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AppFolio alternative: simple leases, free e-sign, online rent
JustLease is a lightweight AppFolio alternative focused on lease documents and rent collection at a small-landlord price.
JustLease is not affiliated with AppFolio. We mention AppFolio because many small landlords already know that brand and are searching for something simpler—and cheaper—for day-to-day lease and rent operations.
Buy JustLease instead ($9.99/mo)
- Tenants: free ($0.00/mo platform fee)
- Landlords: $9.99/mo for 5 units
- Then $1.99/extra unit/mo
- Example 8 units: $15.96/mo
- Free digital document signing included (no JustLease per-signature fee)
- Card processing: Stripe pass-through only (~2.9% + $0.30; no JustLease markup)
- No setup fee. No per-tenant software fee. No premium tier for basic lease + rent.
| Units | JustLease monthly |
|---|---|
| 5 | $9.99 |
| 8 | $15.96 |
| 10 | $19.94 |
JustLease is $9.99/mo base with free digital signing and free tenants—no sales call required to see the price.
Create landlord accountAppFolio pricing (theirs)
Typically custom / high for professional operators
- AppFolio is sold to property managers and larger operators; pricing is usually quote-based, not a $10 DIY sticker.
- Expect software cost in a different league than hobby or few-door landlords.
- Implementation, training, and modules push total cost of ownership up fast.
Why that stings for small landlords: Enterprise PMS economics. Fine if you run a shop. Painful if you own a duplex and just need e-sign + rent.
AppFolio does not always publish a single public small-landlord rate. Confirm current pricing with AppFolio. We are not affiliated. $200/mo is a conservative floor for framing only.
Price contrast
| AppFolio | JustLease | |
|---|---|---|
| Software sticker | Typically custom / high for professional operators | $9.99/mo for 5 units |
| Digital signing | Often plan- or partner-dependent | Free included |
| Tenants | Varies by product | Free portal |
| Rent processing | Varies / marketplace fees possible | Stripe only — no JustLease markup |
| Best for | Enterprise-style property management for professional operators | Small landlords: leases, e-sign, rent |
What AppFolio is great at
Enterprise-style property management for professional operators.
Where small landlords often want less
Excellent for teams; overkill if you own a few doors and want tenants to pay rent online.
What JustLease is
- Dead-simple lease and rent portal
- Free digital document signing included (not a paid add-on)
- Free for tenants
- Landlords: $9.99/mo for 5 units, then $1.99/unit
- Online rent via Stripe with no JustLease markup on processing
- No frills, no upsell store, no enterprise complexity
When to use both
Many owners still use listing sites, education communities, or a full PMS for other jobs. JustLease is the thin layer for signed leases, e-sign, and rent after you have a tenant—especially if you only own a few doors and do not want to pay full PMS money for that job.
Compare more
- Buildium alternative — Often ~$50+/mo and up (unit-based PMS plans)
- Zillow Rental Manager alternative — Listings often free; ops tools and payments add fees
- Apartments.com alternative — Advertising / package pricing to get leads
- Rent.com alternative — Listing / advertising cost to attract renters
- BiggerPockets alternative — Membership tiers (Pro / Pro+ style) for education & tools
- All alternatives + full price table
- JustLease pricing