Stessa and Baselane are the two names that come up most when small landlords ask about free property software. Both are free at the entry level, both handle accounting for rental properties, and both have become massively popular — Baselane's search growth has been explosive over the past year. But they take very different approaches, and the right choice depends on how you collect rent and where you park your cash.
We set up both platforms side by side — same property, same rent roll, same expense tracking — to find out which one actually saves you money and time. Here's our honest, independent comparison.
Short answer: Baselane is the better pick for most small landlords in 2026 — it includes rent collection free, offers a competitive banking APY, and its free Core plan covers everything a 1–10 unit landlord needs. Choose Stessa if you want a more mature accounting experience, cleaner Schedule E exports, and don't need built-in rent collection (or don't mind paying $20/month for it).
At a Glance
| Feature | Stessa | Baselane |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Price | Free (Essentials) | Free (Core) |
| Rent Collection | $20/mo (Manage tier) | ✅ Free on Core |
| Banking APY | Modest | Competitive (~4.5%) |
| Accounting | Mature, detailed | Good, simpler |
| Schedule E | Excellent export | Supported |
| Tenant Screening | — | Available |
| Best For | Accounting-focused landlords | Rent collection + banking |
Pricing verified August 2026 from official pricing pages; APY figures are representative and change over time.
Pricing — What You Actually Pay
Stessa: The Essentials tier is free — property tracking, income and expense tracking, and Schedule E reports. The paid Manage tier costs $15/month billed monthly or $144/year, and unlocks rent collection, unlimited receipt scanning, and deeper tenant features.
Baselane: The Core plan is free and includes landlord banking, rent collection, and basic accounting. The paid Smart tier is roughly $20/month and adds advanced automation like lease management workflows.
The single biggest pricing difference: rent collection is free on Baselane but costs $144/year on Stessa. For a landlord who collects rent through software, that's a real annual saving.
Rent Collection — Where They Diverge Most
This is the deciding factor for most landlords. Baselane includes rent collection in its free Core plan — tenants can pay by bank transfer or card, and you get payment tracking without paying extra. Stessa locks rent collection behind its $144/year Manage tier.
If you're a landlord who just needs accounting and your tenants pay by Zelle or check anyway, Stessa's free tier is fine. But if you want software-managed rent collection, Baselane does it free — a clear advantage.
Banking & APY — Baselane's Edge
Baselane is built around its landlord checking account, which has offered competitive APY rates (recently around 4.58% in mid-2026 marketing). Money sitting between rent cycles earns meaningful interest. Stessa's banking offering exists but has historically been less competitive on APY. If you keep a security deposit or rent float in the account, Baselane's interest advantage adds up.
Accounting & Schedule E — Stessa's Edge
Stessa's accounting engine is more mature. Receipt categorization, expense tracking, and Schedule E generation are polished and reliable — landlords have trusted it for years. Baselane covers the same basics but with a simpler, more banking-first structure. For serious bookkeeping and clean tax exports, Stessa still has the edge — but Baselane is closing the gap.
Tenant Screening & Extras
Baselane includes tenant screening tools (credit and background checks) as part of its ecosystem, which is handy for landlords who self-manage. Stessa historically focused purely on accounting and portfolio tracking. If you want a broader property-management feature set, Baselane offers more in one place.
Our Verdict
Choose Baselane if you collect rent through software, want free rent collection, and like the idea of earning APY on your rent float. It's the better value for most 1–10 unit landlords in 2026.
Choose Stessa if accounting depth and Schedule E polish matter most to you, your tenants pay outside the app, and you're happy to keep rent collection separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baselane really free?
Yes. Baselane's Core plan is free and includes landlord banking, rent collection, and basic accounting with no monthly fee. Its paid Smart tier (around $20/month) adds advanced features like automated lease management. For most small landlords, the free Core plan is genuinely sufficient.
Is Stessa really free?
Stessa's Essentials tier is free and covers property tracking, income and expense tracking, and Schedule E reports. However, rent collection costs extra ($20/month or $144/year on the Manage tier), and some advanced features like unlimited receipt scanning sit behind the paid tier.
Which is better for rent collection, Stessa or Baselane?
Baselane is better for rent collection because it's included free on the Core plan, while Stessa charges $20/month (or $144/year) for the Manage tier that enables rent collection. If rent collection matters to you, Baselane saves you money.
Does Stessa or Baselane support Schedule E?
Both support Schedule E. Stessa is known for its clean Schedule E export with proper categorization, and Baselane also generates Schedule E reports from your tracked income and expenses. Both work well for tax season.
Which has a better banking APY, Stessa or Baselane?
Baselane offers a competitive APY on its landlord checking accounts (historically around 4-5%, with recent rates near 4.58% in 2026). Stessa's banking offering has been less competitive on APY, though it has improved. For cash parking between rent cycles, Baselane is the stronger choice.