# The 5 best small property managers tools (2026): Schedule E report

> Source: https://landlordbench.com/best/property-managers/schedule-e (curated, re-verified)

The best small property managers tools in November 2026 are **SimplifyEm, ClearNow and Apartments.com Rental Manager**. SimplifyEm is the pick for small and midsize residential landlords and property managers. We read the price of 4 of the 5 on their own sites.

By [Landlord Bench Research](https://landlordbench.com/authors/research.md).

5 ranked · 4 checked against their own site 27–30 October 2026

## The short answer

**SimplifyEm** ranks first. It starts at $35 a month.

**ClearNow** ranks second, and **Apartments.com Rental Manager** third with a free plan. **Hemlane** has a free plan too.

2 tools here have a free plan to try before you pay. The highest ranked are Apartments.com Rental Manager and Hemlane.

## Pick by what you need

- Ranked first: [SimplifyEm](https://landlordbench.com/simplifyem.md), From $35 a month
- Landlords who want rent taken from tenants' bank accounts automatically: [ClearNow](https://landlordbench.com/clearnow.md), Price not established
- A free plan before you pay: [Apartments.com Rental Manager](https://landlordbench.com/apartments-com-rental-manager.md), Free
- Landlords and small managers who want staffed repair: [Hemlane](https://landlordbench.com/hemlane.md), Free, then $36.50 a month
- Lowest monthly price in the top five: [Rentec Direct](https://landlordbench.com/rentec-direct.md), From $25 a month

## All 5 picks at a glance

| # | Name | Best for | Starts at |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | [SimplifyEm](https://landlordbench.com/simplifyem.md) | Small and midsize residential landlords and property managers | From $35 a month |
| 2 | [ClearNow](https://landlordbench.com/clearnow.md) | landlords who want rent taken from tenants' bank accounts automatically | Price not established |
| 3 | [Apartments.com Rental Manager](https://landlordbench.com/apartments-com-rental-manager.md) | self-managing landlords with a handful of rentals who already advertise on Apartments.com | Free |
| 4 | [Hemlane](https://landlordbench.com/hemlane.md) | landlords and small managers who want staffed repair and leasing help behind the software | Free, then $36.50 a month |
| 5 | [Rentec Direct](https://landlordbench.com/rentec-direct.md) | landlords and small managers wanting per-unit pricing and fee-free rent by bank transfer | From $25 a month |

Checked between 27 October 2026 and 30 October 2026.

**5 tools, ranked.**

5 of 32 small property managers tools match “Schedule E report”. Of the rest: 1 on some plans only, 3 no, 23 unknown.

How the small property managers tools matching “Schedule E report” differ: 4 of 5 also match “State-specific leases”, against 0 of 27 in the rest of the category.

## The ranking

### 1. SimplifyEm

**Best for:** Small and midsize residential landlords and property managers

- Price: From $35 a month ([source](https://www.simplifyem.com/features-pricing/))
- [Read the review](https://landlordbench.com/simplifyem.md)

### 2. ClearNow

**Landlords who want rent taken from tenants' bank accounts automatically**

**Best for:** landlords who want rent taken from tenants' bank accounts automatically

- Price: Price not established
- [Read the review](https://landlordbench.com/clearnow.md)

### 3. Apartments.com Rental Manager

**A free plan before you pay**

**Best for:** self-managing landlords with a handful of rentals who already advertise on Apartments.com

- Price: Free ([source](https://propertyhelp.apartments.com/article/755-are-there-any-fees-with-collecting-or-paying-rent-on-apartments))
- [Read the review](https://landlordbench.com/apartments-com-rental-manager.md)

### 4. Hemlane

**Landlords and small managers who want staffed repair**

**Best for:** landlords and small managers who want staffed repair and leasing help behind the software

- Price: Free, then $36.50 a month ([source](https://www.hemlane.com/pricing/))
- [Read the review](https://landlordbench.com/hemlane.md)

### 5. Rentec Direct

**Lowest monthly price in the top five**

**Best for:** landlords and small managers wanting per-unit pricing and fee-free rent by bank transfer

- Price: From $25 a month ([source](https://www.rentecdirect.com/pricing))
- [Read the review](https://landlordbench.com/rentec-direct.md)

## Side by side

| Feature | SimplifyEm | ClearNow | Apartments.com Rental Manager | Hemlane | Rentec Direct |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Description | Unit-capped property management software with rental books, portals, and work orders. | Automatic rent debits from tenant bank accounts, deposited to the landlord three banking days later. | Free landlord tools bundled with an Apartments.com listing; applicants and card-paying renters carry the costs. | Rental management software with optional 24/7 repair coordination and leasing help, priced per unit. | Property management software for landlords and small managers, priced per unit with free rent payments by bank transfer. |
| Category | Landlord software, Property management software, Small property managers, Cheapest for 25 units, Landlords who self-manage | Rent collection, Landlords who self-manage, Small property managers | Landlord software, Landlords who self-manage, Free landlord software, Small property managers | Landlord software, Cheapest for 25 units, Free landlord software, Landlords who self-manage, Small property managers | Property management software, Cheapest for 25 units, Landlords who self-manage, Multifamily, Small property managers |
| Tags | Landlord software, Property management software, Small property managers, Cheapest for 25 units, Landlords who self-manage | Rent collection, Landlords who self-manage, Small property managers | Landlord software, Landlords who self-manage, Free landlord software, Small property managers | Landlord software, Cheapest for 25 units, Free landlord software, Landlords who self-manage, Small property managers | Property management software, Cheapest for 25 units, Landlords who self-manage, Multifamily, Small property managers |

## Questions buyers ask

### Which small property managers tools have a free plan?

2 of the 5 have a free plan.

### How current are these figures?

The prices were read 27–30 October 2026.

## Sources and method

Every price here is read from the vendor's own pricing page.

### Pricing pages (4 read)

- [SimplifyEm](https://landlordbench.com/simplifyem.md): [simplifyem.com/features-pricing](https://www.simplifyem.com/features-pricing/), checked 30 October 2026
- [Apartments.com Rental Manager](https://landlordbench.com/apartments-com-rental-manager.md): [propertyhelp.apartments.com/article/755-are-there-any-fees-with-collecting-or-paying-rent-on-apartments](https://propertyhelp.apartments.com/article/755-are-there-any-fees-with-collecting-or-paying-rent-on-apartments), checked 28 October 2026
- [Hemlane](https://landlordbench.com/hemlane.md): [hemlane.com/pricing](https://www.hemlane.com/pricing/), checked 27 October 2026
- [Rentec Direct](https://landlordbench.com/rentec-direct.md): [rentecdirect.com/pricing](https://www.rentecdirect.com/pricing), checked 28 October 2026