-time financial dashboards and advanced reports to help you own and manage finances. Stessa also provides a full suite of dashboards and reports, all purpose-built for landlords. The Stessa rent pay feature allows you to automate key tasks like rent reminders, recurring ACH deposits, tenant ledger updates, and bookkeeping.
DoorLoop can quickly and efficiently track income and expenses, automate payments, and generate reports. It can also integrate with QuickBooks. Some specific features include a chart of accounts, custom reporting, bank syncing, automatic payments, and lease applications.
Pricing Comparison
Pricing is often the make-or-break metric when shopping for property management software. The good news is that both Stessa and DoorLoop offer a variety of pricing options.
Stessa offers users three plan options: Essentials, Manage, and Pro. Landlords can pay each plan monthly or pay it in full annually for a slight discount. The Essentials package is free, while the Manage plan is $12 per month, paid annually, and the Pro plan is $28, paid annually. Prices go up if you choose a month-to-month plan.
DoorLoop costs slightly more than Stessa. DoorLoop pricing also offers three plans: Starter, Pro, and Premium. Users pay $59 per month for up to 20 units on the Starter plan, $119 on the Pro plan, and $169 monthly for the Premium plan. Prices increase after every 20 units. They occasionally run sales and promotions that reduce the cost of using software for the first two months.
In short, Stessa is the far more cost-effective option between the two. Another benefit of Stessa is that you can create a free account instantly, whereas DoorLoop requires you to meet with a sales representative and do an official demo. This requirement could be a barrier if you’re looking to get started with a solution right away.
Mobile App Availability and Features
Stessa’s mobile app has good reviews from users across both Google Play and the Apple App Store. However, there are a couple of issues that are commonly mentioned across the reviews, including:
- Connectivity issues with banks
- Poor or slow customer service
The DoorLoop app is rated significantly lower than Stessa on Google Play and the Apple App Store, and user reviews indicate that their software also needs improvement.
Some common issues that DoorLoop mobile app users report include:
- The app feels like it’s still in beta testing
- Difficult navigation
- Trouble accessing rental agreements
User Reviews: Stessa vs. DoorLoop
To track user reviews, we’ll analyze ratings across four platforms: Capterra, Apple App Store, Google Play, and Trustpilot.
Stessa reviews return the following ratings:
- Capterra: 4.6 out of 5 stars
- Apple App Store: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Google Play: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Trustpilot: 3.6 out of 5 stars
DoorLoop users return the following ratings:
- Capterra: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Apple App Store: 3.8 out of 5 stars
- Google Play: 3.4 out of 5 stars
- Trustpilot: 4.3 out of 5 stars
Making the Right Choice: Factors to Consider
Choosing the right property management software streamlines your workflows and maximizes efficiency. But with such a wide variety of options, the decision can feel overwhelming. Here are four key factors to consider:
1. Make a list of your must-haves:
Every property manager has unique requirements. Identifying your unique needs helps narrow down your options and ensures the software offers the functionalities that are most important to you.
2. Set a budget:
Pricing structures for property management software can vary significantly. Some offer free plans with limited features, while others require monthly subscriptions. Consider your budget and weigh the cost against each platform’s value proposition. Don’t be afraid to explore free trials to get a feel for the software before committing.
3. Consider the number of properties you manage:
The size and complexity of your portfolio should also influence your software selection. If you manage a handful of rental properties, a user-friendly platform with basic features might be sufficient. However, managing a large or diverse portfolio might necessitate a more robust solution with advanced functionalities.
4. Research customer support:
Implementing new software can be challenging, so consider the level of support you’ll require. Does the platform offer readily available customer service via phone, email, or chat? Are there comprehensive training resources and tutorials? Reliable and responsive customer support can be incredibly valuable for troubleshooting issues and maximizing the software’s potential.
Why TurboTenant Stands Out
The winner of the debate between Stessa vs. DoorLoop entirely depends on the features you need the most.
While Stessa and DoorLoop are both solid property management software options, TurboTenant is more of an all-in-one tool than Stessa while costing less than DoorLoop.
TurboTenant’s list of features includes:
- Rental Advertising
- Tenant Screening Reports
- Online Rental Applications
- State-Specific Lease Agreements
- Online Rent Collection
- Maintenance Management
- Accounting and Reporting
Like Stessa, TurboTenant offers a completely free version and allows you to sign up without scheduling a demo. For a zero-dollar barrier to entry, landlords can modernize their rental property management processes with software that grows at the same rate they do.
If you need to upgrade, TurboTenant’s feature-packed Premium plan rings up at a fraction of the cost of the others. If you’re looking for more proof, check out some reviews from the thousands of users who love using TurboTenant daily.
There’s no risk, so sign up for a free TurboTenant account today.