RentMouse vs Buildium
Buildium is powerful but built for property management companies with 50+ units. RentMouse is simpler and more affordable for independent landlords.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | RentMouse | Buildium |
|---|---|---|
| Target User | Small landlords (1-50 units) | Property managers (50+ units) |
| Starting Price | Free (first unit) | $62/month minimum |
| 10 Units Cost | $45/month | $62/month + $99 setup |
| ACH Payment Fee | 0.8% (max $5) | 1% |
| Card Payment Fee | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2.95% |
| Bank Account Setup | Free | $99 per account |
| Tenant Screening | Pay-per-use | Included in plans |
| E-Signatures | Unlimited included | Included |
| Maintenance Tracking | Full workflow | Full workflow + vendors |
| Accounting | Built-in basics | Full GL accounting |
| Learning Curve | Simple, 10-min setup | Complex, training needed |
| Canada Support | Full US & Canada | US only |
| Contract Required | No contract | Annual contract often |
What is Buildium?
Buildium is an enterprise-grade property management platform owned by RealPage, designed primarily for professional property management companies with 50+ units. Founded in 2004, Buildium offers comprehensive tools including full general ledger accounting, owner portals, association management, and advanced reporting capabilities.
Buildium's pricing starts at $62/month for their Essential plan (up to 20 units) with a $99 setup fee per bank account. Their Growth plan starts at $174/month and Premium at $375/month. These prices reflect Buildium's positioning as an enterprise solution rather than a tool for independent landlords.
While Buildium is excellent for property management companies, its complexity, pricing structure, and steep learning curve make it overkill for landlords managing just a few rental properties.
What is RentMouse?
RentMouse is a modern property management platform built specifically for independent landlords with 1-50 units. Unlike Buildium's enterprise approach, RentMouse focuses on simplicity and affordability while still providing professional-grade features.
Your first unit is completely free with RentMouse — no credit card required, no time limits. Additional units are just $5/month each. You can set up your account and start collecting rent in about 10 minutes, with no training sessions or onboarding calls required.
RentMouse includes rent collection, tenant screening, e-signatures, maintenance tracking, and basic accounting — everything most small landlords need without the complexity they don't.
Why Small Landlords Choose RentMouse
No Minimum Spend
Buildium starts at $62/month with a $99 setup fee. RentMouse is free for your first unit with no setup costs whatsoever.
Built for DIY Landlords
Skip the enterprise features you don't need. RentMouse focuses on what small landlords actually use day-to-day.
Set Up in Minutes
No training sessions or onboarding calls. Add your property and start collecting rent today — most users finish setup in 10 minutes.
Cancel Anytime
No annual contracts or long-term commitments. Pay month-to-month and leave whenever you want with no penalties.
Lower Payment Fees
RentMouse charges 0.8% for ACH (max $5) vs Buildium's 1%. Your tenants save money on every payment.
Canada Support
RentMouse works in both the US and Canada with provincial compliance. Buildium is US-only.
When Buildium Might Be the Right Choice
We believe in honest comparisons. Buildium might be better for you if:
- You manage 50+ units and need enterprise-grade features
- You need full double-entry accounting with trust accounting capabilities
- You manage HOAs or associations alongside rentals
- You have a team needing advanced user permissions and audit trails
Pricing: Enterprise vs Affordable
The biggest difference between RentMouse and Buildium is pricing philosophy. Buildium charges a minimum of $62/month regardless of how many units you have, plus a $99 setup fee for each bank account you connect. Their Growth plan jumps to $174/month.
RentMouse takes the opposite approach: your first unit is free forever, and additional units are just $5/month each. A landlord with 10 units pays $45/month with RentMouse vs $62/month with Buildium — and RentMouse has no setup fees.
For landlords with 1-20 units, RentMouse saves hundreds of dollars annually while providing all the features you actually need.
Ease of Use: Simple vs Complex
Buildium is a powerful platform, but that power comes with complexity. New users typically need training to learn the system, and the interface reflects its enterprise heritage with multiple menus, settings, and configuration options.
RentMouse is designed for simplicity. Most landlords complete setup in 10 minutes without any training. The interface focuses on the tasks you actually do: collecting rent, tracking maintenance, and managing leases. No enterprise complexity, no unnecessary features cluttering your dashboard.
Accounting Features Compared
Buildium offers full general ledger accounting with trust accounting, owner distributions, and 1099 generation. If you're a professional property manager handling funds for multiple owners, these features are valuable.
RentMouse includes built-in income and expense tracking with categorization and reporting. For most independent landlords, this provides everything needed for taxes and financial oversight without the complexity of full GL accounting. If you need advanced accounting, you can export data to QuickBooks or your accountant.
Ready to Try a Simpler Alternative?
See why thousands of small landlords prefer RentMouse. First unit is free forever.