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The VerticalRent Blog

Guides for independent landlords, renters, service pros, and real estate investors.

Buildium Review for Small Landlords (2026): Great Software for the Wrong Audience
Platform Reviews
FeaturedLandlord

Buildium Review for Small Landlords (2026): Great Software for the Wrong Audience

Buildium is excellent property management software. It's just not built for you. Here's an honest breakdown of Buildium's strengths, pricing, and who actually benefits from it.

Matthew Luke·April 13, 2026·8 min read
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Cozy App Shut Down: What Happened, What You Lost, and the Best Replacement in 2026
LandlordPlatform Reviews

Cozy App Shut Down: What Happened, What You Lost, and the Best Replacement in 2026

Cozy shut down on December 31, 2022. If you're still searching for what replaced it — or you're a new landlord who heard it was great — here's everything you need to know.

Matthew Luke·April 12, 2026·8 min read
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Best TurboTenant Alternatives in 2026: 6 Options Ranked for Independent Landlords
LandlordPlatform Reviews

Best TurboTenant Alternatives in 2026: 6 Options Ranked for Independent Landlords

TurboTenant is the most popular free landlord platform in the US. But it's not perfect for everyone. Here are the best alternatives — and exactly who each one is right for.

Matthew Luke·April 11, 2026·12 min read
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TurboTenant Review 2026: What 900,000 Landlords Know (and What They're Missing)
LandlordPlatform Reviews

TurboTenant Review 2026: What 900,000 Landlords Know (and What They're Missing)

TurboTenant is the most-used landlord platform in the US. Here's an honest review of what it does well, where it falls short, and who should (and shouldn't) use it.

Matthew Luke·April 15, 2026·10 min read
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Avail Review 2026: What Changed After Realtor.com Acquired It (And What Didn't)
LandlordPlatform Reviews

Avail Review 2026: What Changed After Realtor.com Acquired It (And What Didn't)

Avail was acquired by Realtor.com in 2020. Six years later, here's what's gotten better, what's stayed the same, and why some landlords are moving on.

Matthew Luke·April 14, 2026·9 min read
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AppFolio Alternative for Small Landlords: Why You Can't Use It (and What to Use Instead)
LandlordPlatform Reviews

AppFolio Alternative for Small Landlords: Why You Can't Use It (and What to Use Instead)

AppFolio requires a 50-unit minimum and $280/month. If you own fewer than 50 units, AppFolio won't even let you sign up. Here's what actually works for small landlords.

Matthew Luke·April 10, 2026·9 min read
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Apartments.com Rent Collection Review 2026: Fees, Features, and a Better Option
LandlordPlatform Reviews

Apartments.com Rent Collection Review 2026: Fees, Features, and a Better Option

Apartments.com absorbed Cozy's landlord platform in 2023. How does their rent collection stack up? We break down every fee, every feature, and how it compares to VerticalRent's $2 flat model.

Matthew Luke·April 9, 2026·8 min read
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Stessa Alternative: When You've Outgrown Financial Tracking and Need Full Property Management
LandlordPlatform Reviews

Stessa Alternative: When You've Outgrown Financial Tracking and Need Full Property Management

Stessa is excellent for tracking income and expenses. But it's not a property management platform. Here's when you've outgrown Stessa — and what to use instead.

Matthew Luke·April 8, 2026·7 min read
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