RentSpree alternatives, compared by what screening costs and who pays
RentSpree lists standard screening reports at $39.99 and comprehensive ones at $49.99, and you choose whether the applicant pays or you cover it. Alternatives list different amounts: Azibo $39.99 charged to the applicant, Hemlane $40 total, Landlord Studio $55 on Go and $45 on Pro, Rentec Direct from $10 on Pro and PM, and Zillow Rental Manager with reports free to the landlord and a $40 renter application fee. DoorKeeping passes screening through at its exact cost with no markup.
Why screening is the number to compare
For a landlord who fills a few vacancies a year, the screening price per applicant can matter more than a $7 monthly plan. RentSpree's pricing page lists both report prices and says submitted screening applications are non-refundable whatever the leasing decision, which is worth knowing before you ask applicants to pay.
Published screening prices
| Tool | Screening price | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| RentSpree | $39.99 standard, $49.99 comprehensive | You choose: applicant or landlord |
| Azibo | $39.99 credit and background checks | Applicant |
| Hemlane | $40 total | Applicant |
| Landlord Studio | $55 on Go, $45 on Pro (Pro Plus not listed) | Applicant or owner |
| Rentec Direct Pro and PM | $10, $13 or $18 by report level (Starter $14.95, $20.95 or $29.45) | Applicant |
| Zillow Rental Manager | Reports free to the landlord; renter pays a $40 application fee covering 30 days of applications | Renter |
| Avail | Varies by location, price not stated | Most commonly the tenant |
| DoorKeeping | DoorKeeping's exact cost, no markup | Applicant by default; owner may pay |
Example a made-up owner screens 3 applicants for a vacancy. At $39.99 each on RentSpree that is 3 x $39.99 = $119.97 in total fees, paid by the applicants or by the owner. At Rentec Direct's Pro rate of $10 for the lowest report level it is 3 x $10 = $30. Report contents differ, so compare what each report includes before price alone.
What state rules add
Several states limit what a landlord may charge for an application or screening. DoorKeeping applies each state's cap where it has verified the rule from the statute text, and in other states the owner pays until the rule is checked. If a cap is below the report price, only owner-paid screening is offered, in full. Whatever tool you use, check your state's current rule; this is general information, not legal advice.
After the screening
Screening is one step. Each DoorKeeping unit has an application link that needs no account, and an AI reads the uploaded documents and flags mismatches, leaving the decision to the owner under one written rule applied to everyone. After approval comes an e-signed lease, then books for each property, deposits matched to rent and late fees within state caps, all reachable from Claude or ChatGPT. See the price table.
What should a screening report include?
Prices only compare fairly when the reports match. A typical tenant screening report covers a credit report, criminal history and eviction history, and some add income verification and references. RentSpree separates a standard report from a comprehensive one that adds bank-verified income and reference checks, which explains part of the $10 gap between them.
Before choosing, confirm four things with any provider: what the report contains, how the applicant gets a copy and a way to dispute errors, how long the report stays valid for a second landlord, and who owns the applicant's data. Screening decisions must be applied the same way to every applicant; DoorKeeping states facts and inconsistencies and leaves the decision to the owner under one written rule. Keep each applicant's report private, share it only with the people who need it for the decision, and delete it on a schedule you can state, because a screening report holds sensitive personal data.
Sources
- RentSpree, Pricing, read Oct 30, 2026
- Azibo, Pricing, read Oct 30, 2026
- Hemlane, Pricing, read Oct 30, 2026
- Landlord Studio, Pricing, read Oct 30, 2026
- Rentec Direct, Pricing transparency, read Oct 30, 2026
- Zillow Rental Manager, Rental applications FAQ, read Oct 30, 2026
- DoorKeeping, Pricing, read Oct 30, 2026
Questions
- What does RentSpree charge for screening?
- $39.99 for a standard report and $49.99 for a comprehensive one, with the landlord choosing whether the applicant pays.
- Which alternative has the cheapest screening?
- Rentec Direct lists $10, $13 and $18 on Pro and PM, and Zillow Rental Manager reports are free to the landlord with a $40 renter fee. Report contents differ.
- How does DoorKeeping price screening?
- At its exact cost with no markup; the applicant pays by default and state caps are followed.