RentMouse vs Baselane
Two great options with different strengths. Baselane excels at banking and bookkeeping, while RentMouse offers comprehensive property management features.
Choose RentMouse If...
- You need full property management features
- You want unlimited e-signatures included
- You have properties in Canada
- You need robust maintenance tracking
Choose Baselane If...
- Free ACH payments are your priority
- You want integrated landlord banking
- Auto-categorized bookkeeping is important
- You need dedicated security deposit accounts
Pricing Comparison
Different models for different needs
RentMouse
Baselane
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RentMouse | Baselane |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | First unit free forever | Core features free |
| Pricing Model | $5/unit/month | Free / $20/mo Smart |
| ACH Payment Fee | 0.8% (max $5) | FREE |
| Card Payment Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Built-in Banking | No | Yes - landlord accounts |
| Auto Bookkeeping | Basic categorization | Automatic tagging |
| Maintenance Tracking | Full workflow + photos | Basic |
| Tenant Portal | Full-featured portal | Payment-focused |
| E-Signatures | Unlimited included | Not included |
| Tenant Screening | Credit, criminal, eviction | Via partner |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Canada Support | Full US & Canada | US only |
| Security Deposits | Tracking included | Dedicated accounts |
What is Baselane?
Baselane is a fintech platform for landlords that focuses primarily on banking and financial management. Launched in 2020, Baselane offers dedicated landlord bank accounts, automatic rent collection with free ACH, bookkeeping automation, and expense tracking. Their core value proposition is treating your rental business like a business with proper financial infrastructure.
Baselane monetizes through their banking product rather than subscription fees, which allows them to offer free ACH rent collection. Their free tier includes basic features, while the Smart plan at $20/month adds premium banking features and higher interest rates on deposits.
However, Baselane is primarily a banking and bookkeeping tool — it lacks many traditional property management features like e-signatures, comprehensive maintenance tracking, and rental listings that landlords often need.
What is RentMouse?
RentMouse is a comprehensive property management platform that covers the full landlord workflow: rent collection, tenant screening, e-signatures, maintenance tracking, document storage, and financial reporting. Unlike Baselane's banking-first approach, RentMouse focuses on property management with financial features built in.
Your first unit is free forever with RentMouse, and additional units are $5/month each. While RentMouse charges a small ACH fee (0.8% capped at $5) compared to Baselane's free ACH, it includes many features Baselane lacks: unlimited e-signatures, full maintenance workflows, and tenant screening.
For landlords who need a complete property management solution — not just a bank account — RentMouse provides more comprehensive tools in one platform.
Why Landlords Choose RentMouse
Complete Property Management
Full-featured maintenance tracking, tenant portals, document storage, and communication tools — not just rent collection and banking.
E-Signatures Included
Send and sign leases digitally without additional software. Create, send, and execute leases all within one platform.
US & Canada Support
Manage properties in both countries with localized forms, provincial compliance, and tax documents. Baselane is US-only.
Tenant Screening Built-In
Run credit checks, criminal background, and eviction history directly through the platform. Baselane uses partner services.
Full Maintenance Workflows
Track requests, assign vendors, upload photos, manage costs, and maintain complete work order history.
AI-Powered Assistance
Get instant help with landlord questions, notice drafting, and tenant communication through built-in AI chat.
When Baselane Might Be the Better Choice
Baselane excels in specific areas. It might be better for you if:
- Free ACH is critical: Baselane offers truly free ACH payments — RentMouse charges 0.8% (max $5)
- You need landlord banking: Dedicated accounts with auto-categorization and high-yield interest
- Security deposit accounts: Baselane offers dedicated accounts for security deposits
- You already have property management tools: Baselane can complement existing PM software
Different Tools for Different Needs
The key difference between RentMouse and Baselane is their core focus. Baselane is fundamentally a fintech company that built banking products for landlords. RentMouse is a property management platform that includes financial tracking.
If your primary need is a landlord bank account with automated bookkeeping and you already have other tools for managing tenants, maintenance, and leases, Baselane is excellent at what it does.
If you need a complete solution that handles the entire landlord workflow — from listing vacancies to screening tenants, signing leases, collecting rent, tracking maintenance, and reporting finances — RentMouse provides all of that in one platform.
ACH Fees: Free vs Low-Cost
Baselane's biggest advantage is free ACH rent collection. They can offer this because they monetize through their banking products rather than transaction fees. If you collect $1,500 in rent via ACH, Baselane charges $0 while RentMouse charges $5 (the 0.8% cap).
However, consider the total value: RentMouse includes e-signatures (often $10-15/month elsewhere), maintenance tracking, tenant screening integration, and comprehensive property management. The $5 ACH fee may be offset by features you'd otherwise pay for separately.
Can You Use Both?
Yes! Many landlords use Baselane for banking and RentMouse for property management. They serve complementary purposes. Use Baselane's bank accounts for separating business finances and earning interest on deposits. Use RentMouse for tenant management, maintenance tracking, e-signatures, and day-to-day operations.
That said, RentMouse includes financial tracking and reporting that covers most small landlords' needs without requiring a separate banking platform.
Ready to Try RentMouse?
Get full property management features with your first unit free.